ALPHA'S HUMAN SURROGATE

I just got the call—I’ve been accepted and officially qualified to be a surrogate mother. A rush of happiness hit me so fast I almost forgot to breathe. But under that joy, something else stirred… nerves. Deep, sharp, cold nerves. My name is Catriona Havers. I’m twenty-five years old. I have a little brother named Edirne. Our mother died giving birth to him, and just like that, I was left holding a newborn baby in my arms, completely clueless about what to do. I didn’t know a single thing about raising a child. But by the grace of God—and with the unwavering help of our kind neighbor, Miss Olivier—I somehow did it. Then came another blow. The doctors told me Edirne had a heart condition. He needed surgery. Not next year. Not someday. *Now*. Before it got worse. I quit school. I started working—any job I could find. Cleaning. Serving. Babysitting. Selling. I was hustling nonstop, desperate to raise the money, but no matter how hard I worked, I couldn’t get close to the amount needed for his surgery. So I made the hardest decision of my life. I signed up to become a surrogate. I knew it could pay well, and at this point, I didn’t care what I had to go through—only that it could save my brother’s life. What I didn’t expect… was to be accepted so fast. Apparently, I was picked because of how I looked. That part still confuses me. But whatever the reason, I’m in. I’m going to get at least half the money. That’s more than I’ve ever had. The doctors said Edirne will be kept at the hospital until surgery day. I couldn’t tell Miss Olivier the truth, so I told her I got a job in another state. A good one. Thankfully, she didn’t ask for details. “Miss Olivier, will you please—” I started, but she cut me off before I could finish. “It’s okay, honey. I’ll take care of him. You go and bring the money for his surgery, alright?” “Okay… thank you, Miss Olivier. Thank you for always being there.” “I love you both like my own grandchildren.” “And we love you too.” We hugged tightly. Saying goodbye to Edirne crushed me, but I had to be strong. For him. I took a cab to the address I was given. We drove past thick woods with no sign of another car in sight. It was quiet. Too quiet. But oddly peaceful. Then we arrived. I stepped out and my jaw dropped. The house was massive. No—*mansion* was the better word. Elegant, towering, and regal like something from a movie. I was lost in the sheer beauty of it when I heard someone call my name. “Catriona Havers?” I turned. A woman in her early forties stood there, dressed in crisp black. “Yes, ma’am. That’s me.” “Please follow me.” She led me inside. The hallway alone looked like a royal corridor—long, polished floors, and the grandest staircase I’d ever seen. I stopped to stare at the steps, almost hypnotized. She cleared her throat and gave me a look. “We’re taking the elevator,” she said as she stepped inside. “This house has its own elevator?” I blurted. “Why not use the stairs? They’re dazzling.” She glanced at me, then gave me a blank expression. “Why are you asking?” “I just think the stairs are beautiful. I wouldn’t mind using them.” She stared at me again. Her face unreadable. We reached the sixth floor and stepped out. We passed two closed doors before stopping at a third—tall, double doors, polished and intimidating. “Should I knock?” I asked. “No need. Alpha is waiting.” Alpha? Before I could question it, she motioned for me to enter. I pushed the doors open and walked into a large office. Two huge bookshelves lined the walls, dark leather couches flanked the space, and a solid wood desk sat at the center like a throne. The air smelled expensive… and intoxicating. “Done with your inspection?” The voice startled me. Deep. Rich. Male. I turned and saw him leaning against the doorway of what looked like a bathroom. He had dark brown hair, sharp blue eyes, and a body that looked carved from stone. Tall. Intimidating. Stunning. “Uh… hello. My name is—” “I know who you are. And I know why you’re here.” What is up with the people in this house? He moved past me and sat behind his desk. “Please, sit.” I obeyed. “So, Miss Catriona…” “Yes?” “Why do you want to be a surrogate mother?” “I need the money for my brother’s surgery.” “What’s wrong with your brother?” I told him everything. His expression didn’t change. He stayed quiet for a long moment. “How much do you need?” “Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.” “You do realize the contract says you’ll only be paid eighty thousand?” he asked. I swallowed. Hard. He stared at me. “How do you expect to cover the rest?” I didn’t answer. What could I say? “I’ll give you three hundred and seventy thousand,” he said. “But only if you agree to have s*x with me.” My brain short-circuited. “You’ll *what*?” “I want you to get pregnant naturally. No insemination. Just you and me.” I stared at him. “Are you serious?” “Dead serious. It’s your choice.” I thought about it. About my brother lying in that hospital bed. About how this money could save him. I hated this. Hated that I was even considering it. But I had no other way. “I’ll do it,” I whispered. “For my brother.” He nodded. “You’ll have your own bedroom,” he said. “You’ll get a credit card—use it for whatever you want, but no cash withdrawals. For the next two weeks, you’ll sleep in *my* bedroom. We’ll have s*x every night until you get pregnant. No going out without permission or security. And one more thing…” He leaned in. “No boyfriends. After you sign this contract, you belong to me.” He slid the paper toward me, along with a pen. His signature was already on it. My hands trembled. He saw it. “Take your time,” he said. But I didn’t want to risk him changing his mind. This was everything I needed. I signed. And that was it. It was now or never.