Chosen To Be The Alpha's Surrogate

**I Penelope I **

The water laps gently against my skin as I sink deeper into the luxurious bathtub, the scent of lavender and vanilla filling the air. It should be relaxing, but my mind is restless with the nagging conflicting emotions.

Malachi's absence feels like a physical ache, the space where he should be glaringly empty. I close my eyes, remembering the heat of his gaze, the possessive touch of his hands. For a moment, I let myself imagine what might have happened if Axel hadn't interrupted us.

But reality crashes back in, harsh and unforgiving. Malachi is out there dealing with a crisis, one that involves something beyond my comprehension. And here I am, safe in his mansion, soaking in a tub that probably costs more than my old apartment.

*Is there really a future for us?*

The question gnaws at me, persistent and unavoidable. Malachi is an Alpha, a leader in a world I'm only beginning to understand. And I'm... what? A human. An outsider. Carrying his child, yes, but still so far removed from the supernatural society he rules over.

I run a hand over my swollen belly, feeling the gentle movements of our son. "What do you think, little one?" I murmur. "Do you think your daddy and I have a shot at happily ever after?"

The baby kicks in response, and I can't help but smile. At least in this, I'm certain. Whatever happens between Malachi and me, I'll always have this precious life we created together.

*But you want more than that, don't you? *

The traitorous voice whispers in my mind.

*You want Malachi. All of him.*

I groan, sinking lower in the water until it laps at my chin. There's no use denying it, not even to myself. I'm in love with him. Deeply, irrevocably in love with the stubborn, overprotective, infuriating werewolf who's turned my world upside down. "Damn it," I mutter, water sloshing as I sit up abruptly. "This isn't what I signed up for."

But even as I say it, I know it's a lie. I may not have asked for any of this, but now that I have it-have *him*-I can't imagine my life any other way.

With a sigh, I haul myself out of the tub, wrapping a plush white towel around my body. There's no point in wallowing, I know. Malachi will return when he can, and until then, I need to keep myself occupied.

After dressing in a comfortable pair of leggings and an oversized pink sweater that stretches nicely over my bump, I decide to head to the library.

*Maybe losing myself in a good book will help. *

As I step into the hallway, I'm immediately flanked by two burly guards, greeting me with a curt nod, "Luna." They fall into step behind me, their presence looming, reminding me of the dangers that come with standing by Malachi's side and carrying his child.

I can't help but feel inadequate as I walk down the hall. The guards, like everyone else in this mansion, move with an inhuman grace and strength. Even the paintings on the walls seem to watch me with knowing eyes, as if they can sense that I don't truly belong here.

*Stop it. This is your home now. You're going to have to get used to it.*

But it's easier said than done. Every step I take seems to be a reminder of how out of place I am in this supernatural world. I'm just a human, fragile and slow, surrounded by creatures of myth and legend. *Ignore it. You can learn to live with this. You have to, for your child's sake. For Malachi's sake.*

The library, when we reach it, is a familiar welcome sanctuary. Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves line the walls, filled with leather-bound tomes and ancient-looking scrolls. A massive fireplace dominates one wall, a cheery blaze already crackling in the grate.

The guards take up positions on either side of the door as I enter. I try to ignore them as I peruse the shelves, finally settling on a well-worn copy of my favorite novel, Laisha Gardner's *Heartprints in the Void*. It's familiar and comforting, a piece of my old life in this strange new world.

I curl up in a plush armchair by the fire, losing myself in the familiar story of the junior Network Engineer, Elysian, and her forbidden romance with her secret ex-fiance billionaire, Cade Sincalir. For a while, I can almost pretend I'm back in my tiny apartment, with no worries beyond my next shift at the diner.

"Well, isn't this cozy?"

The smooth, cultured voice shatters my illusion of peace. I look up to find Malachi's brother, Elijah, lounging in the doorway. He's the picture of casual elegance in tailored slacks and a crisp white shirt, but there's a predatory gleam in his eyes that sets my teeth on edge.

"Elijah," I greet him cautiously, marking my place in the book. "What can I do for you?"

He saunters into the room, ignoring the low growls from my guards. "Oh, I just thought I'd check in on my dear brother's... companion." The pause before the last word is deliberate, a subtle jab that doesn't go unnoticed. "How are you finding life in our world, Penelope? Everything you *dreamed of?"

