Page 18 of The Baby Contract

"If you found her, then why the somber look?" Dad stood, surveying Boris' sad look, his shoulders slumped, and his eyes filled with pain. "Is Millie alright?"

Boris didn't respond, instead, he took a moment of silence, releasing a big breath as he rubbed his temples. He looked stressed, worried, angry, guilty, a combination of emotions all at once. This must be bad.

My wolf paced inside of me as the silence settled in. He yelped as he imagined Millie where he left her in the rose garden, sleeping peacefully against his black fur, and eventually, my bare chest.

"Boris- "Dad cut in, breaking me out of my daydream. "Whatever it is, we will deal with it. Did she get hurt?"

Boris sighed, shaking his head. He moved to rub his hands down his face, lowering his elbows onto his knees. My wolf didn't like the way he looked; it made him anxious, his thoughts going wild regarding Millie. He recalled every single detail about her, her scent, her voice, her sweet touch...

"Spit it out," I growled, my wolf becoming more antsy. "Just say it."

Boris snapped his head up, his eyes black, a light growl coming from his chest. "You shouldn't even talk, Alpha." He spat. "None of this would have happened if it weren't for you."

How dare he say that? "I have every right to know as your Alpha and the baby's father- "I gripped the desk, reigning in my anger.

Boris glared at me, before taking a deep breath, letting it go. "Millie is fine." He looked down at his fist, clenching it and unclenching. "She's back in her room. Doctor Rowan went to check on her. Her hand was swollen, with what looked like poison ivy."

"Oh no. Poor girl," Dad furrowed his brows. "That must have been painful. I'm sure Doctor Rowan can fix that right up though." He said hopefully.

Boris sighed, shaking his head. "The physical pain isn't what I'm concerned about."

"What do you mean?" My wolf howled, wanting answers.

Boris glared at me again, annoyed that I spoke, before speaking. "When I found Millie, she was about to kill herself." He closed his eyes painfully, recalling the memories. "She had found a sharp branch and when I saw her, she aimed it at her chest, ready to use it."

"Luckily, I was able to scent her," He continued. "And stop her before she went through with it."

My eyes widened, my heart pounding at the thought of Millie so upset, so sad, that she thought about taking her own life. It made my hands clammy, and my face flush.

My heart ached with pain.

"Why?" I blurted out before I even realized what I was saying. "Why would she do that?"

Boris rolled his eyes, clearly annoyed. "I don't know let me guess- "he rubbed his chin. "Maybe an asshole Alpha who called her a dirty maid, locked her up in a tiny hospital room, and then force-took her virginity?"

"I don't get why Millie isn't happy," He scoffed, a slight growl coming from his chest. "Why would she ever want to run away?" He said sarcastically. "Her life here at Stormblade is great."

"Shut it with your sarcastic mouth, Beta," I snapped, pounding my fist on the table. "I asked for your report, nothing else."

"Theo-"Dad looked at me, his face shocked at Boris' news.

"What?" I snapped.

Boris held his hands up, signaling that he didn't want to go further with this conversation. "Look- "He sighed. "I don't think that's all."

"That's all? - "I leaned forward, my heart beating fast. "Tell me, what else? Is something happening that I need to know about?"

Boris looked between me and Dad wearily. "Millie's life might not be what we think it is- "Boris said, deep in thought. "I think there's much more."

"-That day I went to get Millie from Eclipse, something felt off," Boris admitted.

"Her Alpha kept calling her a maid, not by her name.

The place where she was, was crowded and dirty, and in the basement.

And, when I left, they only gave me a few things to take that were her belongings.

The only thing she had for clothing was one dirty maid uniform. "

Dad rubbed his chin, his eyes furrowed. "Alpha Orion has always been quite quiet," he noted. "I never knew him as well as the other Alphas. He preferred to keep to himself."

"What are you saying, Boris?" I softened, remembering Millie's appearance when she first entered my office, dirty, bloody, and sad. "I mean, do you think Orion is doing something illegal?"

"I don't know- "Boris shifted uncomfortably. "Nothing that I saw when I was there. I mean, I get that Eclipse is impoverished, and they have been for some time, but even if you are poor, you wouldn't look like Millie did."

