The Alpha's Surrogate

chapter 1

Vanessa POV

I had sent a letter to Zia, stating that we needed to talk. Our relationship has been off for weeks now. I sat on a log, under a large oak tree, waiting for her. We were to meet here, at our favorite spot and talk about what's going wrong. I miss my best friend, I miss the Zia I always shared jokes with. I miss the friend I grew up climbing this tree with. Our relationship can't be strained because of a man, my mate at that.

For as long as I could remember, Zia has had a crush on Rowan. Rowan is close to the Alpha, Sam and everyone saw him as a son and heir because Sam and Luna Gloria had no male child. People wanted them together, and they seemed like the perfect couple but the moon goddess had other plans.

Rowan is now my mate. I would never have found out if fate hadn't brought us close. My wolf is dormant and I didn't change at 18 and became an outcast in the village because of that. Everyone avoided me like a plague. Well, in BloodStone Pack, it was very rare. There's no story of any werewolf who couldn't change on the blood ritual ceremony, a day every adult officially changed into their wolf form for the first time. I was a disappointment to everyone that cared for me. But Zia didn't treat me like others, but now she treats me worse because I accepted and married Rowan as my mate.

I brushed off a dried leaf that fell on my lap. Zia and I always made a wish whenever a leaf fell on us. We saw it as luck from the moon goddess. I looked up to the sky. It was getting dark and Zia hadn't shown up yet.

"What's taking her so long?" I muttered.

I was going to discuss her new formed attitude of avoiding me, but that's already turning out to be impossible unless she shows up. I stood on my feet and decided to take a walk around. My back and legs ache from having been at a spot for a while now. I stretched and looked around. Few feet away from where I stood was a cliff that sloped down into a waterfall. It was one of my favorite things to do. Jump off a cliff. As a child, I was always fascinated when teens jumped off the cliff, but my parents never let me try it. The day I turned thirteen, we were here for a picnic and I wandered off while the rest were eating. When my parents found me hours later, I was at the other side of the village, having jumped off the cliff and swam in the river. It was a cool adventure and soon after that, Henry, my brother , wanted to jump too. I tried to talk him off it but he never budged. So one day, we sneaked out of the house and I showed him how to. Then, it became our favorite thing to do. I miss my parents dearly. They died during a rogue attack, few years ago while protecting Alpha Sam and Luna Gloria. The BloodStone Silver institute, a charity home for the orphaned, has seen to our needs since we lost our parents.

I twirled around, wishing life would go back to how it was. Everything used to be perfect and sweet, but life now is filled with worries and cares, and fear for what might happen next. I think that's what they say comes with growing up. The fantasy of childhood is over and long gone, forever.

I walked further down the path, exploring the beauty of the forest. Zia hates the woods. She always complained when we came here but it was the best place to pick hiding spots and she needed it to get away from work and training. I found beauty in the most mundane things. The chirping of the birds, hooting of the owl, scurrying of rabbits around, trees, green grasses were the things I loved to be surrounded with the most.

I smiled when I got to the ditch. The ditch that brought Rowan and I together. It happened during one of my early morning runs. I was usually in the woods everyday and that day, everywhere was a little dark and I fell into the ditch. I thought I was going to be there for a long time till anyone noticed I was missing and searched out for me, but a few minutes later, Rowan passed by. I began screaming for help when I noticed someone was walking down. He came to my rescue and got me out of the ditch. In our little moment, I couldn't help but notice the attraction between us. I didn't realize we were mates because my wolf is dormant, but I still felt it. It was Rowan who explained everything to me and a few weeks later we were joined together during our mating ceremony.

"What's that sound?" I said to no one in particular as I came around the cliff. I had concluded to jump and enjoy a swim before I went home to prepare dinner for Rowan since Zia decided not to show up.

I walked down further and the sound became clearer. S*x moans. Wow! Some people have guts. Who's willing to do it even in the woods? Don't they have homes? My face got flushed in embarrassment, and I started to turn away. I stopped when I felt a growling inside of me. My heart quickened in panic and I walked towards the sound.

The closer I got, the more my wolf stirred in anger. Oh no! Oh no! I quickened my steps as I got closer.

I stopped at the sight of Rowan and Zia, entangled on a blanket and covered with sand and dry leaves.

"Yes, baby!! Harder!!!" Zia screamed out loud in ecstasy.

Rowan seemed to have sensed my presence because he pulled out of her and stumbled to his feet. "Vanessa!" He was shocked to see me.

Zia turned and smirked at me. She slowly put on her robe and brushed her hair with her hands. "I didn't like you cutting us off like that. Rowan darling, I'm still ho**y."

My cheeks went red, and my face burned in anger. How dare Zia say such in my presence. How dare she!! Isn't it enough that I caught them both in the act?

My eyes filled with tears and I turned to give Rowan a look. "How could you?" I said with hurt and so much venom at the same time.

"I can explain." He looked worried and scared.

He can explain? Explain what? I just caught him and my best friend having s*x and he says he can explain.

"How could you do this to me Rowan?" Tears streamed down my eyes.

"Why couldn't he?" Zia said with a sneer.

"And you. You betrayed me!" I said to her, and she just rolled her eyes and scoffed.

"Why couldn't Rowan." She said again and it got me confused.

Is there something I'm missing?

"Should we tell her?" She asked Rowan, with a grin plastered on her face. For the first time, I was seeing how pathetic and miserable she was. How did I never see through all of this? Henry had never liked her. I guess he sensed all along who she truly was.

"Tell me what?"

"Oh, Vanessa! Let me help you ease off the confusion." She said with a purr and fake concern.

Rowan looked scared. He couldn't even look into my eyes. The blanket around his waist was beginning to slip off. He held it and tied it stronger around his waist.

"We've been seeing each other for a while now." She said with a smile and glanced at Rowan who looked flush with embarrassment.

"Even before Rowan discovered you were his mate, but I wanted my naive friend to be happy, for once. I knew you were paranoid about not finding your mate so I couldn't stop sweet Rowan from claiming you as his." She said, and rolled her eyes at the last statement.

My eyes were red. "You b***h!"

I didn't know when I ran to her but before we knew it, she was on the ground and I sat on her, throwing punches. I pulled her hair. "F**k you, Zia! You're a pathetic sc**bag."

"Get off me!" She managed to shriek out in pain. Rowan attempted to pull me off her, but one blow with my elbow to his d**k sent him flying off and writhing in pain.

"Hey! What's going on?" The sound of the guards came to my attention, but I didn't stop pounding on Zia.

I threw spit on her as I was pulled away by the guards.

"Don't drag her off. Let her kill me." Zia said with a scowl. Her face was swollen and blood oozed out of her mouth.

I kept struggling with the guards as they pulled me away from Zia. Handcuff locked my hands and I was led away.