Chosen To Be The Alpha's Surrogate

**I Malachi I**

The sight of Julia ignites a fury in me that burns through my veins like liquid fire. Time seems to slow and before I can think, I cross the room in three long strides, my hand closing around her throat. The impact as I slam her against the wall reverberates through my office, rattling the frames on the walls.

Her pulse races under my palm, but her eyes meet mine without flinching. The green depths I once lost myself in now seem foreign, dangerous.

"Alpha!" Axel's voice cuts through the red haze of my rage. I feel his hand on my shoulder, trying to pull me back. "This isn't the way-"

"Get out," I snarl, not taking my eyes off Julia. The wolf in me is dangerously close to the surface, clawing for release. "Now." "But-"

I turn my head slightly, letting my eyes flash silver. The air grows thick with the weight of my authority. "That's an order, Axel."

I hear him hesitate, his breath catching. Then, slowly, reluctantly, his footsteps retreat. The door closes with a soft click that seems to echo in the tense silence.

I turn my attention back to Julia, my hand still tight around her throat. Her skin is warm beneath my palm, her pulse a rapid flutter. "Give me one good reason," I growl, my voice barely human, "why I shouldn't end you right here, right now." I expect her to beg, to plead for her life. It's what any sane wolf would do when faced with an enraged Alpha. But Julia surprises me. Her eyes meet mine without wavering.

"I'm sorry, Malachi," she whispers, her voice strained but sincere. "I'm so, so sorry."

*Sorry? She's sorry?*

Through the faint remnants of our old mate bond, I can feel the genuineness of her apology. It's a tidal wave of remorse, regret, and something else something I'm not ready to name. The intensity of it makes me loosen my grip, letting her feet touch the ground again.

As soon as she's free, Julia continues, her words coming out in a rush. "I know I don't deserve your forgiveness. I know I hurt you, and I can never take that back. But please, Malachi, just hear me out. That's all I'm asking."

I step back, putting some distance between us. The wolf in me is snarling, demanding retribution for old wounds. But something in her tone, in the desperation I can smell coming off her, makes me pause. I run a hand through my hair, conflict raging within me.

*Alright... fine.*

"Two minutes," I growl, the words feeling like gravel in my throat. "Make them count."

Julia nods, taking a deep breath. I can see her gathering her courage, steeling herself for whatever she came here to say. "How are you, Malachi? With everything that's-"

"Cut the shit, Julia," I interrupt, my patience already wearing thin. The concern in her voice grates on me. "What do you want?"

She flinches at my tone, hurt flashing across her face before she schools her features. "Tarlac... he's asked to mark me. To be his mate."

The words hang in the air between us, heavy with implication. I stare at her, disbelief warring with a surge of emotions I don't dare name.

*She is the one he was talking about? Her? Out of all people... Why? Why the fuck her?*

My silence seems to urge her on.

"I'm here because... because I needed to know if there was even a chance. For us."

The room suddenly feels too small, the air too thick. I clench my fists, nails digging into my palms. "And if there is?" The words come out harsher than I intended, laced with bitterness and an anger I thought I'd buried long ago. "If there is," she continues, her voice soft, vulnerable in a way I've rarely seen her, "I'll tell Tarlac no."

For a moment, I'm too stunned to speak. Then, a harsh laugh escapes me, the sound brittle and cold. "Go to hell, Julia."

I see the hurt flash across her face before she tries to mask it with indifference. But I can smell the sadness rolling off her, see the slight tremor in her hands. It's almost enough to make me feel guilty. Almost.

"You won't win, you know," she says, her voice taking on a harder edge. "Not like this. Not alone."

I don't respond, just continue to stare at her, my gaze unwavering. Again, she takes my silence as permission to continue.

"The race for Continental King," she explains, taking a step closer. "You're strong, Malachi, but you're vulnerable. Tarlac knows it. Everyone knows it."

I clench my jaw, fighting the urge to lash out again. The truth in her words stings more than I care to admit.

"Fated mates are stronger together," Julia says, her eyes pleading. "If we got back together, your chances of winning would be higher than ever. You know it's true."

I can't help it-I laugh. It's a cold, bitter sound that echoes off the walls. In an instant, I'm in her face again, so close I can see the flecks of gold in her green eyes. I can smell the fear radiating off her, mixed with something else hope, maybe. Or desperation.

"Let me make something very clear," I growl. "Even if the win was guaranteed, even if you could hand me the crown right now, nothing and I mean *nothing* could ever make me take you back."

I can tell my words hit her, hard. A shaky breath leaves her lips, and for a moment, I think she might cry. But she doesn't. Instead, she straightens her shoulders and meets my gaze one last time.

"I understand," she says softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Goodbye, Malachi."

With that, she turns and walks away. I watch her go, a storm of emotions raging inside me. Anger, hurt, and a traitorous hint of longing that I quickly squash. The soft click of the door closing behind her seems to echo in the sudden silence of my office.

I stand there, motionless, for what feels like hours. Everything-Penelope's absence, the looming threat to my position, Julia's unexpected appearance-presses down on me, threatening to crush me.

My eyes fall on the broken remains of my desk, papers scattered across the floor. Among the debris, my phone lies face down, miraculously unbroken. I move towards it, my feet feeling like lead.

As I pick up the phone, my mind wanders to all the sacrifices people have had to make. Axel, giving up sleep and time with his family to help search for Penelope. Seth, risking his life on reconnaissance missions. Even Julia, in her own twisted way, offering to sacrifice her chance with Tarlac.

*Maybe... maybe it's my turn.*

The thought makes me nauseous, but I push it down. I scroll through my contacts until I reach Jackson's name. My finger hovers over it, a war raging inside me.

I promised Penelope I wouldn't make any decisions about our son's future without consulting her. But she's not here. She's trapped on an island, surrounded by enemies, carrying our child. And I'm running out of options.

If I can increase our numbers, we might have a chance at raiding the island. At bringing Penelope and our son home. And what better or easier way to increase our strength than joining packs through the promise of the marriage of our heirs? The thought makes me sick to my stomach. The idea of promising our unborn son to someone else, of taking away his choice...

*But what choice do I have?*

"I'm sorry, little rabbit," I whisper into the empty room, my voice cracking softly as my eyes water. "I hope you can forgive me for this."