Chosen To Be The Alpha's Surrogate

** Malachi I**

The drive to my parents' estate is a long one, the winding roads and dense forest of our territory stretching out before us like a green sea. Penelope sits beside me, her hand resting on the swell of her belly, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery.

She's been quiet since we left the pack house, a pensive sort of silence that sets my teeth on edge. I know the events of last night are still weighing on her, the memory of Elijah's cruelty and the revelation of her own power is a heavy burden to bear.

But there's something else too, a flicker of unease in her eyes that makes my gut clench with a fierce, protective instinct.

"You okay, little rabbit?" I ask, reaching over to take her hand in mine. "You've been awfully quiet."

She glances at me, a small forced smile curving her lips. "I'm fine," she assures me, but I can hear the lie in her voice, smell the anxiety wafting off her in waves. "Just a little nervous, I guess. Meeting the in-laws and all."

I smirk, bringing her hand to my lips and pressing a kiss to her knuckles. "Trust me, sweetheart, my parents are going to love you. They've been nagging me for years to settle down and give them grandkids. You're basically the answer to their prayers."

She laughs, a soft, surprised sound that eases some of the tension in my chest. "Well, when you put it that way," she teases, her eyes sparkling with mirth. "I guess I'd better not disappoint."

I shoot her one last, lingering glance, taking in the way my mark looks on her neck pridefully before averting my gaze to the open road ahead. I have to admit, I was uneasy about taking her last night. But after seeing her with the beast, watching her tame it, something inside me shifted. Where I once saw her as a fragile, delicate human, I now see her as something far stronger, far tougher.

No human could have tamed a wild beast like that. I can feel it, there's more to her than meets the eye. And something tells me that soon, I'll have all the answers I'm searching for.

It's not long before I'm driving us onto the long, winding drive that leads to my family home. I hear Penelope's breath catch as the house comes into view, a sprawling, stone mansion nestled among towering oaks and immaculate gardens. It's an impressive sight, a testament to the wealth and power of the Reed name, but to me, it will always be the place I ran barefoot as a pup. *There's no place like home.*

The thought sends a pang of nostalgia through me, a bittersweet ache for simpler times. But as I glance at the woman beside me, at the gentle swell of her belly and the love shining in her eyes, I know I wouldn't trade this moment for anything.

We pull to a stop before the grand front entrance, and I'm out of the car in an instant, moving to open Penelope's door and help her out. She takes my hand with a grateful smile, her other hand pressed to the small of her back as she finds her balance.

"You sure you're up for this?" I ask, searching her face for any sign of discomfort or strain. "We can always come back another time, when you're feeling more rested."

She shakes her head, her chin lifting with that stubborn determination I love so much. "I'm fine, Malachi," she insists, squeezing her fingers. "I want to do this. I want to meet your family."

Pride and love swell in my chest, so fierce and bright it brings a smile to my face. "Alright then," I murmur, leaning down to brush a kiss to her lips. "Let's do this."

Hand in hand, we make our way up the stone steps and into the cool, shadowed foyer of the house. Almost immediately, the sound of hurried footsteps reaches my ears, and I brace myself for the hurricane of my mother's enthusiasm. "Malachi!" she cries, sweeping into the room in a blur of silk and expensive perfume. "Oh, my darling boy, it's been too long!"

*And...here we go.*

She flings her arms around my neck, pressing exuberant kisses to my cheeks as I try not to wince. I love my mother, but her displays of affection have always been a bit...overwhelming. "Hey, Ma," I greet her, gently extracting myself from her embrace. "It's good to see you too."

But her attention has already shifted, her hazel eyes zeroing in on Penelope like a hawk spotting a rabbit. "And you must be the famous Penelope," she gushes, moving to take my mate's hands in her own. "Oh, aren't you just the most darling thing! Malachi, she's absolutely gorgeous!"

Penelope blushes, a nervous laugh escaping her. "It's wonderful to meet you, Mrs. Reed," she says, her voice soft and slightly breathless.

