The Alpha King’s Surrogate

003

THEA.

It had been several days since I had been taken to my room. When I initially entered it, I was astounded by its beauty and the fact that Alpha Clive was requesting that I remain here. Actually, he wasn't asking me directly.

I had seen Alpha Clive once, and there was a part of me that was curious to see him again, but I was also afraid too.

Today was a beautiful day with a pure blue sky.

I attempted to ignore the thoughts of him by shaking my head. I ought to have been relieved to avoid having to deal with that frightening man.

"Thea!"

I was alerted by knocks at the door. I saw Kiara come in as I stood in the room's tiny chaise.

"Good morning! I wanted to confirm that they had already brought your breakfast.”

She sat down beside me after noticing that the dish was still full.

“Did you find bread unappealing? I can request that they provide something different.”

I could tell she was worried about me. She genuinely treated me as a friend, not because I was the surrogate mother.

"Miss Kiara, the toast was tasty." I smiled at her. "I appreciate you producing it for me. I simply didn't feel particularly hungry. I apologize.”

Even though I still had a lot of reservations about this area, at least I had Kiara and Akira, who helped to ease my fear.

"You gotta stop saying 'sorry', miss!" Kiara purposefully raised her voice, acting as though she was reprimanding me. Then she broke into a broad smile. She always managed to make me feel better.

"All right, Kiara! I sincerely appreciate it.”

"Oh, Nirvana will be coming over shortly to pick you up. Just to let you know he's coming,"

I gave a nod. I had grown accustomed to Nirvana’s visits. He had been checking on me daily. He usually kept enough distance away for me to be at ease. It was difficult to accept that the Moons pack’s second-in-command was a polite man.

"I've bought some new clothes for you. Put those on.”

It seemed that Kiara was looking forward to dress-up, but I was now a little perplexed and interested. Nirvana didn't have to tell me in advance when he was coming to visit.

I was in my room all the time. Unless they wanted me to meet with someone, like Alpha Clive, but why did Kiara come and dress me up?

Alpha Clive? My heart skipped a beat when I thought about him. His lovely eyes, the feel of his finger...

However, when I recalled how he was observing me, shivers ran down my spine. Yes, he was examining me closely the day I saw him , much way a predator watches its prey or a new owner inspects merchandise.

“Thea, I'm aware that this isn't my place. However, being a surrogate mother isn't always a terrible thing. A piece of you will always be here since you will be giving birth to this pack's next Alpha."

"I know," I said, still not really understanding. It didn't help that I knew Kiara was only trying to cheer me up. I didn't want that kind of life. I desired freedom.

I completed putting on a basic outfit as we conversed. It fit me perfectly and was comfortable.

"Just think about it, okay?"

I nodded and saw her grin reassuringly before she vanished from the picture. My nerves got the better of me the longer I waited. I walked about my opulent room and marveled at my window's stunning view of the outer world.

At the edge of the woodland was Moons pack. Any nervous person would find calm in the great greenery that surrounded us.

"Thea..." Nirvana’s voice behind me made my breath catch. Would I ever be able to run freely and feel the sweet grass beneath my feet?

Nirvana was standing in the open doorway when I slowly turned around.

"Are you ready?" Nirvana asked.

No. How could I have been prepared when I had no idea what was going on?

"Um, yes..."

I stepped forward. Although the Moons pack purchased me, they have only helped me recover this far. Even Nirvana, harsh as he was, had been showing me respect and giving me as much personal space as he could, while Kiara and Akira did their best to make me feel welcome.

Nirvana led me through the hallways till we came to two big white wooden doors. When he opened the door, I saw someone I had assumed I would never see again.

My uncle. Trey.

It was a few seconds before I realized I was not dreaming. Even though it had only been two weeks, he appeared to have aged significantly.

Did he decide against selling me? Was he here to take me home? I stood there and said, "uncle..."

I didn't know what more to say or do, and it was the least I could have hoped for.

