Alpha's Surrogate Mate

Chapter4

Chapter 4 The Child Seeking Help

Irene said, "Yes, darling, have you missed Mommy?"

Millie replied, "Of course, I misses Mommy a lot. But you have to go to work, and I won't be able to see you, will I?"

"I'm sorry, sweetheart. Once I finish my work, I'll come to pick you up, okay?"

"Yay, yay! Then Millie can see Mommy!"

"Alright, sweetie, hurry up and go to bed now. Give me a kiss."

"Mwah."

After hanging up, Irene focused on the road ahead, but her thoughts drifted far away.

She couldn't shake the memory of that harrowing day four years ago when giving birth nearly cost her life. Irene had never imagined that she could face death in the delivery room.

But fate had been kind; she survived, and the baby who had struggled to breathe miraculously pulled through.

Since then, she had raised her daughter, Millie, alone outside the pack, thankful that her little girl was healthy and thriving.

Now, finally, Irene had decided to return to the pack, using her new business as an opportunity to reintegrate into the community. Millie was almost four, and it was time for her to start preschool.

At eight o'clock that evening, Irene arrived at the hotel.

"Oh my gosh, Irene! I've missed you so much!" Laura squealed, rushing over in a pale pink strapless lace dress, throwing her arms around Irene and bouncing with excitement.

Irene hugged her tightly, planting a kiss on her cheek. She took in Laura's radiant appearance. "Darling, you look amazing! I'm so relieved to see you engaged."

Over the years, with Laura's unwavering support, Irene had transformed from a free-spirited designer to a business owner, revitalizing the company Holly had left behind.

Laura blushed, a shy smile spreading across her face. "Andre is so good to me. That's why I want to marry him."

"Ah, lovebirds!" Irene teased, then leaned in closer to whisper, "Does he know about your situation?"

While most people were unaware of Laura's past, Irene knew all too well that a car accident years ago had left Laura unable to bear children.

Given that Andre was the Alpha of Frostfang Pack, who would need heirs to continue his lineage, could he truly accept her?

Irene was quite worried.

Laura's expression darkened, and she glanced around cautiously before lowering her voice. "I haven't told you everything. Andre... he has a child."

"What? A child?" Irene's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Shh!" Laura quickly shushed her, her face tense. "Keep your voice down. He doesn't want everyone to know yet."

"Wait, what? Laura, are you serious? Are you about to become a stepmom?" The shocking revelation left Irene reeling.

Laura shook her head vehemently. "It's not what you think! He didn't cheat on me. He knew I couldn't have kids, so he adopted a child a few years ago."

Irene's heart finally settled as she listened to Laura's explanation. "You scared me there! But honestly, it sounds like Andre really cares for you. He's a good match."

Laura's smile brightened. "He treats me... very well."

Irene felt a twinge of envy.

She wondered, "Will I ever find my own mate?

But I don't have a wolf; what am I even hoping for? Never mind, as long as I have my daughter, I won't feel alone."

"What are you two chatting about that's got you so happy?" A deep, magnetic voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Andre, come over here! I want you to meet my best friend, Irene Gomez!" Laura exclaimed, pulling Andre close and resting her head on his shoulder, her face glowing with happiness as she introduced him to Irene.

"Hello, Alpha Andre," Irene said, lifting her gaze to take in the man before her.

Dressed in a tailored sapphire-blue suit that hugged his tall, lean frame, he exuded an air of authority. His chiseled features radiated a cool intensity, with deep-set, striking blue eyes that held an alluring charm—his genes were nothing short of exceptional.

He looked like a deity, standing there as if he were above the world, surveying everything with an air of noble detachment.

Andre regarded Irene with a slight frown. "You're Laura's friend? Just call me Andre."

Laura's smile widened, and Irene felt a surge of happiness for her best friend. "Thank you, Alpha Andre," she replied, choosing her words carefully.

Irene didn't want to give Laura any reason for misunderstanding.

But to her surprise, Andre's brow furrowed as he studied her. "Ms. Gomez... you look familiar."

"Alpha Andre, you must be mistaken. I just returned from abroad," Irene said, skillfully sidestepping the topic, though a flicker of annoyance stirred within her. She mused, "How could this man say such a thing in front of his mate about a friend he is meeting for the first time?"

Laura chimed in, a hint of unease flashing in her eyes, "Maybe I've shown you her photo before. Irene has been away from Frostfang Pack for years, so you two couldn't have possibly met. Anyway, let's not just stand here—how about we grab a drink?"

Andre nodded, though noncommittally. "I'll drive. Where do you want to go?"

Laura's excitement bubbled over as she turned to Andre. "Let's go to that place we visited last week, okay, darling?"

Irene smiled and nodded along, thinking, "Laura and Andre are so in love. Maybe I'm just overthinking things."

As the night wore on, Laura and Andre shared rounds of drinks at the restaurant, catching up on the past four years while Andre mostly listened, playing the role of a silent observer.

Checking her phone, Irene realized it was already eleven o'clock. Reluctantly, she turned to Andre, who had been quietly standing by like a backdrop.

