Page 25 of The Baby Contract

"My parents were both warriors in Eclipse."

I explained to Aspen, who was now, having a field day with her sword. She was giddy when she got it right, finally executing the moves.

"My father was a great patrol guard," I smiled, the image of him appearing in my mind. His charming smile caused his dimples to deepen, showing his genuine love for others. I remembered him also being fierce and fearless, the lines in his forehead deep when he had to make an order to the others.

He taught me that with power comes responsibility. "He was one of the best warriors Eclipse ever had," I said proudly, putting my face in my hand, dreaming of what could have been.

"Everyone looked up to him, for advice, leadership, help with their pack duties, and protection" I trailed. "He was a father figure to everyone. And, to him, they were all like his second children."

The corner of my mouth twitched as I focused on a flower in the distance. "He was deeply loved in Eclipse and," I shook my head slightly. "If he was here, he would go on and on about how much he also loves Eclipse."

"Your father sounds like an honorable man, Millie," Aspen put down her sword, now sitting next to me on the large tree branch, engrossed in the story.

My mouth twitched, remembering him. "He was," I nodded. "He said he was only so loved because of my mom, who made him better in every way. To him, she was his oxygen. His whole life, his heart, his soul, his happiness."

The way that mates were meant to be.

Aspen's eyes awed wide as I spoke of them. "What was your mom like?"

"She was- "I breathed, looking up at the cloudy sky. It was what I did when I missed my parents, just knowing that they were looking down on me. Watching over me.

Who knows what they were thinking right now? Now that I was sold to Stormblade and made the mother of two twin babies.

"My mom was perfect. At least in my eyes." I swallowed, holding down my tears.

Aspen reached out to grab my hand gently, which made my heart warm. "She trained the young warriors. Alpha Orion said she was assigned to that job because of how skilled she was, but also, how good she was with kids."

"She taught teenagers?" Aspen brightened. "I bet she was way better than Theo is!"

I laughed, remembering Aspen being frustrated with her sword just moments ago. "I was too young to train at the time, but that didn't stop my Mom from teaching me how to fight."

"Did you like to train?" Aspen asked, "I mean because you were so young?"

I nodded eagerly. "I loved it. It was practically in my DNA to be a warrior."

"I'm guessing your mom was beautiful too," Aspen glowed, meeting my eyes. "She made a beautiful daughter."

My heart thumped at Aspen's sweet words. "Oh Aspen," I squeezed her hand, my eyes soft. "You are beautiful too. So beautiful."

Aspen's eyes glistened with tears. "Do you have any pictures of your mother and father?"

"Yes— "I smiled, reaching into my pocket. "I don't have many, but the ones I do have, I try to carry with me. It's like a remembrance that they are here, even if I can't see them."

I smoothed out the crumbled piece of paper on my leg. "This is my mother and father when they first found out they were mates." I examined the picture.

Mom's chocolate brown hair was long and flowy, perfectly reflecting the sun. She was wearing a modest blue sundress with a pearl necklace around her neck. Her hands were placed in front of her, facing the camera, as Dad laid a huge kiss on her cheek.

Dad looked silly, as he reached his large hand over to grab her cheek, pulling her slightly to his lips. He was tan from patrolling the borders, his hair reflecting streaks of blonde from the sun.

"Oh my goddess," Aspen cried, leaning in to take a closer look. "They look so in love!"

"Yeah-" I giggled. "Dad used to tell a lot of stories, so much that, I'm sure we have all heard them over a hundred times, especially when it came to his mate."

"We didn't have the heart to remind him that we had heard it already," I shook my head, folding the picture up carefully. "But now, I wish he could be here to tell the same stories over and over if it meant that we could all hear his voice again."

Aspen let out a sharp breath. "I'm so sorry for your loss, Millie," she moved until we touched hips, before wrapping an arm around my shoulders.

"It's okay," I shot Aspen a comforting smile, who had now let a tear slip down her cheek. "It was a long time ago."

"How long ago?"

"Six years. I was fourteen when they passed," I said.

Aspen nodded, seeming to ponder. "How did they pass, if you don't mind me asking?"

