Page 41 of The Baby Contract

The past few days in the Stormblade house have been hectic, to say the least.

The whole pack had quickly found out that Aspen had found her mate. Of course, Aspen was not very good at keeping a secret.

Millie had also been getting increasingly sick over the last few days. She was a lot more fatigued as our twins grew larger in her tummy.

"The babies are sure growing!" Doctor Rowan smiled, putting up the ultrasound wand. "No wonder you are tired. The twins are becoming quite active."

Doctor Rowan picked up his clipboard. "What other symptoms are you experiencing? Anything out of the usual?"

Millie sighed deeply as she rubbed her bump. "My back hurts. And, I want to eat all the time." She chuckled. "Especially those waffles that Ingrid brings. I crave those."

I chuckled at Millie's cute response. "Hey, it's true- "Millie shrugged as I helped her sit up from the table. "Whoever makes those needs a raise."

"I'll be sure to get right on it, sweetheart," I laughed. "They will be pleased that you enjoy it."

Doctor Rowan smiled at us. "Well, it seems that everything is going well. The pack is excited to meet the little ones, as I'm sure you are."

The doctor looked seriously between Theo and me. "I would like Millie to remain on bed rest as much as possible for the remainder of her pregnancy." He ordered. "She should sleep when she feels tired."

"For the back pain," he narrowed his eyes. "Massages and some heat might help."

I laid my hand over the babies. "We will be sure to do that. Thank you, Doctor."

Millie huffed defeatedly. "I can't wait for these babies to be born," she grabbed my hand, as I helped her off the table. "I can't wait to feel normal again. Oh, goddess and- "

"Sleep on my stomach."

"Very soon, my dear," Doctor Rowan nodded. "Very soon."

"Do you know when I will go into labor?" Millie asked. "I'm hoping soon."

The doctor shot Millie a sympathetic look. "Only the moon goddess can decide that, of course, when she feels the time is right."

"Before we know it," I chimed in happily. "They will be here, my love."

And so was Aspen's mating ceremony.

"Hmm-"Aspen clapped her hands together, inspecting the dresses on the bed. "They each have something I like, but I don't find any of them perfect."

"What do you mean, sweetheart?" Mom furrowed her brows. "These all look wonderful on you!"

Aspen sighed heavily before plopping down on the bed next to where Millie was lying. "They are fine, Mom, but they are not what I imagined. It needs to be perfect."

"Don't put so much pressure on yourself," Mom soothed as she sat down beside her. "Axel will love you regardless of what you are wearing on your big day. You could wear a garbage bag, and he would still find you the most gorgeous woman in the room. You are his mate, after all."

That made us all laugh. "What do you imagine your dream dress to look like?" Millie asked as I helped her sit up in bed.

"This color- "Aspen pointed to a green dress. "But, the neckline a little lower and the skirt to be longer in the back."

Millie inspected the dress in her hands. "That should be an easy fix." She nodded. "I can have that done before tomorrow."

"Oh, Millie- "Mom pat Millie's leg sweetly. "You don't have to do that."

"You know how to sew?" Aspen's eyes widened.

"Yes, of course I do. I am a maid, after all." She chuckled slightly. "I was always fixing the other maid's uniforms, bedsheets, and making them clothes when I had enough materials."

"I was doing their hair too- "Millie played with the end of Aspen's long hair. "I loved taking care of them."

My mind played at Millie's words. Why had Orion described Millie to be some heinous she-wolf? She seemed like she did more for the pack than he ever did. She cared for her pack.

"That would be so weird not to have a maid," Aspen shook her head. "I can't even imagine how someone could live like that!"

Mom rolled her eyes at Aspen. "Just because we are very fortunate, Aspen, doesn't mean other wolves are in this realm. We are very blessed."

"We can get Ingrid and the other maids to fix your dress, Aspen- "I declared, laying my hand on Millie's belly. "I don't want Millie working. She needs to rest."

Millie looked up at me with those big brown eyes. "It's okay- "she pat my hand. "I would be honored to do it for my friend."