"T—Thea..."

Trey initially appeared more composed than I had ever seen him. But there was more behind his eyes. "I got word that you are unsure about being a surrogate mo..."

My heart was broken by his remarks. His first intention was to convey that to me. He didn't want to know how I was doing, or ask if I wanted to go home. His sole question was if I had done enough to win over my new lord.

‘Wake up, Thea. Your devoted uncle passed away a long time ago.’ I had been going over my recollections of my life since my mother's death for the last one weeks. I had come to terms with the fact that the house I had once called home was not the right place for me. However, I attempted to trick myself into thinking that Trey still loved me like his biological daughter and wanted me back as soon as I saw him again.

However, reality constantly led me back to the truth, despite my strong desire to believe the lie. I turned facing Trey, whom I had feared, loved, and attempted to care for years. I always assured myself that his behavior was entirely the result of the drinking.

Even though he was now sober and facing me, there was no sadness or sorrow in his eyes. As usual, there was wrath and frustration. I would have been on my knees pleading for his pardon by now if I had been at his house, and I probably would have been beaten before being allowed to go to my room. However, for some reason, I didn't think I had any justification for doing it today.

I looked him in the eyes and said, "Trey...so you have been waiting for me to turn eighteen before selling me off as a surrogate mother. Was that true?"

I was so sick of being misled that I didn't know where my courage came from. All I want is for my family to tell me the truth. Only this once.

Trey screamed at me and I shook in terror, "Yes. And you are to be the surrogate mother that Alpha Clive wants you to be!"

I watched as Trey was overcome with panic when Nirvana’s shadow moved to stand by me. There was no way Nirvana would let him harm me.

Trey’s words grew softer as his face abruptly transformed. "Observe, Thea... Our family will be destroyed if you fail to do this.”

Trey started to explain, "Alpha Clive wants a surrogate mother, and…"

I felt a surge of shock and rage. My uncle sold me after lying to me. He was attempting to appear normal despite the fact that I had no say in the matter, but only because Nirvana was around and keeping a close watch.

"I don't want to be a surrogate mother..."

Tears filled my eyes as I murmured. All I wanted was freedom.

"Thea... Please."

Right now, all I saw was a pathetic old uncle who forced a child to trade herself for cash.

How did he end up? Did I still love him as an uncle? A great, deep sadness swept through me. I had to come to terms with the fact that this poor old man was who he truly was. No matter how badly he had harmed me over the years, I couldn't bring myself to disregard his cries.

What ought I to do? Only a few months, wasn't that right? I would be allowed to leave when I became pregnant for a few months. I could move to a small place, make a fresh start, and change who I am.

I wanted to save myself for my partner, therefore the thought of taking on this crushed my heart. But was there really anything I could do?

I glanced over at Nirvana.

"what happens if I don't do this?"

"Your family will be wiped out.”

I looked at him, wide-eyed and incredulous. My father was still alive, I can’t let anything happen to him.

I firmly said, "From now onwards you're no longer my family. I don’t know you and you don’t know me," I said attempting to muster the last of my remaining fortitude.

"I get it. "Are you going to do it?" Trey questioned.

That's when my heart burst. Money was all that mattered to him.

"I will do it," I said. “ I will be the Alpha's surrogate."

Despite their softness, ords were very heavy. Trey’s face lit up with joy. As I turned to Nirvana, my gaze gradually shifted away from his.

"May I please go back to my room?" I asked him because I didn't want to be around Trey anymore.

"Yes, of course, Miss Thea."

Nirvana followed me around and guided me to the door leading back to my room. But I couldn't help but pause in the doorway and turn to face Trey, who was now grinning and speaking to someone on the phone. Most likely, Jorja. I felt devastated by his happiness. He was supposed to put me before himself, but he never did.

Was I ever loved by him? It would be my last encounter with my ruthless uncle. I would have no relatives left after this.