Chosen To Be The Alpha's Surrogate
⊰ 83 ⊱ Searching for the True

** Malachi I**

The phone slams down onto the desk, the sound echoing through my office like a gunshot. I've been trying to reach Tarlac for hours, but it's like he's vanished off the face of the earth. My jaw clenches, a low growl building in my chest. This silence, this lack of information, it's driving me fucking insane.

I push away from my desk, the chair scraping loudly against the hardwood floor. My body is vibrating with pent-up energy, the wolf inside me pacing restlessly, demanding action. *What the hell am I supposed to do when I'm flying blind?*

Penelope is gone. My mate, the mother of my unborn child, taken from under my nose. And now Tarlac's wife has been assassinated. The pieces are there, I can feel it, but I can't see how they fit together. Not yet.

I stride to the window, looking out over the grounds of my territory. My pack moves with purpose, the heightened security measures evident in their vigilant patrols. They know what's at stake Penelope's disappearance and Tarlac's wife's murder have put everyone on high alert.

A thought strikes me then, unwelcome but persistent. There's one person who might have the information I need, one person who's always had his finger on the pulse of our world's darker undercurrents. *Elijah.*

The name alone is enough to make my lip curl in a snarl. My brother. My rival. The thorn in my side for as long as I can remember. It's been less than two weeks since I last saw him, when he offered me a chance to mend our relationship if I dropped out of the race for Continental King. I didn't give him an answer then, but now...

*Maybe I should have when I had the chance. Maybe Penelope would still be here, our son would still be here... with me.*

...

*I have to go see him.*

I grab my jacket, shrugging it on as I stride out of the office. "Axel!" I bark, knowing my beta is never far.

He appears almost instantly, his face a mask of careful neutrality. "Alpha?"

"I'm going out," I say, not breaking stride. "Keep the pack on high alert. And keep trying Tarlac. I want to know the moment you hear anything."

Axel nods, falling into step beside me. "And if anyone asks where you've gone?"

I pause at the front door, turning to fix him with a hard stare. "Tell them I'm following a lead. Nothing more."

He nods again, understanding the unspoken command. No one needs to know I'm going to see Elijah.

It's a sign of weakness I can't afford right now.

The drive to Elijah's territory feels long and tense, my hands gripping the steering wheel so hard they've bleached. The familiarity of the route does nothing to ease my anxiety. If anything, it amplifies it, reminding me of how much has changed since.

As I cross into his territory, I can feel the shift in the air. It's subtle, but unmistakable. This isn't my land anymore. I'm in enemy territory now.

Elijah's house comes into view, and not before long, I'm pulling into the circular driveway. I park, taking a deep breath before I step out of the car. Almost immediately, I'm surrounded by Elijah's guards. They don't attack, but their posture is clear-I'm not welcome here.

"I'm here to see my brother," I growl, letting a hint of Alpha power seep into my voice.

The guards exchange glances, clearly unsure how to proceed. But after a tense moment, one of them nods and speaks into a communicator on his wrist. A few seconds later, the front door opens, and Elijah steps out.

He looks the same as always-perfectly groomed, not a hair out of place. His suit probably costs more than most people make in a year. But it's his eyes that catch my attention. Cold. Calculating. Assessing me like I'm a threat to be neutralized. "Back so soon, brother?" he drawls, descending the steps with infuriating grace. "To what do I owe the pleasure this time?"

*Does he always have to be so fucking smug?*

I clench my fists, forcing myself to remain calm. This isn't the time for our usual bullshit. "We need to talk," I say, my voice low and serious. "Privately."

Elijah raises an eyebrow, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. "Do we now? And what could be so important that you'd grace me with your presence again so quickly?"

I take a step forward, my patience wearing thin. "Cut the crap, Elijah. You know what's going on. Tarlac's wife is dead. Penelope's been taken. Something big is happening, and I need information."

The smirk fades from Elijah's face, replaced by a look of genuine surprise. But it's gone in an instant, his mask of indifference sliding back into place.

*He didn't know about Penelope.*

"Inside," he says curtly, turning on his heel and heading back into the house.

I follow, hyper-aware of the guards at my back. He leads me to his office and gestures for me to sit, but I remain standing. I'm not here for pleasantries.

"Talk," I demand, my patience at its limit.

Elijah sighs, leaning against his desk. "What do you want me to say, Malachi? Yes, things are... unstable right now. The race for Continental King has always been dangerous, but this... this is unprecedented."

"I need more than that," I growl. "Penelope is out there somewhere, Elijah. My mate. My child. I need to know who took her, and why."

Something flickers in Elijah's eyes-pity? Concern? It's gone before I can be sure. "I don't know who took her," he says, and I believe him. "But I can guess why. You're a contender, Malachi. A strong one. Taking your mate... it weakens you. Makes you vulnerable."

"So what, this is all about the fucking throne?" I snarl, my control slipping. "They're willing to kidnap an innocent woman, to put an unborn child at risk, all for power?"

Elijah shrugs, his nonchalance infuriating. "Power makes people do terrible things, brother. You know that better than most."

I turn away, running a hand through my hair in frustration. "There has to be more to it. This feels.... personal."

"Maybe it is," Elijah says, his voice softer now. "But does it matter? The result is the same. You're compromised, Malachi. Distracted. Vulnerable."

I turn back to face him, a growl building in my chest. "What are you saying?"

Elijah meets my gaze steadily. "I'm saying what I've been saying all along. Pull out of the running. For your own sake. For Penelope's sake."

A loud growl erupts from me, threatening. "Is that a threat?" I snarl, taking a step towards him.

But Elijah doesn't flinch. He just looks... tired. "It's advice, Malachi. From someone who, believe it or not, doesn't want to see you destroy yourself."

I laugh, the sound harsh and bitter. "Right. Because you care so much about my wellbeing."

"Believe what you want," he says, pushing off from his desk. "But think about it. How many more enemies can you afford to make? Contenders are falling left and right. Someone out there is playing for keeps, and they don't care who gets hurt in the process."

His words hit home, as much as I hate to admit it. He's right. I'm making enemies faster than I can count, and each one is a potential threat to Penelope, to our child. For a moment, I wonder if I should have taken his offer when he made it. Would Penelope still be safe with me if I had?

But I push the thought away. I can't change the past. I can only work from here.

Elijah must see the resolve in my eyes because his expression hardens. "If you're not willing to drop out, then we have nothing more to discuss," he says coldly.

I want to snap at him, to let loose the rage that's been building inside me. But I know it will do no good. Instead, I turn on my heel and stride out of the office without another word.

As I storm out of Elijah's house, his words echo in my mind. *Someone* is trying very hard to knock down the contenders for Continental King. Someone with resources, with inside information. Someone who's always been on the periphery of power, waiting for their chance...

A bone-chilling thought crosses my mind as I reach my car.

*Could it be Elijah? My own brother?*

The idea is almost too much to bear, but I can't dismiss it. Elijah has always wanted power, has always resented being in my shadow. And he's certainly capable of the kind of ruthless maneuvering we're seeing.

As I drive away from Elijah's territory, I'm more unsettled than before. I came looking for answers, but all I've found are more questions. And time is running out.