Chosen To Be The Alpha's Surrogate

**I Penelope I**

Consciousness creeps in slowly, pulling me out of my restful slumber. With a soft smile, I reach out, seeking Malachi's warmth, but my hand meets only cool, untouched sheets. My eyes flutter open, confirming what I already knew he never

came to bed.

A knot of worry twists in my stomach, but before it can finish forming, I push it down, forcing myself to take a deep breath. This isn't the first time Malachi has worked through the night. And unfortunately, the responsibilities of an Alpha don't always respect normal working hours.

"He's fine," I whisper to the empty room, my voice sounding small and unconvincing even to my own ears. "Just busy. Nothing to worry about."

I lie there for a moment longer, one hand resting on my swollen belly, feeling the gentle movements of our child. The baby is active this morning, as if sensing my unease. I take another deep breath, trying to center myself. "It's okay, little one," I murmur. "Daddy's just working hard. He'll be back soon."

With a soft grunt of effort, I push myself up to a sitting position. My body feels heavy, ungainly. I catch sight of myself in the mirror across the room and barely recognize the woman staring back at me. Gone is the slender waitress from that old diner. In her place is this... earth mother goddess, all curves and glowing skin.

I waddle to the bathroom, wincing slightly at the ache in my lower back. A hot shower helps ease some of the tension, but it does little to quiet the nagging worry in the back of my mind. As I stand at the sink, running a brush through my damp hair, my thoughts drift to the dream from last night. The image of those wolves-my parents?-is still vivid in my mind.

I'm so lost in thought that the sudden, sharp pain catches me completely off guard.

"Oh!" I gasp, the brush clattering into the sink as I grip the counter for support. The pain is intense, radiating across my lower abdomen. For a terrifying moment, I think this might be it-labor, way too early. But as quickly as it came, the pain subsides.

I let out a shaky breath, my knuckles white where I'm still gripping the counter. "Wow..." A Braxton Hicks contraction, I realize.

*Just practice for the real thing.*

...

*If that was just a warm-up, I'm not looking forward to the main event.*

The experience leaves me feeling vulnerable, shaken. The need to see Malachi, to feel his strong arms around me, is suddenly overwhelming. I finish getting dressed quickly, foregoing any attempt at makeup, and head for his office. The hallway is oddly quiet as I approach. Usually, there's at least one guard posted outside Malachi's door, making sure he's not disturbed unless it's important. But today, there's no one. The silence is eerie, unsettling.

An uneasy feeling settles in my gut as I push the door open. "Mal?" I call out, my voice echoing in the empty room. The desk is neat and untouched. No sign that he's been here at all.

I turn, nearly colliding with Derek, who seems to have materialized out of nowhere. "Luna," he says, his face impassive. "Is everything alright?"

"Where's Malachi?" I ask, unable to keep the worry from my voice.

The look on Derek's face softens slightly, but it does little to ease my concern. "The Alpha stepped out yesterday evening to handle a situation. He hasn't returned yet."

The knot in my stomach tightens. "What situation? Is he okay?"

"I'm sure everything's fine, Luna," Derek says quickly, clearly trying to reassure me. "We would have been informed if anything had happened. It's just... pack business."

I nod, not entirely convinced but knowing I won't get any more information out of Derek. Still, as I head downstairs, my mind races.

*What could be so urgent that it would keep Malachi away all night without even a message?*

Just as I reach the foyer, the massive front doors swing open. Malachi strides in, and for a moment, relief floods through me. But it's short-lived. As I take in his appearance, that relief quickly turns to shock and concern.

His face is set in hard lines, an expression I've never seen before. It's not just stern or worried-it's something *darker*, more *dangerous*. His eyes, usually so warm when they look at me, are cold and distant.

"Mal?" I call out, and his head snaps up. Surprise flashes across his face before he schools his features and rushes over to me.

"Penny, hey..." he says, his voice strained as he tries to turn me around. But it's too late. Over his shoulder, I see several pack members dragging in what appears to be a prisoner. The man is bloodied and barely conscious, his feet dragging on the marble floor.

Behind them, Axel barks out orders. "Get him down to the dungeon. Now!"

I turn back to Malachi, really looking at him. My breath catches as I take in the blood staining his neck, the bruises visible through his partially unbuttoned shirt, the angry red claw marks across his chest.

"Mal? What happened?!" I reach out, trying to examine his wounds, but he gently catches my hands, pulling them away.

"I'm fine," he says, his tone leaving no room for argument. He presses a kiss to my forehead, the gesture at odds with the tension radiating from him. "Go get some breakfast. I'll find you soon." "But-" I start, desperate for answers. But Malachi is already walking away, following the path where they dragged the prisoner.

I stand there in the foyer, feeling lost and more than a little scared. This isn't the Malachi I know-gentle, loving, always ready with a reassuring word or touch. This Malachi is a stranger, hard-edged and dangerous.

As I watch him disappear down the hallway, I can't help but notice the way he moves-all coiled power and predatory grace. There's a dark, primal energy rolling off him in waves, and to my surprise, I feel a flutter of heat in my core. It's disconcerting, this mix of fear and arousal. This version of Malachi-the Alpha in his most raw form is both terrifying and oddly exciting. It's a side of him I've glimpsed before, but never so fully unleashed. *Hey! Stop it! Focus.*

I shake my head, trying to clear my confusing thoughts. Now isn't the time for *these* feelings. Something serious has clearly happened, something that's brought out a side of Malachi I've never truly seen before. But as I stand there, one hand resting protectively on my belly, I can't help lingering on my thoughts of him.

The Malachi who walked away from me just now wasn't just my mate or even the Alpha. He was something else entirely a predator, dangerous and barely contained. And as much as it scares me, there's a part of me that's drawn to it.