Chosen To Be The Alpha's Surrogate
⊰ 87 ⊱ Painful Truths

**I Penelope I**

The dining room is filled with warm light and the aroma of delicious food. Rook and I have been talking for hours, our plates long since cleared. We've found an unexpected common ground in our shared love of terrible werewolf movies. "No, no, you don't understand," Rook says, laughing. "In this one, the werewolves turn into actual tiny puppies during the day. It's ridiculous!"

I can't help but laugh along with him. "That sounds amazing. We have to watch it sometime."

As our laughter dies down, Rook's expression shifts, taking on a serious gleam. "You know, I never thought I'd be able to laugh about werewolf stuff like this. When I was first adopted by the pack, everything was so intense, so serious." My curiosity piques. "What was that like? Being adopted by a werewolf pack?"

Rook leans back in his chair, a faraway look in his eyes. "It was... challenging. I was this scrawny human kid one day and learning I'd be turning into a wolf the next. But they were kind to me, taught me their ways. That's where I met Kira, actually."

"Oh?" I say, encouraging him to continue.

He nods, a soft smile on his face. "Yeah, we grew up together. She was always so patient with me, helping me understand pack dynamics. I think I fell in love with her long before I even understood what love was."

His words make my heart ache, reminding me of Malachi. Rook must notice the change in my expression because he quickly asks, "What about you and Malachi? How did you two meet?"

I feel my cheeks heat up.

*How am I supposed to tell my newfound brother that I met Malachi in a bar after my ex-husband cheated on me?*

...

*And that we had sex in an alley and I ended up pregnant?*

"It's, uh, kind of a long story," I hedge.

He raises an eyebrow. "We've got time."

I take a deep breath. "Well, I was married before. To a human named Donovan."

"Was?" Rook prompts gently.

I nod, looking down at my hands. "He cheated on me. I walked in on it and... well, I was a mess. I ended up at this bar, drinking away my sorrows. That's where I met Malachi." Understanding dawns in Rook's eyes. "Ah, I see. And I'm guessing things progressed rather quickly from there?"

I can feel my face burning now. "You could say that. We, uh... well, one thing led to another, and..."

"And you got pregnant," Rook finishes for me.

I nod, unable to meet his eyes. "Malachi didn't know at first. But when he found out, he immediately stepped up. Took responsibility, brought me into his world."

Rook is quiet for a moment, processing this information. "He sounds like a decent guy," he says finally.

I feel a pang in my chest at his words. "Yeah," I say softly, looking down at my half-eaten dessert. "He is."

*And now it feels like I can't live without him...*

The sadness in my voice must be obvious because Rook reaches across the table, his hand hovering near mine but not quite touching. "Penelope..."

*I need him. I need him so much...*

"Rook," I say, my voice trembling slightly. "Please. You have to take me back to Malachi. Or at least let him come here. I can't... I can't do this without him."

His face hardens. "Penelope, we've been over this. It's not safe."

"But why?" I press, desperation creeping into my voice. "What aren't you telling me? What's so dangerous that you had to kidnap me?"

Rook sighs, running a hand through his hair. "I didn't kidnap you. I'm protecting you."

"From what?" I cry, frustration boiling over.

He's quiet for a moment, seemingly weighing his words. Finally, he speaks. "There's a target on the contenders for Continental King. Someone is systematically taking them out, or at least trying to." I blink, processing what he's saying. "What does that have to do with me?"

"Malachi is a contender," Rook explains. "A strong one. And you... you're his weakness. His vulnerability."

"So you took me to protect me?" I ask, incredulous.

Rook nods. "And to protect you from being used against him. The people behind this are dangerous, Penelope. They wouldn't hesitate to hurt you to get to Malachi."

I shake my head, struggling to understand. "But why didn't Malachi tell me any of this?"

"Because he didn't know," Rook says softly. "Not the full extent of it, anyway. I have... sources that he doesn't."

"So tell him," I plead. "Work with him. There has to be a way we can all be safe together."

His jaw clenches. "It's not that simple. The fewer people who know about this, the safer we all are."

"But I need him, Rook," I say, tears welling in my eyes. "I'm going to give birth soon. I need Malachi there."

"Penelope, please try to understand "

"No, *you* understand," I cut him off, my voice rising. The emotions I've been holding back for days come rushing out. "I'll never forgive you if he misses the birth of his son. Never. Do you hear me? You can't just decide to rip me away from my life, my mate, and expect me to be okay with it!"

Rook's eyes flash with hurt, quickly replaced by anger. He stands abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. "You think I want this? You think I enjoy keeping you from him? I'm trying to save your life, Penelope!"

"I didn't ask you to save me!" I shout back, also standing. My hands are shaking, and I can feel the baby kicking furiously, responding to my distress. "I was happy! I was safe with Malachi!"

"You weren't safe!" Rook roars, his Alpha power filling the room. "I was able to rip you out right from under him! Can't you see just how *un*safe you were?! You can't even comprehend-"

"It's *my* life, Rook!" I scream, tears streaming down my face. "Stop treating me like a child! I'm about to be a mother, for God's sake!"

"A mother who would be dead if I hadn't intervened!" Rook snaps.

His words hang in the air between us. For a moment, we both just stand there, chests heaving, staring at each other.

"You don't know that," I finally say, my voice quieter but no less intense. "You're so sure you're doing the right thing, playing the hero. The big, strong Alpha, rescuing his long-lost sister. But did you ever stop to think that maybe, just maybe, I don't need rescuing?"

Rook recoils as if I've slapped him. For a moment, hurt flashes across his face, quickly replaced by a cold mask. "Please," he scoffs, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "You're not even supposed to be with him. Lie to yourself all you want, but he's not your true mate. Chosen or not."

His words make my breath hitch in my lungs, my heart stuttering. I nearly stumble back, shock and hurt coursing through me. "What are you talking about?"

His eyes widen, as if realizing what he's just said. "I shouldn't have said that. I'm sorry, I-"

But I'm already backing away, shaking my head. "No," I say, my voice trembling. "No, you don't get to say something like that and then take it back."

"Penelope, please," Rook says, reaching out towards me. "Let me explain."

But I'm beyond listening now. Tears blur my vision as I turn and run out of the dining room, ignoring Rook's calls behind me.

I rush through the hallways, not caring where I'm going, just needing to get away. Rook's words echo in my head.

*"He's not even your true mate."*

...

*What does that even mean? And how dare he say that, after everything Malachi and I have been through?*

As I run, sobs wracking my body, I can't help but feel like my world has been turned upside down once again. Just when I thought I was starting to understand things, to find some sort of balance in this strange new reality, Rook has pulled the rug out from under me.

*I just want to go home...*