Page 2 of The Baby Contract

"Bring these prisoners down to the holding cells to be questioned." I waved, directing my warriors.

"Yes, Alpha." They bowed in unison, taking the keys and unlocking the ones I had commanded. "These-" I waved to another group, "they can be taken upstairs to meet with the medical staff. We will start the process for them to be simulated into pack life."

The other group bowed in unison, releasing the celebratory group of wolves, that will soon belong to the Stormblade pack after initiation.

As they got released by my warriors, they bowed, cried, and said their silent thank you's to me on their way out, grateful not to be rogue anymore, but yet, accepted into my pack.

"Thank you, Alpha Stormblade," a woman cried as one of my warriors dragged her out of the cell, her young daughter grabbing onto her shirt. "Goddess bless you."

"This last group-"I tapped my sword on the cells, looking back at the celebratory group leaving the cells to go upstairs to the clinic. As soon as the cellar door shut, I looked back at the warriors, eagerly awaiting commands. "They will be executed immediately."

A male wolf snapped his canines at me, his fist pounding on the bars. "Fuck you, Stormblade!" he snarled, the rest of the wolves joining him.

My warriors quickly acted on my orders, drawing their swords and retaliating at the threats to their Alpha, flashing their canines and growling in response to their nonsense threats.

"Through the vetting process, you have been deemed a threat to pack life and are rogues for good reason," I announced, unlocking the cells. "You can say your final goodbyes now."

I made the first strike, my sword making a clear cut through a man's throat, my men following my lead as they did the same, the profanity and growling growing quiet as they died one by one.

This was just one of my responsibilities as an Alpha, and now that Ember was gone, I had taken on a lot more since I was one of the only Alpha in the Kingdom that didn't have a Luna.

And, this week, as much as I hated to admit it, Dad was right. As much as I looked forward to not having Boris around this week, I noticed how much he had taken on since Ember died, and I felt more this week with him being busy preparing for Millie's arrival.

"Alright-" I cleared my throat. "Finish this job and then you can be done for the day. I will see you tomorrow at six am sharp for training. Good job men."

My warriors bowed as they got back to the job. I cleaned my sword off, washing off the blood with water, before hanging it up with the rest of my armor.

I made my way out of the cellar, the pack house bustling with noise and laughter. The house was filled with the smell of garlic and onion, signaling dinner time. I walked past the dining hall, watching as my pack ate together, and danced, the kids played together, and the adults sat talking.

I saw my Mom and Dad there, along with Aspen, helping the maids serve meals as they bonded with the pack members. Aspen's friend posey found her quickly, coming up behind her and making her jump which made her spill some sauce on her shirt, making them all laugh.

Dad broke out in a thunderous laugh at what one of the maids said, clapping him on the back.

Mom giggled, punching my Dad in the chest playfully at whatever was said.

A little boy came up to Mom as she was laughing, tugging on her dress.

Mom picked him up, showing him what was on the counter and giving him a cookie that he pointed out.

I watched for a few moments, recalling the times when Ember and I used to be here for pack dinners.

She was a natural Luna-like Mom, playing with the children and chasing them around the kitchen.

She would feed the small babies their bottles and help the others get their plates. Everyone in the pack loved her.

I turned, pushing the door open to my office and locking it behind me, their noises becoming quiet.

Ever since Ember died, I haven't participated in any pack activities.

My family tried to get me to, but the sympathetic looks and "I'm sorry for your loss" just got to be a constant reminder that got too painful.

That's why I preferred to be alone.

I switched on my lamp and closed the blinds that Ingrid opened, closing out the activities in the dining hall.

I sorted through the stack of rogues that were just killed, sent for questioning, or initiation into the pack.

I sighed, looking through each one, and sorting them into piles, enjoying the silence.

As my stack got smaller, a familiar folder peeked out on the other side of my desk, catching my attention. I shook my head, focusing on the task at hand.

"Theo!" A fast knock on the door broke me out of my peace. "Theooo-"my sister sang in her annoying voice as jiggled the door knob.

"It's locked for a reason, Aspen," I growled lowly. "Go away."

"Come on!" Aspen whined, stomping her foot outside. "Please. You let Dad in!"

I sighed, rolling my eyes. "Dad catches me when the door is unlocked. I don't want him to come in, he just does."

"Theo, please. It's important."

A silence followed that, causing me to breathe a sigh of relief, and return to the paperwork. Then, suddenly, the door opened, and Aspen flew inside my office, with the maid's keys in her hand.

She shut the door quickly, as I raised my eyes wide. "How did you get those?" I demanded, my voice angry, as I rose from my chair, snatching the keys from her hands.

"Hey!" she pouted, throwing her hands up as I took them away from her. "What the hell?"

"Aspen-" I growled, holding the keys in front of her. "I'm not going to ask you again."

She sighed dramatically, crossing her arms over her chest. "Ingrid's room."

I breathed, rubbing my hands down my face, about to blow up on Aspen about going into other people's rooms without their permission, before she butted in. "Please-" she raised her hands. "I wouldn't have had to if you would have just opened the door!"

I sighed, throwing the keys on my desk. "What the hell do you want, Aspen?"

Aspen breathed in relief, plopping herself on the couch. "I came to talk to my brother. I haven't seen you in ages. I missed you."

