Chosen To Be The Alpha's Surrogate

**I Penelope I**

The café buzzes with the gentle hum of conversation and the clinking of coffee cups. I sit at a corner table, my hands wrapped around a mug of decaf tea, trying to calm my nerves. The familiar scents of coffee and freshly baked pastries should be comforting, but today they only serve to heighten my anxiety.

I spot Darnell before he sees me, his tall frame easily visible through the café's front window. As he enters, his eyes scanning the room, I have a moment of panic. *What if he doesn't recognize me? What if he takes one look at me and judges me?*

But then his gaze lands on me, and his face breaks into a warm, relieved smile. "Pen," he says as he reaches the table, his voice gruff. "It's good to see you, kid."

Without thinking, I stand and throw my arms around him, burying my face in his chest. The familiar scent of him-diner grease and cheap aftershave-brings tears to my eyes. "Nell," I mumble into his shirt. "I've missed you so much."

He hugs me back, careful of my belly, then gently pushes me to arm's length, his eyes roving over me. "Let me look at you," he says, his brow furrowing as he takes in my appearance. "You look... different."

I know what he sees. The designer maternity clothes that probably cost more than he makes in a month. The subtle highlights in my hair, the manicured nails. All the trappings of the life I now lead with Malachi. But does he also see the shadows under my eyes, the tension in my shoulders?

"I *feel* different," I admit, sinking back into my chair. Darnell takes the seat across from me, concern etched on his weathered face.

"What's going on, Pen?" he asks gently. "You sounded upset on the phone. Is it the baby daddy? Is he treating you right?"

I shake my head, not even sure where to begin. "It's not that," I say, my voice barely above a whisper. "Malachi, he... he's been good to me. Too good, maybe."

Darnell's eyebrows shoot up. "*Too* good? What does that mean?"

I take a deep breath, trying to organize my thoughts. How do I explain the complexity of my situation without revealing the supernatural elements? "It's complicated," I start, wincing at how cliché it sounds. "Malachi, he's... important. Powerful. And I'm just... *me*."

"Hey now," Darnell interrupts, his voice stern. "What's this *just me* business? You're Penelope Stone. You're smart, you're tough, and you don't take crap from anyone. Since when do you sell yourself short?"

His words, so similar to what he said on the phone, bring a weak smile to my face. "Since I entered a world where I feel completely out of my depth," I admit. "Nell, you don't understand. Malachi's world, it's... it's not like ours. There are expectations, traditions. And then there's his ex..."

I trail off, the familiar knot of anxiety tightening in my chest at the thought of Julia. Darnell leans forward, his elbows on the table. "His ex? What about her?"

I bite my lip, trying to figure out how to explain without revealing too much. "She was... perfect for him. In every way. They were meant to be together, according to everyone. But she left him because... because they couldn't have children." Understanding dawns in Darnell's eyes. "And now you're pregnant," he says softly.

I nod, tears welling up. "What if... what if that's the only reason he wants me? What if, now that I've given him an *heir*, he doesn't need me anymore? What if she comes back?"

The fears that have been plaguing me for weeks come pouring out. "I feel like he's been deceiving me, Nell. Stringing me along. He says he loves me, but how can I believe that when I know I'm not what he really wants? When I know I can never really fit into his world?"

Darnell listens patiently, his face a mix of concern and something else.... anger? When I finally fall silent, he reaches across the table and takes my hand.

"Penelope," he says, his voice surprisingly gentle. "I want you to listen to me very carefully. None of this-*none* of it is your fault. You hear me? You didn't ask for any of this."

*But it kind of is... I choose to have sex with him in that alley.*

I nod, tears spilling down my cheeks. Darnell continues, his grip on my hand tightening. "Now, I don't know this Malachi guy. But I know you. And I know that you deserve someone who loves you for who you are, not what you can give them." He pauses, his eyes searching my face. "Have you talked to him about any of this?"

I shake my head, shame coloring my cheeks. "I... I'm scared," I admit. "What if I'm right? What if he confirms all my fears?"

