Chosen To Be The Alpha's Surrogate
⊰ 45 ⊱ A Kiss of Desperation

**I Penelope I**

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?*

I feel my heart pounding in my chest, each beat a painful reminder of my vulnerability. The festive atmosphere around us fades into background noise as I stand frozen, caught between the man I love and the woman who seems to have captivated him.

Seconds stretch into an eternity before Malachi finally tears his gaze away from the mysterious blonde. He turns back to me, and for a moment, I see something flicker in his eyes-guilt? Regret? But it's gone so quickly I can't be sure it was ever there.

Before I can say anything, he pulls me close, crushing his lips against mine in a kiss that's almost bruising in its intensity. It's not like our usual kisses, full of tenderness and love. This is rough, urgent, almost desperate.

I respond instinctively, my body melting into his even as my mind races with questions. His hands roam over my body, possessive and demanding in a way that would usually set my blood on fire. But something feels off. It's as if he's trying to prove something-to me, to himself, or maybe to the woman watching us from across the clearing.

When we finally break apart, I'm breathless, but not in the way I should be. Instead of feeling cherished and desired, I feel... used. Like a prop in some unspoken drama playing out between Malachi and the blonde stranger. "Penny," Malachi murmurs, his voice husky. "You're so beautiful. I want you. Right now."

His words should thrill me, but instead, they send an uncomfortable shiver down my spine. This isn't like him. Malachi has always been passionate, but never this... forceful. Never this public. "Mal," I start, trying to find the right words. "What's going on? Who is "

But he cuts me off with another kiss, his hand sliding up to cup my breast. For a moment, I'm flattered by his urgency, by the raw need in his touch. But then a sharp pain lances through my chest, making me gasp and pull away. "Ow!" I can't help the small cry that escapes me. My breasts have been tender lately-a normal part of pregnancy, the doctor assured me but this is different. This is a stabbing, burning pain that makes me want to curl up and hide. Malachi immediately steps back, concern replacing the strange intensity in his eyes. "Penny? What's wrong? Did I hurt you?"

I shake my head, trying to catch my breath. "No, it's not... I just need a minute. I'm going to the restroom."

"Wait," Malachi says, reaching for me. "Are you sure you're okay? Is it the baby?"

"I'm fine," I insist, already backing away. "Really. I just... I'll be right back."

Before he can protest further, I turn and hurry back into the mansion. I can feel his eyes on me as I go, but I don't look back. I can't bear to see if he's watching me... or if his gaze has drifted back to the mysterious blonde. The restroom is blessedly unoccupied when I burst in, locking the door behind me. I lean against the cool tile wall, trying to steady my racing heart and sort through the tumult of emotions swirling inside me.

*What just happened out there? Who was that woman, and why did she affect Malachi so strongly?*

...

*And what was that kiss about? It felt less like passion and more like... marking his territory.*

I move to the sink, splashing cold water on my face. As I look up at my reflection, I hardly recognize the woman staring back at me. My carefully applied makeup is smudged, my hair mussed from Malachi's eager hands. The emerald dress that made me feel so beautiful earlier now seems garish and out of place.

*What the hell am I even doing..?*

A sob rises in my throat, and I clamp my hand over my mouth to stifle it.

*I will not cry. Not here, not now. I'm stronger than this.*

But am I? Strong enough to face whatever is waiting for me outside this bathroom? Strong enough to confront Malachi about what I saw?

As if in response to my turmoil, I feel a flutter in my belly-*our* baby, moving restlessly. I place my hand over the spot, drawing comfort from this tangible reminder of the life growing inside me.

"It's okay, little one," I whisper. "Mama's just having a moment. Everything's going to be fine."

But even as I say the words, I'm not sure I believe them. Because something has shifted tonight, something fundamental. And I'm terrified of what it might mean for our future.