Chosen To Be The Alpha's Surrogate
⊰ 89 ⊱ The Alpha's True Face

** Penelope I**

The warm water laps gently against my skin as I sit in the oversized tub, my knees drawn up to my chest as much as my swollen belly allows. I've been soaking for over an hour, but the ache in my heart refuses to subside. Tear tracks stain my cheeks, dried now after what feels like hours of crying.

Last night's dream of Malachi haunts me. The memory of his arms around me, his scent enveloping me, the desperation in his kiss-it all felt so real. A part of me wishes I couldn't remember it. The dream has been a bittersweet torture, reminding me of everything I can no longer have.

*I miss him. God, how I miss him.*

The ache of his absence is a physical, relentless pain. Fresh tears well up, spilling over and mingling with the bathwater. My head pounds, a dull throb behind my eyes that matches the ache in my heart.

*It hurts. So much, it hurts. But I can't stay in here forever. I need to get up, to do something.*

With a heavy sigh, I finally pull myself out of the tub. The cool air raises goosebumps on my skin as I wrap a towel around myself. I dress slowly, my movements mechanical. A simple sundress, comfortable and loose-fitting. As I catch sight of my reflection in the mirror, I barely recognize the woman staring back at me. Her eyes are red-rimmed and puffy, her face pale and drawn.

But the throbbing in my head intensifies, drawing my attention away from the mirror.

*Ice. Some ice should help.*

I decide to venture downstairs in search of an ice pack, hoping it'll numb more than just the physical pain.

As I make my way through the winding corridors of Rook's castle, my mind drifts back to our argument the night before. His words echo in my head, a cruel taunt that won't let me be.

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

Anger flares within me anew.

*How dare he? How dare Rook say that to me?*

What does he know about Malachi and me or about our connection to one another? So what if Malachi isn't my "fated" mate? I love him with every fiber of my being. I can't imagine ever being with anyone else, ever loving anyone else the way I love Malachi.

I'm so lost in my thoughts that I don't notice the figure rounding the corner until it's too late. We collide, and I stumble back, my hand instinctively going to my belly.

"Watch where you're going," a gruff voice snaps.

I look up to see a tall, muscular man glaring down at me. His eyes are cold, filled with hostility.

On any other day, I might have apologized, might have tried to defuse the situation. But after everything-the kidnapping, the separation from Malachi, the argument with Rook-something in me snaps.

"Why don't *you* watch where you're going?" I shoot back, my voice sharp with frustration.

The man's eyes widen in surprise, then narrow dangerously. "What did you say to me, human?"

"You heard me," I say, lifting my chin defiantly. "Or are your ears as useless as your manners?"

It happens so fast, I barely have time to react. One moment I'm standing there, the next I'm slammed against the wall, the man's hand around my throat. I gasp, clawing at his fingers as they tighten, cutting off my air. "You need to learn your place," he growls, his face inches from mine.

Panic surges through me. I can't breathe. My vision starts to blur at the edges. I think of my baby, of Malachi, of all the things I'll never get to say-

Suddenly, a roar of pure rage echoes through the hallway. The pressure on my throat vanishes as the man is violently ripped away from me. I slump against the wall, gulping in air. Through watery eyes, I see Rook.

He has the man by the throat, slamming him repeatedly against the opposite wall with such force that cracks spider out from the impact points.

"You dare touch her?!" Rook's voice is a guttural snarl, barely recognizable as human. "You dare lay hands on my sister?!"

The man tries to speak, but Rook's grip tightens, cutting off any sound. Rook's eyes are glowing an eerie yellow, his features contorting in a way that makes him look more beast than man.

With a swift, brutal movement, Rook throws the man to the ground. The crack of bones breaking echoes in the hallway. But Rook isn't done. He drops to his knees, straddling the man, and begins to rain down punches. Each impact is punctuated by a snarl or a growl, Rook's rage seemingly bottomless.

"She. Is. Under. My. Protection!" Each word is emphasized with a punch, blood splattering with each impact.

I watch in horror, not wanting to watch but unable to look away. This is the Alpha side of Rook, and I realize with a start I hardly got a glimpse of it on the plane. This is something else entirely, something primal and terrifying. It's only when I manage to choke out a weak "Rook, stop," that he finally pauses. He turns to look at me, his eyes wild, his hands covered in blood. For a moment, I'm afraid he doesn't recognize me.

But then his eyes clear, and he's by my side in an instant, his bloodied hands hovering near me, afraid to touch.

"Penelope," he breathes, his voice rough. "Are you alright? Did he hurt you?"

I shake my head, still trying to catch my breath. "I'm okay," I manage to whisper.

Rook's eyes scan over me, lingering on my throat where I'm sure bruises are already forming. A low growl rumbles in his chest, and he turns back to the barely conscious man on the floor.

"If you ever come near her again," Rook says, his voice low and deadly, "I will end you. Slowly. Painfully. Do you understand?"

The man manages a weak nod before Rook signals to two guards who seem to materialize out of nowhere. "Get him out of my sight," Rook orders. "And spread the word. Anyone who so much as looks at Penelope wrong answers to me." As the guards drag the man away, I realize we've drawn an audience. Pack members line the hallway, watching with wide eyes.

"That goes for all of you," Rook's voice booms, echoing off the walls. "Penelope is my sister. She is under my protection. If anyone and I mean anyone-threatens her safety in any way, they'll wish for a fate as merciful as his. Is that clear?" There's a moment of tense silence, then a chorus of voices. "Yes, Alpha."

Rook nods sharply. "Good. Now get out of my sight. All of you."

The hallway clears quickly, leaving just Rook and me. His hands, still stained with blood, gently cup my face, tilting it up to examine my neck. "I'm so sorry, Penelope," he says, his voice thick with concern. "This should never have happened. I promised to protect you, and I failed."

As I look into his eyes, I see something I haven't before. Beyond the Alpha, beyond the kidnapper, I see my brother. A brother who, despite his misguided methods, truly wants to keep me safe. Who would go to any lengths to protect me. "You didn't fail," I say softly. "You were here when I needed you."

Rook pulls me into a gentle hug, careful not to squeeze too tight as he pulls me up to my feet. "I'll always be here," he murmurs. "I know you don't understand why I brought you here or why I'm doing all this. But I swear to you, Penelope, I mean you no harm. You're my sister. My family. I just want to keep you safe."

And in that moment, despite everything, I believe him. His methods are wrong, his actions misguided, but his intentions... his intentions are *pure*. He truly means to protect me, in the only way he knows how.

As I lean into his embrace, I suddenly find myself in a far more complex situation than I imagined. I still miss Malachi with every fiber of my being. I still want-*need* to get back to him. But maybe... maybe I can try to understand Rook a little better.