Page 20 of The Baby Contract

"Would you like to wear a blue or green sweater today, sweetheart?"

My mind trailed as I stood, dripping wet from my head to my toes in water as I hugged a towel around my body. I stared into the full-length mirror, taking in my reflection. Rubbing my hands over my sweet, growing bump as I surveyed it.

"Alright, I guess we will go with green!" Ingrid sang outside of the door. "It will go better with your complexion anyway."

I was fixated on how much I had grown over the last few weeks. Every morning, this was my routine. Standing in the mirror, eyeing my bump.

The fact was, I was getting larger day by day. Alarmingly large.

"Honey, do you need some assistance?" Ingrid knocked, before peeking her head in, her eyes softening when she saw me rubbing my bump in the mirror.

Ingrid smiled, moving into the bathroom with a pair of clothes in her hands. She put them on the counter, before coming to stand beside me, rubbing my shoulders sweetly.

"I'm really growing," I whispered, unable to take my eyes off the mirror.

Ingrid furrowed her brows, her face showing her wrinkles. "You are quite big for how far along you are." she beamed. "Soon we will have to get you some new clothes!"

"Yeah-"I tilted my head. "Ingrid, is that normal?"

Ingrid sighed, nodding her head in the mirror. "I'm sure everything is fine, sweetheart. He or she is an Alpha's child. They will make their presence known."

I studied Ingrid's face as she said it, not convinced by her reassurance. "I'm sure everything is fine. Don't worry too much."

I sighed, tearing my eyes off of the mirror, before slipping Ingrid's green sweater and leggings on. The sweater showing off my belly nicely.

"Now, come on. The Beta is waiting for us."

I sighed, grabbing my jacket off of the dresser. The truth was, I didn't really want to face Boris after I had tried to run away. I didn't know what to say, or how he would react towards me now.

Ever since I moved up to Alpha Stormblade's suite, he hasn't been around, and every time I asked Ingrid why, she just said that he was busy, or out of town.

It was weird.

Ever since I had come to Stormblade, he had been here multiple times a day. But now, he was seldom to be seen. Until today.

A knock sounded on the door. "Oh, that must be the Beta." Ingrid rushed excitedly. "I'll get the door!"

As soon as she pulled open the door, I saw Boris standing at the door, a sad, disappointed look on his face. He looked different than his usual self, his facial hair overgrown, his hair long and wild. His face looked tired, his eyes slightly red.

"Oh- "Ingrid gasped slightly, before turning it into a cough. "Millie is all ready, Beta."

Boris stepped inside, his eyes lighting up as they landed on me. He looked relieved as if he wasn't expecting to see me. His eyes trailed down to my tummy, growing wide before snapping back up to my face, afraid of offending me.

"You can be dismissed, Ingrid." He cleared his throat, stepping in. "I can take it from here."

Ingrid nodded, bowing slightly to her Beta before dismissing herself. Boris stepped in, carefully closing the door behind him.

"Hey, Millie," He whispered, his eyes sad. "I'm so glad to see you again- "he rubbed the back of his head, staying in his place like he was holding back the urge to touch me. "Would you like to take a walk?"

My heartbeat fast at his reaction. "I'm happy to see you too-"I smiled slightly, zipping my jacket up.

Boris and I walked side by side down the stairs, Boris absolutely silent as we made our way outside. It was unlike him, he was always touching me, chatting, and bubbly. But, today, he was resisting the urge to do any of that.

We walked to the forest, where a path had been cleared from the snow. An uncomfortable silence falling over us. Boris never once turned to me as we walked.

Was he mad at me?

"Beta-" I whispered, looking down at the path ahead. I hated the silence between us. I loved talking to Boris. Seeing him like this made me feel guilty. And extremely worried.

"Yeah?" He said as he kept walking, his hands inside his jacket.

"I'm sorry about the other day." I sighed, kicking a rock. "I shouldn't have left. I should have gone back to the house. I should have gone and found you-"I rambled on, before Boris halted to a stop, grabbing my shoulder lightly.

He breathed, looking at his hands on my shoulders before quickly snatching them away. "Please, don't apologize Millie." His eyes met mine. "I'm the one who should be apologizing, I left you when you needed me the most."

His eyes grew heavy at his statement, getting sad as he recalled the memories. "You couldn't have stayed." I played with my sleeves. "You said that yourself."

He shook his head, "But you trusted me, you felt comfortable with me. And that is how it should be."

I blinked, surveying his hurt expression. "I still trust you," I whispered. "You have been nothing but kind, trustworthy, and protective of me since I came to your pack. For that, I will forever be grateful."

"My Beta is only that way in my dreams," I scoffed, thinking of Grey. "He would probably bea-" I stopped, my eyes wide at my confession.

Boris turned, his expression serious, his eyes boring into mine with concern. "He would probably do what, Millie?" he demanded, grabbing my arms. "Do what? Tell me."

"Uh-"I gulped, trying hard to avoid his eyes. "He would try to beat me to the borders-"I coughed, forcing a smile. "He is quite competitive, you know? He loves-"

Boris gripped my shoulders hard. "That's not what you were going to say." His eyes darkened. "Whatever is going on, I need to know. You can tell me, I promise."

I had gotten so comfortable around Boris, that I had slipped up, not even realizing what I was saying. "That didn't sound right-"I shot him a reassuring smile. "I didn't think about how that might sound."

"Is that why you ran away?"

