Chosen To Be The Alpha's Surrogate

**I Malachi I**

Her skin glows in the moonlight as another man's hands trace paths I know by heart. My mate-my Penelope-arches into his touch like she was made for him. His dark hair falls forward as he bends to kiss her neck, right where my mark should be. But it's gone, like it never existed.

"Princess," he murmurs against her skin, and she melts into him, a soft sigh escaping her lips.

I try to move, to tear him away from her, but I'm frozen. Forced to watch as this stranger this wolf with storm-blue eyes and an air of lethal grace-claims what's mine.

"Let me mark you," he growls, and Penelope tilts her head, offering her throat...

I jolt awake with a snarl, claws tearing into the leather of my office chair. Sweat soaks my shirt, and my heart pounds against my ribs like it's trying to break free. The dream clings to me like smoke, refusing to fade. *What the fuck was that..?*

A knock at the door cuts through the lingering horror. "Alpha?"

*Atlas.*

His scent carries an edge of excitement that instantly puts my wolf on alert.

"Enter," I growl, not bothering to retract my claws. The door opens, and Atlas's eyes widen briefly, his eyes taking me in. But he knows better than to comment.

"We have a plan," he says simply. "Everyone's waiting in the parlor."

I'm on my feet before he finishes speaking. "Give me five minutes," I say, already striding out of the office. My wolf's anxiety bleeds into my movements, making them sharp, agitated as I head to our bedroom.

*Our bedroom.*

The thought hits like a bucket of ice as I push open the door. Her scent still lingers here, honey and lavender now faded but unmistakable. The bed is still made I haven't slept here since she was taken. I can't bear to lie in sheets that smell of her while knowing she's out there somewhere.

I strip off my sweat-soaked clothes, tossing them aside with more force than necessary. As I pull fresh clothes from the dresser, my hands brush against one of her dresses, forgotten at the back. The soft fabric catches on my callused fingers, and for a moment, I'm paralyzed by memories of her wearing it, of her smile, her laugh.

*Soon, little rabbit.*

As I dress, the dream-*nightmare* I was woken from resurfaces.

Those hands on my mate. Her sighs of pleasure. That word-"Princess"-spoken like a claim.

My wolf writhes beneath my skin, howling with rage and something darker. Something that tastes a lot like fear.

Dreams like this aren't just dreams-every wolf knows that. They're warnings from our inner beasts, glimpses of threats our human minds might miss.

*But what is my wolf trying to tell me?*

The image of that stranger's hands on Penelope flashes through my mind again, and suddenly it clicks. The deal I made with Jackson-selling our son's future. Is this what my wolf sees? That bargain driving a wedge between Penelope and me, pushing her toward another?

*No.*

I slam the thought down hard, lock it away in the darkest corners of my mind. I can't afford doubts. Not now. Not when we might finally have a way to bring her home.

I move out of my bedroom and head to the parlor with a steady stride, determined to hear what my team has put together. The parlor falls silent as I enter. Jackson stands by the fireplace, Axel and Seth flanking a table covered in maps and documents while Atlas hovers near the door.

"Show me," I demand, striding to the table.

Axel spreads out a detailed map of the island. Red marks indicate guard positions, patrol routes, potential blind spots. "The silver barriers are strongest here and here," he points to the coastline. "But there's a gap in the coverage on the northwest side. If we time it right, we can slip through during the guard rotation."

"The castel itself is heavily fortified," Seth adds, indicating the building's layout. "But we've identified a service entrance that's less heavily guarded. Most of their security focuses on the main approaches."

I study the plans, my tactical mind already calculating angles, timing, risks. "How many men?"

"Two teams," Jackson says, stepping forward. "One for distraction, one for extraction. Small, fast, elite." His eyes meet mine. "The best of both our packs."

The realization hits me then. This isn't just about rescuing my mate anymore-it's the first test of our packs' alliance. The first price of the bargain I struck.

"Once we're in, we'll have maybe twenty minutes before they realize it's not just a perimeter breach," Atlas explains. "The extraction team needs to locate Luna Penelope and get out in that window."

"I'll lead the extraction team," I say, my tone leaving no room for argument. "My wolf won't accept anything else."

Jackson starts to object, but I cut him off with a growl. "She's my mate. My mark is on her neck. I need to be the one to get her out."

"Alpha," Axel says carefully, "the risk-"

"Is mine to take," I snap. "I'll have Seth and Atlas with me. The three of us know each other's movements, and can work as one unit." I look at Jackson. "Your men can provide the distraction. Keep their forces occupied while we get to Penelope."

A tense moment passes as Jackson considers. Finally, he nods. "It's your operation, Malachi. We'll follow your lead."

"Timeline?" I ask, forcing my voice level.

"Tomorrow night," Seth says. "There's a heavy storm heading their way. It will provide cover, and we have intel that some of their forces are deployed elsewhere." *Tomorrow.*

After weeks of helpless searching, it seems almost too good to be true.

"If this fails-"

"It won't," Jackson interrupts, his voice firm. "This is our best shot, Malachi. Maybe our only shot."

I look around the room, at these wolves willing to risk everything to bring Penelope home. My gaze lands on the maps again, on the red marks that represent the obstacles between me and my mate. The dream flashes through my mind one last time-Penelope in another man's arms. My wolf rises up, snarling a challenge.

*She is MINE.*

"Tomorrow, then," I say, letting my voice fill the room. "We move at nightfall."

The others nod, their expressions stern but determined. As they begin discussing final details, I turn to look out the window. Dark storm clouds gather on the horizon. *Hold on, little rabbit. I'm coming for you.*