Page 24 of The Baby Contract

"Orion- "I grunted. "Pleasure."

My mind had crumpled under the pleasantries. I forced myself to breathe, remain calm, and remember what I was here to do.

My Dad was right when he said that Orion was always strange, and particularly quiet. That man radiated off-putting energy. We had always attributed it to the fact that he was a new Alpha, of a brand new, now nationally recognized pack.

"The pleasure is all mine, Theo," he smirked, reaching his rough hand out for a handshake. He seemed cocky, puffing his chest out as he eyed me from my feet to my head. As if he was sizing me up for something.

There was no comparison. Alpha Orion was half the size I was, and it didn't matter how much he tried to puff out his chest or let out low intimating growls. I imagined breaking him in half, snapping him in half with just one hand.

My wolf seemed responsible for those thoughts, which made me laugh.

"You know, I was really hoping that you would be here tonight," He leaned in closer, keeping a tight grip on my hand, as he whispered into my ear. It was dark and taunting.

Orion stepped back, revealing a young man. "This is my son, Jasper." He introduced me. "I don't believe you two have met."

Jasper snapped his eyes away from the ground to the interaction before him at the mention of his name.

He was a spitting image of his father, the dark hair, facial structure, and all. I towered over his small frame like Orion, signaling the strength and status that Stormblade held over their small pack.

The Alpha was always the strongest wolf, a display of their pack's inner strength and ability. Even my beta, Boris, could have towered over these Alphas.

"Jasper," his dad snapped, his eyes bulging. "What's wrong with you? Speak you idiot."

I noticed something odd about the curly-haired fool in front of me. He seemed nervous, and not confident, like an Alpha should have been.

He didn't want to meet my eyes.

He seemed intimidated by me, or even jealous. So much that he could not even bear the thought of having a conversation with me. Maybe my aura had threatened him and made him feel inferior.

He met my eyes for a moment, before tearing them away. "Theo Stormblade," he huffed out in greetings.

His father didn't seem too pleased. "You better get your act together," he snarled lowly in his ear. "Remember who you are talking to. He's rich, powerful- "

Orion cleared his throat, shooting me a fake smile. "And an Alpha we have a good alliance with," he said, turning back to me. "Isn't that right, Jasper?"

I was ready to move on from these assholes, and so was my wolf. There were other Alphas here, of much more importance, that I needed to see.

I huffed as my wolf decided this was a good idea, breaking away from the two Alphas. "I'm sorry about my son," Orion caught up to me, trailing behind.

"He just chose his mate, his Luna. And, he's quite concerned about leaving her behind. I'm sure you can understand."

"My congratulations," I spat quickly. "Now, I must go exchange my pleasantries."

Orion ran behind me like a lost puppy dog. "Wait!"

I stopped. "What?" I threatened, signaling my annoyance at his humorous attempts. "Stop wasting my time Orion."

I want to get back home as soon as possible, I thought. I didn't want to waste time talking to this low life.

"We have much to talk about Theo," he said lowly. "Eclipse is doing a favor for you, remember?"

I turned, facing him. "What do you want?" I growled. "You already got paid half your money. You'll get the other half later when The Contract is up. There's nothing to discuss."

"Oh- "Orion looked shocked. "Well, yes. You have been gracious to us, and we appreciate the exchange, Theo. But, I actually came to ask you about the girl, I mean- "he coughed. "Millie."

The beast inside me stood, stalking like a hunter as he spoke her name. He didn't like the way her name sounded on his lips. He enjoyed it only coming from ours.

"What about her?"

"Don't look so shocked." The corner of his mouth rose. "She is my pack member after all. What Alphas wouldn't care about their pack members? Don't you think I'm a little bit concerned about her well-being?"

Hair sprouted on my arms; my wolf became more restless to dominate him. "You don't have to educate me, Orion." I spat. "I care about all my pack members, especially the lower-ranked omegas."

"You don't have to be concerned about her," I continued. "She's doing fine."

"And, pregnant I hear?" He smiled deviously. "I didn't know that you two had conceived. I wasn't notified of this happy news. I'm guessing you were too busy to even let me know, huh?"

I rolled my eyes. "I am not obliged to notify you about anything that happens in my pack."

"Has Millie been good for you?" he asked. "I know I warned your Beta about some of the things that troublesome girl will do. She's quite a rebel, that one."

Orion stalked closer; his chin tilted up to meet my face. "She hasn't been a problem for you, has she?"

"She- "I started before being cut off by sharp claws inside my chest.

The beast inside of me went wild at his words, charging at my chest in an attempt to kill this man. An overwhelming desire washed over him.

The desire to protect Millie.

Orion cocked his head to the side. "I'm sure she has." He scoffed. "In fact, she's even been stirring up trouble at the Eclipse house."

She's not even in Eclipse, how could that be?

Millie hadn't been able to sneak away at night, had she? No. I would have heard her, my family, Boris. They would have alerted me.

He must have noticed my confused expression. "Let's just say- "

He came closer, whispering. I could tell he wanted to tell me in my ear but was too short. "I found a lot of money in her little friend's apron."

