Chosen To Be The Alpha's Surrogate
⊰ 44 ⊱ Emerald Promises

**I Penelope I**

The soft chime of the boutique's door fades behind us as Malachi and I step into a world of silk and sparkle. The shop is smaller than I expected, but every inch exudes luxury. Chandeliers cast a warm glow over racks of exquisite gowns, each one a work of art in its own right.

I pause, suddenly overwhelmed. This is a far cry from the thrift stores and clearance racks I'm used to. Malachi's hand on the small of my back steadies me, his touch a gentle reminder that I belong here now, no matter how out of place I feel. "Take your time," he murmurs, his breath warm against my ear. "We're in no rush."

I nod and begin to explore. My fingers trail over fabrics softer than anything I've ever felt-buttery silks, gossamer chiffons, and velvets so plush they seem to melt beneath my touch. Each dress tells a story, whispering promises of elegance and grace.

As I move deeper into the store, an emerald green gown catches my eye. It's not as flashy as some of the others, but there's something about it that draws me in. The bodice is adorned with intricate silver beadwork that reminds me of moonlight on water, while the skirt flows like liquid silk.

I pause in front of it, my hand hovering just above the fabric. Part of me is afraid to touch it, as if my fingertips might somehow tarnish its perfection.

"See something you like?" Malachi asks, coming to stand beside me.

I nod, unable to tear my eyes away from the dress. "It's beautiful," I breathe.

A small smile plays at the corners of his mouth. "Why don't you try it on?"

Before I can protest, a petite woman with kind eyes approaches us. "Hello," she says warmly. "I'm Leslie. Can I help you with anything?"

Malachi nods towards the emerald gown. "My mate would like to try this one."

Leslie's eyes light up. "Excellent choice. If you'll follow me, we'll get you fitted."

As we make our way to the dressing rooms, I can't help but notice the way Leslie's gaze flicks between Malachi and me, a mixture of curiosity and respect in her eyes. It's then that I feel the aura of her presence-she's a werewolf, a beta if I'm not mistaken. It's strange, the way I've come to learn to sense them even as a human.

The dressing room is more spacious than I expected, with plush carpeting and a three-way mirror that leaves nowhere to hide. Leslie helps me into the dress with practiced ease, her movements efficient but gentle.

"There we are," she says, stepping back. "Take a look."

I turn to face the mirror and feel my breath catch in my throat. The woman staring back at me is a stranger-regal, elegant, and undeniably pregnant. The empire waist of the dress accentuates my growing belly without making me feel self- conscious, and the color makes my eyes look more green than hazel.

"What do you think?" Leslie asks softly.

I swallow hard, trying to find my voice. "It's... it's perfect," I manage to say.

Leslie beams. "Shall we show the Alpha?"

I nod, suddenly nervous.

*What if he doesn't like it? What if I look ridiculous trying to play dress-up in clothes I have no business wearing?*

But as I step out of the dressing room, all my doubts fade away. Malachi's reaction is subtle a slight widening of the eyes, a sharp intake of breath-but to me, it speaks volumes. I've never seen him look at me quite like this before. "Well?" I ask, giving an awkward little twirl. "What do you think?"

Malachi takes a moment to respond, his eyes traveling slowly from the hem of the dress to my face. When he finally speaks, his voice is low and rough. "You look stunning, Penny."

I feel a blush creeping up my neck. "You don't think it's too much? I mean, I'm not exactly built like a model right now."

His expression softens as he steps closer, one hand coming to rest on my belly. "You're carrying my child," he says quietly. "There's nothing more beautiful than that."

I roll my eyes, but can't help smiling. "Smooth talker. But seriously, you think this is the one?"

He nods, his eyes never leaving mine. "If you feel comfortable in it, then yes. It suits you perfectly."

As Leslie begins making notes for alterations, Malachi excuses himself for a moment. I watch him go, a mixture of love and disbelief welling up inside me.

*How did I get so lucky?*

When he returns, he's carrying a velvet box that makes my heart skip a beat. "Mal," I start, but he shakes his head, silencing me.

"Let me do this, Penny," he says softly. He opens the box to reveal a delicate silver necklace adorned with emeralds that match my dress perfectly. Nestled beside it is a pair of teardrop emerald earrings.

