Page 42 of The Baby Contract

"Ember?"

My heart thumped. My wolf was silenced.

"Oh, my goddess!" Ember cried, jumping up from where she was sitting between the warriors. She launched herself into my arms, wrapping her body against mine. "Theo! I can't believe it's you!"

I stood still, shocked as she hung onto me. Ember looked the same as she did the night before she died.

Even though it had been almost six years, her hair was fiery as ever, short and slightly wavy. Her eyes were the same bright blue that I had fallen in love with so long ago.

"Oh Theo- "she cried into my chest. "I missed you so much."

She sniffled, looking up at me. Her small hands sneaked up my frozen body to grip my face. "You don't look like you've aged a bit." She breathed. "You look just as handsome as I remember you."

"Ember- "my jaw clenched. "You shouldn't be here."

"You are dead," I stated, slightly pushing her away from me. "You died that night in Moonstone Valley. The cabin exploded, and you never came back."

Ember sighed, taking a step closer to me to close the gap. She closed her eyes as if she was in pain, remembering that night. "I know- "she gulped.

"I can explain- "she started. I could feel Boris's eyes blazing into my skull, hot and fiery as his wolf stirred inside of him.

"If you were alive- "I shook my head. "Then why didn't you come back to me that night? Why did you fucking disappear for six years, Ember?"

Anger bubbled inside of me at the uncomfortable feelings. "And then to show up now, six years later, on the night of Aspen's mating ceremony?"

Ember nodded sadly at my cold reaction. "I didn't know Aspen had met her mate," she whispered. "I can't believe I missed it."

"I had no choice," Ember gulped, her face pale. "I was kidnapped that night by a group of rogues. They set off the fire and blew up the cabin to get you off their trail." She explained. "So, you couldn't catch my scent, and you would assume I was dead."

I channeled my wolf, eager to know how he felt, what this meant. But, he had completely retreated deep inside of me.

He had just been happy, twirling, and at ease a moment ago at Aspen's party. Now, he was completely speechless.

He had always been open with Ember. He always embraced her when we were together before. He was delighted to spend time with his beloved mate.

I looked up at Boris. His eyes were dark and demeaning, worried and restless. "I am so glad that we can be together again, Theo." Ember pushed herself into my arms again. "I can't believe I am with my mate again."

"Ember, I- "I shook, goosebumps running up my arms. "I don't know what to say."

"I know you have missed me so much," Ember squeezed. "And I know this is shocking. But we don't have to talk, we can just enjoy each other's company."

Boris sighed loudly. "Alpha-"

"Oh, Boris-" Ember twirled around to face him. "Thank you for finding me at the borders. You are the best Beta ever. You always do such a good job protecting me."

Ember moved to hug Boris, his hands staying by his side as he shot fire into my eyes. "Of course, Luna." He coughed.

"Oh, and I cannot wait to see Kate, Cassian- "Ember squealed happily. "And Aspen with her new mate! It's been so long. We have so much to catch up on!"

Boris's jaw clenched. "Alpha- "he continued again. "Maybe you should tell Ember about Millie."

Ember's eyes narrowed in curiosity. Her red hair blew in the slight breeze. "Ah, yes- "Ember nodded with a smile. "I know about the surrogate."

Surrogate. My wolf growled quietly. I don't like that word.

"Ember- "I started, tensing up.

"It's okay, baby," Ember soothed, trailing her hand down my biceps. "I know. And I can't tell you how excited I am to have babies around the house. You know how long we have wanted to have pups!"

Boris rubbed his hand over his face, a pained look covering his features. "Excuse me- "he shook his head. "I have to go."

Before I could ask, Boris disappeared into the darkness of the forest. Anger was rolling off him in waves as he ordered the warriors to return to their positions on the borders.

"Boris isn't in a very good mood, huh?" Ember huffed as she watched him stalk away. I could tell he was struggling to control his wolf. As he got further away, he pounded his fist into a tree, causing some of the branches to fall to the ground. "He still hasn't found his mate?"

"Ember- "I grabbed her arm, ignoring her question. "This doesn't make any sense. If someone kidnapped you, why didn't you call out for me?"

I furrowed my brows. "I would have come and saved you."

Ember shook her head sadly. "I couldn't, Theo- "she said vaguely. "It was impossible."