"Alpha Andre, Laura has had enough to drink. You should take her home."

Andre nodded and effortlessly scooped Laura into his arms. "Alright, Ms. Gomez, I'll take my leave now."

With that, he turned to leave.

"Alpha Andre!" Irene called out suddenly.

He paused and turned back, raising an eyebrow, a look on his face that seemed to say, "Go on, I'm listening."

Irene stepped closer, her gaze serious as it landed on Laura's flushed cheeks. "Take good care of her, Alpha Andre. Laura... she's a really good girl."

"Of course," he replied with a curt nod before turning away.

Irene watched him walk off, feeling a strange emptiness gnawing at her.

"Why does it feel like something's missing when I see him carry Laura away?"

Startled by her own thoughts, she shook her head vigorously.

"Maybe I really do need to find a man to distract me."

Once outside the hotel, Andre carried Laura straight to his car and drove back to the Alpha's villa.

He gently laid the intoxicated woman on the bed, loosening his tie as he prepared to leave. "Just rest for a bit. I'll have a maid come in to change your clothes," he said, glancing back at her before stepping out of the room.

Andre never expected it when Laura suddenly wrapped her arms around him from behind.

As a powerful Alpha, his instincts kicked in, and he almost reacted with force, ready to retaliate. But at the last moment, Andre managed to suppress that impulse—this was Laura, not an enemy.

He halted his defensive move, but the shift in balance sent him tumbling onto the bed.

"Hmm... Andre, don't go," Laura murmured, her voice thick with intoxication.

She writhed against him, her legs opening as she settled herself against his waist. Andre quickly realized that she was already wet beneath her skirt.

With glazed eyes, Laura gazed up at him, her sultry red mermaid dress clinging to her curves, dangerously close to slipping off as she rolled against him. The deep neckline accentuated her cleavage, a tantalizing sight that would make any normal male's heart race. But strangely, as she pressed herself against him, Andre felt nothing.

"Andre, we're engaged. I'm your woman. Why won't you touch me?" she said breathlessly, leaning in closer, her hands wrapping around his neck as her lips parted invitingly for a kiss.

Andre's brow furrowed slightly as he fought the urge to push her away. They were engaged, after all. His body stiffened, caught in a battle between desire and restraint.

"I should try to accept Laura..." he thought himself, restraining himself from moving.

But just as Laura's lips were a mere five inches from his, a wave of revulsion crashed over him.

In a swift motion, he flipped her off him, gripping her arm with a strength that was far beyond her reach. Laura was easily pushed aside, landing softly on the bed.

"Laura, you should get some rest," he said coolly, standing up and straightening his suit jacket.

As his footsteps faded and the door clicked shut behind him, Andre didn't see the momentary twist of anguish on Laura's face.

She clutched the moonstone necklace around her neck.

Laura thought, "If it weren't for this necklace, how could Andre ever consider marrying me?

But this necklace belongs to Irene!

Everything that's happened is her fault. If it weren't for her, I wouldn't have lost the ability to have children.

Irene, just wait.

I'm going to take everything from you!"

Outside the door, as Andre closed it behind him, he slammed his fist against the wall in frustration, yanking at his tie in irritation.

For four years, he had resisted any romantic entanglements with women.

Anyone who served Andre knew he kept his distance, avoiding any form of intimacy—even with Laura, he felt that same instinctive rejection.

He had questioned his own orientation, but years ago, he had been able to accept the surrogate's body, even sharing a bed with her.

Their bodies had fit together in a way that nearly pulled him under, but he had managed to pull himself back just in time, cutting off all contact.

"Andre, Laura will eventually be your luna. Sure, she can't bear children, but you can't avoid sleeping with her altogether. If word gets out, they'll laugh at you," Lion whispered in his ear.

Andre didn't respond, his expression growing colder.

He knew the truth all too well. Yet the physical revulsion was uncontrollable. He thought to himself, "What is going on? Laura is supposed to be my destined luna, isn't she?"

*****

Elsewhere, in the hotel, with Laura now departed, Irene stood by the entrance, her eyes tracing the twinkling stars in the night sky.

Her mind, however, couldn't resist drifting back to the conversation she'd just had with her best friend. "Laura's engaged to Andre now, sailing smoothly through life, while I..." She glanced down at the photo of her daughter Millie on her phone screen, a weight settling in her chest. For the past four years, Irene and Millie had lived independently, without relying on any support from the Frostfang Pack. Irene had carved out a niche for herself in the outside world with her exceptional design skills. Yet now that she was back among the pack, facing the formidable Alphas, a sense of unease lingered in her heart.

Shaking off these thoughts, Irene decided to push them aside. She headed towards the parking lot, planning to drive back to the office to tackle some urgent work.

But just as she reached her car, Irene heard a faint knocking sound emanating from a nearby vehicle.

She paused, scanning the empty parking lot for any signs of movement. The place was deserted, she noted, her brow furrowing. "Am I imagining things?" But the knocking came again, this time more urgently. Following the sound, Irene spotted a small figure frantically rapping on the window of a luxury car—it seemed to be a child desperately trying to get attention.