Page 17 of The Baby Contract

This was my only chance.

My heartbeat rang through my whole body, as I surveyed around the vast forest, my stomach filled with butterflies. The Stormblade property was huge, spreading miles long in each direction, much faster than I had become accused of in Eclipse.

The forest was silent as I took my first careful steps, surveying the ground to be sure I didn't accidentally step on something that might make a noise. The leaves crunched under my boots, as I moved along, making my palms sweat at each sound.

I picked up the pace, keeping an eye out for any onlookers. If I wanted to escape, I needed to be fast, surely, they would come looking for me soon, afraid that I would get away with Stormblade's baby.

I ran, as fast as I could on my human legs, keeping my head down, as I shot through the trees. I held my tummy, rubbing it gently as I ran, afraid of upsetting the baby inside of me.

"We are going to get out," I whispered, putting my hand over my growing tummy. "It's our chance to be together. We can make it- "I stumbled, my hands shaking. "We can make it out."

My human legs moved faster than ever before, a line of sweat dripping down from my forehead. I jumped over a large tree branch, the foliage in this area less maintained and wild. I pushed through the weeds and branches, pulling them off with my hands as I made a path.

My adrenaline ran high. The cuts, bruises, and pain, all became just a numb feeling. Until I felt a light tingle in my hand, like pins and needles, crawling up my arm.

"Ahh—" I hissed, studying my hand. It was red and swollen, and I lost all feeling in it, as it moved up my arm.

Poison ivy.

I seethed, shaking my head as I looked at my hand. I could treat it later when I was out of Stormblade lands. I couldn't let something like this slow me down.

"Did you hear that, Axel?" A man's voice floated from the distance. I halted to a stop, spotting two warriors in front of me, both wearing their armor with swords strapped to their chests. "There is someone out here."

I retreated behind an oak tree, catching my breath, as I heard their small, meticulous steps behind me. "I heard it too," another man replied. The sounds of them drawing their swords rang out behind me, their boots making careful steps as they hunted. "Do you think it's her?"

"I scent a rose, but it could be the wind carrying the garden's scent." One of the warriors, Axel, replied. "I wouldn't rule anything out through."

I froze, shivers running down my body as I heard them approaching. My scent, I panicked. They shouldn't be able to follow it, it should be faint by now, as I had become encapsulated in the woods, but these warriors were trained at hunting their prey, they were experts.

The Stormblade pack had one of the largest warrior forces in the Kingdom, known for their strength, ability, and power. They didn't become one of the most-feared packs for no reason.

"Let's break up and search the area, I'll take the east, you take the west." The other man commanded, before running to search. "We'll alert the Beta if we spot anything."

I shivered, scenting them as they came closer. I was careful to peek around the large oak tree, immediately spotting them, one who looked to be a young teenager, and the other, a middle-aged man.

If I ran, they would catch me. They would hear me and catch me as soon as I moved. I was trapped.

You are a fighter, Millie. Don't forget where you came from, or who your parents were, I reminded myself.

I could surprise them, and move out to attack the younger one, who was now separated from his partner. I could knock him out, take his sword, and then be armed with a weapon to fight the other one when he came.

I surveyed the young warrior, his stride wary as he held his sword in front of him, preparing for what he might come across.

I'll wait until he gets closer, then-

"Millie, are you there?" He called out, his voice echoing through the trees. His face was scrunched with worry and concern. "It's okay, we won't hurt you."

I sighed as I watched him. I couldn't hurt him; he was just a teenager. He didn't deserve that. He probably had parents and a loving family waiting for him to come home, anxious for him to return from his duties safely.

As he came closer, my anxiety rose at the thought of hurting him, although I had fought many people in the ring, I couldn't bring myself to hurt someone like him, who was young and innocent.

I shut my eyes painfully, leaning my head against the tree. Tears rose to my eyes, as their scents became more prominent, and their voices louder.

When I opened my eyes, I looked up, blinking away my blurry vision. Tree branches hung above me, interconnected with each other, blocking the view from the blue sky.

I needed to climb.

I wasted no time turning around as quietly as I could, surveying the trees above. I latched on to the first branch, my hand screaming in pain as the wood stabbed into my already swollen wound. I lifted my leg, pushing myself onto the next branch.

"I heard something over here!" The young warrior yelled at his partner. "There's someone here!"

