Page 11 of The Baby Contract

"So you mean, I don't have to eat my breakfast today?" I questioned, sitting up in the bed. "Isn't that one of the rules? Especially now that I'm pregnant?"

Ingrid knew how much I hated eating all my meals. It was one of the hardest things I've had to do here at the Stormblade pack. It was much more food than I was used to eating at home at Eclipse, where I was lucky if I even got to get a piece of bread all day to eat.

Ingrid smiled as she sat next to me on the bed. "The doctor is coming today. He's ordered me not to feed you anything for the next eight hours."

I nodded, my palms sweating. "I've never seen a doctor before," I admitted, looking at Ingrid for comfort. "Is it normal to be this nervous?"

"Oh sweetheart-"Ingrid rubbed my arms soothingly. "You never saw a doctor? Even when you were a child? You never got hurt and needed stitches or broke a bone or-"

I shook my head. "No." I sighed. "I mean-" I breathed, being careful of what I was saying. "I got hurt. But, Eclipse only had one doctor."

This was partially true. I had gotten hurt, and Eclipse only had one doctor. But he only treated the higher-ranking pack members or the ones who could pay him, not the low-ranking, orphaned, unimportant maids like me.

"Oh no." Ingrid shook her head, disgusted. "That is terrible! Well, here at Stormblade we have many highly trained doctors. And, Doctor Rowan and his nurses will be at your service while you're here."

I didn't know if that statement was supposed to make me feel better or not. My stomach turned at the thought of a doctor constantly supervising me.

"Sorry I'm late, ladies," Boris shot through the door, a smile plastered on his face. "Beta things." He explained, opening the door up for the people behind him to shuffle inside my room.

"Millie, this is Doctor Rowan- "Boris introduced a middle-aged man, who was wearing a long white coat, his hair pulled back in a loose man bun. He was carrying a bag with him, a stethoscope around his neck. "He's going to be your doctor."

He bowed to Boris, before turning to me, as he took his coat off. "Pleasure to meet you, Millie. It's an honor to be taking care of the heir to the Stormblade pack. I appreciate this opportunity."

Boris cleared his throat, getting his attention. "Doctor, you can set your stuff up here." He pointed to a metal table close to my bed.

The nurses allowed themselves in the room, and as each entered, they introduced themselves to me, telling me what an honor it was to be so close to the future Alpha.

It felt so dystopian.

Boris seemed to sense that I was uncomfortable, and waved them off, to start setting up their tables, supplies, and other things, his wolf giving them a little warning growl to back off.

I watched intently as they talked amongst themselves, setting up their metal table full of plastic-covered metal instruments. "Alrighty dear." Doctor Rowan said, bringing a small, metal table over to my bedside.

One of the nurses grabbed a pillow and positioned it under my elbow, "Go ahead and put your arm out on the pillow- "she said, grabbing my arm and moving it herself. "And relax as much as you can. You'll just feel a quick pinch."

Doctor Rowan grabbed a needle, holding it up. My face flushed, my heart pounding in my chest as the needle moved closer. "Uh-" I stuttered. "I don't know what that is. I'd rather not do it if I don't have to."

"Oh." Doctor Rowan held the needle up. "It will-"

"Millie-"Boris reached out, gripping my hand in his, making my head whip towards him, to meet his concerned eyes. "You don't have to be scared, I promise. I've had my blood drawn so many times in my life. And, each time, I hardly feel it." He smiled reassured, squeezing my hand in his.

I nodded, my breath hitching in my throat in my throat.

"Oh, I'm having my blood drawn." Coming to the realization.

I guess they had assumed that I would know what was happening, but I hadn't grown up around the doctor, of course, in Stormblade, that was something everyone got, regardless of their status.

"Here-" Boris said, getting my attention. "Just look at me." I met his kind and soft brown eyes, which were unlike our Beta's, Grey, his were always cold and fiery. The ones you wouldn't dare lock eyes with unless you wanted a beating.

"And-" Doctor Rowan pulled out the needle. "That's it!"

I took a deep breath, before looking over to see that the needle and tubes were gone, but instead, a neat bandage had been placed over the site. "We will run that to the lab to get the result and then report that back to you, Beta."

Boris nodded, squeezing my hand again, making me realize that he never let go of my hand, making my cheeks light up in a bright red blush.

"Now, this is just to monitor your heart and lungs.

" He said, putting a device on my finger that beeped as he put the stethoscope to his ears. "Just take some deep breaths."

I did as he said as he listened, as he looked at Boris to report to him. "Heart and lungs are strong." Doctor Rowan smiled, as the nurse made a note. "Blood pressure is normal."

"Alright. We will wait for the blood sample to come back, that shouldn't take too long." Doctor Rowan pulled up a chair, getting close to my bed.

One of his nurses handed him his clipboard, in which he took a glance before looking up at us.

"We will go over your medical history questions now, Millie.

" He put his glasses on. "It will be a lot of questions.

Just answer to the best of your ability.

This will give me a better idea of how to treat you throughout your pregnancy. "

I shivered, looking between all the people in this room. Hopefully, these questions could be things I could just lie about.

Boris rubbed circles on my hand with his thumb, leaning close to the bed. "Alright, so just do your best if you don't know that's okay." Doctor Rowan clicked his pen. "Have you ever had any history of any life-threatening illnesses caused by natural causes in your family?"

