The Alpha's Surrogate - To Bear His Heir

Ember Thorne stood outside the ballroom, staring at the half-open door.

She had only stepped away from the celebration to catch her breath. The silver dress around her body felt too tight, and the smile she had worn all evening was beginning to hurt her cheeks.

Then she heard a familiar voice.

"Soon, you can stop pretending to care about that girl."

Ember froze.

It was Vance Calloway, her mate.

Another man laughed. "I suppose I should congratulate my future son-in-law."

Alpha Magnus Whitfield.

Ember's stomach twisted. Why were Vance and the Alpha of Whitefang Pack discussing their marriage without her?

"I can't wait to join your pack," Vance replied. "And marry your daughter. I've wasted enough time with that pathetic Omega."

Ember covered her mouth.

For seven months, she had believed Vance loved her. He had held her hand, kissed her forehead, and promised they would build a future together. She had even convinced herself that the occasional bruises were accidents.

Now, she couldn't breathe.

"What about Ember?" Magnus asked. "She is still your mate. Rejecting her might kill her. The girl is weaker than I expected."

Vance laughed.

"She's an Omega nobody wants. Even her own father barely tolerates her. I've been doing her a favor by staying."

Magnus sighed. "I suppose I still have a little conscience. I wouldn't want her death on my hands."

"Don't worry. I'll find a way to break the bond. Perhaps I'll strangle her myself."

A small whimper escaped Ember's lips.

Silence fell inside the room.

The door swung open.

Magnus stepped out first. His eyes landed on Ember, but he showed no surprise. He simply adjusted his jacket and walked away as if he hadn't just helped destroy her life.

Vance remained in the doorway.

His expression changed when he saw her.

"What did you hear?"

Ember took a step back. "Vance, I-"

His palm struck her cheek.

Pain exploded across her face. Before she could recover, he grabbed her hair and dragged her inside.

"Answer me!"

She cried out as he threw her onto the floor. Her knee hit the hard surface, sending pain up her leg.

"Please," she whispered.

"Please what? Please don't leave you? Please marry you?" He laughed cruelly. "You should have stayed outside."

Ember pressed a trembling hand against her cheek.

For seven months, she had endured his insults and beatings. Every time he hurt her, he apologized afterward. Sometimes he even brought flowers.

She had accepted those flowers like a fool.

But hearing him laugh about killing her had broken something inside her.

"You betrayed my father," she said.

Vance stopped smiling.

"What?"

"My father trusts you. He welcomed you into our pack, gave you responsibilities, and treated you like family. How could you do this to him?"

Vance crouched in front of her.

"Your father is an old fool. Once I marry Magnus's daughter, Whitefang will help me take control of Ironclad. Your father will have nothing left."

Ember stared at him in disbelief.

She remembered the first time she had seen Vance.

It had been during Ironclad Pack's annual fighting contest. He had defeated three warriors and stood in the center of the arena, smiling confidently. She had fallen for him immediately.

When he discovered she was his mate, she thought the Moon Goddess had finally given her something good.

But after their mating ceremony, everything changed.

Vance became cruel. He insulted her appearance, complained about her weakness, and brought other women into their home. Sometimes he made sure she heard them laughing in his bedroom.

When she questioned him, he beat her.

She had kept quiet because she feared losing him. She had also feared what her father would say if she returned home after failing as a mate.

Now, she wished she had spoken sooner.

"You're a monster," she whispered.

Vance's face hardened.

"What did you say?"

Ember pushed herself up.

"You heard me."

She lunged at him and struck his face.

For one brief second, she felt powerful.

Then Vance caught both her wrists and twisted them behind her back.

"You little bitch!"

He struck her again. Her head snapped sideways, and tears filled her eyes.

"You think anyone will believe you?" he hissed. "Your father would rather believe me than his own daughter."

Ember struggled, but he shoved her away.

She hit the wall and slid down, gasping.

Vance straightened his clothes.

"Stay here. If you make another sound, I'll make sure you never speak again."

He walked out.

Ember remained on the floor, shaking.

She could hide and pretend nothing had happened. She could return to the celebration, smile for the guests, and let Vance destroy everything her father had built.

Or she could fight.

Her cheek throbbed. Blood filled her mouth where she had bitten her lip.

She wiped it away and forced herself to stand.

Vance might have been right about many things, but he was wrong about one.

She wasn't going to die quietly.

Ember stumbled out of the room and hurried down the corridor. Music drifted from the ballroom, and guests laughed as if nothing was wrong.

She spotted Alpha Alaric Thorne speaking with several visiting Alphas.

"Father!"

He turned, frowning at her appearance.

"Ember? What happened to your face?"

She grabbed his arm.

"I need to speak with you. Alone."

He looked annoyed but followed her into a private room. The moment the door closed, she faced him.

"Father, Vance is betraying you. He's planning to marry Alpha Magnus's daughter and help Whitefang take control of Ironclad. I heard everything."

Alaric stared at her.

"What?!"