All Chapters of Accidental: Alpha's Surrogate Bride: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

Ilaria's POVThe cameras kept flashing. Questions flew at us from every direction."Is it true she has no wolf?""How can an she beside an Alpha?""Does Mountain Pack really accept this union?"The room felt like it was shrinking, the walls pressing in. I could feel their eyes on me, judging, dissecting, and waiting for me to crumble.Calista stood in the center of it all, her smile wide and innocent. But I knew better, I could see the venom lurking behind her eyes."I'm so sorry for the surprise," she said, placing a hand over her heart in mock sincerity. "I simply thought it would be wonderful to help promote the election. The people deserve to know their future Alpha and Luna, don't they?"Reed's arm tightened around my waist. "Everyone out." His voice was calm, but the authority in it was unmistakable. "Now."The reporters hesitated, glancing at each other uncertainly."I said now."This time, no one argued. They gathered their equipment and filed toward the door, casting curious

Reed's povThe interview ended, and I went looking for Ronan.He wasn't in the hallway where I had left him. He wasn't in the security room or the study. The filming crew that had been set up in the main hall was gone too.I was confused, I had no idea what was going on.I moved through the house quickly, my wolf on edge. The usual bustle of servants had thinned out because the corridors were empty."Ronan?" I called out. Nothing.I turned the corner toward the drawing room and nearly collided with Calista.She stood in the doorway, a bottle of expensive whiskey in one hand and two crystal glasses in the other. "Where is everyone?" I demanded. "Where's my Beta?""I sent them away." She informed me casually, "The filming crew was getting in the way, and your Beta was hovering. I thought we could all use some breathing room.""You had no authority to dismiss anyone.""I was trying to help, Reed." She tilted her head, "I know things have been tense between us. I wanted to apologize."I

Reed's povI jerked awake, gasping, my wolf howling in fury inside my chest. The drawing room swam into focus around me.Calista.I pushed myself up, my arms trembling with the effort. My head pounded like someone had taken a hammer to it. "Easy, Alpha." Ronan's voice came from somewhere to my left. "You've been out for almost an hour.""Where is she?" "Calista? She's in the main hall. She won't leave.""Not Calista." I grabbed Ronan's arm and hauled myself to my feet. The room tilted dangerously, but I forced myself to stay upright. "Ilaria. Where's Ilaria?"Ronan's expression shifted. Something cold settled in my gut."We don't know," he said quietly. "The guards at the gate said she left about forty minutes ago."No.I shoved past him and staggered into the hallway. My legs felt like they were made of lead, but I kept moving. Calista was waiting in the main hall, surrounded by a crowd of reporters who had materialized out of nowhere. When she saw me, her face lit up with that

Reed's povI stood in the observation room, watching through the one-way glass as Calista sat handcuffed to a metal table. "Alpha Reed." The police captain approached, a folder tucked under his arm. "We've completed the initial processing. Given the evidence, she won't be seeing daylight for a very long time."I nodded, but my mind was elsewhere. The paramedics had rushed Ilaria into emergency surgery the moment we arrived, and I had been forced to stay behind to deal with Calista and fulfill my duties as Alpha when all I wanted was to be at my mate's side."There's one more thing," I said, my voice flat. "I need to make an official declaration."The captain raised an eyebrow. "Sir?""As Alpha of the Mountain Pack, I hereby strip Calista of her title and standing within wolf society." I announced. "She is no longer recognized as a member of any pack. She has no claim to protection under our laws. She is, from this moment forward, a rogue."Through the glass, I watched Calista's face

Ilaria's povThe doctors cleared me after three days and I was more than relieved to go home. Reed refused to leave my side. I couldn’t help but think about what we are going to meet when we go back to the house."You're quiet." Reed's voice pulled me from my thoughts. He was sitting on the edge of my bed, "What's wrong?"I looked down at my hands, folded in my lap. The IV had been removed that morning, leaving behind a small bruise on the inside of my elbow."The reporters," I said slowly. "They're not going to stop asking questions about me."He shook his head, “you know that I don't care what they think.""But I do." I met his gaze. "The election is in two days, Reed. If people find out I'm an Omega without a wolf..."I trailed off, but I could see he understood. I didn’t have his mark."Ilaria—""Calista knew." The words came out bitter. "That's why she demanded to see my mark that night. She knew I didn't have one."Reed was silent for a long moment. His hand found mine, his fin