"We need to find out more," I ordered, writing some notes. "If there's anything illegal going on there, we need to put a stop to it."

"Yeah-"Boris rubbed his hands down his face. "But how? How would we get the information we need to know for sure? It's not like Orion is welcoming to any visitors."

"We need to get the information from Millie- "Dad chimed in, his Alpha tone shining through. "She would know better than us."

Boris nodded, agreeing with Dad. "I'll see what I can get out of her." He said uncertainly. "I'll report back anything I find out."

I stared down at my notepad, squeezing the pen in my hand. My wolf wanted to shift, his body banging into my chest as he went into protective mode over Millie. He was ready to storm the Eclipse lands, without any evidence, to keep Millie protected, and out of danger.

He imagined his pile of roses, that he made into a nest and how sweetly she looked laying there, with her head on his midnight fur. He wanted to keep her there forever, protected safe, and loving him.

"Theo- "Dad broke me out of my thoughts. "What do you think?"

My wolf whined, eager to find Millie and comfort her. He was angry at anyone who could have hurt her, mistreated, or neglected her. He wanted to go, now, to her room, to comfort her sweetly, to tell her it was okay, and that he would throw down his life before someone hurt her again.

He needed to be with her.

Before I could think, I moved my hand to open the drawer in my desk, shuffling through some papers to reach the key to my suite. I pulled it out, slapping it down in front of Boris.

"I think Millie should be moved out of her room in the hospital immediately," I announced, looking down at my room keys. "I want her moved to my suite."

Dad and Boris' eyes widened, both taken aback. "Are you sure?" Dad looked at me like I was crazy. "You were dead set on having her stay in the hospital."

"Well, I've changed my mind," I boomed, making my decision clear. "There's a balcony so she can get fresh air whenever she wants. It will be more comfortable for her."

Boris scoffed in disbelief. "Wow, did you hit your head out there when you were in wolf mode?" He joked, looking at the keys.

"He's right Boris," Dad smiled lightly. "Theo hardly uses his suite anyway. It will be much more comfortable for Millie, especially as her pregnancy progresses."

"I will order the maids to take her things upstairs," I announced. "She can move up there tonight."

Boris took the key wearily, looking at me as he slid it off the desk and into his hands. He nodded as he looked down at them, seeming pleased with my orders. "We will get right on it, Alpha."

I waited in my office as it became dark that evening, Boris going to take Millie upstairs to my suite, as soon as the maids had finished setting it up for her. My wolf loved my actions, and he loved the fact that Millie would be in our room.

I had ordered Ingrid and the other maids to make the room more comfortable for Millie.

"You can arrange it how you think she would like it," I told Ingrid.

"Replace anything you feel is necessary, the curtains, bedsheets- "I lingered thinking of what else she might need.

"There should be a space in the closet where she can put her clothes already. "

Ingrid nodded eagerly, rolling her cart with her cleaning supplies. "Yes, Alpha." She smiled, happy at the news. "We are on it!"

When Ember died, the maids had gotten rid of all her clothes and belongings, making my closet pretty empty, besides the few clothes I had. Ember was a big shopper, and she loved buying clothes. Without her, it was hard to fill the huge walk-in space.

My wolf danced in happiness at the thought of the closet being filled again, with our bed being warmed by Millie and our pup. He loved the fact that our bed sheets would be drenched in her sweet rose scent.

But, there was more of a reason I wanted Millie in the suite.

I watched as the lights in the pack house went out, the house got quiet as the guards took their posts for the night, and everyone else went to their rooms to sleep.

My heart skipped a beat as I opened the same drawer in my desk, rummaging under the papers where I had found the key. I soon felt the cold metal and pulled it out quietly.

Boris wasn't the only one who had a key to my suite. I smiled lightly as I played with the key in my hands, something I had lost access to when Boris had taken over Millie's care.

I waited, listening as the house settled down before closing my office door quietly behind me and making my way to the fifty-first floor. It was past midnight now, my family and Boris should be in their rooms, and hopefully asleep.