I froze. I didn't know what to say. Although I had opened up to Aspen about the truthful aspects of some parts of my life, some I knew were better kept a secret if I wanted a chance to keep out of the grave, I'm sure Grey, had dug for me. Ready for me when I came home.

The thought sent shivers down my spine, making my babies protest at my discomfort. They were intelligent already, and very in tune with their mother's emotions.

I had a feeling that they just wanted to make me feel better, which warmed my heart.

The death of my parents wasn't a topic that I could talk about freely. When I found out the truth, the only person I told was Nova.

"You can't tell anyone, Nova," I breathed, narrowing my brows. "Orion will hurt us both badly if he knows that we know."

Nova shook her head ferociously, leaning her head on the dashboard of Dad's Camaro. "No, no-"her face dripping with disbelief. "That can't be true, Mills. There's no way!"

I cupped my face in my hands. "There's no other explanation. Everything adds up, and the evidence is uncanny."

"So, what does that mean? That your Mom and Dad-"

I closed my eyes tightly. "I'm positive."

"So, they were always meant to be- "

Aspen's gentle back pats broke me out of my daydream. "I'm sorry I asked. That was insensitive of me. I can tell you are still grieving their loss."

I looked around, regaining my composure. I wasn't in Eclipse right now, I was in Stormblade. Far, far away from any danger.

At least, for now.

"I was actually just getting a bit hungry," I recovered quickly, rubbing my bump. "I'm feeling a lot hungrier after I found out about the twins. Could just be a mental thing, you know, having to feed two instead of one."

Aspen and I broke out in laughter as she helped me up and gathered her things. "I can't believe you and Theo are having two pups." She beamed down at my belly. "No one could have ever guessed that the moon goddess would bless you in this way."

"She only gives twins to couples once in a full moon," she said as we made our way back to the pack house. "You and Theo must be truly blessed."

It was a blessing. It was a blessing in a way that, even when their mom couldn't be with them, they could always hang on to each other. They could count on each other for support, friendship, and comfort.

Aspen seemed in tune with my mood. She slowed her pace, kicking a rock with her shoe. "You know, as much as I give Theo a hard time, I know he will be a really great father."

Her sentiment surprised me. Why was she saying this now?

I stayed silent, eager for her to continue. I'm sure Aspen interpreted my silence as my dislike for the topic, but really, I wanted her desperately to tell me more.

I wanted to know what the future holds for my babies. I did not doubt in my mind that Aspen, Boris, and Ingrid would do me proud when I was gone.

In fact, I was hopeful that they would tell them about their mother. About how much I cared and loved them.

I made a note to start telling Aspen, Boris, and Ingrid more lighthearted stories about myself when I got the chance. Telling Aspen about my parents was a good thing, no matter how much it hurt to relive the pain of their tragic passing.

I would count on Aspen to pass on the stories about their grandparents. I wanted them to know their history, and they not only belong to Stormblade, but a much larger family that loves them dearly.

I did not doubt in my mind that my parents would have treasured and adored my twins. Although I knew they would have been furious about Orion selling me to essentially be a babymaker, they would excited out of their minds to be grandparents.

I didn't really know Alpha Stormblade besides the few odd and cold encounters I had had with him. He was a wolf, an Alpha at that. It was engrained inside of his DNA to love and protect his offspring, right?

"I know what you're thinking," Aspen sighed before a small smile crept up on her lips. "How could Theo be a good father?"

I fought the urge to burst out in laughter at her attempts to insult her brother. It reminded me of the way you see siblings on TV, constantly bickering and fighting about petty things.

Aspen scoffed, her eyes dancing with memories. "Theo actually used to be a really good big brother," she laughed. "If you can believe it or not."

"Besides the fact that he was seriously overprotective," Aspen rolled her eyes. "He was always there for me when I needed him."

Aspen kicked a rock playfully. "When I was a baby, Mom said he was oddly curious about his new sibling. He used to sneak into my nursery and rock me to sleep. He even gave me my bottle and burped me under Mom's watch, of course."

"When I got older, he used to take me out to the playground every day. While the other siblings in our pack were pushing or being rough, Theo was always kind to me. He played with me when the others didn't."

