The Surrogacy Test

POV: Vivian

The medical checkup the next morning was awful.

For two hours, three old healers from the Blood River pack checked me over. They drew blood from my arm, poked my stomach, and checked my heart. They talked about my body like I was a horse at an auction ground.

"Strong bones," the main healer said, writing on her board. "Bloodline is pure Beta. Her wolf is quiet because she's stressed, but she's totally healthy."

"She’ll work," the second healer agreed, wiping her hands. "Send the paper to Beta Marcus."

I pulled my plain shirt back on and buttoned it up with cold fingers. I felt hollowed out, like my body wasn't even mine anymore. It was just a machine they were testing before buying. But I didn't say a single word. I just wanted to get out of there.

When I got back home at noon, the house was dead quiet. My mother was lying in bed with her eyes closed. She wasn't sleeping, but she didn't look at me when I walked in. The silence from her hurt worse than any insult Toby could throw.

Toby wasn't there. His room was empty, his bed made neatly. He hadn't come back since his blowup last night.

I sat at the small kitchen table, staring at the blue envelope the healers gave me. It had the time and place for my personal interview with Alpha Gideon. Tomorrow morning at ten o'clock, at the main Blood River packhouse.

My father came through the front door at nine that night. He didn't say a word to me either. He grabbed a bottle of whiskey from the cupboard, walked into his study, and slammed the door shut. The whole house felt heavy and cold.

***

The next morning, I woke up at five. I washed my face with cold water from the bowl. I put on a simple grey dress and my dark wool coat, tying my hair back tight.

I checked on my mother one last time. She was sleeping, breathing lightly. I left a fresh cup of water on her nightstand, closed her door, and stepped out into the cold morning fog.

As I walked down the dirt road, I kept telling myself: Just get through today. Get the contract signed, and Mom will be safe.

The walk to the Blood River territory took three long hours. By the time I reached the big iron gates of the Alpha's estate, my boots were muddy and my hands were stiff from the cold.

The estate was huge, built from dark stone and surrounded by tall pine trees. Two guards with swords stood at the gate.

"Name?" one barked.

"Vivian," I said. "I have an interview for the surrogate position."

The guard checked his wooden board, nodded, and pushed the gate open. "Main doors. Don't go wandering off."

I walked up the long gravel driveway. My heart was thumping hard in my chest, but I kept my face totally blank. I pushed open the big front doors and stepped inside.

The air inside was warm. It smelled like pine wood, polished leather, and a heavy, dark scent that made the hair on my arms stand up. It was the scent of a strong Alpha—deep, heavy, and intense. My wolf, who had been asleep for months, suddenly gave a quiet tremor deep in my chest. I pushed her down.

A middle-aged guy with grey hair walked up to me. "Vivian?"

"Yes," I said.

"I am Beta Marcus," he said, looking at my plain clothes with a little frown. "Alpha Gideon is waiting in his study. Follow me."

I followed him down a long hallway lined with dark portraits. My hands were sweaty, so I clenched them into fists inside my coat pockets. Do not let them see you shake, I ordered myself. You are here to do a job.

Marcus stopped at two big oak doors. He knocked twice, opened the door, and stepped aside.

"Come in," a deep, cold voice called out from inside.

I took a deep breath, lifted my chin, and stepped into the room.