Page 48 of The Baby Contract

"Load up the cars! I need all warriors ready to move out!"

"Alpha," a warrior called out. "What should we be preparing for? Any information about the situation?"

I snagged a gun off the rack, strapping it to my chest. "Millie is the rightful Luna of the Eclipse pack. She will be back to claim her title. I'm sure of it."

"So, a rebellion?"

"Correct, warrior," I affirmed as I loaded bullets into my gun. I turned towards my group of warriors, who quickly stayed at attention for my orders.

"We will prepare for the worst," I boomed. "My only orders are to do whatever you need to do and kill who you need to kill just as long as Millie Rose remains unharmed and is back in Stormblade custody. We won't leave until we have her back alive."

"Yes, Alpha!"

The warriors shuffled out the door once they suited up and prepared their weapons, straight to where a line of black SUVs were waiting for us outside the pack house.

"I'm right behind you, Alpha," Boris sounded, now catching up to us. "I suggest we split up and invade Eclipse from all directions so no one escapes."

"Boris-" I turned, clapping his shoulder. He was suited up too, loading his gun. "You're not coming."

Boris scoffed, not once looking up. "I'm the Beta. I will always be behind you, Alpha. This time is no different."

"Not this time," I nodded. "Stay here with your mate."

Just as Boris was about to argue, Nova ran down the stairs in a rush, now changed from Boris' oversized sweatsuit to her old main uniform.

"Mate-"Boris' eyes widened. "Why are you wearing that? Go change, and put that in the trash. There are clothes for you upstairs that should be to your liking. If you don't like them, then we will shop later but you will not wear this. Never again."

"No," Nova breathed, catching up to us. "I'm going with you."

"Absolutely not," Boris gripped her cheek with his large hand. "You just escaped, you will not return. You will never return. You will stay here in safety."

Nova bit her lip. "Please, you need me. I've lived at Eclipse my whole life and I know Millie better than anyone. I can help."

"You both will stay," I growled slightly, not wanting to waste any more time. "We can't risk our Beta and his female getting killed."

Boris and Nova whipped their heads to me in unison. "No!"

Mom and Dad ran down the stairs with our two swaddled babies in their arms. My heart melted as their scents hit my nose, a part of me feeling guilty for leaving my precious pups.

Elora made sweet baby noises as I came close, making us all smile. "Hi, princess," I stroked her cheek gently. She looked just like Millie and she smelt like her too, the sweet smell of roses. Her pink outfit and bow Mom dressed her in made my heart grow. "My beautiful girl."

Everyone watched in awe as I did the same with Elijah, who was much more active than his sister, stretching his small hand out towards me. He grabbed my finger with his small hand and pulled it towards his mouth to suck on it.

I laughed slightly as he did that. He looked up at me with Millie's big brown eyes. Although he was playful, his eyes were sad, as if threatening a full-blow cry.

"I'll be back as soon as you know it," I whispered. "I'll be back with Mommy very soon."

When I looked up, Mom was threatening tears as she reached out for my hand. "We will take good care of them." She promised, cuddling Elijah to her chest. "Just be careful, son."

Dad did the same, squeezing my shoulder quickly as Elora cried slightly in his arms. "Listen to your wolf, Theo."

"I will," I nodded, painfully stepping away from my family. "I will this time."

"Nova, I really don't like you coming," Boris purred to his mate. "Stay here and help Theo's parents with the babies."

Nova put her hand over his large one, leaning into it lovingly. I sighed, looking at the new couple with sympathy.

"We will split up our warriors," I stated, as we walked outside. "The first half will invade Eclipse from the Northside and the others will circle around. Boris, Nova- "

"Follow us from the back and go South," I pointed to an SUV parked at the end of the line.

Boris nodded, grabbing his mate's hand and leading her to the car. "Thank you, Alpha." He bowed. "Come, mate. Don't leave my side."

"Thank you, Alpha. Thank you for saving my best friend," Nova softened. "I'm sorry for slapping you."

