ALPHA'S HUMAN SURROGATE 7

JAYDEN

That morning, I was heading into the bathroom when my phone rang. I grabbed it quickly so the sound wouldn’t wake Catriona. It was Jerome calling. I stepped into my office and shut the door behind me.

“What’s up, Jerome?”

“Alpha,” he answered. “I’ve done everything you sent me to do, but as the top Alpha, your presence is required at the upcoming Alpha’s meeting.”

Jerome was my Beta. I had sent him to another territory to scout the area and arrange the location for the upcoming fight.

“I couldn’t find a more suitable spot,” he continued. “If you approve, the fight will happen on their estate’s field. It's set for two weeks from now.”

“Alright, Jerome. Return immediately. I need you back here—there’s something else I want you to handle.”

I ended the call and headed back to my room to shower. But when I entered, the bed was empty.

I assumed Catriona had gone back to her room, so I stripped down and walked into the bathroom.

I froze.

She was there, already in the shower, water cascading down her skin. She turned in surprise and quickly covered herself.

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

“I should be the one asking you that,” I replied, raising a brow. “This is my bathroom, and I don’t like sharing it.”

“I came in to pee and thought, why not take a shower here before going back to my room,” she said, her voice timid.

I stepped closer and gently pulled her hands away from where she was covering. “You don’t have to hide from me,” I said softly. “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. I’ve touched every inch of you—don’t be shy now.”

As my hand slipped between her legs, her breath hitched.

We ended up having slow, intense s*x under the running water, followed by a steamy shower. Afterwards, she returned to her room, and I headed back to my office.

---

The Alpha’s meeting was being held in another country. It had already been seven weeks since I hired Catriona as my surrogate. We’d been having s*x almost every day, but there was still no sign of pregnancy.

Worried, I took her to the hospital to make sure there was nothing wrong with her uterus. The doctor examined her and said everything was fine. Perfect, even.

Catriona Havers was everything a man could want—beautiful, curvy, soft, sweet. And now, even as I sat in this meeting, I couldn’t stop thinking about her.

“You’re obsessed because she’s your mate.”

That was my inner wolf, growling in my head.

“She’s our mate, not just a surrogate.”

“You knew it the moment you laid eyes on her, didn’t you? And what did you do? You ignored it.”

“Shut the f**k up,” I snapped internally.

“Alpha, are you okay?” one of the Alphas asked, staring at me.

I stood up abruptly. “Let’s pause the meeting. I need some air.”

I walked out and headed toward the shoreline nearby. The sea breeze hit my face, but my wolf’s words still echoed inside me.

He was right.

When I first saw Catriona, I knew—she was my mate. But I turned a blind eye. Why? Because she felt… too soft. Too naïve. I didn’t want a mate like that. I wanted someone strong enough to stand beside me in war, not someone I’d have to shield every second.

Still… I couldn’t deny the way she made me feel.

My phone buzzed in my pocket. I checked the caller ID—Sandra.

“Sandra? Is everything okay?”

“Yes and no, Alpha,” she said nervously. “It’s about Catriona.”

I tensed. “What happened?”

“She passed out and hit her head. It’s not serious, but—”

“Where the hell were you when she passed out?” I growled.

“I—I was right there with her,” she stammered. “But she asked me for some privacy. I didn’t expect she’d faint.”

I let out a slow breath, trying to calm myself. I couldn’t afford to lose control.

“Alright,” I said. “How is she now?”

“We rushed her to the hospital. The doctor said it’s not serious—she’s okay.”

“Good. I’ll be here for five more days. But until I return, don’t leave her side. Even if she wants to go to the toilet—you go with her. I’m dead serious.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

“One more thing,” she said, hesitating.

“What is it?”

“She’s two weeks pregnant.”