Alpha's Surrogate Mate

Chapter 2

Chapter 2 The Necklace of Betrayal

The contract she signed with her employer explicitly stated that under no circumstances could she use anesthetics, as they could affect the baby.

She had no choice!

The doctor urged anxiously, "Push, push harder! Where's your husband? How can he not be here for something this major? Doesn't he care about his twin babies?"

The nurse was equally tense. "Why insist on not using anesthesia under such circumstances? She's in so much pain. The babies can't come out like this!"

Helpless tears streamed down Irene's cheeks as she clenched the bedsheets, gritting her teeth and pushing with all her might.

She mused, "Husband?"

Irene couldn't explain anything; she could only offer a wry smile.

She didn't even know the father's last name, let alone where he was. If she broke the contract and used anesthesia, what would happen to Holly? So, she needed the money.

"I can't take it anymore, it hurts... Doctor, I can't take it anymore..."

With her last bit of strength, Irene tried to lift herself, only to collapse weakly back onto the bed like a deflated balloon.

Ten hours had passed, and now her voice was barely a whisper.

"The baby's head is out, keep pushing!" the doctor urged frantically.

Irene bit her lip, her face drained of all color, her mind muddled, and she passed out.

Outside the delivery room, the doctor hurried out, spotting a man standing there. It was past 3 AM, and Irene was the only woman giving birth at this upscale private hospital.

As he recognized the familiar face often seen on the big screen and in news reports, the doctor's demeanor immediately became respectful. He cautiously inquired, "Alpha Andre? Is the woman inside... your mate?"

The man was none other than Andre, the current Alpha of the Frostfang Pack.

"Yes."

To avoid complications, he chose not to deny it.

"Alpha Andre, the situation is critical. Your mate is refusing anesthesia, which is causing unbearable pain and preventing a smooth delivery. The baby is stuck in the birth canal, and both the mother and child are experiencing breathing difficulties... If this continues, both the baby and the mother..."

The doctor spoke cautiously, but the implication was clear.

Andre's brows knit even tighter as he glared at the Beta, Jake Thomson, by his side. "Why wasn't I informed earlier?"

"Ms. Gomez asked us not to say anything," Jake mumbled, bowing his head.

Andre's stern face grew even gloomier. He gave a direct order. "Switch to a cesarean immediately. Prioritize the mother's safety."

Despite the woman's motives for surrogacy, there was no need to jeopardize her life.

"Understood!"

Relieved by the Alpha's command, the doctor hurried back into the delivery room.

Andre stood still for a moment, then instructed Jake, "Give her an additional five million dollars once she wakes up and let her go."

With that, Andre didn't linger another moment and left.

Half an hour later, the delivery room door opened.

A nurse rushed out, saying, "Beta Jake, the mother is safe. But the baby... The first one out was a girl. She got stuck in the birth canal and couldn't be saved. The boy made it, which is a small mercy."

"Really? That's something, at least," Jake sighed, dialing Andre's number immediately.

"Alpha, Ms. Gomez is fine, and the boy is safe!"

In his office, Andre's expression remained unchanged as he stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, looking out at the night.

"I understand," he said, hanging up the phone, and he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

His reflection in the glass showed the wolf in his eyes, the Lion.

Lion's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Congratulations, Andre. Now that you have a child, those elders can finally stop nagging you about finding a luna."

Andre sighed, "I'm not against finding a mate..."

He reached out, opening his palm to reveal the broken half of a moonstone necklace. It was the only memento left by his missing mate.

Five years ago, as the freshly appointed Alpha of Frostfang Pack, every enemy had their eyes on him. Despite his utmost caution, he still fell into an ambush. Back then, it was his mate who saved him.

But struck by a silver bullet, Andre didn't catch a glimpse of her face, nor could he tell her that he was her destined mate. All he could do was pick up the broken half of the moonstone necklace she left behind. By the time he woke up in the hospital, the doctors declared that his brain had suffered permanent damage from the attack. Though it didn't affect his combat abilities or other functions, he could no longer establish a connection with his mate or even recognize her.

