Chosen To Be The Alpha's Surrogate

** Malachi **

I jolt awake, a cold sweat prickling my skin.

*Something's wrong.*

A sense of unease settles in my chest like a lead weight, my wolf restless beneath my skin. My arm reaches out instinctively, seeking Penelope, but finds only cold, empty sheets. My eyes snap open, heart skipping a beat. "Penny?" I call out, my voice rough with sleep and growing anxiety. But only silence answers me.

I sit up quickly, the cool air conditioning air raising goosebumps on my bare chest. My eyes scan the room, searching desperately for any sign of her presence. Her scent lingers-honey and lavender-but it's faint, at least an hour old. The realization sends a jolt of fear through me.

*Where is she?*

A low growl rumbles in my chest as I throw on clothes, my movements sharp and efficient. The soft fabric does little to soothe my frayed nerves. I'm out the door in seconds, my senses on high alert. The mansion is quiet, too quiet for my liking. The usual nighttime sounds-creaking wood, distant murmurs of the night patrol-seem muffled, as if the very house is holding its breath.

I head to the kitchen first, hoping to find her indulging in one of her late-night cravings. But the room is empty, the smell of cinnamon and apples-her latest obsession is absent. Clean dishes sit in the rack, mocking me with their orderliness. Worry claws at my gut, my wolf pacing restlessly at the worst possible scenarios going through my head-she was taken, kidnapped and I slept right through it.

*No. I would smell it. I would smell them.*

...

*Where is the hell she?!*

I turn on my heel, striding towards the foyer. My bare feet slap against the cold marble, the sound echoing in the empty hallways. Maybe she's in the library. It wouldn't be the first time she wanders in there in the middle of the night. As I cross the grand entrance, the main doors swing open with a groan. Axel, Ryker, and Garrett walk in, their faces set in hard lines, smelling of night air and tension.

"Alph-" they begin in unison, but I cut them off, the wolf in me snarling with impatience.

"Have you seen Penelope?" I demand, my voice sharp with concern.

Axel shakes his head, his brow furrowing. "Not since yesterday morning, when we brought the prisoner in." His eyes narrow, taking in my tense posture, the wild look I know he must see in my eyes. "What's wrong?"

I don't answer immediately, focusing instead on the faint trace of Penelope's scent.

*She was here, not too long ago.*

I turn my head, following the trail, my brow furrowing as I realize where it leads. A chill runs down my spine.

"Alpha?" Ryker's voice resonates through the space, but I ignore it. I spin around, facing the hallway that leads to the dungeon.

"Who's standing guard at the dungeon door?" I ask, a dangerous edge to my voice.

The silence that follows is answer enough. I turn to Axel, seeing the worry etched on his face.

"We left the prisoner locked up," he says quickly, a hint of fear in his scent. "There's no way he could've escaped."

*That's not what I'm worried about.*

In an instant, I'm moving, tearing down the hallway towards the dungeon. I rip the heavy door open, the ancient hinges screaming in protest. The musty scent of the underground assaults my nose, mixed with the acrid tang of fear- *Penelope's* fear.

"Penelope?!" I roar, taking the stairs two at a time. My heart pounds in my ears, drowning out everything but the need to find her, to make sure she's safe.

And then I see her. Standing in front of the prisoner's cell, her body tense and trembling. Relief floods through me, quickly followed by a surge of anger and fear. She looks so small, so vulnerable in the dim light of the dungeon. "Mal..." she breathes, her voice small and shaky.

I'm at her side in a split second, pulling her away from the cell. My hands cup her face, tilting it up so I can look into her wide eyes.

"Are you okay? Are you hurt?" I ask, my voice rough with emotion.

She nods, whispering, "I'm fine."

But I can see the tear tracks on her cheeks, smell the salt of her tears mixed with fear and... something else. Something I can't quite place. It sets my teeth on edge.

Axel, Ryker, and Garrett burst into the dungeon behind me, but I barely register their presence. My focus is entirely on Penelope, my hands running over her body, checking for any sign of injury. Her skin is cold beneath my touch, and I can feel her trembling.

Once I'm sure she's physically unharmed, the anger takes over. "What the hell were you thinking?!" I growl, my voice low and dangerous. "Do you have any idea how dangerous this was?"

Penelope opens her mouth to speak, but her lip quivers and her voice cracks. She can't get the words out, fresh tears welling in her eyes. The sight of her distress only fuels my rage.

Red clouds my vision as I turn towards the cell, a snarl ripping from my throat. "What did you say to her?!" I demand, advancing on Rook.

Axel moves quickly, unlocking the cell door. I'm inside in an instant, my fist connecting with Rook's jaw before he can utter a word. The satisfying crunch of bone does little to quell the rage burning through me.

I barely register Penelope's screams, her pleas for me to stop. All I can focus on is the threat before me, the man who dared to upset my mate. I raise my fist again, ready to strike— "No! Malachi, stop it! He's my brother!"

Her words slice through the haze of anger, my fist freezing mid-air. Slowly, I turn to look at Penelope, confusion warring with disbelief. For a moment, everything goes still. "What did you say?" I ask, my voice dangerously quiet.

Garrett is holding Penelope back, but she struggles against him, her eyes wide with desperation. "He's my brother, Mal. Rook is my brother."

For a heartbeat, I'm stunned into silence. Then logic kicks in, and skepticism takes over. This has to be a trick, a ploy to manipulate Penelope's kind heart.

*He filled her head with lies... He manipulated her.*

...

*Whatever game he's playing, it ends now.*

"Garrett, get her out of here," I order, my voice leaving no room for argument.

Penelope fights harder, her voice rising in panic. "No! Malachi, please! You have to listen_"

"Now!" I roar, my patience snapping. "Carry her out if you have to!"

Penelope's screams echo through the dungeon as Garrett lifts her, the sound tearing at my heart. But I force myself to turn away. I can't let her see how much this is tearing me apart, how badly I want to give in to her pleas. *I'll deal with her later.*

Instead, I focus on the prisoner-Rook. I grab his jaw, forcing his head up. His eyes, glassy with pain, meet mine defiantly.

"You just made things a whole lot worse for yourself," I growl, my voice low and menacing.

As I stare into his eyes, rage boils within me. My fingers tighten on his jaw, and I have to fight the urge to crush it in my grip.

*He'll pay for this. He'll pay for every tear he's made her shed, for every moment of doubt he's planted in her mind.*

...

*I'll make him regret ever speaking to her.*

I release him roughly, turning to Axel and Ryker. "Get him out of that chair," I order. "I'm done playing games."

As they move to comply, I take a deep breath, trying to center myself. Penelope's cries have faded, but I can still hear her heart beating rapidly. It takes every ounce of willpower not to go to her, to comfort her. *I can't. Not until I get to the bottom of this. Not until I know exactly what kind of threat we're dealing with.*

As Axel and Ryker haul Rook to his feet, I steel myself for what's to come. The real interrogation is about to begin. And this time, I won't stop until I have the truth.