"Then at least you'll know," Darnell says firmly. "Pen, you can't keep living like this. The stress isn't good for you or the baby. You need to face this head-on."

I know he's right, but the thought of confronting Malachi terrifies me. "What if... what if it's not just about us?" I ask, voicing another fear that's been gnawing at me. "Malachi, he's... he's in line for a position of power. But there are others who want it too. If he loses..."

I trail off, unable to voice the rest of my fears. That we might not be safe. That the life I've started to build with Malachi could come crashing down around us.

Darnell's face hardens. "Are you in danger, Pen? Because if you are, I swear to God="

"No, no," I interrupt quickly. "It's not like that. It's just... political, I guess. But it scares me, Nell. All of it scares me."

Darnell sits back, running a hand over his face. "Damn, kid. You sure know how to pick 'em, don't you?" Despite everything, a small laugh escapes me. Darnell smiles, then he's serious again. "Look, Pen. I can't tell you what to do. But I can tell you this-you're stronger than you think. You've faced down worse than some rich guy's ex and a bunch of stuffy politicians."

He leans forward again, his eyes intense. "You need to talk to Malachi. Lay all your cards on the table. If he's the man you think he is, he'll understand. And if he doesn't... well, then you'll know. And you'll figure out what to do next."

I nod, feeling a resolve starting to build in my chest. "You're right," I say softly. "I can't keep living like this. I need to know where I stand."

Darnell smiles, squeezing my hand one last time before letting go. "That's my girl. Now, enough of this heavy stuff. Tell me about this baby of yours. You picked a name for the kid yet?"

The rest of our meeting passes in a blur of catching up and reminiscing. By the time we say goodbye, with promises to stay in touch, I feel lighter than I have in weeks. Darnell's steady presence, his unwavering belief in me, has rekindled something I'd nearly forgotten-my own strength.

As Malachi's men drive me back home, all I can think about is how I'm going to approach Malachi with this. He's always been so kind and reassuring whenever I'm feeling insecure. But for some reason, the thought of bringing this up to him just makes me want to crawl away and hide instead.

The mansion is quiet when I return, most of the staff occupied with preparations for the upcoming Lunar Revel. I make my way to Malachi's study, my heart pounding with each step. But as I raise my hand to knock, the door swings open. Malachi stands there, his face a mix of concern and relief. "Penny," he breathes, pulling me into his arms. "Where have you been? I was worried."

I melt into his embrace, inhaling his familiar scent. For a moment, all my doubts and fears seem to fade away. But then I remember Darnell's words, and I pull back.

"Mal," I start, but he cuts me off with a gentle finger to my lips.

"Before you say anything," he says, a stern look in his eyes, "I need to check something. You look pale, love. Have you been taking your blood pressure?"

I blink, thrown off by the sudden change of subject. "I... no, I forgot this morning."

Malachi nods, as if he expected as much. He guides me to the couch in his study, retrieving a blood pressure cuff from his desk drawer. "Let's check it now," he says, his voice brooking no argument.

As he gently wraps the cuff around my arm, I can't help but marvel at this side of him. The fierce, powerful Alpha, fussing over me like a mother hen. It's endearing, and it makes my heart ache with love for him.

But it also reminds me of the gulf between us. Of all the things I don't know, don't understand about his world.

As the cuff tightens and then releases, Malachi frowns at the reading. "It's a bit high," he murmurs, more to himself than to me. "We'll need to keep an eye on that."

He looks up at me, his eyes soft with concern. "Penny, is everything okay? You seem... distant."

I want to say something. It's sitting on the tip of my tongue. But as I look into his eyes, as I see this side of him... this loving and caring side...

"It's just..."

*I can't.*

I sigh, forcing a small smile. "I miss you. That's all."

He eyes me for a long moment, as if he's not quite convinced. But he doesn't press it. Instead, he captures my lips in his, kissing me tenderly. "I miss you too, Penny," he whispers as he rests his forehead against my own.