Chosen To Be The Alpha's Surrogate
⊰ 38 ⊱ An Alpha's Fury

** Malachi I**

The steering wheel creaks under my grip as I speed towards the café, my mind a storm of rage and fear.

*How could this happen? I left explicit instructions for Penelope's safety.*

...

*Someone's going to pay for this.*

As I screech to a halt outside the café, my eyes immediately lock onto Penelope. My breath catches in my throat. She looks small, fragile, her arms wrapped protectively around her swollen belly. A dark bruise mars her cheek, and her eyes are wide with lingering fear.

In an instant, all my anger melts away, replaced by a bone-deep ache to protect, to comfort. I'm out of the car in a flash, crossing the distance between us in long strides.

"Penny," I breathe, gathering her gently into my arms. She collapses against me, her body trembling slightly. I breathe in her scent, allowing it to calm the wolf that's howling for blood inside me. "I'm okay," she murmurs against my chest, but I can hear the lie in her voice.

I pull back slightly, cupping her face in my hands, careful of her bruised cheek. "Let's get you home," I say softly, then turn to the man standing protectively at Penelope's side. This must be Darnell. "Thank you," I say, extending my hand. "For being here for her. I'm Malachi."

Darnell eyes me warily before shaking my hand. His grip is firm, challenging. "Nice to finally meet you," he says, his tone making it clear he's reserving judgment. "Take care of her, you hear me?" I nod, respecting his protective instinct. "With my life," I vow.

As I guide Penelope to the car, my eyes narrow on Derek, the wolf who was supposed to be watching her. He stands off to the side, his head bowed in shame.

*Good. He should be ashamed.*

Once Penelope's settled in the car, I turn back to the scene. Derek approaches, his posture submissive. "Alpha, I—"

I hold up a hand, silencing him. "Not now," I growl. "Report. What happened?"

Derek swallows hard. "Rogue wolves, sir. Four of them. They... they wanted to hurt the Luna. Maybe worse."

A snarl builds in my chest, but I force it down. "And where were you when this was happening?"

Derek's eyes drop to the ground. "I... I lost her, sir. She slipped away from the mansion and I couldn't pick up her trail fast enough."

*Lost her? How the fuck do you lose someone you're not supposed to take your eyes off?!*

My vision goes red with rage. I'm about to tear into him when a familiar scent catches my attention. My head snaps up, eyes locking onto a shadowy figure lurking at the edge of the alley. "Elijah," I growl. "Come out. Now."

My brother slinks out of the shadows, his usual smirk firmly in place. "Hello, brother. Quite the excitement tonight, wouldn't you say?"

"What are you doing here?" I demand, suspicion coiling in my gut.

Elijah shrugs, the picture of nonchalance. "Just happened to be in the neighborhood. Lucky for your little human, wouldn't you say?"

I take a menacing step towards him. "If I find out you had anything to do with this—"

"You'll what?" Elijah interrupts, his eyes flashing. "Tear me apart? I just saved your mate's life, Malachi. A little gratitude wouldn't go amiss."

I clench my fists, battling the urge to wipe that smug look off his face. But he's right-without evidence, I can't accuse him of involvement. And if he truly did save Penelope...

"Thank you," I grit out. "But this isn't over. I want to know exactly what happened here."

Elijah's smirk widens. "All in good time, brother. For now, shouldn't you be tending to your injured mate?"

The reminder of Penelope's condition snaps me back to reality. With a final warning glare at both Elijah and Derek, I turn and stride back to the car.

The drive back to the mansion is tense, heavy with unspoken words. I can feel Penelope's eyes on me, but I keep my gaze fixed on the road. The wolf in me is still snarling for vengeance, and I don't trust myself to speak without letting that rage spill over onto her.

