Page 37 of The Baby Contract

"We just spotted them outside the borders," Boris whispered, keeping his voice quiet as we ran down the stairs. "They did not approach us at first until we called them."

I grabbed the key quickly, turning it into the door. "Why are they here?" I huffed, looking at my watch. "Especially at this time of the night. It's almost midnight."

Boris propped open the bookcase, where both of our uniforms were kept behind a wall. "They are travelling from far, Alpha," he explained. "I'm sure they miscalculated the time to arrive."

"I don't give a shit," I grumbled, stripping my clothes. "They ruined my moment with Millie."

Boris did the same, stripping his clothes and grabbing his pack armor. "He came with his Beta."

"Of course he did." I sighed, pulling up my pants. It was protocol to dress in your pack's armor when meeting an Alpha from another pack, and as much as I didn't want to, we followed the proper protocols.

I adjusted my armor over my shirt, studying it in the mirror. Boris did the same behind me. "Have the warriors escort them into my office. Don't leave them unattended on our lands."

"Yes, Alpha." Boris nodded, looking at me intensely through the reflection of the mirror.

I quickly cleared my things to pull out the contract and lay it perfectly in the middle of the desk. My heart pounded like crazy in my chest as I thought about all the things Alpha Orion and his Beta could be here for, in the middle of the night of all times.

A sadly familiar, heinous smell came from under the door, making Boris and I stand from our places. Boris, sensing my tenseness, laid a hand on my shoulder as a reminder that he was standing behind me.

"Alpha Stormblade and Beta Darkmoon are expecting you," The voice of one of our warriors boomed, followed by a knock on the door. A moment later, two warriors appeared on either side of the door, holding the door for the two men to enter.

Alpha Orion stopped and held his hands up in amusement when he saw us. "Ahh!" he clapped, finally stepping inside with his Beta in tow. "There's the baby's daddy!"

His Beta smirked from behind him, holding his hands over his chest as he followed him. "Warriors- "I said. "You may be excused."

My warriors bowed before closing the doors in unison, leaving us with Alpha Orion and his Beta in private.

"How nice of you to show up unannounced, Orion." I scoffed, folding my hands over my chest. "Do you show up to all of the packs like that? Or just mine?"

Orion put a hand on his stomach as he and his Beta chuckled together as if it was the funniest thing in the world. "Well, well, Alpha Stormblade-"he huffed. "Straight to the point, huh?"

Orion looked around. "Where are your maids?" he cocked his head. "I was expecting the royal treatment at the one and only Stormblade house."

I growled, gripping the desk to stabilize myself enough not to kill him here and now. How dare he walk into my pack house and demand things as frivolous?

"Some whiskey would be great-"Orion sat himself on the couch, getting comfortable. "Maybe some of those fancy sandwiches, too? We are quite hungry from the long trip, and we know the Stormblade wolves are quite hospitable."

Boris extended his hand from behind me to his Beta. "Welcome to the Stormblade pack," Boris gripped his hand. "Beta Boris Darkmoon."

"Beta Grey Meiko- "he shook Boris's hand. "Pleasure."

"Please take a seat- "Boris extended his arm, showing him a place to sit by his Alpha. "We were not expecting your visit at this time."

Orion leaned back on the couch. "Stormblade, I must say-" he breathed in dramatically, looking around the room. "These chandeliers are quite exquisite. Are they real diamonds?"

My body shook in rage. "Cut the crap, Orion- "I clenched my fist. "Why are you here?"

"Oh my-" Orion put his hand over his heart. "That is no way to treat the pack who has done so much for you. We are practically family now."

"I mean, with the baby on the way and such." Orion continued. "How is the pregnancy progressing anyways? She must be far along now, maybe 5 months?"

Boris stood behind me, cupping my shoulder to calm me. "We are not obligated to provide you specific details of the pregnancy."

"Well then, Boris," Orion finally straightened up on the couch. "We will get to the point. Grey? Why don't you tell them?"

Grey cleared his throat, taking a deep breath as he looked between Boris and me. "It seems there has been a mistake."

"What kind of mistake?" I spoke, my heart beating in anticipation.

Grey sighed deeply before reaching up to the collar of his shirt and lifting it down to expose his very new, red and swollen-

Mating mark.

"A mark?" I rolled my eyes. "So, you found your beta female- "I scoffed. "How does this involve my pack?"

