ALPHA'S HUMAN SURROGATE 9

CATRIONA

"Did you have a bad dream?" Sandra asked as I stirred awake.

"I think so," I mumbled, sinking deeper into the pillow.

"What was it about?"

I hesitated. "I was in the woods with a beautiful woman. She was about to tell me something about Jayden... then a wolf appeared. It tried to kill her. And me. It was... too much. I don’t want to talk about it now—it felt too real."

"What time is it?" I asked, rubbing my temple.

"Six fifty-two."

I blinked. "Wait, I slept for seven hours?"

After a long bath, I headed downstairs for something to eat. Godmother joined me at the table.

"Hey, beautiful. How are you feeling today?" she asked with her usual warm smile.

"I'm fine, Godmother. Thank you."

We were served chicken, rice, and salad. The food was good, but I couldn’t enjoy it fully—everyone kept sneaking glances at me, whispering like I had grown horns overnight.

"Why do you all keep staring whenever I come to eat? Haven’t you seen a Black woman before?" I joked to lighten the tension.

"Are you our Alpha’s mate?" two teenage girls blurted in unison. They were the same height, same age—probably twins.

"Mate?" I asked, completely lost. "What’s that supposed to mean?"

One of them snorted. "Told you. She's really human."

"Okay, girls. That’s enough," Godmother scolded. They shut up immediately.

Then one of them pushed further. "Are you really pregnant with our Alpha’s baby?"

My eyes widened in shock.

"Girls!" Godmother’s voice snapped sharply.

I turned to Sandra with pure confusion on my face. She looked pale.

"I’m taking Catriona out for a walk. We have something to do," she stammered, grabbing my arm and leading me outside to the porch.

Once we were alone, I turned to her. "How did those girls know I’m pregnant? I thought it was only you, me, and Jayden who knew. Did *you* tell them?"

She raised her hands, placing them gently on my belly.

"I swear on this baby, I didn’t tell anyone."

"What are you doing?" I snapped, brushing her hands away. "If you didn’t tell them, then *how* the hell do they know?"

"You’re human. You wouldn’t understand any of this," she muttered.

"I heard that," I said firmly.

She looked startled. "You did?"

"Yeah. Now do me a favour and explain—why do you all keep calling me *human* like it’s some kind of insult? I have a name."

She hesitated. "Because you’re a guest here. That’s what we call guests."

I squinted at her, not buying it.

She cleared her throat. "We call our guests ‘human.’"

I burst into laughter. "That’s the most ridiculous excuse I’ve ever heard. Human, huh? Sandra—we’re *all* human. And I’ve been here for a month and a half!"

She quickly changed the topic. "So, Catriona, how did you meet the Alpha?" She asked.

"You don’t know why I came here?"

"No, I don’t." She replied.

I blinked. So Jayden hadn’t told them.

"Well, if he didn’t tell you, I have no right to."

"If you say so."

"I heard you speaking to your brother earlier. Do you have other siblings?" She asked.

"No. Just him. He’s a brave little boy, and I’m so proud of him. His surgery’s on Monday."

"I’ll pray for it to go well."

"It will go well. Thanks for the prayers."

"How old is he?"

"Nine."

"Aww, he’s still a baby. And you? How old are you?"

"Twenty-five."

She blinked. "What?! I asked. You’re older than me? She replied. I’m twenty-three. All this time, I thought I was the big sister!"

"Well, from now on—call me big sister," I said, teasing.

We both laughed.

I cleared my throat. "So, Sandra... Do you know how old Jayden is?"

She shook her head. "Honestly? I don’t. I’d be lying if I guessed."

"Ah... so you don’t know." I sighed, defeated.

"What about your parents?" she asked.

"Let’s not talk about that, please." My voice cracked a little.

"I’m sorry... I didn’t mean to—"

"It’s okay. You didn’t hurt me. I just don’t want to go there." I forced a smile.

"Okay... about me then? I’ve got siblings, but they’re not here. I don’t even know where they are. We got separated by—"

She stopped and looked away.

"It’s okay. You don’t have to talk about it either."

She nodded, eyes lost in thought.

"Want some salty snacks?" I asked, nudging her.

"Yes, ma’am." She gave me a silly grin, head tilted down.

"You’re funny, Sandra."

I fetched the snacks, and we headed to the poolside, sitting on a wooden swing bench.

"It’s breezy out here," I said.

"It is," she replied distantly.

Then suddenly, she sniffed the air.

"Why are you sniffing the air? What are you—a dog?"

She didn’t laugh. Instead, she jumped off the swing and grabbed my hand.

"Let’s go inside."

"But it’s nice out here. I want to stay a bit longer."

"Another time, Catriona. It’s not safe right now."

She was nervous. Too nervous.

She rushed me inside and told me to lock my door. As I stepped into the elevator, I saw large men rushing outside.

"What’s going on?" I asked.

"Nothing. Just go upstairs and lock yourself in."

"Okay..."

The elevator stopped on the sixth floor. As I stepped out, a door swung open... and a completely naked man stepped out.

"Oh my God!" I screamed, slapping both hands over my eyes.

"Um… excuse me. I need to leave," he said calmly.

I slowly peeled my fingers away from my eyes, willing them to stay on his face.

He had green eyes, broad shoulders, and sweat gleaming on his skin.

I recognized him—Jayden’s brother.

"Why are you naked out here?" I asked, eyes locked on his face like it was the last safe place on Earth.

He glanced at himself, unbothered. "I’m sorry. I’m in a rush. You're blocking the way."

I stepped aside, mortified.

As soon as I got to my room, I slammed the door shut and locked it. My cheeks were burning.

What the hell was that? Who just casually walks around naked like that? I mean, he was hot... but Jayden is still way hotter.

This whole place is just full of surprises.

I walked to the balcony and kept eating my snacks.

Then my phone rang. Jayden.

"Hello?"

"Where are you?" he asked. No hello, just straight-up demanding.

"On the balcony."

"Go back inside and lock both doors. Now."

I frowned. "What is wrong with all of you? Why are you treating me like I’m a damn child? Just because there’s a contract doesn’t mean you get to boss me around!"

"Catriona, listen to me—"

I hung up.

Then I texted Miss Olivier to check on Edrine. She said everything was fine.

I turned on the TV—nothing good. Turned it off.

Jayden called again. I ignored it. I didn’t want to turn off my phone though, in case something happened to Edrine.

So I did my makeup, styled my braids, put on a cute outfit, and had a mini photoshoot. Posted the best pics on i********:. Likes and comments started flooding in.

A knock came at the door.

"Catriona, are you asleep?" Sandra’s voice.

I stayed quiet. She kept knocking until I finally opened the door.

"Sandra, I want to sleep. Tell your Alpha that I locked all the doors if he’s the one who sent you." I shut the door on her again.

I leaned against it, sighing.

Who the hell is Sofia? And what’s her connection to Jayden?

Another loud bang on the door.

"Catriona… who did you just say now?"