Aspen jumped excitedly. "Yay!" she threw her arms around Millie. "You're the best, Millie. There is no one else I would trust with my dress but you."

"It is your big day. "Millie winked.

Mom chuckled. "The pack is so excited for this moment. I know they are all preparing for the celebrations." She said. "We haven't had a celebration this big at Stormblade since-"

Ember and I's mating ceremony.

"Mom-"I growled, shooting her a warning look.

Mom understood, shooting me an apologetic look. "Oh, and Theo. I know the pack is so excited to see you. They have missed you over these last few years. They are going to be ecstatic to spend time with their Alpha."

Millie took the measurements for Aspen and got to work on her dress. Millie lay in bed, with the fabric in her hands, slowly concentrating on getting the perfect stitch as the night went on.

I told Millie that she could stop and that I would get the maids to do it, but she was persistent. She did have to take a few breaks for a short nap, which made my wolf jump out of his chest at the cuteness.

The next morning was Aspen's mating ceremony. Mom and Dad had disappeared early in the morning to make sure that everything was going well downstairs with the decorations, the food, and the music set up.

Boris had left early, too. But that wasn't unusual these days.

The pit of my stomach dropped when I thought about the night in the car with Millie. Ever since we returned, the sightings have been quite abnormal.

There had been sightings at the borders for the last few days, and although it wasn't uncommon for rogues to come to Stormblade to either seek refuge or cause trouble, the sightings had picked up immensely over the past few days.

My wolf and I still fought with the fact that we couldn't mark Millie. He didn't understand the pain, the tenseness in our body when trying to claim what was rightfully ours.

It just didn't make sense. The mark should come easily to a mated couple. But, my mark, the claim of my past mate, haunted me, reminding me at any moment that it was still on my neck.

Millie, Ingrid, and a few maids helped Aspen with her dress. Millie, like promised, did Aspen's hair beautifully, each lock of hers placed perfectly in a delicate up-do.

The women danced around Aspen as she squealed with joy. It was nice to see my sister happy. "Oh, it's so wonderful-"Aspen threw her arms around them. "Thank you, thank you! I can't wait until Axel sees me."

"He is going to be blown away- "Ingrid squeezed Aspen. "He is so lucky to have such a gorgeous mate like you."

Millie rubbed Aspen's arm. "I can't wait for you to have your big moment, Aspen- "Millie cooed. "I'll be cheering you on from bed."

"Oh, Millie, please come!" Aspen begged as Millie struggled to get back in bed. "Please?"

Millie huffed as she relaxed back in bed. "We will see."

As they talked, I changed into a black suit. I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the tie to make sure it was just right. I ran my hand through my hair with some gel, making my dark hair less wild and more tamed.

"Alright, kids!" Mom knocked on the door. "It's show time!"

Aspen and I said our goodbyes to Millie and Ingrid. I kissed Millie on the lips before leaving, causing Aspen and Ingrid to let out little awws and giggles.

Mom led the way for me and Aspen down the stairs. "Aspen- "I stopped before we opened the door to the staircase.

"Yeah?"

I sighed. "I'm sorry we haven't been super close these last few years," I breathed. "I know I've been hard on you and unforgiving, and I want to be better."

Aspen looked surprised. "Oh, Theo- "she flung her arms around me. "Even though you are a bitch sometimes- "she cried. "I love you."

I chuckled. "I love you too, pup."

"You have changed for the better, brother," Aspen admitted. "Millie has made you whole again. You better not lose her. We all love her, and trust me, the whole pack will be mad if you do. She's one of a kind. She helped our Alpha not be an asshole anymore!"

"Yeah, yeah- "I held my arm out. "Come on, kid."

Aspen stuck out her tongue before latching her arm around mine. As we approached, we could hear the loud chatter of the pack, excitedly cheering in anticipation of the big ceremony.

"I hope we can have another party like this very soon." Aspen bumped her elbow into my side with a smirk.

I smiled, imagining how pretty Millie would look in a gorgeous long dress, her long brunette locks hanging down her shoulders, her perfect white teeth displaying the most beautiful, breathtaking smile as she walked down to find me waiting for her.