In this situation, congratulations would be due, but I wasn't in the mood for those pleasantries, especially with the ones who have hurt my Millie.

"You see- "Orion spoke up. "My son's choice for Luna has since turned eighteen and met her mate, my Beta, and they have marked each other."

"This was all swell until- "Orion pinched the bridge of his nose, closing his eyes painfully. "My son, Jasper, had become quite upset at his Beta female and let some information slip that's he's been so good at hiding."

"Millie is my son's mate and the rightful Luna of the Eclipse pack."

Blood rushed to my head at the sound of Millie and Jasper's name in the same sentence together. I suddenly felt relieved that Millie had told me this truth.

"He may have been Millie's mate, but he is not anymore- "I growled. "They have completed the rejection process."

"So the little mai-"Orion coughed. "Millie, does talk to you, huh?"

"Interesting. "His eyes became dark as he exchanged a sinical look with his Beta. "She just can't keep her mouth shut."

"What does this have to do with Millie?" Boris asked, his arms crossed. "They are no longer bonded."

"It has everything to do with Millie," Grey sounded in. "Jasper is next to the Alpha position, and Millie is his rightful Luna. She needs to serve alongside me and my mate, Lily."

"What he is saying is- "Orion lifted his head. "We need her back sooner than later so she can take the position."

"She will not be going back to Eclipse, and that is final." My hands shook in anger. "Forget it. She will never return. Jasper and Millie knew they were mates, and they decided to sever their bond. It's too late."

Orion and Grey raised their brows. "It seems that little girl has got you wrapped around your finger, huh?" Orion laughed. "She seems to have that effect on people."

"We want to keep Millie- "I announced. "She is nothing to your pack now. But she is everything to us."

"I see you are going to be quite difficult." Orion's jaw tensed. "You don't have to protect her, Alpha Stormblade. She is perfectly fine and happy at the Eclipse house where she belongs."

I looked at Boris through the corner of my eye, who in turn gave me a small nod, knowing what I was trying to convey to him. "We will offer you twice the amount you asked for to keep her."

"You want to buy her?" Orion raised his brow.

"We will take her off your hands."

"I see that you are a natural protector, and as an Alpha myself- "he breathed deeply. "I understand your concerns and appreciate your willingness to tame that girl."

"Although- "he continued. "You won't want to do that. Millie can come off as a sweet girl but- "

"She is not all that she seems." Grey finished. "It sounds as though she hasn't told you. I'm glad she shuts her mouth about some things, at least."

Boris and I looked at each other, confused. "What are you talking about?"

Grey shook his head quickly, brushing the subject off as quickly as possible. "We will be expecting Millie's return, Alpha Stormblade. We need her back as soon as she gives birth."

"If you think I would follow what you order me to do," I scoffed. "You are wrong. If I were you, I would take the extra money and find yourself another Luna."

"Because if you don't recall- "I lowered my voice, my eyes becoming dark.

"We have twice the army and power as your tiny, little poor pack.

So, you will take the little extra cash, shut the fuck up, and be escorted out of my pack house to never return or things will get quite nasty for you. Got it?"

Orion's face flushed at my words. The room settled into an uncomfortable silence after my threat.

"I didn't know this would be so difficult, "Orion admitted. "I thought you were eager to get rid of the little mutt after she bore your heir. The whole Kingdom knows you are still in love with what's her name- "

"Your Luna- "he tapped his chin. "Ah, that's right. Ember."

That's it. My body boiled to its tipping point, hair sprouting like wildfire down my entire body. I was about to shift, to tear this poor excuse for an Alpha to flesh and blood for talking about my mates in such a way.

Boris held his hand to my chest. "Alpha- he whispered. "Don't. We need them to talk."

"What about Ember?" Boris seethed, holding one hand to my chest as he pushed himself forward. "She has been deceased for almost six years."

"I still see the mark on your Alpha's neck- "Orion motioned to my scar. "It never healed, even after all these years..." he trailed.

Boris shook his head. "Some marks take longer to heal, especially when you are grieving. You should know that better than all people, Alpha Orion."

"Let me ask your Alpha something, Boris- "Orion stood, coming to face me. "Would you still feel the same towards Millie if the true owner of your heart was here, the one who bears your mark, the Luna title- "

"Or would you forget all about the little peasant?"

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