The guards bowed as I approached our floor, letting me enter. It was dark, the only light coming from a lamp in the family room, our floor quiet. I took careful steps towards my suite, being sure to not make a sound as I passed Mom and Dad's room.

I looked at my door, a soft light seeping out from underneath the door and into the hallway. "I am so happy that you are on our floor," Aspen cheered happily from inside my suite. "Now, we can hang out every day!"

Aspen was in the room with Millie, of course, she was. I looked across the hall to Aspen's room to see the door partially open and empty. I approached my door slowly, putting my ear to it.

"Alright, well, it's getting pretty late," Aspen yawned, "Good night, Millie! I'll see you later," she yapped happily, her voice getting louder as she approached the door.

Shit. I looked around, backing away from the door as I looked for a place to hide. The door whipped open a second later, and Aspen appeared out of it, closing the door behind her as she stepped into the hall, two small plates in her hand.

She stopped, her face scrunched as she sniffed the air. "Theo?" She whispered, whipping towards me. "Oh my goddess, it is you!" she scoffed, looking disgusted.

"What the hell are you doing up here?" She questioned, surveying me up and down, her hand on her hip.

"What did Dad tell you about cursing?" I spat. "And, I live here. What else would I be doing here?" I snapped, tapping my foot, just wishing that she would go away.

Aspen huffed in disbelief. "You never sleep here. "she pointed to me, getting closer. "You came to check on Millie, didn't you?"

I sighed, rubbing my temples, feeling a headache coming on. "I just came to grab something I left up here earlier." I lied. "What did you bring Millie?" I asked, looking at the plates.

Aspen huffed in annoyance. "I brought her some cake from the kitchen. I figured you wouldn't let her have any." she snapped. "And, when I'm feeling down, I love getting a treat."

"Please don't take it out on Millie- "She finally said, her eyes concerned. "I was the one who brought her the cake and visited her. She didn't do anything wrong."

My wolf growled at the mention that I might do something to Millie. I calmed him, although his anger was just, I saw an opportunity.

"Aspen- "I softened, scratching my head. "How's Millie doing? Did she say anything to you?" I cleared my throat nervously. "Did she say anything about me?"

Aspen scoffed, laughing in my face. "Do you think I would tell you?"

"Please, Aspen- " I begged my sister. "Please?"

Aspen strutted away, returning to her room across the hall, as she flicked the light on. "Good night, Theo," she said coldly before slamming her door in my face.

Great. Thanks for the help, Aspen. I breathed deeply, shaking it off. My wolf immediately caught Millie's rose scent again, my head snapping back towards the door to my suite. I could see now that the light had switched off, leaving the room dark.

I waited, listening at the door for any sounds. The room stayed quiet, and as time passed, I got the courage to twist the doorknob, finding the door unlocked.

The room was lit perfectly by the midnight sky, the reflection of the moon shining perfectly through the window, onto the most beautiful, peaceful creature I had ever seen.

Millie lay on the edge of the huge bed, making her look tiny and fragile. She was wrapped up in a few large blankets, covering her mouth and nose. Her eyes were closed peacefully, her soft brown hair free and wild across the pillow.

I stepped in, closing the door softly behind me. My wolf howled in excitement at finally being this close to Millie again. She looked perfect as she slept in my bed, just like an angel.

I walked over to the side of the bed where she slept, staying quiet. I breathed in her delicious scent, strong now that I was close. I reached down, going to move a piece of hair that had fallen in her face and move it behind her ear, my wolf ecstatic at our contact.

Millie groaned as I moved my hand away, squeezing her eyes shut as she pulled her blanket up. I thought she might have woken up, but instead, her breathing returned to normal, signaling her still asleep.

I enjoyed being close to Millie and my pup. And, with how angelic she looked, laying her in my bed, I don't think my wolf would have let me leave even if I wanted to.

I guess I could stay for a few hours and leave before Ingrid comes. I thought. She wouldn't even know I was here since the room had already smelt like me.

I took my place on the couch across from the bed, settling in for the night. I lay on my side, enjoying watching Millie as she snored peacefully in my bed. My eyes soon became heavy, drifting off into a deep sleep.

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