"Please, call me Evelyn," my mother insists, waving a dismissive hand.

A reluctant grin tugs at my lips as I slip an arm around Penelope's waist and tug her to my side. My mother beams, her eyes suspiciously bright as she looks between us. "Oh, I just knew you two would be perfect together," she declares, clasping her hands beneath her chin. "The moment Malachi told us about you, Penelope, I had a feeling you were something special.”

Penelope looks up at me, her expression soft and slightly wondering. "You talked about me?" she asks, her voice hushed.

I shrug, suddenly feeling awkward under the weight of her gaze. "Of course I did," I mutter, my thumb rubbing circles against her hip. "You're my mate, Penny. Why wouldn't I talk about you?"

She doesn't answer, but the way she leans into me, the way her scent sweetens with happiness and love, is answer enough.

*You're my everything.*

The rest of the afternoon passes in a blur of conversation and laughter, my parents utterly charmed by Penelope's wit and grace. My father, usually a stoic, taciturn man, is all smiles and easy jokes, his silver eyes crinkling with approval every time he looks at my mate.

It's everything I could have hoped for, seeing the two halves of my world coming together like this. But beneath the warmth and joy of the moment, I can't shake the sense of unease prickling at the back of my neck, the feeling that something isn't quite right.

It's not until later, when Penelope excuses herself to the restroom and I'm alone with my parents, that I finally understand why.

"Son," my father says, his voice low and stern as he leans forward in his armchair. "We need to talk about the risks you're taking, bringing your mate and unborn child here."

I stiffen, my hackles rising at his tone. "What risks?" I ask, my voice flat and hard. "Penny is under my protection, as is our pup. I would never let any harm come to them."

My mother sighs, her lips pursing in a tight line. "We know that, darling," she assures me, reaching out to pat my knee. "But you have to understand, the birth of an Alpha's heir is always a time of great upheaval in a pack. There will be those who seek to challenge your rule, to undermine your authority through any means necessary."

A low growl rumbles in my chest, my wolf rising to the surface at the thought of anyone daring to threaten what's mine. "Let them try," I snarl. "I'll rip them to pieces."

My father holds up a placating hand, his brows furrowing. "I don't doubt your strength or your resolve, Malachi," he says, his voice steady and sure. "But you have to be smart about this. You have to anticipate the moves of your enemies before they make them."

I open my mouth to argue, to insist that I have everything under control, but the words die on my tongue as a sudden, sickening realization washes over me. *Elijah.*

My own brother, with his sly smiles and poisoned words, always watching and waiting for a chance to strike. He's already made his first move, trying to discredit and humiliate Penelope in front of the entire pack. And I know, with a bone-deep certainty, that he won't stop there.

He wants what I have, the power and status that come with being the Alpha King. And he's willing to do anything, hurt anyone, to get it.

Even if it means going through my mate and child to do it.

The thought sends a bolt of pure, icy fear through my veins, chilling me to my core. I can't lose them. I can't even bear the thought of any harm coming to the two most precious things in my world.

*I have to protect them, even if it means tearing my own brother apart with my bare fucking hands.*

I'm jolted out of my thoughts by the sound of Penelope's footsteps on the stairs, the sweet, floral scent of her filling my nose and soothing the jagged edges of my rage.

She comes back into the room with a smile, her hand resting on the curve of her belly as she settles onto the couch beside me. I pull her close, burying my nose in her hair and breathing deep, letting her presence calm the storm inside me. "Everything okay?" she asks softly, her fingers threading through mine.

I force a smile, brushing a kiss to her temple. "Everything's fine, little rabbit," I lie, hating the way the words taste like ash on my tongue. "Just happy to have you here, that's all."

She hums, snuggling closer and resting her head on my shoulder. For a moment, I let myself pretend that the world doesn't exist, that there's nothing beyond the walls of this house but love and happiness and a fucking fairytale ending. But deep down, I know the truth.

The game has only just begun. And the stakes are higher than they've ever been.

Because now...now I have everything to lose.