Chosen To Be The Alpha's Surrogate
⊰ 56 ⊱ Lost in the Storm

**I Penelope I**

The first crack of thunder makes me jump, my heart leaping into my throat. Lightning follows, illuminating the forest in stark, terrifying clarity for a split second before plunging me back into darkness. I stumble, my hand instinctively going to my swollen belly. *What have I done?*

Regret washes over me, as cold and unforgiving as the wind that's picking up around me. I shouldn't have run. I shouldn't have let my emotions get the better of me. I'm not just responsible for myself anymore.

I turn, trying to retrace my steps, but in the gathering gloom, every tree looks the same. Every path seems unfamiliar. I'm lost, hopelessly, terrifyingly lost.

*Stupid, stupid, stupid!*

Panic starts to set in, my breath coming in short, sharp gasps. I can feel the baby moving, restless and distressed. I force myself to take a deep breath, then another.

"It's okay," I whisper, rubbing soothing circles on my belly. "We're okay. Mama's got you."

But even as I say the words, I know they're a lie. We're not okay. We're lost in the woods during a storm, and I have no idea how to get back.

*Why didn't I think about the baby? How could I be so selfish?*

I keep walking, one hand on my belly, the other outstretched to feel my way through the darkness. The wind is howling now, whipping my hair around my face. I can smell the rain coming, heavy and ominous.

Just as I'm about to give up hope, to sink down at the base of a tree and wait for whatever fate has in store for me, I see it. The lake. The same lake where Malachi took me on that rowboat, in what feels like a lifetime ago. Relief floods through me. I may be lost, but at least this is something familiar. Something I can anchor myself to.

I make my way to the dock, grateful for the small roof that offers some shelter. As soon as I step onto the wooden planks, the heavens open up. Rain pours down in sheets, drenching everything in seconds.

Exhausted and out of breath, I lower myself down, leaning against one of the sturdy pillars. I close my eyes, trying to even out my breathing, to calm my racing heart.

The sounds of the forest mix with the pounding rain, creating a cacophony that should be terrifying. But after the silence of my solitary wandering, it's almost comforting. At least it's something other than the sound of my own panicked thoughts.

Then a new worry creeps in, insidious and painful.

*Is Malachi even looking for me? Has he even noticed I'm gone?*

...

*He's probably too busy with Julia.*

The thought brings a fresh wave of pain, and I have to blink back tears. I hold out my hand, letting the rain drip onto my palm. For a moment, it's almost peaceful. Almost beautiful.

But then I hear it. Growls, low and menacing, barely audible over the storm. The splash of heavy paws in puddles, coming closer.

I snap my head in the direction of the sound, my heart in my throat. "Hello?" I call out, hating how my voice shakes. "Who's there?"

Silence. Just the rain and the wind and my own ragged breathing.

Then, suddenly, a massive shape bursts from the treeline. A wolf, bigger than any I've ever seen. Its fur is dark, matted with rain, its eyes glowing in the darkness.

Terror floods my system. I try to stand, to run, but a vicious growl stops me in my tracks. The message is clear: Don't move.

So I stay where I am, frozen in place, one hand protectively over my belly. The wolf stalks towards me, each step slow and deliberate. I can hear its growls even over the storm now, can see the gleam of its teeth. It's going to kill me... and my baby.

I can feel my heart at my throat, tears in my eyes as it gets closer, close enough that I can feel its hot breath on my skin. It sniffs at me, and suddenly, I'm thrown back to that day on the balcony. The day I was attacked, and Malachi saved me in his wolf form.

I look into the wolf's eyes, *really* look, and with a jolt of recognition, I realize it's him. It's Malachi.

But even as relief floods through me, I realize something's wrong. This isn't the Malachi I know. There's no recognition in those eyes, no hint of the man I love. This is pure animal, driven by instinct and need. "Mal?" I whisper, hope and fear warring in my voice.

The wolf-Malachi-growls in response, the sound rumbling through his chest.

*Think, Penelope. Think!*

And then I remember. Malachi's words about the hunt echo in my mind. About not running, about submission.

Slowly, reluctantly, I lower my gaze. I tilt my head to the side, baring my neck in what I hope is a show of submission.

For a moment, nothing happens. I hold my breath, my pulse pounding in my ears. Then I feel it-the hot, wet slide of a tongue against my neck, right over the mating mark.

I shudder, relief and something else something primal and heated-coursing through me.

Malachi steps back, and for a second, I think it's over. But then he throws his head back and lets out a howl. It's long and loud, echoing across the lake and through the trees. Somehow, instinctively, I know what it means. He's found his mate. He's claiming me.

As the howl fades, Malachi turns back to me. There's something different in his eyes now. Not quite human awareness, but... recognition. He knows me. He sees me.

Slowly, cautiously, I reach out a hand. "Mal?" I whisper again. "It's me. It's Penelope."

He doesn't growl this time. Instead, he presses his muzzle into my palm, nuzzling against me. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding, tears of relief stinging my eyes.

"I'm sorry," I say, my voice breaking. "I'm so sorry I ran. I was scared and hurt and... and stupid."

Malachi whines softly, nudging my belly with his nose. I laugh wetly, running my fingers through his damp fur.

"The baby's okay," I assure him. "We're both okay. Just... cold and wet and tired."

As if on cue, a shiver runs through me. The adrenaline is wearing off, leaving me exhausted and chilled to the bone. Malachi notices, of course he does. He circles around behind me, then lays down, curling his massive body around mine. I lean back against him, grateful for his warmth. His fur is wet, but underneath, his body is like a furnace. I can feel some of the tension leaving my body as I relax into him.

"What happens now?" I ask, not really expecting an answer. "I... I saw her, Mal. Julia. And I heard what Elijah said. About me not being good enough to be Luna."

Malachi growls softly, nuzzling the top of my head. I take it as reassurance, but doubt still gnaws at me.

"I want to be enough," I whisper, more to myself than to him. "I want to be worthy of you, of the pack. But I don't know how. I don't know if I can."

The rain is letting up now, the storm moving off into the distance. In the sudden quiet, I can hear the soft lapping of waves against the dock, the drip of water from leaves. It's peaceful, but I know it won't last.

Soon, we'll have to leave this sanctuary. We'll have to go back and face the pack, face Julia and Elijah and all the challenges that come with being the human mate of the Alpha. And the thought terrifies me.

But as I sit here, surrounded by Malachi's warmth and strength, I feel a glimmer of hope. Maybe I'm not the Luna the pack expects. Maybe I'll never be the perfect werewolf mate. But I am Malachi's choice. I am the mother of his child. And maybe, just maybe, that can be enough.

I turn my head, burying my face in Malachi's fur. "I love you," I murmur. "Both of you. You and our baby. Whatever happens... that won't change."

Malachi rumbles, a sound that vibrates through his chest and into mine. It's not words, but I understand the meaning all the same.

*I love you too. I always will.*

As the last of the storm fades away, I close my eyes, letting the steady rhythm of Malachi's breathing lull me into a sense of peace. It's temporary, I know. But for now, in this moment, we're together. We're safe. We're home. And really, that's all that matters.