Chosen To Be The Alpha's Surrogate

** Penelope **

The steady beep of the heart monitor fills the room as I slowly drift into consciousness. For a moment, I'm disoriented, the sterile white walls and the sharp scent of antiseptic foreign to my sleep-fogged brain. Then, it all comes rushing back- the picnic, the sudden pain, Malachi's panicked face.

*Malachi...*

I turn my head, my heart clenching at the sight that greets me. He's here, slumped in the chair beside my bed, his head resting on the mattress near my hip. One of his hands is wrapped around mine, his fingers intertwined with my own even in sleep. *He stayed with me... *

Emotion wells in my throat-gratitude, love, and a fierce sense of belonging.

*He must be exhausted.*

Being what he is, he hardly needs as much sleep as the rest of us. His body is a marvel, able to push past the normal limits of human endurance. So for him to have crashed like this, at my bedside... I know it's because he's been worried sick, running himself ragged to make sure I'm alright.

My fingers itch to run through his dark hair, but I don't dare move, not wanting to wake him when he so clearly needs the rest.

Instead, I simply watch him, marveling at the fact that this powerful, incredible man is mine. That he chose me, a simple human to be his mate.

*I'm the luckiest woman in the world.*

As if sensing my thoughts, he suddenly starts to stir, his fingers tightening around mine. His brow furrows, a small frown tugging at the corners of his mouth, and I realize he's on the verge of waking.

*Please, just a few more minutes. Let him rest...*

But then, to my horror, I feel a tickle in my nose. Before I can stop it, a sneeze erupts from my mouth, the sound startlingly loud in the quiet room. *Damnit!*

Malachi's eyes snap open, his body jerking upright as he comes to full alertness in an instant. His gaze locks onto mine, relief, worry, and love painting his features.

"I'm so sorry," I whisper, cringing in apology. "I didn't mean to wake you."

He doesn't seem to hear me, and in a flash, he's out of his chair and leaning over me, his hands coming up to cup my face with infinite tenderness. His lips find mine, soft, urgent, and achingly sweet, stealing my breath and making my heart stutter in my chest.

*Oh...*

It's as if I can taste his worry, his fear, the desperate edge of his love. It tugs at my heart, making me want to pull him into the bed with me and never let go.

"Don't ever do that again," he whispers fiercely as he pulls back, his forehead pressing against mine. "I need you, Penny. I can't lose you."

My heart clenches at the raw emotion in his voice, the vulnerability he so rarely shows. My fingers come up to stroke his cheek, feeling the rasp of his stubble against my palm.

"I'm sorry," I murmur, guilt twisting in my stomach. "I didn't mean to scare you."

He takes a shaky breath, pulling back just enough to meet my gaze. "What happened, sweetheart? One minute you were fine, and the next..."

I bite my lip, my hand drifting down to rub my belly. "I don't know," I admit softly. "I just felt this pain, like a bad cramp. And then everything went fuzzy."

His jaw clenches, his eyes flashing with lingering fear. "The doctor said it was stress. That you've been pushing yourself too hard." His hand comes to cover mine on my stomach, infinitely reassuring. "They had to give you medication to help you rest. You've been asleep for almost a full day."

*A day?!*

Fresh guilt crashes through me, tears stinging my eyes. "Mal, I'm so sorry. I never meant to put such a strain on you, on the pack..."

He shakes his head before I can finish, his thumb stroking over my knuckles. "Don't apologize," he says firmly. "This isn't your fault. *I* should have been paying better attention, making sure you weren't overexerting yourself." He sighs, his shoulders slumping. "I've been so focused on the external threats that I forgot to look out for the most important thing of all: you."

My heart melts, a wobbly smile tugging at my lips. "You saved me," I remind him softly. "You got me here, made sure we were safe. That's all that matters."

He gives me a look that says he doesn't quite believe me, but he nods anyway, letting it slide. "How's the little guy doing?" I ask, rubbing my belly. "Is he..?"

"He's fine," Malachi assures me quickly. "Strong and stubborn, just like his mama. But Penny..." He takes a deep breath, a stern look playing on his face. "The doctor says you need to be on bed rest from here on out. No more running around, no more pushing yourself. You've got to take it easy, for both of your sakes."

