Accidental Surrogate for Alpha by Caroline Above Story
Chapter 249 Surprise (Ella)
“Cora, what on earth is going on?” I demand, staring at my sister in shock and mild outrage.
She’s just barged into my suite and announced that I won’t be wearing the gown I had specially made for the ball tonight. She pulled the hanger right out of my closet and tossed the garment bag aside, as if the dress inside is not the most expensive article of clothing either of us has ever owned.
“Just change into your robe and have a seat. The makeup artist is due any minute.” Cora replies, a devious and entirely unrepentant smile on her face. She’s bustling around my dressing room, pulling a chair in front of the vanity, making space by shifting boxes and suitcases. She moves through the room as if she owns the place. Typically I wouldn’t mind this – as my sister is welcome to anything that’s mine – it’s her sneaky demeanor and knowing looks that are driving me to distraction.
“Makeup artist?” I repeat, aghast. I’ve given up trying to follow her frenetic movements, knowing I can’t keep up and that she’s not going to stop even if I try. “What are you talking about? I’m perfectly capable of doing my own makeup.”
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“Of course you can, but there’s nothing wrong with a little pampering now and again.” My sister answers, not actually giving me any more information about her strange behavior. She starts sorting through my shoe rack, seeming to eliminate any number of options with a single glance – including the heels I specifically bought for this event. I’m about to demand answers once more when the door swings open and a new voice joins the melee.
“Don’t forget the hair stylists!” Isabel sings, barging in unannounced and carrying three heavy looking dress bags. “They want to start getting her curled before the makeup team takes over.” Obviously she could hear our conversation before she arrived, and obviously she’s in on whatever this plot is.
“Okay stop!” I cry, throwing my hands out in protest. Both women stop in their tracks, looking at me with expectant expressions. “One of you needs to tell me what’s happening, right now.” I order firmly, trying to keep my voice steady.
“Don’t worry, she’s never done well with surprises.” Cora says to Isabel in a conspiratorial sort of tone, as if I’m not even standing here. Thankfully she turns to me a second later, “Ella, all you need to know is that there’s been a small change of plans and we’re here to make sure everything goes smoothly.”
“What change of plans!” I burst, feeling more frustrated by the minute. “I’ve been planning this ball for weeks! I know every last detail about the logistics, the decorations and atmosphere, the food! I have personally approved every item on the menu, every bloom going into the flower arrangements – I would know if something has shifted. You realize I have teams of people working on this? You can’t just barge in and change things last minute.”
“Take a deep breath, honey.” Isabel says, hanging up the garment bags weighing her down. “It’s not last minute, we’ve been working on this for days. Besides, Dominic doesn’t want you stressed, he’s just trying to do something nice for you.”
I gape, cradling my belly. My first instinct is to laugh in their faces if they think a few days is enough time to make major adjustments on this kind of event, but my wolf is more focused on the second half of Isabels’ statement. “Dominic arranged this?”
“Well technically we arranged it.” Cora corrects me, all smiles. “But we did it on his orders. We’re just carrying out his wishes. Now calm down and just try to enjoy yourself.”
As soon as I hear that my dastardly mate is behind this scheme, my wolf immediately cools off. My shoulders slump as the tension spiraling through my body abruptly dissipates, slipping away as quickly as it came. If Sinclair is responsible, I know I’m going to like this surprise. At the same time my mind is spinning with questions. I’m not sure where he is at the moment, but I reach out to him anyway.
What are you up to? I inquire suspiciously.
He must be close, because almost as soon as the message leaves my head his cozy chuckle fills my senses. You’ll see, trouble. Are you being a good girl and letting Cora and Isabel take care of you?
You mean your evil minions? I huff, They’re taking far too much pleasure in tricking me, in fact they’re just asking to get bitten.
No biting, little wolf. Sinclair admonishes, his tone sounding much too indulgent for me to take to heart.
