Page 19 of The Baby Contract

My sleep was peaceful in this new room.

It was much more comfortable than where I was, and for that, I was grateful. I knew from the moment that Ingrid moved me into this room, that it was Alpha's Stormblade's suite.

Everything was perfectly set up for a mated couple. From the bed to the closet, and the bathroom. It was designed for two people. The suite was beautiful and luxurious.

I opened my eyes as my stomach turned, suddenly feeling sick. I blinked, opening my eyes to the unfamiliar room. I sat up, removing the covers, and exposing my bare legs to the moonlight.

A sudden nausea flooded over my body, making my face pale. I pushed off the bed, holding my tummy as I ran to the en-suite bathroom, where I got on my knees in front of the toilet ready to empty the contents of my stomach.

Morning sickness.

I focused on taking deep breaths as I let my head hang down into the bowl, waiting for the next round of nausea to make its appearance.

That's when I felt a large, warm hand on my neck, sweetly running his rough fingers through my hair to gather it.

"Ahhh!" I whipped my head around in the dark, exposing a huge, muscular outline. The man's hands up in surrender. My heartbeat was fast as I quickly recognized this person's facial features, my nausea becoming the least of my problems.

Alpha Stormblade.

"It's okay- "He pleaded, moving away from me. "I didn't mean to scare you. I heard you getting sick."

Alpha Stormblade moved to flicker the lights on. His hair was wild and messy, his chest bare, with his pants hanging low on his hips. He looked as if he had just woken up.

I put my hand on my heart, trying desperately to calm it as I took in his appearance.

I suddenly felt self-conscious in his presence, knowing how much he had hated the way I looked when I had first arrived in his pack.

He expected me to be presentable, and right now, I was kneeling over the toilet, my hair in a messy topknot, wearing pajamas.

"Oh my goddess, I-"I stumbled, feeling the nausea coming again. "I-I'm sorry, Alpha, for my presence. I didn't know you were here." I leaned back on my knees, desperately throwing my hands through my hair to make it look better. "My apologies."

"Millie- "He breathed, his eyes boring down onto me.

His voice was soft, almost as if he was in disbelief at seeing me.

He moved to the sink, taking a washcloth and wetting it with water.

He wrung it out, getting down on his knees next to me, before carefully moving my loose hair out of my face as he put the washcloth on my forehead.

I stayed frozen as he did this, shocked by his actions. His eyes were calm and caring as they surveyed my face. "I didn't mean to scare you."

I closed my eyes, my pulse going crazy at being so close to him again. Especially in this way. It felt intimate and loving, something foreign.

"I-"I stumbled nervously, "I didn't know that you were here. I thought I was alone in this room." I rambled, getting anxious at what he might do to punish me. "Of-of course, this is your room. I'm sorry, I didn't realize-"

"You didn't do anything wrong, Millie. I came unannounced and scared you." He moved a piece of hair behind my ear. "That is my fault." His voice was deep and husky.

"Um- "I started, before a wave of nausea came, a rush of panic coming over me. I moved my head back over the toilet, unable to control it any longer.

Alpha Stormblade was quick to get behind me and gather my hair in his large hand, holding it back as I let the rest of my contents loose. I felt shy that he was seeing me in this way.

When I finished, he cupped my face in his other hand, taking the washcloth as he carefully wiped my face. I felt like a little kid again, being cared for by her parents.

"Morning sickness- " His eyes sparkled, shifting between brown and black. "Our baby is growing."

"Millie?" A concerned Ingrid knocked on the door to the suite, making Alpha Stormblade quickly let go of my face and stand on his feet. "Are you awake?"

"Shit- "He panicked, going to the door to leave, sparing me one more glance before he ran out the door, leaving me alone in the bathroom.

A moment passed before Ingrid turned the doorknob and stepped into the bathroom. "Oh dear!" she exclaimed, rushing to my side. "My poor girl."

Ingrid rubbed my back as I gained my composure. My eyes floated to where Alpha Stormblade had left out the door so suddenly, a strange feeling washing over me at his abrupt exit.

"It's okay, Ingrid. I'm feeling better," I sighed, peeling my eyes from the door.

"I know that feeling, sweetheart." She chuckled softly.

"It's not pleasant. Let's get you in the bath and get you all cleaned up.

Then, we can get you right back in bed to rest."

I followed Ingrid's directions as she started the bath for me, the large gold tub filling up with sweet-smelling bubbles.

My mind wandered as I bathed, stunned at Alpha Stormblade's kind actions, his caring hand, his presence. ..

When I stepped out of the tub, I grabbed the clothes Ingrid had laid out for me, pulling the sweatpants up to my hips. I stole a look in the long mirror, realizing that I now had a swollen bump.

I smiled, rubbing my hands over my tummy, as I surveyed it in the mirror. Even though it had only been a few weeks since I had conceived, I was already growing a quite a noticeable bump. I knew carrying an Alpha's baby would get quite big, and I was amazed by their presence already.

I sighed, before throwing the large sweatshirt over my head. "Hey, Ingrid?" I cleared my throat, pulling the blanket up to my chest, as I crawled into bed. "Am I sharing this room?"

Ingrid furrowed her brows, looking confused. "No, dear," she said wearily. "This room is just for you. No one has slept in here in years. Why, did someone come check on you?"

"No- "I said quickly, thinking of the Alpha. "I just thought I heard something, that's all." I lied, shaking off Alpha's weird actions.

"Alright- "She leaned back, surveying me. "Well, let me know if you hear it again. I'm sure it was just Beta getting ready for his shift. He usually wakes up early to patrol the borders."

