Chosen To Be The Alpha's Surrogate
⊰ 84 ⊱ Hidden Allies

**I Penelope I**

It's nightfall, the soft light of sunset filtering through the curtains. I've been drifting in and out of a restless sleep for hours, my mind too crowded with worries to truly rest. Now, as I lie here fully awake, the weight of my situation presses down on me in full force.

I close my eyes, and Malachi's face swims into view. His strong jawline, those piercing eyes that always seemed to see right through me.

*I miss you so much...*

How I wish I could go back and appreciate every moment in his arms, every touch, every kiss.

My hand drifts to my swollen belly, feeling the gentle movements of our son. Tears prick at my eyes as I think about all the moments Malachi is missing.

*Will he be there when our baby is born? Will he ever get to hold his son?*

I think back to all the times I complained about the pressures of being Malachi's Luna. Now, I'd give anything to be back there, surrounded by the pack, preparing for our child's arrival. I was so blessed, and I never truly appreciated it. A bitter laugh escapes me as I remember all those nights I spent dreaming about finding my biological family.

*Well, I got my wish, didn't I?*

But this cold, controlling brother is far from the loving family I'd imagined.

*I have to get out of here. I have to find a way back to Malachi.*

Pushing myself off the bed, I tell myself a shower might help clear my head. It's always been where I think best. The bathroom is as luxurious as the rest of the room, all marble and gleaming fixtures. As I stand under the hot spray, I try to formulate a plan.

But the more I think about it, the more hopeless it seems.

*Even if I could somehow get out of this room, where would I go?*

I'm on an island, for crying out loud. And Rook's pack is everywhere. The chances of me successfully escaping are practically non-existent.

*And if I did try and got caught...*

I shudder at the thought. I've already seen Rook's anger once. I don't want to find out what would happen if I *truly* provoked him.

As much as I hate to admit it, things could be a lot worse. I'm sort of comfortable here, I'll be well-fed, with a beautiful view of the ocean and even a TV. It's a gilded cage, but a cage nonetheless.

*Maybe I should just stay put and hope Malachi will find me.*

With a heavy sigh, I turn off the water and step out, wrapping myself in a plush towel. As I dry off, a new problem presents itself:

*What am I going to wear?*

I walk over to the closet, half-expecting to find it empty. But to my surprise, it's full of clothes. Not just any clothes, but maternity wear in a variety of styles and sizes. My heart sinks as I realize the implications. *Rook planned this thoroughly, which means he must have considered the possibility of me trying to escape...*

Resigned, I pull on a comfortable dress and run a brush through my damp hair. Just as I'm finishing, a knock echoes through the room. Before I can respond, the door opens, and a woman walks in.

It's Rook's mate. She's as beautiful, all sleek lines and quiet confidence. But there's something different about her demeanor now she seems almost... friendly?

"Hello, Penelope," she says, her voice smooth and cultured. "I'm Kira. I thought we could talk."

I take a step back, crossing my arms over my chest. "I'm not interested," I say coldly. "I'd like to be left alone."

Kira doesn't seem fazed by my hostility. She moves further into the room, her eyes taking in every detail. "I'm afraid that's not an option," she says, a hint of amusement in her tone. "Besides, I'm here for *your* sake."

I can't help but scoff at that. "Right. Because you care so much about my wellbeing."

She sighs, her expression softening slightly. "Normally, I wouldn't," she admits. "But Rook... he seems to really care about you."

That catches me off guard. I watch warily as Kira settles into one of the armchairs, gesturing for me to join her.

*Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to make a friend here.*

...

*But Rook's mate? The Alpha's Luna? She'd never help me the way I need her to.*

...

*What other choice do I have?*

After a moment's hesitation, I sit on the edge of the bed, as far from her as I can get while still being in the same room.

"When Rook marked me, and he knew he could trust me, he told me about you," Kira continues. "He talked about how he wished he could have a relationship with you someday. But he never wanted to bring you into this world, to put you in danger."

I stay silent, not sure how to respond to this. She leans forward, her eyes intent on my face. "I know this situation isn't ideal, but Rook is truly grateful to have you here. He wants you to be part of his family. But I can also see how worried he is for you. That twin bond you share... it's strong. Stronger than I think even he realized."

She pauses, a wry smile twisting her lips. "I'll admit, I'm even a little jealous of it."

I blink, surprised by her honesty. "Why are you telling me all this?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

Kira shrugs, leaning back in her chair. "Because I think you need to understand. Rook isn't the monster you think he is. He's doing what he thinks is best for you, even if his methods are... questionable."

I shake my head, not wanting to believe her. But a small part of me, a part I've been trying to ignore, wonders if there might be some truth to her words.

*Would it really be so bad to let Rook in, just a little? To try and understand him?*

"He's keeping me prisoner," I say, but even to my own ears, the words lack conviction.

"He's *protecting* you," Kira counters. "Trust me, he has a lot of enemies, and so does Malachi. You're safer here where no enemy can enter without everyone knowing about it."

I want to argue, but I find myself thinking about Rook said, about the unnamed threats he keeps mentioning.

*Could there really be something out there worse than being held against my will?*

"And what about Malachi?" I ask, my voice cracking slightly on his name. "What about my mate, my child's father?"

Kira's expression softens. "Rook has promised to let you go back to him one day, hasn't he? When it's safe?"

I nod reluctantly.

"Then trust in that promise," she says. "Rook is many things, but he's not a liar. If he says he'll let you go when it's safe, he will."

As much as I hate to admit it, everything she's saying is starting to make sense. Maybe... maybe being Rook's sister instead of his enemy would make my time here more bearable. And if there really are dangers out there, wouldn't it be better to have him as an ally?

"I don't know if I can trust him," I say, voicing my deepest fear.

Kira stands, moving towards the door. "You don't have to trust him right away," she says. "Just... give him a chance. Get to know him. You might be surprised."

With that, she's gone, leaving me alone with my tumultuous thoughts. I lie back on the bed, my hand resting on my belly.

"What do you think, little one?" I murmur. "Should we give Uncle Rook a chance?"

The word 'uncle' feels strange on my tongue, but not entirely unpleasant. I think about Malachi, about how much I miss him, how much I long to be back in his arms. But I also think about Rook, about the possibility of having a brother, a family I never knew I had.

Maybe I can let Rook into my heart without betraying Malachi. Maybe this doesn't have to be a choice between two worlds, but a chance to bridge them and make more allies to protect us. *Maybe... maybe I can have both.*