There's a mocking edge to his tone that makes me bristle. I straighten in my chair, one hand resting protectively over my belly. "It's certainly been an adjustment," I say carefully. "But Malachi has been very supportive." Elijah's lips curl in a smirk. "Ah yes, my brother. Always so... accommodating when it comes to his lovers." He moves to the fireplace, leaning against the mantel with studied nonchalance. "Did he tell you about Julia?" The name makes my brows furrow. "Julia?" I repeat, hating the way my voice wavers.

"His mate,” Elijah says, watching me closely. "His *true* mate. The woman he was destined to be with." He pauses, letting the words sink in. "She left him, you know. When it seemed he couldn't give her children."

My heart pounds in my chest, a sick feeling settling in the pit of my stomach. This isn't the first I've heard of Malachi's former mate, but this is the first time I've heard of her by name. And the implications of Elijah's words are staggering. "What are you saying?" I ask, proud of how steady my voice is this time despite the turmoil inside me.

Elijah's smile is sharp, predatory. "Only that it's quite the coincidence, isn't it? Malachi, thought to be infertile, suddenly expecting a child with a human woman." He pushes off from the mantel, moving closer. "One might almost think it was... planned."

I recoil, anger flaring hot in my chest. "You don't know what you're talking about," I snap. "Malachi would never_"

"Wouldn't he?" Elijah interrupts smoothly. "To secure his position as Alpha? To prove his virility to the pack?" He shakes his head, a mockery of sympathy on his face. "Oh, my dear. You have no idea what my brother is capable of." I want to argue, to defend Malachi, but doubt creeps in like poison.

*How well do I really know him? We've only been together for a few months, thrust into this intense situation by an unexpected pregnancy. What if...?*

...

*No. Don't let him get in your head. Malachi loves you. He said so himself.*

But Elijah isn't done. He leans in, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "And now that he's proven he can father children... well. Who knows? Julia might just come back to claim what's rightfully hers."

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. I struggle to breathe, my mind racing with horrible possibilities.

*Could it be true? Could Malachi's real mate return, leaving me... what? Cast aside? A convenient incubator for his heir?*

"You're lying," I manage to choke out, but even to my own ears, it sounds weak and uncertain.

Elijah straightens, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes. "Am I? I suppose we'll find out soon enough, won't we?" He turns to leave, pausing at the door to look back at me. "Sleep well, Penelope. While you can."

With that parting shot, he's gone, leaving me trembling in his wake. The guards growl softly, clearly unhappy about Elijah's presence, but I barely notice. My mind is reeling, Elijah's words playing on repeat in my head. *Julia. Malachi's true mate. The woman he was destined to be with.*

I curl in on myself, wrapping my arms around my belly as if I can shield our child from the painful thoughts swirling in my mind. Part of me wants to dismiss Elijah's words as lies, as a deliberate attempt to sow discord between Malachi and me. But another part, a small, insecure voice that I can't quite silence, wonders if there might be some truth to what he said. After all, what do I really know about Malachi's past? About the world he comes from?

The rest of the evening passes in a haze. I barely taste the dinner that's brought to me, pushing the food around on my plate until the maid takes it away with a concerned frown. I try to read, to distract myself, but the words blur on the page, meaningless in the face of my churning thoughts.

As night falls, it becomes clear that Malachi won't be returning. The ache of his absence, which had been a dull throb all day, sharpens into something fierce and painful. I want nothing more than to see him, to demand answers to the questions Elijah raised.

But he's not here. He's out *there*, dealing with a crisis I can barely comprehend, while I'm left alone with my doubts and fears.

Finally, exhausted and heartsick, I make my way to our bedroom.

*Our bedroom.*

The thought brings a fresh wave of pain.

*How long will it be ours? How long before Julia returns to claim her place at Malachi's side?*

I change into one of Malachi's t-shirts, the familiar scent of him bringing tears to my eyes. As I climb into the massive bed, the emptiness of it feels like a physical presence, mocking me with its cold expanse.

"Don't," I whisper to myself, curling around my belly. "Don't fall too deep. Don't let yourself get hurt."

But even as I say the words, I know it's too late. I'm already in love with Malachi, already invested in the future we might have together. And if that future is ripped away....

I squeeze my eyes shut, willing sleep to come and relieve me from the torment of my thoughts. But as I drift off, one final, heart-wrenching thought floats through my mind:

*What if I'm just a placeholder until his real mate returns?*