"I noticed something was off one day-"he sighed, crossing his arms. "When all of a sudden, all my maids had gotten new clothes, food- "

He cut himself off, backing down from what he was going to tell me. "What I mean is," he cleared his throat. "Getting a large amount of money of out nowhere. "

He sighed, looking dramatically in the distance. "Wouldn't that concern you, Theo?" he asked. "If one of your pack members bought home massive amounts of cash?"

Wasn't that just the money I had given Orion? Surely, he should have taken care of his omegas, or more disadvantaged maids first.

My heartbeat was intense, my curiosity spiking. "How would she have gotten that money? Her friend, I mean."

"Well- "he trailed dramatically. "Let's just say your little baby momma-"

"Is quite the fighter." He finished, his face cocky and smart. I wanted to beat it off him his smug face.

Millie, a fighter? She is a maid for goddess's sake. A title given to wolves that can't fight. That must rely on their higher-ranking pack members for protection.

"What do you mean- "I snapped, coming to a realization. Even if Millie was fighting, how was she getting money from it?

Underground fighting was illegal in our realm.

Orion's eyes widened. "I mean, she deserves to be punished for disobeying me," he quickly changed the subject. "Running away, giving money to the maids- "

And not to you.

What was he insinuating? That I punish Millie? The woman carrying my babies? I wouldn't lay a finger on a pregnant woman, especially my pregnant woman.

"If there was nothing illegal to do," I said. "How could she have done it?"

"Does that mean that you are aware of something illegal happening on your lands? With your full awareness?" I probed.

"Defending her, huh?" Orion chuckled. "She must have made quite an impression on you."

My wolf flooded my mind with intense emotion. He whined as he engulfed me in them. He was warning me of danger.

"Get lost, Orion," I spat, continuing on my way. "I don't have time to play your stupid games."

"You know- "he said from behind me. "One of the reasons I wanted Millie to do this special project was because I knew she needed some discipline from someone other than me. I just can't tame that little girl no matter how hard I try."

Gross. "I'll take care of it, Orion." I lied, telling him what he wanted to hear.

"Good!" he clapped, his face lighting up at my agreement. "Ever since her parents passed away, it's been hard to get through to her."

Boris told me about Millie's parents the day she went for her first check-up with Doctor Rowan. The next day, I remembered him warning Dad and me about the inconsistencies in Millie's past.

I needed to know more. "I'm sorry for the loss of your pack members," I entertained. "That must have been hard for Millie. To lose her parents."

"Oh yes- "he frowned. "But, I suppose, the moon goddess had decided it was their time."

His voice was laced with pure slick, fake empathy. I, and my wolf could smell it from a mile away.

"They were quite the warriors, I must say," he shook his head as if he was in disbelief. "Too bad they had to die."

"I mean- "he laughed nervously. "Dying and leaving their child behind, I must say, it was such a tragedy."

"Devastated, lost-" he sighed, pity washing over his ugly face. "Alone."

My wolf got the instinct to rip his throat to shreds and kill him. I tried my damnest to hold him back. We need this information, I reminded him. Let him talk.

"When did her parents die?" I probed further.

"Ha! So, she didn't tell you anything," he smirked, his eyes brightening, as if this was the news he was digging to get. "Such a good girl."

"Her parents died when she was only a teenager," he said. "I'm surprised she hasn't told you."

"Is that why Millie doesn't have a wolf?" I blurted out, my wolf pondering deeply on this question.

Orion looked surprised but quickly wiped the look from his face. "Oh, I'm sure." He smiled pathetically. "She was quite depressed at the time."

Liar. A wolf being unconscious was something I had much experience in. Any worthwhile Alpha would know that your wolf wouldn't be in that state from someone's passing, even your parents. Not when Millie's parents passed six years ago.

That would only happen with a soulmate.

My wolf banged inside of me, desperate to know what happened to Millie's mate. He now knew that Orion had lied to Boris, stating that she didn't have a mate.

She did.

I recalled the times I had slept with Millie, indulging in the images of her perfect, curvy body beneath our massive frame. Did she have a mark on her neck?

No, I would have noticed the claim of another male, even if it was old. It would have drove my wolf into oblivion having sex with another man's claimed mate.

He was territorial. A savage for the one who would be carrying his pups.

"It was nice talking to you, Theo," Orion seemed pleased, stepping away. "I expect Mille's return to our pack very soon."

He smiled evilly. "I can't wait until she returns back to us."

Millie is in danger. My wolf alerted. Hair sprouted all over my body, my canines ripping through my gums, my claws growing in place of my fingernails as he became too strong to handle.

We must see Millie. We must go back to her, now! He panicked. She's not safe.

I snatched the first white rose I could see on the table in front of me out of its vase, catching her sweet floral scent.

My bones broke into a million pieces as I pounced out of the castle as a newfound beast on the forest floor. My paws dug up the grass as I darted through the cold night air, her scent engraved into my nostrils, making it easy to hunt her.

Imagines of my perfect, gorgeous Millie, motivated me to go faster than I had ever gone before.

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