Chosen To Be The Alpha's Surrogate
⊰ 43 ⊱ The Memory of Her

**I Malachi I**

Penelope's sobs gradually subside, her body still trembling slightly in my arms. I hold her close, one hand rubbing soothing circles on her back, the other cradling her head against my chest. We stand like this for a long moment, the kitchen quiet save for the soft hum of the refrigerator and Penelope's occasional sniffle.

Finally, she pulls back slightly, looking up at me with red-rimmed eyes. "I'm sorry," she hiccups. "I don't know why I'm so emotional. It's just... you deciding to spend time with me, and then I ate all of my yogurt... I just... It must be the hormones."

*She is so fucking cute...*

I can't help but smile, finding her adorably endearing even in this state. My thumb gently wipes away a stray tear on her cheek. "No need to apologize, little rabbit. I'm here for you, hormones and all."

She gives a watery chuckle, and I feel something in my chest loosen. I press a soft kiss to her forehead, then lead her to the living room. We spend the rest of the evening in comfortable silence, Penelope curled against my side as we watch some mindless TV show. It's not how I'd planned to spend my night, but as I feel her gradually relax and eventually drift off to sleep, I know there's nowhere else I'd rather be.

The next morning dawns bright and clear. I'm just finishing knotting my tie when I hear Penelope stirring. Turning, I find her watching me with hooded eyes, a sultry smile playing on her lips.

"Good morning, handsome," she purrs, stretching languidly on the bed, the sheet sliding down to reveal the swell of her breasts.

The sight of her, sleep-tousled and inviting, sends a jolt of desire through me. In two strides, I'm at the bedside, leaning down to capture her lips in a searing kiss. She responds eagerly, her arms coming up to wrap around the back of my neck. "Good morning indeed," I growl against her mouth, my hand sliding down her body to cup her through her thin nightgown.

Penelope gasps, arching into my touch. "Mal, please," she whimpers, her legs falling open in invitation.

I don't need to be asked twice. My fingers find her center, already slick with want, and I set about pleasuring her with single-minded focus. I watch her face as she comes undone, drinking in every gasp, every moan, every flutter of her eyelashes. She's beautiful like this, lost in pleasure, and knowing that I'm the one bringing her this ecstasy fills me with a primal satisfaction. *She's mine. All fucking mine.*

As she comes down from her high, body still trembling with aftershocks, she reaches for me, clearly wanting more. My cock twitches for her, wanting to sink myself deep into her swollen pussy. But just then, a knock at the door interrupts us. "Fuck," I mutter, frustration and duty warring within me. I look down at Penelope apologetically, a look that seems to be all too familiar now. "I'm sorry, love."

Whoever it is, I know it's probably important-they know better than to risk waking Penelope on a normal day.

She sighs but gives me an understanding smile. "It's okay. You sort of got the job done, anyway," she teases, a mischievous glint in her eye.

I arch an eyebrow at her, a wicked grin spreading across my face. "Careful, little rabbit. You don't want me to have to pin you down and make you cum until you're begging me to stop."

Her eyes widen, pupils dilating with renewed arousal. "All talk, no action, Alpha," she taunts, her voice husky.

I'm tempted at the edge of restraint, ready to show her just how much *action* I'm capable of when another knock echoes through the room, more insistent this time. Penelope groans, flopping back onto the pillows. "I know, I know. You have to go."

With a regretful sigh, I press a kiss to her forehead. "To be continued," I promise, then reluctantly make my way out of our bedroom, adjusting myself discreetly as I go.

I'm surprised to find Axel waiting for me in the hallway, his expression grim. "Elijah's here," he says without preamble. "He's waiting in your office."

*What the hell is he doing here?*

Tension immediately coils in my gut, dousing the last embers of arousal. After my last encounter with my brother, I wasn't expecting to hear from him again so soon. "Thanks, Axel. Keep an eye on things out here."

I take a moment to compose myself before entering my office. Elijah is lounging in one of the leather chairs, looking for all the world like he owns the place. "Brother," he greets me, his tone deceptively casual. "We need to talk." "About what?" I ask, moving to sit behind my desk, putting a physical barrier between us. Old habits die hard, and with Elijah, I've learned to always be on guard.

Elijah leans forward, his expression suddenly serious. "I've got information about those rogue wolves who attacked Penelope."

My interest piques despite my wariness. "Go on."

As Elijah speaks, detailing the intel he's gathered, I can't help but notice something... off about his demeanor. He seems genuinely concerned about Penelope and the baby, his words laced with an uncharacteristic protectiveness. It makes me uncomfortable. Elijah doesn't care about anyone or anything unless it benefits him somehow. So why the sudden change of heart? Especially after he summoned that tribal beast at the banquet, putting Penelope and our son in danger? "Why are you really here, Elijah?" I interrupt, my suspicion getting the better of me.

He pauses, something flashing in his eyes that I can't quite read. "Can't a man be concerned about his future nephew?"

"Not when that man is you," I retort. "What's your angle here?"

His face hardens, a familiar mask of resentment slipping into place. "You always think the worst of me, don't you, Malachi? Did it ever occur to you that I might actually care about my family?"

"No," I say bluntly. "It didn't. Because you never have before."

A bitter laugh escapes him. "No, I suppose I haven't. Not since Fallon, anyway."

The mention of our sister's name hangs heavy in the air between us. I feel my jaw clench, old pain and guilt surging to the surface. Memories of that terrible night flash through my mind the snarls of the rogues, Fallon's scream, the smell of blood... "Don't," I warn, my voice low and dangerous. "Don't bring her into this."

But Elijah, as always, pushes. "Why not? She's the reason for all of this, isn't she? The reason you can't trust me, the reason I can't-"

"Enough!" I roar, slamming my hands on the desk as I stand. The wood creaks ominously under my palms. "You need to stop blaming yourself for her death, Elijah. She was protecting her family-protecting me. I lost her too, remember?" Elijah's face contorts with a mixture of grief and rage. "But it wasn't your fault, was it? You were just a child, the precious heir. I was the one who was supposed to protect you both!"

"We were all children," I say, trying to keep my voice level. "It wasn't your job to protect us. It wasn't anyone's fault except the rogues who attacked us."

But I can see my words aren't getting through. His eyes are distant, lost in memories of that terrible night when our sister died protecting me from a rogue attack. We've always had enemies-comes with being the royal family-but that night... that night changed everything.

"She was the only one who ever treated me like I mattered," Elijah says quietly, his voice raw with old pain. "The only one who saw me as more than just your shadow."

I feel a pang of guilt at his words. It's true that Fallon had always been the peacemaker between us, the one who treated Elijah as an equal when everyone else, including our parents, had always favored me. "Elijah," I start, not even sure what I'm going to say. But he's already standing, his face closing off into the cold mask I'm more familiar with.

"Forget it," he snaps. "I've told you what I came to tell you. Do with the information what you will."

As he storms out of my office, slamming the door behind him, I can't shake the uneasy feeling in my gut. Elijah's mood swings have always been unpredictable, but this... this feels different. More volatile.

And suddenly, I'm worried. Not for myself, but for Penelope. Elijah's always been jealous of what I have, always wanted to take it away. And now, with his emotions still so raw, with the memory of Fallon hanging between us... *Maybe I need to start keeping watch of his every move.*

One thing is for sure, I need to be more vigilant than ever. Because if Elijah decides to lash out, to take his pain and anger out on Penelope...

I won't let history repeat itself. I won't lose another person I love to the twisted dynamics of our family.