Andre longed to find that girl.

He longed to find that girl. She had been his destined mate, and she had saved his life. Andre could never love anyone else. Yet, no matter how hard he searched, he never found her again.

Being an Alpha who refused to marry a luna had caused many of his subordinates to voice their discontent. Although Frostfang Pack was now incredibly strong, they still worried about the lack of an heir.

To quiet their protests, he resorted to this tactic—he found a woman of Alpha lineage to bear him a child.

Thankfully, now everything was settled.

Andre caressed the moonstone necklace, pressing it tenderly to his lips.

"My mate, where on earth are you?"

*****

Inside the hospital room, Irene stared, wide-eyed, at the baby girl the nurse had just handed her. Tears welled up in her eyes.

"My daughter, no. She can't be dead!"

Irene snatched the baby from the nurse, placing her on the bed and vigorously pressing on her chest. The nurse looked away, her heart aching. "Miss, we've done all we could. There's no vital signs..."

But Irene didn't stop. Her sobs fell onto the baby's small body. "No, baby, wake up, please. I'll love you with my life!"

Miraculously, the baby let out a faint cry, sending the nurse into a scream.

"Oh my God, it's a miracle! It's alive!"

She dashed out of the room, shouting, "Come quickly, the baby is still alive!"

Irene wept for joy. "You're such a strong girl, my precious."

After an all-night rescue, the infant, once declared dead, was brought back from the brink of death. But Irene, out of personal reasons, didn't let the hospital inform her employer.

After all, he had already taken her son and showed no concern for his supposedly deceased daughter. His indifferent attitude chilled her to the bone.

Just as Irene began to revel in the joy of saving her baby girl, planning to take her to see Holly, the doctor delivered the devastating news—Holly had passed away the day after Irene gave birth.

At the morgue, seeing her foster mother's lifeless body draped in a white sheet, Irene felt as if her heart had been ripped out. She collapsed sobbing to the floor, barely kept from fainting by the doctor's support.

Led away from the cold room, she sat numbly in the hospital corridor, practically motionless for the entire day.

"No, Mom... Why?" she cried, her soul crushed.

Irene never got to let Holly see her precious daughter.

In her tireless efforts to save her beloved Holly, Irene had given everything she had.

Yet, despite her sacrifices, Holly had slipped away, leaving Irene engulfed in an overwhelming sea of sorrow. As she sank into this abyss of grief, a nurse approached, holding out a diary from the folds of her uniform.

"By the way, Ms. Gomez, this was left for you by your mother," the nurse said softly.

Irene clutched the diary eagerly, treasuring it as though it were a lifeline.

Within its pages, Holly's daily musings during her chemotherapy treatments were meticulously recorded—at times voluminous, at others sparse, a testament to her deteriorating condition.

The final entry, marked "To Irene", jolted Irene's numb heart.

[My dear daughter, the greatest blessing of my time on earth was adopting you. Do not mourn my passing; instead, celebrate my existence and wish me joy in heaven. Promise me you will not wallow in sorrow. I will visit often, and if I find you wearing your favorite colors and embracing the love of another, I shall be overjoyed. I know that from birth to death, there were those who loved me.]

Tears streamed down Irene's face as she read Holly's farewell, but eventually, she wiped them away and attended Holly's funeral.

At the gravesite, she placed Iris flowers, Holly's favorite, and kissed the cold stone with tearful eyes.

"Mom, I now have a daughter of my own. I will live well; please visit me often," Irene whispered.

*****

The next day, Irene, having regained some composure, took her daughter to visit her best friend, Laura.

Laura was a figure of nobility as the daughter of the Alpha from the Springfang Pack, a pack that was friendly with the Frostfang Pack. Yet, despite her exalted status, Laura never looked down on Irene, a girl without a wolf, choosing to be friends with her nonetheless.

