Page 3 of The Baby Contract

"Alpha! Hey, Earth to Stormblade!" Boris shook me, waking me out of my sleep. "Wake up!"

I blinked, sitting up in my chair, as I took in the new scents.

Boris was dressed the same as yesterday, and his armor was still on.

His eyes were slightly red from the long travel and lack of sleep.

His scent was clouded with an unfamiliar new scent, one that was floral and sweet, like a rose.

"You're back-"I cleared my throat, checking the time to see that it was now four am. I rubbed my eyes and straightened my hair in the reflection of the computer.

"I will see Millie now," I said, opening her file in front of me, and motioning to the couch. "You can bring her in."

Boris shook his head, taking a long deep breath as he did so. "I don't think you will want to see her now Alpha. I ordered the warriors to take her to her room for the rest of the night."

"Every visitor that steps foot on these lands meets with me first, Boris-" I growled, annoyed with him for disregarding these laws. "That includes Millie."

Boris sighed, defeated. "I know. But, this situation is different. Please, trust me. I think it would be better if you met with her officially tomorrow. She's already met with me."

"You are not the Alpha, Boris. I am. And, I am to meet with everyone before they step inside my house." I scolded. "Have the warriors bring her now. I'm waiting."

Boris opened his mouth to say something but closed his eyes and shook his head, deciding against it. "Yes, Alpha. As you wish." He ran out the door, obviously not agreeing with me on this decision.

I sighed, leaning back in my chair, as I looked at my reflection one more time to make sure I didn't look like I had just woken up. I ran my hand through my hair and took a few deep breaths as I waited for the door.

My heartbeat picked up inside me as time went by, staring at the door in anticipation. My hands became clammy, my legs became more restless in this chair. My wolf had suddenly awoken inside of me, standing on his four legs, stretching, inching, signaling that he wanted to be let out.

Which was very unusual for him.

He was usually in a lazy state, walking slowly, in his state of depression, if he got up at all.

But, right now, of all times, he was desperate to be set free.

And, as more time went on, he picked up his pace, my palms becoming sweatier and my legs more jittery.

It was a feeling that had become unfamiliar to me over the last few years.

I tapped my pen on Millie's file, trying to take my mind off my unruly wolf. "Of all times, why do you need to be let out right now?" I groaned, taking deep breaths to control him.

He whined loudly, scratching at my chest, ready to be let out. "Stop," I growled, warning him. "You can go out when we are done here."

A loud knock at the door broke me out of my inner turmoil with my wolf, causing me to jump back in surprise. I scrambled, clearing my throat as her scent became stronger. "Come in."

The door opened, and two of my warriors entered with Boris behind them, each holding the woman's arms by her side, ushering her into my office. Her eyes were on the floor ahead of her as she entered. My eyes widened in shock when I saw her, my wolf and I jumping to our feet.

The warriors bowed, never letting go of Millie's arms. "Alpha-"

"She's bloody." I stepped away from my desk, going to inspect her, cutting off my warrior's greetings. "Dirty too."

Boris stepped in front of me, holding his hands out. "I know. That's why I didn't want you to meet her tonight."

I shook my head, looking Millie up and down. "And, what is she wearing? She's a maid, but not even my lowest-ranking pack members wouldn't wear something as hideous as this."

I huffed in disapproval, shaking my head as I looked at Millie's appearance. My wolf was making himself known now, growling loudly, which made my head hurt.

Mille's cheeks flushed at my words, her cheeks flushing a crimson red color as her eyes stayed plastered to the floor. "Why would Alpha Orion send Millie looking like this?" I glared at Boris, who had moved to stand in front of her, to shield her. "This is disgraceful."

Boris sighed, his face sympathetic. "Alpha-"he cleared his throat, getting quieter. "Maybe we can talk about this without Millie's presence- "he looked back at her, then back at me. "Don't you think that would be a matter better discussed privately?"

I fumed, shaking my head in disbelief. I took a few steps back, going back to sit in my chair. "Ridiculous. Not even rogues come into my office looking like this." I mumbled, opening her folder. "Warriors, please. Have her sit there." I motioned to the couch in front of me.

Boris sat beside me, "Alpha-"he snapped again. "Enough."

Millie sat with the two warriors beside her, her eyes now focused on a piece of her dirty dress. She kept her head down, her two long braids dangling over her shoulders. It was hard to tell what her face looked like since she had never looked up.

I cleared my throat, flipping through her file. "Alright, well-" I shook my head, getting past the obvious distraction. "Welcome to the Stormblade Pack. I'm Alpha Theo Stormblade, but I'm sure you know that."

Millie didn't move her eyes, but just slightly nodded.

I breathed, flipping through her papers.

"You can introduce yourself to me, as you should.

" I snapped, annoyed that she was not following protocol.

Bowing and introducing yourself to an Alpha was the first thing you did when meeting, even if you knew they knew you. It was a way to show respect.