I stare at the jewelry, then back at Malachi, my eyes wide. "Is it... is it really for me?"

He gives me a quizzical look, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Of course it's for you. Who else would it be for?"

I shrug, trying to play off my insecurity with a joke. "I don't know. Maybe you've got a secret jewelry stash for all your wolf groupies."

But Malachi doesn't laugh. Instead, he takes my hand with a stern look on his face. "Penelope," he says, using my full name in a way that makes me shiver. "*You* are my mate. My Luna. There is no one else. There will never be anyone else." I nod, swallowing past the lump in my throat. "I know," I whisper. "I'm sorry, I just... sometimes I still can't believe this is real, you know?"

He squeezes my hand gently. "Believe it," he says. "You're stuck with me, little rabbit. For better or worse."

I manage a small smile. "Promise?"

"Promise," he says, and seals it with a kiss that makes me forget we're standing in the middle of a boutique, surrounded by beautiful dresses and priceless jewelry.

Because none of it matters. Not compared to this-to *us*, to the life we're building together.

As Malachi fastens the necklace around my throat, his fingers lingering on my skin, I catch our reflection in the mirror. We make an odd pair-the powerful Alpha and his very human, very pregnant mate. But somehow, we fit. Two pieces of a puzzle I never knew needed solving.

And for the first time since this all began, I truly believe that everything is going to be okay.

The next couple of days pass in a blur of preparations. Before I know it, it's the night of the festival. As Malachi and I make our way to the bonfire, I can't help but feel a thrill of excitement. The air is alive with energy, the scent of woodsmoke and roasting meat mingling with the earthy smell of the forest.

Wolves in both human and wolf form mill about, their excited chatter filling the night air. Children dart between the adults, their laughter ringing out like bells. It's a far cry from the formal, stuffy affairs I'd imagined when Malachi first told me about werewolf gatherings.

"This is amazing," I breathe, taking it all in. "I've never seen anything like it."

Malachi squeezes my hand, a proud smile on his face. "This is our heritage, little rabbit. Our traditions, passed down through generations. And now, it's yours too."

As we make our way through the crowd, I'm struck by the sense of community, of belonging. Wolves nod respectfully to Malachi, offering warm smiles and congratulations to me.

We stop to chat with various pack members, Malachi introducing me to elders and catching up with old friends. I find myself relaxing, drawn into conversations about pack history and werewolf lore. It's fascinating, and I can't help but feel a surge of excitement at the thought of raising our child in this rich, vibrant culture.

As the night wears on, Malachi leads me to a quieter spot near the edge of the clearing. The bonfire casts a warm glow over his features, highlighting the strong line of his jaw and the intensity in his eyes. He pulls me close, one hand resting on my belly, the other cupping my face.

"You look beautiful tonight, Penny," he murmurs, his thumb tracing my lower lip. "How did I get so lucky?"

*I ask myself the same question far too often.*

I lean into his touch, my heart swelling with love. "I'm the lucky one," I whisper back. "You've given me a home, a family. More than I ever dreamed possible."

He leans in, his lips just a breath away from mine. The world seems to fade away, leaving just the two of us in this moment. I close my eyes, anticipating the kiss...

But it doesn't come.

I open my eyes, confused by the sudden tension in Malachi's body. His gaze is fixed on something over my shoulder, his expression unreadable. Slowly, I turn to follow his line of sight.

Across the clearing, standing at the edge of the flickering firelight, is a woman. She's striking, with long blonde hair that seems to glow in the warm light of the bonfire. Even from this distance, I can see the intensity of her piercing blue eyes.

But it's not her beauty that makes my breath catch in my throat. It's the way Malachi is looking at her. His eyes are locked with hers, a silent communication passing between them that I can't begin to understand.

In that moment, all my insecurities come rushing back. The fear, the doubt, the nagging feeling that I'm not enough. Because the way Malachi is looking at this woman... it's not the way you look at a stranger.

As I stand there, feeling suddenly small and out of place in my beautiful new dress, one thought echoes in my mind:

*Who is she?*

...

*And why is he looking at her like she holds all the secrets of the universe?*