I gulped, my eyes growing wide. "No, no-" I breathed out nervously. "I-"

"You can trust me, Millie." Boris' fingers drifted under my chin, forcing me to look him in the eyes. "Whatever is going on, I can help you. We can help you."

"Nothing is going on-"I shook my head. "Everything is fine. I just got lost and-"

"Lost?" Boris exclaimed. "You weren't lost. You were ready to kill yourself for goddess sake!" He yelled, his shoulders dropping in defeat.

I flinched, taking a step back, and breaking our contact. Boris ran his hands over his face, taking a few deep breaths to calm himself and his inner beast.

"I'm sorry-"His chest rumbled, his wolf present. "I didn't mean to scare you. I just-"

"I just-I just-"He stumbled, fighting for the words. "Feel so protective of you." He finally blurted out, taking a step away from me as he calmed himself.

"I don't know why," He gripped his hair. "But ever since I saw you, that day at Eclipse, I felt a need to protect you. To keep you safe."

"Beta-"I trailed.

Boris's eyes snapped up at my voice, his eyes dark. He quickly wrapped his arms around me, engulfing me in a tight hug being careful to keep space between my tummy. He squeezed me tightly, taking in my scent as if it calmed him.

"I shouldn't be touching you-"he sighed, squeezing me one last time before pulling away, snatching his hands to his sides.

"What?" I blinked, confused. "Why?"

Boris stepped away, creating a distance between us. "The Alpha will kill me," he admitted. "We held a meeting with the elders after you tried to-you know."

"Oh."

Boris looked reluctant to continue as if it pained him too much. "They all agreed that I shouldn't be around you as much. Not while you are carrying the Alpha's child- "

"You mean, you can't see me anymore?" I asked, a million thoughts running through my head. Why had their pack elders told Boris to stay away? Did Alpha Stormblade have something to do with this?

"Alpha doesn't want me near you," he admitted. "At least, he doesn't want my scent on you. It drives his wolf mad, especially now that you are pregnant with his baby. He is growing more and more possessive over your scent."

Why would Alpha Stormblade care about that? He never liked me, from the moment I stepped into his mansion, he hated me. So, why would he be so possessive over what I smelled like?

"I don't understand," I said bravely. "Does this mean you can't come around anymore?"

"Of course, I can still visit you," He softened, noticing my changed expression. "I just won't be in charge of your care anymore."

My heart sank.

"Then who?" I whispered, afraid of the answer.

"In the contract- "Boris started. "Alpha was to be in charge of taking care of your needs while you were here at Stormblade. I'm sorry, Mills." He said, using my nickname.

"Are you saying that-"

"Yes-"He nodded. "I didn't have a decision in it. But, I understand it. His wolf is wild over his pup and the more the baby grows, the more his feelings will too."

"And as much as Alpha has trusted me, I'm an unmated male with his scent all over you. I have to put myself in his shoes, if my pregnant female was around an unmated male, and not me- "he paused. "I wouldn't like it either."

"So, what does this mean?" I gulped, my face going pale and my hands clammy.

"Don't worry-"he caught my eyes. "I know Alpha has hurt you. But, he can't do anything now. You are with his child. He can't even think about hurting you now."

Tears pooled in my eyes at the thought of Boris going away. He had protected me since I had arrived here, and now, he was about to leave me to the Alpha's wrath.

"Oh, shoot!" Boris exclaimed as he studied his watch. "I promised Alpha, I would take you to your ultrasound appointment. Come on!" He waved for me to come, as he walked back to the pack house.

I walked by Boris' side back to the pack house, my heart beating rapidly at his news. When we arrived at the hospital, Boris checked me in with the nurses. They smiled brightly, happy at my presence.

"Right this way!" One of the nurses waved. "Doctor Rush is all set up."

The nurse walked us down the hall into a small, dark, hospital room. She moved to a cabinet, grabbing a hospital gown and some socks. "Go ahead and take off your clothes and put this on. Let me know if you need help. I'll be right outside the door."

"Thank you-"Boris nodded, going to the door with the nurse.

"Wait-" I scrambled, holding the gown and socks to my chest. "Can you stay, please?" I whispered sadly, hoping Boris could stay, at least for my ultrasound.

"I'm sorry, I can't." He frowned, stepping out into the hall. "Alpha has assigned me to some duties I must attend to. But, I promise, I will see you soon. Okay?"

I nodded, not because I wanted to, but because I had to. Tears pooled in my eyes as I watched him pull the door closed. "Okay," I whispered, as the door closed, leaving me alone in the dark room.

A small exam table covered in a paper sheet sat in the middle, with the ultrasound machine next to it, ready to be used.

I stripped, as the nurse instructed, laying my clothes on the chair next to the table. I slipped the hospital gown on, being sure to tie it in the back. I shook off my shoes, unable to bend down and take them off.

I wanted to put my socks on, but when I bent down to do so, my bump stopped me. I left the socks, pushing myself on the table, my feet dangling over the end.

I rubbed my tummy as I waited anxiously for the doctor, taking deep breaths to calm my nerves.

A small knock sounded at the door, causing me to whip my head up. "Knock, knock-"A cheerful voice rang, before opening the door. "It's Doctor Rowan."

He swung inside, shooting me a glowing smile. "Good to see you again, my dear." He surveyed me. "I must say, you are getting quite big!"

A low, threatening growl came from the door causing my heart to race in panic.

"Ah!" Doctor Rowan snapped his head to the source. "Alpha Stormblade, right on time."

I paled, as he stepped in, his eyes falling straight onto me. Oh goddess, kill me now.

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