I want to argue, to insist that I'm fine, that I can handle anything. But the look in Malachi's eyes, the quiet desperation mingled with unmovable resolve... I know this isn't a fight I'll win.

And if I'm being honest, I know he's right. I can feel it in my bones, in the weary ache of my body. I've been pushing too hard, trying to be strong for everyone else.

"Okay," I whisper, nodding gently. "I'll do whatever's best for our son."

Relief flashes across Malachi's face, his shoulder sagging as he leans in to plant a kiss on my forehead. "That's my girl," he murmurs against my skin. "I'm going to go get the doctor, let them know you're awake. I'll be right back, okay?" I nod, giving him a reassuring smile as he pulls away. He strides out of the room, his tall form radiating that effortless command and confidence that always makes my heart skip a beat.

*My protector. My Alpha.*

I turn to gaze out the window, watching the raindrops race down the glass. There's something soothing about the patter of the rain, the soft gray light filtering into the room. It feels like a cocoon, a safe haven where nothing can touch us. It doesn't last very long though, the door opening once more. I turn, expecting to see Malachi returning with the doctor. Instead, my blood runs cold as I take in the two figures striding into my room. Donovan. And Jennifer.

They look so out of place here, with their designer clothes and perfectly styled hair. Like they've just stepped out of some glossy magazine spread, not a sterile hospital room. *What the hell are they doing here?*

"What do you want?" I ask, unable to keep the wariness from my voice as I struggle to sit up straighter in the bed. My hand goes instinctively to my belly, shielding my child from their presence.

Donovan flashes me an arrogant smile, his hands tucked casually in his pockets as he saunters closer. "Now, is that any way to greet your loving husband?" he drawls. "I came as soon as I heard. I'm still your emergency contact, you know." I grit my teeth, hating the way he still has any claim over me, even just on paper. "You're not my husband anymore," I bite out. "And I don't want you here."

He tsks, shaking his head in mock disappointment. "Really, Pen. I rush over here, worried sick, and this is the thanks I get?" He glances at Jennifer, who's watching me with a smug little smirk. "I would've been here sooner, but I was...busy." I feel sick, bile rising in the back of my throat. I know exactly what he means by 'busy'. It's written all over their too-bright eyes, their rumpled clothes. He was too busy screwing his mistress to bother with his pregnant ex-wife in the hospital. *Bastard.*

"Get out," I whisper, my voice shaking with a mix of anger and humiliation. "Both of you. I don't want you here."

Donovan's face hardens, his eyes narrowing. "Don't be like that, Pen," he cajoles, a thread of warning in his tone. "You should be grateful I came at all. You're so incompetent, I always had to take care of shit after you." *Incompetent? I was practically taking care of the both of us for years!*

His

gaze rakes over me, his lip curling in a sneer. "God knows you're hardly a prize these days. Who else would be here for you? Knocked up and laid up in the hospital... Not exactly the hot wife fantasy."

Rage and hurt war in my chest, hot tears pricking at the backs of my eyes. Before I can open my mouth to tell him to go to hell, a new voice cuts through the room like a whip crack.

"What the *fuck* did you just say?"

Malachi.

He's standing in the doorway, his eyes blazing with murderous fury, his hands clenched into white-knuckled fists at his sides. I've never seen him look so terrifying, so utterly inhuman in his rage. Donovan turns to face him, his expression flickering with fear before he covers it with a sneer. "Well, well. If it isn't the baby daddy. Come to play knight in shining armor?"

I can see Malachi fighting to stay in control, a snarl ripping from his throat. "You have three seconds," he growls, his voice guttural and barely human, "to get the hell out of here before I rip your fucking throat out." Donovan barks a laugh, but it's thin, reedy, and shot through with real terror. "You think I'm scared of you, asshole? I'm not -"

That's as far as he gets. In a blur motion almost too fast for my eyes to track, Malachi lunges. There's a meaty thud, a sickening crack, and then Donovan is on the floor, howling in agony as blood pours from his clearly broken nose. "Donovan!" Jennifer's shriek pierces the air as she rushes forward, only to skitter back as Malachi rounds on her with a deadly glare.

Jennifer goes pale, her eyes darting between Malachi's heaving form and Donovan writhing on the floor. Without another word, she turns and flees, her heels clicking rapid-fire against the linoleum. *No... this can't be happening.*

Malachi advances on Donovan, his chest rising and falling with great, heaving breaths. I can practically see the wolf fighting to break free, the man receding as the beast surges to the forefront.