Boris sighed beside me, leaning back in his chair as if this was the most painful interaction he'd ever witnessed. "Millie Rose, Maid of the Eclipse Pack, Alpha." She whispered, her voice tiny. My wolf barely picked it up, his huge snout getting closer, desperate to hear her voice.

I shook my head, not satisfied with her response, but decided to carry on. "Well, Millie. I'm sure Alpha Orion has discussed the agreement with you." I grabbed the contract, putting it in front of her. "He said you have agreed to all the terms outlined in the contract. Is that correct?"

Millie stared at the huge stack of papers in front of her, as she bit her lip. "Um-"she said, her eyes moving from the papers back to the floor. "Yes, Alpha. Of course."

"Great." I opened it up to the first page. "We will go over it too, to make sure we are on the same page as far as what I expect from you for your next nine months here at the Stormblade Pack."

Millie nodded slightly. "The first thing I would like, Millie-" I said, my eyes boring into her forehead. "Is for you to look at me when I'm talking to you."

Millie stiffened, taking a sharp breath before she lifted her head slowly. The moment her eyes met mine, my wolf danced, like he had been starstruck by her sparking brown eyes.

It was the first time I really got a good look at Millie's face, and although I had studied the headshot Orion had sent, the picture did Millie no justice. She was breathtaking in person.

Even the little red, swollen cuts she had above her eyebrow couldn't take away from the magnetic beauty she possessed. Her cheeks were rosy, her eyes wide, her lips full and pink...

Millie broke eye contact, making me break out of my trance. Her hand went to the cuts on her eyebrow, covering them up. "I'm sorry, Alpha."

She thought I was staring at her cuts, not her beauty.

"Right-"I stumbled. "That's better."

Boris looked between me, the warriors, and Millie, catching the moment that had just happened. But, he leaned back in his chair, deciding to stay quiet.

"You will have one day to get settled into the pack-" I stated. "You will have your own room in the clinic where you will be monitored around the clock by our medical staff. It has its own bathroom and shower. Agreed?"

Millie nodded, going back to playing with her dress. "Yes, Alpha."

"After tomorrow-" I cleared my throat, "we will start trying to conceive. We will have sex three times a day. Once in the morning, afternoon, and night. For as many days as it takes until you have a positive pregnancy test. Agreed?"

Millie gulped, her face flushing as she looked between the two huge men holding her arms, Boris and I. Boris leaned in whispering in my ear, "Dude, way to make Millie uncomfortable. Putting her sex life out there in front of four men she doesn't know."

"I'm not." I snapped, shushing him.

"Yes," Millie whispered, my attention turning back to her face, which was burning red. Boris kicked me in the foot, as a warning, shaking his head.

"You will have your own maid." I read, looking up at Millie. "She will bring you three meals a day. You will eat everything she brings you, no exceptions. She will report back to me whether you are eating or not. Understand?"

"Yes, Alpha."

"Good." I nodded, flipping the page. "Alpha Orion said you like to run away.

" I looked up at her, not able to meet her eyes again.

"And, I cannot have something happening to my unborn pup.

So, you are not allowed to leave your room under any circumstances.

If you need something, you call your maid. Understand?"

Millie's eyes closed, as she bit her lip nervously. "Millie, do you understand that?" I asked again, more forcefully this time.

"Uh-"she stuttered, blinking quickly to hide her emotion. "Right, yes."

"Great." I nodded. "Lastly, after the baby is born, you are free to return to the Eclipse pack."

Millie's eyes became red, her eyes closing painfully. My wolf was lying down now, seeming to want to listen carefully to Millie's emotions and pain. He wasn't as anxious and excited as before she first came, but now, he was more attentive and sad.

"Well, I think that's everything there-"Boris popped up, going to rub Millie's back. "I'm sure you are exhausted. How about I show you where you will be staying?" he smiled politely, waving to dismiss the two warriors.

Boris took Millie's hand, helping her to stand. "Would you like some tea? Or something to eat?" he asked sweetly.

Boris shot a deadly glance at me, as he led Millie out of the office, his arm on her back lightly as he pushed her along. "Millie will see you the day after tomorrow, right Alpha?"

I growled, sitting back in my chair as I watched Millie and Boris leave. Her sweet rose scent floating out of my office. My wolf rolled over on his hind legs, reminding me that he was still there.

"Alright, alright-"I stood, leaving my office to go outside. "Let's go."

The moment I hit the grass, I lost control of my human side, my wolf completely taking control of my body as he sprinted. It felt freeing, running in this pitch blackness, with the cool night air in my fur for the first time in years.

He howled in happiness, which made me chuckle, as he made his way toward a lake that reflected the full moon. Besides the fact that he hadn't run in years like this, he was still unbelievably strong and invigorated.

He found a small garden, something he must have known was there. He spent the rest of the night smelling the flowers, picking them, and playing with them. He loved it here in this rose garden.

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