Chosen To Be The Alpha's Surrogate

**I Penelope I**

The sun hangs low on the horizon, painting the lake in hues of gold and orange. I stand at the edge of the dock, my fingers tracing the rough wood grain, lost in thought. This spot holds so many memories now some bittersweet, some terrifying, but all significant. It was here that Malachi found me that night Julia showed up, here where I felt my world crumbling around me.

A cool breeze ripples across the water, carrying the scent of pine and wilderness. I breathe it in deeply, one hand resting on my swollen belly. So much has changed since that night, yet here we are again, standing on the edge of something

new.

I've noticed how differently Malachi's been acting since the day I had that dream where I summoned him. There's a new intensity to his gaze when he looks at me, a mix of wonder and concern that I can't really decipher. It's as if he's seeing me for the first time, or maybe seeing something in me that I can't see myself.

*Or maybe I'm thinking too much into it.*

Lost in my musings, I don't hear Malachi approach. His presence envelops me before he even touches me, his warmth radiating against my back. I feel his hands slide around me, coming to rest on my belly. For a moment, we stand in silence, watching the sun's slow descent.

"Penny for your thoughts?" he murmurs, his breath tickling my ear.

I lean back into him, savoring his warmth and scent. "Just thinking about everything that's happened. How much has changed."

He hums in agreement, his thumbs tracing soothing circles on my stomach. Our child kicks in response, as if recognizing his father's touch.

"How are you feeling today?" Malachi asks, gently turning me to face him. His eyes search mine, concern evident in them.

I sigh, letting my exhaustion show. There's no point in hiding it from him; he always seems to know anyway. "Tired. So tired, Mal. When will we be able to just relax?" I gesture vaguely at my pregnant belly. "This isn't how I expected to spend my last trimester, you know. I thought there'd be more ice cream and foot rubs, less... supernatural *drama*."

A smirk tugs at his lips, more pitying than amused. His hands come up to cup my face, thumbs stroking my cheeks gently. "It's almost over, little rabbit. Just one last thing left the Hunt."

*Not the damn Hunt again...*

I can't help the groan that escapes me, my head falling forward to rest on his chest. "Do I still have to do that? Didn't it technically count when you found me here a few days ago?"

Malachi laughs, the sound rumbling through his chest and into me. "No, it had to be postponed because you ran. It turned into a search and rescue, remember?"

I pull back to look at him, rolling my eyes dramatically. "How could I forget? It's not every day a girl gets chased through the woods by her werewolf mate."

Suddenly, a low and primal growl erupts from the back of his throat. The sound sends a shiver down my spine, heat creeping up my core. His eyes flash that otherworldly blue, and in an instant, he's pressed against me, one hand at the small of my back, the other tangled in my hair.

His lips are at my ear, his breath hot against my skin as he murmurs, "Don't worry, little rabbit. I'll find you. I'll always find you."

I melt against him, my breath suddenly uneven. Even now, heavily pregnant and exhausted, my body responds to him instantly. It's almost embarrassing how easily he affects me. "How do you do that?" I whisper, my fingers clutching at his shirt. "How is it that you always affect me like this?"

He chuckles, the sound vibrating through me. His hand slides from my hair to my neck, thumb tracing my racing pulse. "Because you're my mate," he says, his voice low and intense. "And you're carrying my child. There's a certain *irresistible* pull between us." His lips brush against my skin as he adds, "It will only intensify once I put the imprinting mark on you."

The mention of the imprinting mark sends a thrill through me excitement mixed with a hint of fear. "How's that going to work?" I ask, curiosity overriding my momentary embarrassment.

Malachi pulls back slightly, a mischievous glint in his eye. "It'll be a very... *fun* time for both of us," he says, his voice full of promise. "It's usually when most mates multiply their family." *So...horny? We'll be horny all the time. Great.*

I raise my eyebrows, trying to feign eagerness. The thought of another child so soon makes me uneasy. This pregnancy hasn't exactly been a walk in the park, what with all the supernatural drama and near-death experiences. I find myself wanting to enjoy being a mother to one child and Malachi's mate for a while before considering more. But I keep those thoughts to myself, not wanting to dampen his enthusiasm.

Instead, I change the subject. "So, tell me about this Hunt," I say, trying to keep my voice light. "What exactly am I in for?"

Malachi's expression hardens to a more serious one, his hands coming to rest on my hips. "You'll go into the forest wearing a white dress, along with the other women participating. You'll have a head start, and it's your job to hide as best you can."

I nod, remembering the rules he'd explained just a few days ago. It didn't sound too bad then either, almost like an adult version of hide and seek. But then a thought occurs to me. "What's the deal with having to be naked underneath? Why can't I wear a bra or underwear? It's not exactly comfortable in my *condition*, you know."

Malachi hesitates, and I can see him choosing his words carefully. It's a look I've come to recognize the one he gets when he's about to tell me something he thinks I won't like. "Traditionally speaking," he begins slowly, "the Hunt ends in... mating."

For a moment, I think he's joking. A laugh bubbles up in my throat, but it dies away as I see the serious look on his face. "What?" I splutter, heat rushing to my cheeks. "Like... out in the open? Possibly around other people?"

His silence is answer enough, and I feel my face flame even hotter. "Mal, that's... I mean, I can't..." I trail off, mortification robbing me of words.

"There's nothing to be embarrassed about," he assures me, his hands cupping my face again. His thumbs stroke my cheeks, trying to soothe away my discomfort. "The mating ritual isn't crude, Penny. It's a beautiful ceremony of love and fertility. It's sacred to our people."

I bite my lip, still unconvinced. "But what if someone watches?" I ask, my voice small. The thought of being so exposed, so vulnerable, in front of others makes my stomach churn.

Malachi laughs softly, the sound warm and reassuring. "They might glance, but they won't watch. A wolf's interest is to find his mate, not to watch someone else mate. Everyone will be focused on their own partners." I'm still not entirely convinced, but his words do help a little. Still, there's one thing I don't understand. "Why do we have to do it at all? We're already mated. I'm already pregnant. Isn't that proof enough of our bond?"

"I'm Alpha," he explains patiently, his hands sliding down to rest on my shoulders. "I have to participate. It's expected of me, of *us*. And..." he pauses, his eyes holding mine intently, "this is the ritual where I'll place the imprinting mark on you." *Oh...*

Suddenly, it all makes sense. The imprinting mark-the deeper, more profound bond that will tie us together forever. The one that will make me truly his Luna, submissive to him in every way. Understanding dawns, but it does little to chase the nervousness away.

I'm still apprehensive about the public nature of it all, and how exactly will I change? Will I stop being my own person? How will Malachi change?

*Relax. He deserves my trust. He's earned it.*

I place a hand on my belly, feeling our child move within me.

*Everything will be fine. This is Malachi. He would never put me or our baby in harm's way.*

I look up at him, a soft smile curving my lips. Rising on my tiptoes, I plant a gentle kiss on his lips. "I love you, Mal," I murmur against his mouth.

He deepens the kiss, one hand tangling in my hair while the other splays across my lower back, pulling me as close as my pregnant belly will allow. When we finally part, we're both a little breathless.

"I love you too, little rabbit," he says, his voice husky. "Both of you."

As the sun finally dips below the horizon, casting long shadows across the lake, I lean into Malachi's embrace. I know that tomorrow is the start of a new life-the Hunt, the imprinting, a new phase of our life together. And soon, our son will join us.

But in this moment, despite all the uncertainty, I let myself lean on Malachi completely. It seems as of late, every time I let myself just be led by him, things turn out okay. And okay is perfect right now.