"He even taught me how to tie my shoe and ride my bike," Aspen dwelled on the memories. "He protected me from all the bullies in school."

"That was kind of him," I pitched in, rubbing my belly as I walked.

"Ha!" Aspen chuckled. "It was until Dad taught him how to use his Alpha commands. Can you imagine telling a group of girls to shut up and they actually don't have a choice?"

Aspen and I laughed loudly.

"The other girls despised me for being the Alpha's sister," she sighed.

"But, they also really wanted to be my friend because I was his sister." She said. "They knew if they got close to me, they would in turn, get close to their future Alpha, giving them a better chance at the more favorable, higher-ranking positions in the pack."

Aspen's face paled at this thought. I didn't even think about how hard it could have been being raised in the shadow of your Alpha brother.

"I knew after time that they didn't really want to be my friend, they just wanted to get close to Theo," she kicked another rock. "That's why I love spending time with you."

I turned to look at Aspen, a look of adoration filling her eyes. "You are real and genuine."

A warm feeling washed over me. "You are too, Aspen."

Aspen smiled appreciatively before continuing. "I had some friends, but I didn't hang out with them much. I spent most of my time around Boris, Theo, and eventually Ember when she came along."

"I was sure that when Theo found his mate, he would forget about me," she laughed softly. "He didn't have much time after he mated and took over the Alpha position. But, he made an effort to invite me to things when he could, taking me with him on vacations, and pack events."

"I was so excited when Theo found Ember-"she smiled lightly. "But I was just happy that finally, I had a girl to hang out with who wasn't just trying to get status. Ember already had her title as Luna."

"I would hear about Luna Ember sometimes on the radio," I added. I would have never listened to any kingdom gossip if it wasn't for Nova, who practically got high off the drama.

"She seemed like a nice Luna," I noted how the media used to talk about her.

"She was," Aspen agreed. "She quickly got busy with her duties, and being with Theo, that we didn't get to hang out as much as I would have liked before she passed. I liked to think we had a positive relationship though."

Aspen pondered, looking at the path ahead. "Theo was head over heels for his Luna, just like you described how your Dad was to your Mom," she recalled. "I don't think Theo would have ever taken his eyes off her if he wasn't forced."

"He was deeply in love with Ember, feeding her every wish. It was kind of funny seeing my big, bad Alpha brother so desperate for a woman's approval."

"It was hard for us to lose our Luna that night of the fire, and we knew what it would do to Theo. It slowly destroyed him. He was never the same after he came home that night."

"Boris, Dad, I, and the others tried to cheer him up," Aspen sighed. "But there was no use, our countless attempts just irritated him over time."

I tried to relate, thinking about the pain I felt when I lost my mate, or more like, accepted his rejection. I recalled meeting Nova in the woods and collapsing in her arms.

Was the bond-breaking agony similar to what Alpha Stormblade felt?

Aspen and I exited the clearing, exposing the huge pack house ahead of us. Many wolves were out playing now, enjoying the beautiful weather. Wolves sat teaching their little ones how to swim, dipping their chubby legs in the water of a nearby lake.

One baby was laughing so hard as his mother lifted him up out of the water, rubbing her nose lovingly with his tiny one.

I rubbed my belly, secretly jealous of these wolves.

"Oh!" Aspen stopped suddenly. "I totally forgot that today is Wednesday. My mom is hosting a family dinner tonight. You should come!" She beamed, clapping her hands together. "Mom and Dad would love the chance to officially meet you."

Meet Alpha Stormblade's parents, the previous Alpha and Luna? What if they were just like their son, cold and heartless? Would they just straight-up reject me?

I was just Alpha Stormblade's surrogate, nothing more.

"Aspen-" I started, my voice regretful. "I don't-"

"Don't be silly!" Aspen slapped my wrist playfully. "They would be offended if you declined. They have been trying to stay away to give you your space to get settled in, but I don't know how much longer that's going to last." She chuckled, crossing her arms over her chest.

"And, don't worry about Theo," she comforted, "He never comes to family dinner."

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