Chosen To Be The Alpha's Surrogate
⊰ 69 ⊱ The Pull of the Wild

**I Penelope I**

As the door closes behind Malachi, I let out a long, shaky breath. I try to put today's events in the back of my mind, focusing instead on getting ready to unwind for the day. I move to the closet, my hands automatically reaching for one of Malachi's old t-shirts. The soft, worn fabric is a comfort as I slip it over my head, the familiar scent of him enveloping me.

My hand rests on my swollen belly, feeling the gentle movements of our son. "What do you think, little one?" I murmur. "Are you as confused by all this as I am?"

A soft kick answers me, and I can't help but smile. At least in this, there's simplicity. A mother and her child, a bond uncomplicated by pack politics or arranged marriages.

I glance over at the balcony, suddenly drawn by the need for fresh air and open space.

*Just for a few minutes.*

When I step outside, the night is cool, a gentle breeze rustling the trees in the distance. I lean against the railing, my eyes scanning the vast expanse of the estate. It still amazes me sometimes, like I'm just waiting to wake up in my dingy old apartment from this wild wild dream.

As my gaze drifts to the tree line where the manicured lawn gives way to wild forest, something catches my eye. A movement, barely perceptible in the shadows. I squint, leaning forward slightly. *What is that..?*

And then I see it. A wolf.

My breath catches in my throat. I've seen wolves before, of course. I've watched Malachi and members of his pack shift countless times. But this... this is different.

The wolf is massive, its coat as black as the night sky save for a striking white patch on its chest. But it's the eyes that hold me captive. Yellow, almost glowing in the darkness, they seem to pierce right through me.

I feel a pull, an inexplicable urge to go to it. It's as if the wolf is calling to me, beckoning me forward with a silent howl that resonates in my very bones.

"Hello?" I whisper, though I know it can't possibly hear me from this distance.

The wolf doesn't move, its gaze unwavering. I find myself leaning further over the railing, my body instinctively trying to close the distance between us.

Then, a sudden gust of wind makes me blink, and in that split second, the wolf vanishes. I gasp, my eyes darting around frantically, trying to spot it again. But there's nothing. Just shadows and trees and the eerie feeling that I'm being watched. I wrap my arms around myself, suddenly cold despite the mild night air. "Get a grip, Penelope," I mutter to myself. "You're just tired. You're seeing things."

But even as I try to rationalize it away, I can't shake the feeling that something significant just happened. That somehow, in some way I can't quite grasp, everything is about to change.

*Relax, Penelope. You just need to get some rest.*

With one last look at the now-empty tree line, I retreat back into the bedroom. The plush carpet muffles my footsteps as I make my way to the bed, my body suddenly heavy with exhaustion.

I settle under the covers, one hand resting protectively over my bump. "Goodnight, little one," I whisper. "Sweet dreams."

As I drift off to sleep, the image of those piercing yellow eyes follows me into darkness.

Then, suddenly, I find myself in a forest. It's surreal and unlike anything I've ever seen before. The trees tower above me, their branches intertwining to form a dense canopy. Despite the lack of visible light, I can see everything with startling clarity. Every leaf, every blade of grass is in sharp focus, as if illuminated from within.

The air is thick with unfamiliar scents-earth and wood and something wild and primal. I breathe deeply, feeling more alive than ever before.

As I move through the trees, I realize I'm following an unseen path. Not man-made, but a natural flow in the landscape that seems to pull me forward. My feet move of their own accord, sure and swift over the uneven ground. Suddenly, the trees part, revealing a small clearing. In the center stand two figures, a man and a woman. They don't seem to notice me as I emerge from the forest, but I feel my heart skip a beat.

I don't know these people. I've never seen them before in my life. And yet... I know them. Somehow, deep in my bones, I know exactly who they are.

"Mom? Dad?" The words leave my lips in a whisper, but they don't react. It's as if I'm watching a scene play out, unable to interact.

The woman smiles at the man, her eyes-*my* eyes-crinkling at the corners. They're talking, but I can't make out the words. It's like watching a movie with the sound turned off.

I take a step forward, then another. A thousand questions race through my mind, but I can't seem to voice any of them. I just stare, drinking in every detail of their faces, trying to reconcile this impossible reality.

"Can you hear me?" I call out, louder this time. But they continue their silent conversation, oblivious to my presence.

Suddenly, their forms begin to shimmer and shift. Where two people stood moments ago, now there are two magnificent wolves. The male's coat is a rich, deep brown, his eyes a striking green. The female is smaller, sleeker, with fur the color of wheat fields in summer.

I gasp, stumbling back a step.

*This can't be real. It can't be possible. I'm human. I've always been human.*

*Haven't I?*

The wolves turn, seeming to look right at me for the first time. Their eyes bore into mine. I feel a connection, a pull so strong it makes my breath catch.

"Wait!" I cry out as the scene begins to fade. "Don't go! I have so many questions!"

But the forest is dissolving around me, the wolves becoming indistinct shapes in the mist. "Come back!" I shout, reaching out desperately. "Please!"

With a gasp, I jolt awake, my heart pounding in my chest. I sit up abruptly, my eyes darting around the room. But it's empty and dark, the only sound my own ragged breathing.

I turn to Malachi's side of the bed, but it's untouched.

*He hasn't come back yet.*

A glance at the window confirms it's late into the night, and I sigh, sinking back into the pillows. "He's probably working late," I murmur to myself, trying to ignore the twinge of loneliness that comes with the thought.

As I lay there, the dream replays in my mind. The forest, the wolves, the overwhelming sense of connection. It felt so real, so vivid. More like a memory than a dream.

*Could it be true? Or is this just another crazy dream?*

The baby kicks in response, a gentle reminder of the very real changes happening in my life. I smile softly, rubbing the spot.

As I close my eyes, trying to settle back into sleep, I can't shake the image of those wolves. Their eyes, so familiar and yet so wild. *Maybe it's time I search for my birth parents.*