It's not fair to be angry at her for leaving the mansion. She's not a prisoner, no matter how much safer I'd feel if she stayed locked away. But the thought of what could have happened if Elijah hadn't been there... it makes my blood run cold. By the time we reach the mansion, I've managed to rein in my emotions somewhat. I help Penelope out of the car, supporting her as we make our way to our bedroom. She's trying to hide it, but I can see the pain in every step she takes. In the bathroom, I gently sit her on the edge of the tub, then gather the first aid supplies. As I clean and dress her wounds, I force myself to be gentle, to ignore the way my hands want to shake with residual anger and fear. "I'm sorry," Penelope whispers as I dab antiseptic on a cut on her arm.

I pause, looking up to meet her eyes. I want to say that she has nothing to be sorry for, but another part, the angry part of me, won't let me.

She shakes her head, tears welling up. "I shouldn't have left the mansion. I knew it wasn't safe, but I just... I needed to get out. To feel normal for a little while."

*If you knew it wasn't safe, then why the hell would you -*

I stop myself, recognizing the pain in her voice. I set aside the first aid kit, a sigh parting my lips. "The fault lies with those who attacked you, and with me for not ensuring your safety. I should've done more. I'm sorry, Penelope." "But why?" she asks, her voice small and confused. "Why would anyone want to hurt me? And... and Elijah said this wasn't the first time something like this has happened."

I freeze, cursing my brother's loose tongue.

*Of course he would tell her that.*

Penelope's grip on my hands tightens. "Malachi? Is that true? Have there been other attacks?"

I sigh, knowing I can't lie to her. Not about this. "Yes," I admit. "There have been... attempts before. Nothing this bold, but..."

"Why didn't you tell me?" she demands, hurt and anger flashing in her eyes.

"I wanted to protect you," I say, knowing how weak it sounds even as the words leave my mouth. "I didn't want you to live in fear."

Penelope pulls her hands away, wrapping her arms around herself. "So you lied to me instead? Kept me in the dark about the dangers I was facing?"

I run a hand through my hair, frustration building. "I was trying to keep you safe. To give you some semblance of a normal life."

"But it's not a normal life, is it?" she snaps. "I'm mated to an Alpha werewolf. I'm carrying a child that apparently makes me a target. How is any of that normal?"

Her words hit me like a physical blow, igniting a defensive anger in my chest. "What did you expect, Penelope? A picket fence and Sunday barbecues? This is my world. *Our* world now."

"A world where I'm constantly in danger?" she retorts, her eyes flashing. "Where I can't even go out for dessert without being attacked?"

I feel my temper rising to match hers. "That's exactly why I didn't want you leaving the estate! Do you have any idea what could have happened if Elijah hadn't been there?"

"So I'm supposed to stay locked up like a prisoner?" Penelope stands, her fists clenched at her sides. "Is that your solution?"

"If that's what it takes to keep you safe, then yes!" I growl, my control slipping.

She recoils as if I've struck her. "I can't believe you just said that," she whispers, hurt and anger warring in her eyes.

"Well, what do you want me to say?" I snap, my voice rising. "That I'm okay with you putting yourself in danger? That I don't care if something happens to you or our child?"

"I want you to treat me like a partner!" she shouts back. "Not some fragile thing you need to keep in a glass case!"

"A partner?" I scoff, my wolf snarling beneath my skin. "A partner would understand the dangers. A partner wouldn't run off the moment my back is turned!"

Penelope's face flushes with anger. "I didn't run off'! I went out with a friend because I was lonely and scared and tired of being cooped up in this house!"

"And look what happened!" I roar, gesturing to her injuries. "You could have been killed, Penelope! Do you understand that? You and our child could be dead right now!"

"Don't you dare put this all on me!" she yells, tears of frustration gathering in her eyes. "You're the one who's been lying to me, keeping me in the dark about the threats we're facing!"

The argument escalates, both of us unleashing weeks of pent-up frustration and fear. Words fly like weapons, each of us striking where we know it will hurt the most. The air crackles with tension, neither of us willing to back down.

As our voices rise, echoing off the bathroom walls, I can see the staff scurrying past our door, trying to avoid the Alpha's wrath. But I'm beyond caring about appearances now. All I can focus on is the fury and fear coursing through me, and the equally angry woman standing before me.