Irene had been unable to contact Laura for a year due to a contractual obligation, and facing her now, Irene felt a deep sense of guilt.

They met at a café. Laura embraced Irene warmly, then noticed the baby in her arms. "Goodness, Irene, you have a daughter! How could you keep such a big secret from me for so long?"

Irene stumbled over her words, saying, "I... It was a one-night stand, and it resulted in a surprise pregnancy."

Laura sighed but didn't berate her. She asked, "Well, let bygones be bygones. But what are your plans now, Irene?"

Holding her daughter, Irene looked forlorn. "I'm not sure, Laura. I'm burdened with my mother's debts, and raising my daughter in Frostfang Pack will be expensive. I might have to leave."

Knowing about Irene's recent loss, her mother's passing, Laura looked at her friend with an extra softness in her eyes. "It's alright, Irene, you'll be okay. But I think maybe you should consider leaving Frostfang Pack and finding a quiet place to raise your daughter?"

Irene pondered Laura's words, her gaze brightening. "You're right, Laura. I could study for my design degree while raising Millie. I want to revive the company my foster mother left behind."

Laura, as if anticipating Irene's response, beamed. "Well then, I'll have to see you off, my dear. You're leaving the pack for so long. Come, let's go shopping. I need to get Millie a gift, and then we'll have a big dinner tonight."

Grateful for Laura's understanding, Irene nodded, holding her daughter as they traversed nearly every mall in the downtown area. Laura was incredibly generous, purchasing numerous baby items and even splurging on outfits for Millie from infancy to her tenth year.

Irene was deeply moved by her friend's enthusiasm. During their dinner, tears welled up in her eyes several times.

"Laura, I don't know how to thank you. I'll always remember you as my friend."

Laura, dressed sexily, sat across from Irene, her gaze subtly tracing over her neck, revealing a flicker of disappointment, though her face remained cheerful. "Don't say that, Irene. We'll see each other again. How about if you really want to thank me, we exchange meaningful gifts?"

Irene, unsuspecting, smiled, "Of course, Laura."

Laura pulled out a beautiful necklace from her bag. "This is the necklace I bought for myself on the day I came of age. Now, I give it to you. Look at it whenever you miss me."

With a casual air, Laura glanced at Irene, winking. "And what will you give me?"

Irene seemed to remember something and quickly retrieved a necklace from her bag. "This is the necklace my mother gave me for my birthday. It broke in an accident, leaving only half, but it's very important to me, so I kept it. Laura, if you don't mind..."

Lying in Irene's hand was half of a moonstone necklace.

At the sight of the broken moonstone necklace, Laura's eyes widened in surprise, but she swiftly masked it with a cheerful smile, her excitement genuine as she accepted the gift. "How could I possibly disdain such a heartfelt present, Irene? Thank you! I'll wear it always and hold it very dear."

She nonchalantly returned the necklace to her bag and continued to raise her glass. "Let's have a drink. I've ordered low-proof fruit wine, so we won't get drunk."

Irene didn't object, and they drank merrily. Soon, her face was flushed with a gentle inebriation as she cradled her sleeping child, smiling tenderly.

"Irene, I'll find a quiet place for you and Millie, trust me," Laura said, her eyes filled with sincerity as she lifted her glass.

"Today has been wonderful, Laura. I truly don't know how to thank you," Irene said gratefully.

"No need, we're friends, aren't we?" Laura lightly patted Irene's shoulder. "It's late, you should go home with Millie. I've called a cab, and I'll settle the bill. As promised, I'm treating you."

Irene nodded, waving to Laura as she carried her child out of the restaurant.

Unbeknownst to her, when the door closed behind her, Laura's expression had completely changed.

Standing by the restaurant window, Laura watched Irene's retreating figure with a cold smile. She lowered her gaze to the necklace in her hand, as if it held her destiny.

Laura muttered to herself, her eyes gleaming with malice, "Thank you, Irene. Thank you for gifting me the future Luna's position." She gripped the necklace, giving a sinister smile.