I grasped for the next branch, my body quickly moving up the tree. "I heard it too, for sure this time." The older man confirmed. "The Beta is on his way."

My vision blurred as the panic set in, my eyes threatening tears. Climb, Millie. Focus. You can-

I stopped as I reached the top, grabbing on for dear life as I looked at the ground below. Just a second ago, I was only surrounded by two warriors, but now, more had come, searching the area where I once was.

I lifted my head, looking ahead at the borders, instantly regretting that I did.

It was surrounded by hundreds of wolves in all directions, blocking off any incoming or outgoing traffic to the Stormblade lands.

There was nowhere for me to run, and they had made sure of it.

"No-" I whispered, clenching my stomach. "No, this can't be happening." My face paled, becoming cold and sweaty.

"She's definitely here, that scent wouldn't have carried out here this far from the rose garden," A new voice sounded, this one powerful and exuding a higher status.

It was Boris.

I clenched the tree tightly, shutting my eyes. There was no way I could get away now, they had surrounded the area. And as soon I moved, these hundreds of warriors would hear me, especially Boris, the Beta, more skilled than any of them in hunting down prey.

It was over. I would get caught and taken back to Stormblade. Never being allowed to leave my room again, just like Alpha Stormblade wanted. Inevitably, Alpha Stormblade would tell Orion. And, who knows what punishments would be waiting for me at the Eclipse pack when I returned?

I was stupid, trying to run. I had gotten so carried away in the dream of raising my baby, of being able to see Nova, of finally being free, that now, I was about to be caught, ensuring my death, and I'm sure Nova's, the minute I returned to Eclipse.

"Or you might just- "Grey picked up a piece of my damp hair and played with it. "End up where your parents are."

I shivered at the memories, tears spilling over my cheeks as I broke into a sob. I wallowed in my pain, sorrow, and guilt, as I collapsed down onto my knees.

I felt a soft poke through my jacket, reminding me of the sharp piece of branch I had picked up earlier. My hands shook as I reached under my jacket, pulling it out in front of me to inspect. I touched the top, my finger immediately ringing out in pain from its sharpness.

If I was going to die anyway when I returned to Eclipse, why not just end it here?

Then, Alpha Orion wouldn't get his stupid money. Grey and Jasper and all the assholes wouldn't be able to have their fancy sportscars. They would lose everything they are betting on me.

I thought about taking destiny into my own hands, not leaving my death up to the hands of those whose hearts are filled with hatred.

And, if Stormblade wanted to take my baby, then I would take them first. I would live with them for eternity with the moon goddess, with Mom, Dad...

I was ready to end it all.

"I'm sorry Nova," I sobbed, pounding my fist into the oak. "I just can't do it anymore. I can't face any more punishments. I just want to live in peace. I hope you can understand."

I lifted the sharp part of the blade and pointed it towards myself, getting ready to make the one move and end it. I looked up at the sky, the colors now changing from a bright blue, to a beautiful orange and pink sunset.

Anyone looking at this sky would see a beautiful sunset, romantic even. But, to me, it was the saddest picture I had ever seen, knowing it would be the last one I might witness with my eyes.

"I love you, Nova," I sobbed, gripping the branch. "I'll love you forever."

I closed my eyes, gripping my hands around the branch, not wanting to witness what I was about to do, as I braced for the impact.

"Oh my goddess, Millie!" Boris' voice sounded with urgency and horror. I sobbed, not paying attention to the sounds of commotion. I was going to be at peace, free...

That's when I felt a big set of warm arms wrap around me, engulfing me in a tight hug.

"Please, that's not the answer." Boris pried the branch from my hands, letting it fall to the forest floor below. His large, rough hands moved through my hair, pulling me to his bare chest. He must have shifted into his wolf to look for me.

"It's okay- "He breathed out shakily, his nose in my hair, taking in my scent. "It's okay, Millie. I know, I know." He soothed, his wolf running wild inside of him at the scene he had just witnessed.

"Oh goddess," He held me close as I sobbed into his bare chest. "I'm so sorry I left you, Millie. I'm so sorry- "

His wolf whined inside of him, eager to comfort me. "You must have been so scared," he murmured against my head, taking short, choppy breaths, as he fought his own emotions. "I promise everything is going to be okay now."

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