"I haven't seen you in almost six years-"I gripped her harder. "I grieved you, Ember. I suffered greatly when you were gone. I thought I had lost you forever."

"Your death changed me," I growled lightly. "I thought I would never find love again. I loved you, Ember."

"And I still love you, Theo." Ember brushed her thumb over her mark on my neck, making my body shiver. "I love you, mate."

Ember stood on her toes, with one thumb on my mark, and she moved her lips to meet mine, planting a kiss.

"Theo?"

That little voice shook my body to its core, my wolf awakening at its vulnerability and brokenness.

Ember's lips broke away from mine at the voice. "Oh, look what we have here!" Ember clapped her hands together, her eyes scanning Millie's body from head to toe. "This must be the surrogate!"

"At least I hope it is-"Ember scoffed, stalking to where Millie stood frozen, holding two pieces of cake in her hands, her eyes heavy and in disbelief at what she had just seen. "You are covered in my mate's scent."

Millie took a few small steps back as Ember approached her. "Theo- "Ember looked at Millie. "Why did this maid call you by your first name?Do you not know your place?"

"Theo and I are above you," Ember seethed, cocking her head. "Did you not learn that in your training at Eclipse?" she scoffed. "I know you were poor, but I didn't think you were mannerless. You should address us as Alpha and Luna."

Millie bit her lip nervously, the plates in her hands shaking as she lowered her head. "Did you bring this for us?" Ember reached out, taking the two pieces of cake from Millie's hands. "That was nice of you, Molly."

"Millie," she corrected. "My name is Millie."

"Ember, that's enough," I growled.

"You're right- "Ember nodded. "I was rude not to introduce myself- "Ember put the plates down on the ground before extending her hand. "I'm Ember Howling, Luna to the Stormblade pack."

Millie shook her head in disbelief as she let Ember's hand float in the air. "You didn't tell me-"Millie looked at me. "I didn't know."

"Hmm- "Ember scoffed before receding her hand. "You are quite the rude, little wolf even to those who are helping you."

"What?" Millie breathed speechless.

"Don't bite the hand that feeds you, Molly." Ember crossed her arms. "Your pathetic little pack is getting quite a large amount of money for this deal. You better be thanking us for this opportunity that we have given you."

"Opportunity?" Millie breathed, shivers running down her arms.

"Ember, stop it." I grabbed her arm, pulling her back. "You are out of line."

"You look huge," Ember smiled deviously. "You are carrying twins for us, right? She's such a good surrogate, Theo."

Millie clenched her fists at her sides. "Millie- "I started, pushing Ember back. "I had no idea."

"You had no idea-"Millie repeated to herself as she stumbled back, her hands placed over her growing tummy. "You had no idea."

"I think she's sick, Theo," Ember crossed her arms. "We can call the maids to take her back to her room."

"Millie?" Mom appeared, running through the forest to find us. "Oh no." she frowned, taking in the scene with the three of us.

"Kate!" Ember launched forward, throwing her arms around Mom, who stood frozen. Not once, reacting to her embrace. "It's been so long. You look great!"

"Are you still doing those family dinners that we loved?" Ember jumped excitedly. "I can't wait to catch up."

Mom ignored her, her eyes boring into mine like Boris's had just moments ago. "Oh dear-"she turned back to Millie. "I was wondering where you went."

"Come on, sweetheart," Mom put her arm around Millie's shoulders. "Why don't we go get ready for bed?"

Millie's eyes teared up as she looked back at me. My wolf went wild, furious that Millie was leaving. He wanted desperately to catch up to her, for her not to leave. We felt uncomfortable without Millie's approval.

He wanted his mate.

If Ember was alive, then why did we still feel a pull toward Millie? Why was my wolf certain she was my mate?

"Millie!" I called out, stopping them. "I didn't know anything about this. I'm sorry, Millie. I didn't know."

Millie stopped as I ran towards them, my hand reaching her hers. Millie pulled away, not wanting to be in my grasp. "No- "she snapped. "I'm sorry. Sorry to interrupt, Alpha, Luna."

Ember scoffed from behind us. "Come on, Theo," she rolled her eyes. "She's clearly just hormonal. Let her go."

"We have some business to attend to," she slithered her arms around my chest. "We were just getting started on catching up before she came."

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