"No," I answered truthfully. Seemed easy so far.

"Okay, and at what age did you first shift?" He asked, not looking up from his paper.

"I was sixteen when I got my wolf," I answered truthfully again. "I shifted on my sixteenth birthday." These questions I could live with.

"Good, right-on time." He made a note. "I see here in your chart from Eclipse that you are twenty years old. Is that correct, dear?"

I gulped, calculating the time in my head.

I hadn't celebrated my birthday in so long, that I had forgotten how old I was.

Nova had done little celebrations for me in the past, managing to scavenge up enough money for a small cake, but over time, money had gotten tight and even finding cake was impossible.

"Yes, that sounds r-" I stopped, as Boris' head went up in alarm. "Yes- I mean yes."

"Alright." Doctor Rowan smiled. "And, since you are past the mating age, have you ever been bonded or mated before?"

My heartbeat fast, my body shivering as it was covered in goosebumps at this question.

Of course, he had to ask. "No." I snapped quickly, wanting their attention off of me, wanting my mind off of the so-called next mate I was bonded to, the one who sold me to the life of a surrogate.

"I don't have a mate." If you could even call him that.

Ingrid rubbed my back soothingly, and Boris continued with his soothing circles. They must have noticed that I had gotten emotional as much as I tried to hide it. Doctor Rowan furrowed his brows, seeming sympathetic.

"Yet-" He tapped his clipboard. "I'm sure there is a very nice gentleman out there waiting for you, Millie.

You are a very selfless wolf, becoming the surrogate to Alpha Stormblade for the betterment of our pack is something not any female wolf would willingly do. Your mate is one lucky guy."

If only you knew.

"What's the next question?" I sighed, not wanting to think about the two assholes. That thought alone was probably worse than the morning sickness I was about to experience. Just thinking about Jasper and Alpha Stormblade made me want to puke.

Doctor Rowan nodded, turning his page. "Your parents are that last section." He scribbled. "We didn't get information about their status in the Eclipse pack from your Alpha in your chart. Were they also maids?"

"No. "I shook my head, not wanting to answer more.

"What was their status?" He probed.

"They were warriors." I sighed, wanting to be done with these stupid questions.

Doctor Rowan looked up, surprised at my reaction. "And-"

"Thank you, Doctor Rowan." Boris cut in, sensing my discomfort. "I think that's enough questions. Is there anything else she needs to answer for today?"

The Doctor bowed, taking Boris' orders and backing off. Just then, one of the nurses came back with the results from the lab, handing them to the doctor to look over. "No, Beta. My apologies."

Doctor Rowan opened the results, taking a quick look. "Well, the good news is that you are definitely pregnant. With an Alpha's baby, the result is usually clear right away as it is more prominent than other wolves."

"As for the other things, they all look normal for now, except for your Vitamin D levels." He nodded, before closing up the results and putting it all into my chart.

He reached into his bag and took out a bottle of prenatal vitamins, handing them to Ingrid. "Millie will need to take two of these a day along with her breakfast first thing in the morning."

"Of course, Doctor." Ingrid bowed, showing respect for his status.

"She will also need to get some light exercise, especially during the daytime to keep her Vitamin D levels up." He looked between Boris and Ingrid. "Nothing too strenuous on the baby or Millie, a walk is good."

How was I supposed to do that when the jerk locked me in this room?

"Also, a lot of sleep and naps during the day when you feel tired." He smiled. "And, eating good nutritious meals to keep your energy up."

Boris and Ingrid nodded, taking note of what they needed to do. "Of course, I will write up the report and give you a full list, Beta. Should I report it to Alpha as well?"

"No-"Boris halfway growled, becoming protective. "You will report everything to me. I am responsible for Millie and the baby's care. I will report anything necessary to him."

Doctor Rowan bowed, clearing his things. "Of course, Beta." He smiled at us. "It was a pleasure."

As the Doctor and his nurses cleaned up their things and left, I breathed the biggest sigh of relief, closing my eyes, and leaning back on the wall. "You did great, Millie. I know that can be a lot." Boris said softly.

"Oh, my goddess-"I breathed, my eyes snapping down to where our hands were still connected. "I'm so sorry Beta Darkmoon. I didn't realize- "snatching my hand away.

Boris let out a deep laugh, as he plopped himself on the edge of the bed. "Nothing to be sorry about. I think you've been needing some wolf-to-wolf contact. That's normal." He smiled, taking my hand into his again.

"Wolves crave each other. That's why we live in packs." He stated wisely. "And why rogues are so deadly and cruel. They have given up on the way of life a pack can provide."

"They've given up on love," Ingrid shook her head sadly. "Those poor wolves."

"That's right, Ingrid." Boris laughed sadly. "But not us, especially not with this little bundle of joy on the way."

I sighed, starting to feel a little lightheaded. "I'm getting a little tired. I think I'm going to take a nap."

"Oh yes- "Ingrid nodded, caressing my hair. "The blood draw will make you feel that way. How about a little dinner first?"

I nodded, smiling gratefully, my stomach rumbling for once. Must be the baby, making his first appearance. "That sounds good."

As Ingrid left the room, Boris and I sat in a comfortable silence, holding hands on the bed.

It was nice, and Boris made me feel safe.

He didn't push me to tell him any more about the questions, although I knew he wanted to know more, but instead, just sat by me on the bed, offering a striking smile here and there as he caressed my hand.

---