Chosen To Be The Alpha's Surrogate

** Malachi I**

The amber liquid swirls in my glass as I twirl it absently, watching the play of light through the scotch. I've been nursing this drink for hours, more for the familiar comfort than any real desire for alcohol. The parlor, with its rich leather chairs and dark wood paneling, feels both comforting and suffocating. The leather creaks as I shift in my seat, the sound oddly loud in the oppressive silence.

I'd hoped the change of scenery from my office would help clear my head, but Penelope's absence haunts me no matter where I am. Her scent lingers here, faint but unmistakable, a cruel reminder of what I've lost.

My phone buzzes again-the countless call of the day. I answer without looking at the caller ID, my voice gruff with fatigue. "Malachi speaking."

"Alpha Malachi," a deep voice responds. "This is Alpha Reyes from the Mountain Ridge Pack. I've just heard about your mate. My pack and I are at your disposal. Whatever you need, you have our full support."

I blink, momentarily taken aback by the offer. "Thank you, Alpha Reyes. I appreciate your support."

As I end the call, I can't help but feel a twinge of surprise. It's been like this all day - pack after pack reaching out, offering help, resources, anything I might need to find Penelope. I knew I had allies, but the sheer volume of support is... unexpected.

*Is it respect? Or is it sympathy?*

...

*Does it matter?*

A memory surfaces then the time I sent fighters to help Reyes defend his borders against rogues. Or when I shared our medical supplies with the River Valley Pack during that harsh winter. Moments where I extended help without a second thought, never expecting anything in return. The weight of those decisions, those connections, settles on my shoulders now, not as a burden but as a source of strength.

I take a sip of scotch, letting the burn ground me. It's one thing to know you have allies in theory. It's another to feel the weight of their support when you're at your lowest. The liquor slides down my throat, warming me from the inside out, but it can't touch the cold fear that's taken root in my chest.

*I'm grateful. Truly. But gratitude won't bring Penelope back.*

In the next moment, the door to the parlor opens, and I look up to see Axel and Seth enter. The tension in their postures has my wolf instantly on alert.

"What is it?" I demand, setting down my glass and standing. "What have you found?"

Axel steps forward, a mix of excitement and caution carefully displayed on his face. "We've found them, Alpha. We've located Rook's pack."

The news stuns me for a moment. After days of searching, of dead ends and false leads, we finally have something concrete. I feel my wolf surge forward, clawing at my insides, demanding action. "Where?" I growl, already moving towards the door. "We need to move now."

"Alpha, wait," Seth's voice cuts through my urgency. I turn to him, a snarl building in my throat, but he stands his ground. "We can't rush this. They're on an island, heavily fortified. We need a plan and a good one."

I bare my teeth, frustration and impatience warring within me. "Every second we wait is another second Penelope is in danger. We move now."

"Malachi," Axel says, using my name instead of my title a risk he only takes when he's deadly serious. "Think about what Rook told you. He claims he's protecting Penelope. And you'd know if she was hurt, wouldn't you? Through your bond?" I pause, forcing myself to take a deep breath. As much as I hate to admit it, they're right. I focus on the pull of my mark, of the bond we share. And while I sense her distress, her longing. I don't feel any physical pain. Nothing beyond fatigue, anyway.

*Be smart. If they sense her coming before we get there, they'll move her. Then, I may truly never see her again.*

"Alright," I concede, the words tasting bitter on my tongue. "But we can't wait too long. Every moment she's away from me, away from our pack, is a moment she's in danger."

Seth nods, relief evident in his posture. "We understand. We're not suggesting we do nothing. But we need to be smart about this. Rushing in could put Penelope in more danger."

I run a hand through my hair, frustration and worry gnawing at my gut. "Fine. What do you suggest?"

Axel steps forward, spreading a map on the nearby table. "The island is here," he says, pointing to a small dot in the ocean. "It's privately owned, heavily guarded. We can't just storm the beaches."

I lean over the map, studying it intently. "So what's our play?"

"We think our best bet is to send in a small team," Seth explains. "A stealth operation. Get in, extract Penelope, get out."

I nod slowly, seeing the logic in their plan even as my wolf howls for a more direct approach. "Who would go?"

"You, obviously," Axel says. "Plus a small team of our best fighters. We're thinking no more than five total."

I straighten up, my mind already racing with options, possibilities. "Alright. I want our top strategists working on this. I want to know every inch of that island, every possible entry and exit point. And I want options. If stealth fails, I want to know we can bring the full force of our pack down on them."

Seth and Axel nod, determination clear in their eyes. "We're on it, Alpha."

As they turn to leave, I call out, "Axel."

He pauses, looking back at me. "Yes, Alpha?"

I fix him with a hard stare, letting a hint of my Alpha power seep into my voice. "You have until sundown to figure this out. One way or another, I'm getting my mate back. Understood?"

Axel holds my gaze for a moment before nodding. "Understood, Alpha. We won't let you down."