"I don't want to talk. I thought I made that clear, but apparently, that message hasn't been made clear to anyone," I mumbled, sitting back down and looking at my files.

Aspen propped her hands up on my desk. "I was thinking we could go hang out this weekend like old times? There's a new movie out, everyone's been talking about it." Aspen beamed, tapping her foot excitedly. "We can go to the cinema."

"No."

"Why not?" Aspen's eyes got big, her head down on my desk. "It will be fun, we can get popcorn and candy-"

"I said no."

Aspen rubbed her chin, thinking. "Or, we could see the new superhero movie if you don't like that one-"

I reached into my desk, pulled out my credit card, and slapped it in front of her, causing her to jump in surprise at my action. "Here. Take your friends to the cinema and spend what you want."

Aspen shook her head. "No. I want to go with you, Theo."

"I'm busy."

Aspen rolled her eyes, putting her hands on top of the paperwork. "You are always busy. Come on, Theo. It's been five years since Ember died. The whole pack misses you, especially your family. You can't live like a recluse the rest of your life."

Heat bubbled up inside of me at her words. "You know what, Aspen?" I stood, crumbling a piece of paper in my hand. "No one understands what I am going through, and what I will endure the rest of my life. Ember passed five years ago, but she was half of me, we shared one soul."

Aspen stood. "We understand-"

"No, you don't. I will forever be half of what I was before-" I gulped, closing my eyes. "You, along with the rest of the pack, will never understand that. When you come of age and meet your mate, Aspen, you will be one. And, if you lose him, you will never be the same."

"We want to help you, Theo!" Aspen yelled, pounding her fist on the desk.

"Your Alpha is busy protecting you and putting food in your mouths." I snarled. "What he doesn't need is your goddamn sympathy."

"Why do you take everything Mom, Dad, I, or Boris do for you or invite you to as sympathy?" Aspen snorted. "Why can't you just get over it already?"

I pounded my fist on the table, Aspen jumping back in surprise. "I get to watch my sister, my Beta, and the rest of the pack move on with the life that I was supposed to have with my Ember. But, I guess I just can get over it, right?"

Aspen's face got red, as tears escaped from her eyes. "Fine." She breathed, wiping away her tears with her sleeve. "I'll just get out of your way." She turned, running out of the door, and slamming it behind her.

I huffed, staring at the door as a few pictures fell off the wall from the force. My heart stung, seeing my sister cry and storm out the door, my wolf whined, wanting to go after her and say sorry. I knew she was just trying to help and that made me feel like an asshole.

I plopped down in my chair, throwing my face in my hands. A few moments went by before a soft, gentle hand rubbed my shoulder softly. "Good evening, Alpha."

I raised my head in surprise, to see Ingrid, who was dressed in a shirt and jeans, unlike her usual maid outfit like I usually see her. "Sorry to startle you." She smiled, patting my back. "I didn't see you get dinner, so I brought you some."

I blinked, seeing two dishes in front of me. When did she bring that? Was I so distracted that I didn't even realize she had come inside my office?

"Yeah-"I breathed. "Thank you, Ingrid. But, you were dismissed from your duties hours ago. You didn't have to bring me anything."

I'm sure she heard Aspen and I fighting and wanted an excuse to comfort me, that was like Ingrid, she was very motherly. "Not a problem, Alpha." She smiled. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Wait- "I said, grabbing Millie's file from the other side of the desk. "I'm sure you and Boris are handling it but, do you know how Millie's room is coming along? She should be arriving any minute now. Boris went last night to the Eclipse pack to get her."

"Yes, it's ready, Alpha. The Doctor came in yesterday to set up what he will need to monitor her. I hope Millie will find it comfortable enough. The maids and I put some homey touches. We hope it will make it look less sterile-looking." She chuckled, shaking her head.

I nodded. "Very well. You should have your keys back, Aspen thought it was a good idea to sneak into your room and get them. My apologies." I rolled my eyes, giving them back to her.

Ingrid held her hand out. "That girl." giggling as she shook her head. "Always up to something."

"One more thing before you go- "I said, looking down at Millie's picture. "I've been thinking and, I have a special assignment for you, Ingrid."

Ingrid raised her brows. "Of course, Alpha. What is it?"

"You will be Millie's maid for the next nine months.

I think you will be a great help to her during her pregnancy.

You will make sure she eats, sleeps, and the baby is taken care of during these nine months.

I couldn't think of anyone I trust more than you.

" I tapped my pen on Millie's folder. "If you accept, of course. "

"Oh, wow-" Ingrid touched her heart. "Alpha, that's so lovely. Absolutely, I will. I would be honored to do that."

I nodded. "Great. This job will come with a pay increase since you are taking care of my offspring. I will add it to your next paycheck."

I made a note of it, before dismissing Ingrid, who told me her pay was fine and was just privileged to be doing this for me and our pack.

The roar of the pack house died down as the night went on, the lights turning off as my pack members turned in for bed, one by one. The rest of the night, I wasn't bothered again.

I sat at my desk with the rogue's files piles sorted, only Mille's sat in front of me, my hands on top of it as it sat on top of my desk ready to welcome her to the pack for the next nine months. I looked out the blinds, at the full moon outside. The computer read ten past midnight.

I yawned, thinking about going to sleep. I leaned back in my chair, closing my eyes as I relaxed.

But, that didn't last long before a new scent entered my office.

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