"-Speaking of the Beta, "She trailed, her face lighting up. "He scheduled your first ultrasound appointment with Doctor Rowan next week." She clapped, looking down at my tummy. "We will get to see the little pup you are carrying!"

My mood brightened at the thought of getting to see my baby. One of the only times I would be able to see them before I had to leave them forever. Maybe I could ask for an ultrasound photo, something I could take with me to remember them.

I'm sure the Doctor wouldn't mind.

"Knock, knock!" Aspen popped in the door, her hair swinging wildly. "Good morning, Millie, Ingrid!"

Aspen came in, her nose immediately shooting in the air as she sniffed around, a finger on her chin. She then shook her head, deciding to shake off the scent she had caught.

Aspen shrugged before jumping into the bed next to me, sitting with her back on the headboard. "So, Millie, I was thinking that maybe, we could hang out today?" she asked hopefully. "Boris said we could go down to the library if you are up for it."

"That sounds like a wonderful idea, Aspen." Ingrid smiled proudly. "I can bring you girls lunch at noon."

I smiled, grateful for the invite. "Yeah- "I nodded. "That would be great. Thank you."

Aspen clapped, her face lighting up at my acceptance. "Maybe you can take your journal with you, Millie?" Ingrid asked sweetly, going to the bedside table and opening it up, revealing one of my only personal items.

I nodded, my eyes dancing at the sight of it. Ingrid helped me put my slippers on, and when I was ready, Aspen grabbed my hand, pulling me eagerly out of the room and down the stairs.

"Ugh!" Aspen smiled, holding my hand. "I am so glad to have another girl in our suite again. Ember and I used to hang out all the time before she died, it got lonely without her."

My heart skipped a beat at the mention of Alpha Stormblade's late mate. "I'm sorry for your loss, Aspen. It sounded like you two were close."

We didn't have to go far until we reached a huge set of luxurious oak doors a few floors down. Aspen pushed the doors open to expose an elegant, large library. It took my breath away with its beauty.

It was huge, lined with hundreds of rows of tall shelves, extending down the halls.

Millions of books were displayed on them, each perfectly organized.

An old piano sat in the middle; its black paint polished to perfection.

It looked like the scene of a movie, with how perfectly the crystal chandelier reflected its shiny polish.

"Wow- "I awed, taking in all the details. "This place is breathtaking."

Aspen giggled, pulling me along to the other side of the library. "My grandfather built and designed it for his mate, my grandmother. She loved books. And so, my grandpa built her own little piece of heaven."

"That's so sweet," I said, looking up at the mural on the ceiling. It was an intricate painting, depicting all of the stars in the sky, with a portrait of our moon goddess in the middle. "He must have really loved her."

Aspen guided us over to a window, with two bean bag chairs beside it. "Of course, they were mates, after all." She winked, plopping down into her chair. "You should see what my Dad built for Mom."

"What did he build?" I asked curiously, holding my tummy as I surveyed the chair.

"Oh, let me help you sit!" Aspen's eyes widened at the sight of me holding my baby. She grabbed my hand gently, helping me down into the chair.

I blushed, thanking her quietly for her help. "My mom was always obsessed with anything horses-"she rolled her eyes. "So, he built her a barn out back. It's humongous!"

"That was kind of him." I rubbed my hands on my sleeves, looking out the window at the green forest.

"I just hope when I meet my mate that he is just as obsessed with me," she gushed, reminding me of Nova. "I hope I find him on my birthday, I don't think I can wait any longer."

"When is your birthday?"

"Oh, in a few months still." She tapped her chin, thinking. "How about you, Millie? Are you so excited to meet your mate?"

My mood dampened at the thought of Jasper. "Uh- "I sighed. "You know when it happens, it happens I guess." Not wanting to get into my life story.

"Oh, come on!" She slapped my arm teasingly. "Meeting your soul mate is what us wolves live for! Like my grandfather said, they are the missing piece of our puzzle, until we meet them, we are only half of a soul." She quoted.

My heart was crushed at the talk of mates. Aspen seemed to notice, as she looked at me up and down curiously before clearing her throat. "You know, I'm so glad we can be friends." She smiled to cheer me up.

"Yeah- "I nodded. "I am too."

"So, what are your friends at Eclipse like?" Aspen tilted her head. "Are they much different than us?"

I chuckled, loving her curiosity at life outside of Stormblade. "I have a best friend back at Eclipse. We've been friends for a really long time, and she's helped me through a lot in life. I would consider her more like family." I said truthfully, my heart lighting up at the thought of Nova.

"She sounds like such a nice friend," Aspen held her hands to her heart in awe. "Have you been keeping in touch with her while you are here? I mean, I'm sure Boris wouldn't mind if you used his phone!"

"Thank you, Aspen." I nodded, picking up my journal. "But, she doesn't have a phone." We could never afford them, only our leadership got that luxury.

Aspen looked confused. "Oh, well, how about you write her a letter?" she suggested, motioning to my journal. "I'm sure the warriors wouldn't mind dropping it off at Eclipse when they pass through."

I knew Alpha Orion. He would be sure to read it and throw it in the fire before he ever let Nova have it. And he would beat her for even receiving a piece of mail from me.

"That's okay," I smiled reassuringly. "We can catch up when I get back."

After that, Aspen and I talked for a few more minutes about her life at Stormblade, being raised as the Alpha's sister, and her friends. It was nice. We eventually worked in silence as Aspen grabbed a book, and I went to write in my journal.

I looked at the blank page, struggling to find the words. So, I did what Aspen suggested.

'Dear Nova...'

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