My wolf grumbles mutinously, a new thought striking then. If Sinclair is the one responsible for this upset, then maybe he’s the one who should pay the price. What about you? She asks slyly, can I bite you?
Maybe later. He laughs, and I don’t try to hide my disappointment. We’ll be together soon enough. For now just relax – I promise you’ll like this surprise.
My wolf is still muttering curses in my head when the makeup and hair teams arrive. They glide inside carrying fancy cases of supplies, all wearing bright smiles and speaking at a pitch so high that their words border on squeals. They’re all clearly very excited, but no one will tell me what’s going on and it’s driving me absolutely crazy.
I sit patiently while my hair is curled in meticulous detail, glaring at everyone and anyone who looks my way. I have to get up twice during the session to go relieve my bladder, but soon my reflection is as glamorous as I’ve ever seen it. My rose gold hair is woven into intricate braids encircling my head, while long curly tendrils float around my face. The effect is ethereal and lovely, especially once they begin adding pins topped with real pearls.
My makeup is striking but understated, leaning heavily on my natural charms rather than painting over them. Smokey shadows form beguiling patterns beneath my well-sculpted brows, and onyx paint is swept over my long lashes, making my golden irises flare out in brilliant contrast. My fair skin is left mostly unt*ouched, with only a swipe of blush over my high cheekbones and a rosy l*ip stain over my pouting l*ips.
Cora and Isabel come to admire the finished product, and I realize they’re both wearing matching emerald gowns. “You look incredible.” My sister beams, squeezing my hand.
“It’s true,” Isabel confirms in typical aloof fashion. “Actually it’s rather infuriating that anyone should be allowed to be so beautiful. Maybe we should undo some of this – she might cause a riot.”
“She’s not going to cause a riot.” Cora laughs, shaking her head. “But Dominic might when he sees you.”
“And we haven’t even gotten her into her dress yet.” Isabel smirks.
“What dress!” I demand, “how could you even have another dress made without me ever trying it on?” I exclaim, gesturing to the full length of my body. While my b*reasts and midsection bore the brunt of the growing pains in the first two trimesters of my pregnancy, the third is showing me how nothing is safe from the changes. My hips are broadening, my rear end has oodles of extra padding, even my feet seem to have grown. “I balloon another inch a day, whatever is in that bag isn’t going to fit!”
“Honestly, Ella.” Isabel rolls her eyes. “Do you think we’re complete amateurs? The dressmaker has been in on this since the beginning.” She brandishes the garment bag bearing the dress my sister so ruthlessly discarded, “every time you’ve had a fitting for your ball gown, she’s taken duplicate measurements for the real dress.”
My jaw drops as I look back and forth between these woman, “Who are you!” I inquire in exasperation, “In on what? You sound like you’ve escaped a cheesy spy film.”
“So, you love spy films.” Cora replies, ignoring me yet again.
“If one of you doesn’t start talking I’m going to lose my temper.” I warn them, “and losing my temper means lots of tears these days. If you don’t want me to ruin this make-up, then tell me what’s going on.”
“Alright, Princess,” Isabel chuckles without humor, “why don’t you just take a look at your dress – then you can decide if you still want to wring our n*ecks.”
My jaw clenches and I ball my hands into fists, stomping forward and viciously unzipping the garment bag. I don’t want to look at this dress. I want the dress I chose with the designer. Unfortunately it doesn’t seem like I’m going to get the explanations I need any other way, so I play along.
As soon as the zipper descends, I feel the breath stolen from my lungs. Peeling back the waterproof cover, I find yards and yards of glittering white fabric. I don’t have any idea what the material is, but it has the most remarkable luminescent sheen, making it look like a shaft of pure moonlight. Pearls like the ones entwined in my hair have been sewn into the bodice and skirts, accenting the intricate embroidery swirling throughout the design.
All at once, I understand why everyone has been behaving so strangely – even before my sister finally takes mercy on me.
“Ella, tonight isn’t just a ball.” Cora tells me, her eyes shining. “It’s your mating ceremony.”
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