"Malachi, stop!" I cry out, fear and desperation cracking my voice. I struggle to sit up straighter, to swing my legs over the side of the bed. "Please, you have to stop!"

He doesn't seem to hear me, too lost in the haze of his rage. He reaches down, hauling Donovan up by the front of his blood-spattered shirt. "You come near her again," he snarls in Donovan's face, "and I will end you." Donovnan's face, what I can see of it through the mask of blood, has gone a sickly gray. His mouth works soundlessly, his eyes rolling in terror.

*Malachi's going to kill him.*

The thought slams into me like a freight train, turning my blood to ice water in my veins.

*He's going to kill Donovan, right here in this hospital room, and there's no coming back from that.*

...

*No, no, no!*

Using every ounce of my strength, I push myself to my feet, ignoring the wave of dizziness that crashes over me. "Malachi!" I scream, my voice ricocheting off the white walls. "Don't do this! Think of the baby, please!"

For a moment, I don't think he's heard me. But then, slowly, his head turns towards me, his glowing silver-blue gaze locking onto mine. I watch sanity return to those wild eyes, watching the man come back to himself as he takes in my desperate, pleading face.

With a disgusted sound, he drops Donovan, letting him crumple to the floor like a broken doll. In two long strides, Malachi's at my side, gathering me into his arms just as my knees give out.

"I've got you," he murmurs into my hair, guiding me gently back onto the bed. "I'm sorry, Penny. I'm so sorry. I just...when I heard what he said to you..."

I cling to him, pressing my face into the solid warmth of his chest. "I know," I whisper. "I know. But it's okay. I'm okay."

Of course, that's the moment the police choose to burst into the room, summoned by a frantic 911 call from Jennifer, no doubt. They take in the scene with hard, assessing eyes: me, huddled on the bed; Malachi, looming protectively over me; Donovan, groaning in a heap on the floor.

"What's going on here?" one of the officers demands, his hand resting on the butt of his gun.

I feel Malachi tense, a low growl rumbling up from his chest. But before he can do anything foolish, I lay a restraining hand on his arm.

*Lie. Lie out of your ass. Just lie.*

"Officers, please," I say, fighting to keep my voice calm and level. "This man, my ex-husband, he broke into my room. He was...he was threatening me. Malachi was just defending me."

The cops exchange a long look, their faces unreadable. "Is this true?" one of them asks, glancing at Malachi for confirmation.

Malachi hesitates for a moment, nodding curtly in the next. "He's been harassing her ever since she told him she found out about his credit card fraud scheme," he bites out. "I'd run his name through your system-Donovan Stone. I've got a feeling there might be a warrant or two out for him."

*Wait, what?*

I glance up at him, questions crowding my tongue. But he doesn't let me ask, giving me a tiny shake of his head, a silent promise to explain later.

The officers seem to come to some kind of decision, one of them nodding at the other, evidently higher ranked than him as he orders, "Get him out of here."

Without a word, the officer moves to pick up Donovan who sputters a protest, blood and saliva spraying from his injured mouth. The cop doesn't hesitate, hauling him to his feet. There's a hint of satisfaction that lingers in my chest as the police drag a struggling Donovan from the room, Jennifer trailing behind with a venomous glare.

"A warrant?" I ask, my voice faint. "Mal, what's going on?"

He sighs, scrubbing a hand over his face. "After the last time we talked about him... I got angry. Really fucking angry." He gives me a rueful look. "So I had Axel dig around, find proof of what that bastard did. And then I... I may have tipped off the authorities."

*He did what?!*

"You did that?" I whisper, my hand coming to cover my mouth. "For me?"

Malachi brings his hand up to my face, cupping my cheek. "He hurt you, in so many ways. He doesn't get to just walk away from that."

Tears blur my vision, a riot of emotions storming through me. Anger, at what Donovan did. Satisfaction, at the thought of him facing real consequences. But above all, overwhelming love and gratitude for this man, my fierce protector. "Thank you," I whisper, pulling him down until his forehead rests against mine. "Thank you for standing up for me. I love you so much, Malachi."

"Always," he vows softly. His thumbs stroke over my cheekbones with infinite tenderness. "I will always fight for you, Penny."