Sinclair sat in his office, trying not to think about Ella. Two days had crawled by, and the Alpha found it increasingly difficult to stay away from the pretty human. His wolf was driving him mad, constantly urging him to check on her, to make sure she was alright.

It was ridiculous—he knew she was perfectly fine. The mischievous creature rang her bell every few hours, just to see if he would come. In fact, he was beginning to think the bell had been a bad idea. He craved hearing it, hoping she would ring so he could give in to his wolf and see her. Every time she called, Ella offered a flimsy excuse, yet he wasn't bothered. He could tell she was testing her limits, amusing herself. This was probably the first time anyone had truly cared for her, and he couldn't spoil her fun.

Ella was so unlike his ex, Lydia, it made his head spin. Sinclair had loved his mate and wanted to give her everything, but she wasn't the most easygoing of she-wolves. Even before she betrayed him, he knew a pregnancy with her would be difficult. He could imagine her in Ella's shoes, demanding every extravagance imaginable and complaining constantly. She would have made the experience a trial to endure, not to relish, whereas Ella was sweetly reveling in the magic of creating life, overwhelmed by comfort instead of constant struggle.

Sinclair's thoughts were interrupted by a knock. He called, "Come in."

His heart leaped when the investigator he'd hired poked his head through the door. "Is now a good time, Alpha?"

"Yes," he agreed, eager to hear the man's findings.

"Well, you were right," the investigator announced, entering and sitting opposite Sinclair. "I checked with the police. Ella Reina reported identity theft a couple of days after the insemination. Until a few months ago, her financial history was perfectly sound."

Sinclair's wolf howled triumphantly in his head. I knew it! I knew she wasn't bad.

"Do the police have any leads?" Sinclair asked.

"Oh, she told them exactly who was responsible," the investigator said. "She claimed her ex-boyfriend had opened about a dozen credit cards in her name, and the story checks out. All the cards she opened herself are debt-free; she pays her balance every month. The charges are modest. The new cards were maxed out almost immediately on luxury items—certainly not in her home, based on your description. It's a completely different spending pattern. I think she was telling the truth: at the time of the insemination, she didn't know she was in financial trouble."

"Then how did my sperm end up switched with the donor she chose?" Sinclair asked, relieved the mother of his pup wasn't another shallow gold digger like Lydia.

"I don't know, but you said she hasn't asked you for anything other than the right to stay with the baby. Her file at the clinic indicated she'd been trying to get pregnant for years," the investigator reasoned. "That doesn't sound like someone who set out to entrap you."

Sinclair felt a pang in his chest. Like him, Ella had struggled with fertility for years, only to be betrayed by her partner. For all their differences, he was beginning to think they had more in common than he realized. However, there was one thing he didn't understand, and he was tired of going through the investigator. It was time to get the story straight from the source…and this time, he'd actually listen.

He arrived at Ella's room to find her curled up in the window seat, bathed in sunlight, sound asleep. She wore the silk pajamas he'd bought her when he saw her shabby sleep clothes, and looked so sweet it hurt. He was reluctant to disturb her, knowing she needed rest, and started to leave. However, the sound of his footsteps roused her, and a moment later, Ella opened her eyes and yawned, stretching like a sleepy kitten and offering a welcoming smile. "Good morning."

"I think you mean, good afternoon," Sinclair teased, fighting the urge to brush the hair from her face. "How are you feeling?"

Ella's stomach answered for her, growling pointedly, making her blush. "Sorry."

"Don't apologize," Sinclair insisted. "I'll get you something to eat. What would you like?"

Ella peeked up at him from beneath her lashes. "Does it have to be healthy?"

Chuckling, Sinclair knelt beside her. He pressed his hand to her belly, making her flinch, then shushed her gently and petted her hair. "Shh, I just want to feel the baby." He focused on the tiny being, trying to pick up on their developing mental link.

Once he did, he laughed, a rich, cozy sound that enveloped Ella in warmth. "So, pickles and ice cream, is that it?"

"How did you know that!" Ella exclaimed, her eyes wide.

"All shifter parents have a mental link with their pups, even in the womb," he explained.

"Is that why I can hear you in my head sometimes?" Ella asked. "Like when I passed out, I swear I could hear you from inside me."

Sinclair nodded. He was surprised a human could pick up on it, but it was the only explanation. "That's right. Now, sit tight, and I'll get your snack."

Ella was surprised Sinclair planned on preparing it himself. She assumed he'd send a servant, if he even allowed such an unhealthy snack. He'd been so adamant about prenatal vitamins, exercise, and care. Apparently, cravings were a different matter—he must have understood how powerful the hunger was. When he returned with a bowl of ice cream and a plate of pickles, Ella almost wanted to hug him; she was so grateful. Of course, she dismissed the idea immediately. Dominic Sinclair was many things, but she doubted he was a hugger.

Ella ate her snack, sighing with pleasure and making Sinclair grin…though it didn't last. "I hate to ruin your good mood," he began apologetically, "but I wanted to ask—why did you go to a sperm bank if you didn't know about your boyfriend's betrayal until afterward?"

Ella blinked. "You've decided you believe me about the debt, then?"

"My investigators took a closer look at your situation," he agreed. "I'm sorry I didn't trust you at first…trust doesn't always come easily for me."

"I suppose I can understand that," Ella answered cryptically. Working up the courage to tell this intimidating man her story, she took a deep breath. "But I did know about Mike's betrayal beforehand—just not the identity theft. He kept me around for years because…he wanted a trophy in his bed. While I was trying to get pregnant, he was sleeping with my best friend and giving me the morning-after pill in my coffee every morning. I caught him in the affair the same day I learned my eggs were so diminished that if I didn't get pregnant now, I never would."

Tears streamed down her face, and she couldn't look at Sinclair. Setting down the ice cream, she concluded, "So you see, this baby is my last chance…my only chance. That's why I went to Cora—I couldn't risk failing again."

Before she knew it, Sinclair had pulled her into his arms. She was completely enveloped in his embrace. So much for not being a hugger. "I'm so sorry, Ella," he rumbled against her hair.

She nodded pitifully, fighting the temptation to let him comfort her. He smelled wonderful, and she felt safe—safer than she could ever remember feeling. "I won't take the baby from you," Sinclair declared, astonishing her. "If I find a new mate, you can have visitation rights."

"Really?" Ella sniffled, unbelieving.

"Yes. I'm sorry I've been so harsh," Sinclair purred, stroking her spine.

Ella sobbed into Sinclair's collar while he rocked and soothed her. As gentle as he was with her, Sinclair was furious inside. He'd never felt such rage. His wolf was berserk, needing to find and punish Ella's ex-boyfriend. He wanted to destroy the man who had broken her heart. She was the mother of his pup, and no one had the right to harm her. Even as he held her, a plan formed in his mind—a plan to make Mike pay for his crimes. The police might not be able to help Ella, but he certainly could.