With our babies. My wolf purred. Don't forget our babies.

As we approached, the pack's noise quieted down as they made a path for us to walk, bowing their heads in respect as we passed them.

The maids were quick to jump in and straighten out Aspen's train on her dress. They helped us slowly onto the stage where Aspen's mate stood nervously, turning around to catch the first glimpse of his mate.

Axel's eyes shone brightly as he took in Aspen's appearance. His hands were shaking slightly in nervousness and excitement.

Axel bowed slowly to me before extending his hand out to shake. "Alpha-"he greeted.

"Axel- "I shook his hand. "Welcome to the family. I trust you will take good care of my sister."

Axel gulped nervously. "Of course, Alpha. Always."

Aspen took her place in the middle of the podium next to Axel, their hands conjoined for the first time in front of the pack. The elders spread out, forming a circle around them.

"I am pleased to announce that my sister, Aspen Stormblade-" I boomed, silencing the pack. "Has found her mate, Axel Cresent of the Stormblade pack."

The elders bowed to one knee, and the rest of the thousands of wolves followed, lowering their heads to give privacy to the new couple.

The room became completely quiet as we all waited for Aspen and Axel to mark each other. Moments passed until the elders stood, signaling the others to as well.

"Stormblade pack, now presenting our newest mated couple, Aspen and Axel!"

The whole crowd broke out in cheers and howls as they beamed at the newly marked couple. The newest gift from the goddess.

Aspen and Axel kissed, making the pack glow and awe at their sweetness.

But my eyes went elsewhere. They went to the newest, most scrumptious, rosiest smell in the room.

It was Millie.

She waved to me in the distance from a chair at a table. Her hair was in a beautiful updo, her dress hugging her curves and bump just right.

"Millie!" Aspen jumped excitedly as she came down from the podium with Axel in tow. "You came!"

The pack quickly dispersed as the music came on, going to get food and drinks and dance. I went off the other side of the podium, eager to get to my mate.

"Alpha!" A group of wolves said excitedly as I passed. I greeted my pack members quickly as I trudged through to find Millie. I stopped to shake their hands, acknowledge their bows, and give hugs to the little ones.

I was worried that the whole pack would be surrounding Millie by now. Asking her a million questions about herself and our babies.

"Come on, Millie! Let's dance!"

Millie giggled as a few pack members swarmed around her, helping her get up and dance with them. Millie took it well, like a true Luna. She was patient and kind to them as they bombarded her, desperate for her attention.

I guess I didn't need to worry after all.

"Excuse me- "I cleared my throat. "Do you mind if I have this dance?"

Millie locked her hand with mine happily, making the pack go wild. "Of course, Alpha."

My wolf purred at Millie's playfulness. Millie and I danced slowly to the music, her arms wrapped around my neck, with our babies perfectly between us.

Mom and Dad soon approached. They seemed to be happy, with smiles on their faces, but inside, I knew something was wrong. Dad's eyes flickered from green to black.

"Sweetie- "Mom pulled Millie away, provoking a growl from my chest. "Let's go get some food."

"Oh-"Millie's eyes widened as she looked at me questioningly. "Yes, okay."

Mom dragged Millie away from me and towards the kitchen. Millie looked back at me a few times, confused as to why Mom had pulled us apart.

"Dad, what was that?"

"Son- "Dad leaned in close. "You need to come with me."

"Right now?" I whispered harshly. "Can it wait?"

"Now, Theo," Dad whispered harshly before leading the way through the crowd, which was now more excited to see Dad and me together.

"What's going on?" My heart pounded as we got close to the door. "Is everything okay at the borders?"

Dad opened the door as we slipped out before quickly shutting it. The noise of the party spilling out into the night air.

Dad's face turned white. "You are going to want to see this."

Dad and I walked into the woods to the edge of the borders. There, a group of warriors chattered in a circle, their voices low and weary. "What the hell is going- "

At the sound of my voice, the warriors lifted their heads with sympathetic looks before slowly spreading out to reveal what was in the middle.

Inside, Boris, his face as pale as I had ever seen it, standing over-

"Ember?"

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