Although I wasn't pleased with the first interaction I had had with our Beta Female, I understood her importance to not only our pack but to Millie. If I wanted Millie to trust me, to love me, and accept me fully, I would have to get approval from Nova. "Go on."

"It won't happen again!"

"Alright-" I walked down the line, checking the cars to make sure we had enough weapons and everyone was in armor. "Let's head out!"

"Theo, stop!" Ember ran out of the door, panting hard to catch her breath. "You can't leave. You will not!"

I looked back at my warriors, who were all watching this scene with their Alpha and Luna with great amusement.

"Ember," I growled. "This is not the time. Go back inside."

Ember grabbed me forcefully. "No. You will not leave Stormblade. I am the Luna, and I said no. No one will leave. You can't leave, it's far too dangerous."

I took a deep breath trying not to lose my patience. "It's, you-"

"You can't-"she finally spat. "The surrogate is gone. She left on her own will. She didn't want to stay, Theo. And, The Contract is over. It's been three days since the babies' birth."

My blood boiled at her reason. "Go back inside, Ember. This is my choice and I'm going. Now, you can either stay here and cry or go make yourself useful."

"Oh, Theo-"her eyes watered. "Please forget about her. We are mates. I'm finally back, and we have the twins now. Let's focus on our life here. Building our relationship. Strengthening our bond. Please-"

I looked around, to find my warrior's eyes on the scene. "Get this one thing through your fucking head-"I threatened lowly. "You may bear my mark, but you are not my Luna. Let alone, my mate. And, Elijah and Elora-"

"They are not ours," I growled. "They are my offspring. You had no role in their birth."

"But- "

"I don't love you anymore, Ember," I clenched my jaw. "It's been 6 years. I've moved on."

Ember nodded sadly, her tears flowing. If it had been 6 years ago, this scene would have broken my heart. My mate, who I loved dearly, crying and upset because of my actions.

But, I didn't feel that way. I didn't care to protect her or make her happy like I once did. I didn't crave her approval or affection.

"You don't care about us anymore," she cried. "Not since she came along. I thought you would be happy about my arrival. Now you only care about her!"

Ember sniffled as she came close, reaching her hand up to caress her mark on my neck. "Stop it- "I growled, forcefully pushing her away. "Do you not get the idea that I don't want to be intimate with you?"

"Yes you do, Theo," she cried. "Don't fight your instincts. You love me, you love our mateship."

I grumbled, looking back at the warriors who were waiting on my orders to leave. "We are not even sleeping in the same bed, let alone the same room."

"You don't have to sleep in your office, mate- "

"Sleeping arrangements are the least of my worries," I snapped. "I have bigger things to worry about."

"I will always be your mate, Theo-"Ember pulled down her collar, revealing my unique tattoo on her collarbone. "We are bound for eternity. You don't have a choice. The moon goddess paired us together. You marked me."

I clenched my jaw, trying hard to control my anger. "Well, the moon goddess has also bonded me with another."

Ember's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait, are you saying- "

"She's my mate. Millie is also my mate."

Ember stood shocked. She gulped, her face turning pale at my words. "I knew you said you loved her but-"she stumbled. "But I didn't realize- "

"Of course," she finally screeched, hurting our sensitive ears. "Of course she is!"

My warriors looked in shock as Ember melted down in a pit of rage and fury. "Ember-"I grabbed her shoulder. "Get yourself together. You are the Luna, aren't you? So, act like it."

"You can't bear her mark and mine," Ember stomped her feet. "You are mine, Theo! Not that fucking bitch! She doesn't deserve you like I do."

"And, why is that?" I snapped, making her gasp in pain at my strength. "Huh? Because she's a poor, marginalized, wolf? Get over yourself, Ember. You have always been so shallow."

Ember screamed and threw a fit as she yanked her arm out of my grip. "Warriors," I ordered two of them that were waiting at the door. "Please take Luna Ember inside."

They nodded. "Yes, Alpha."

"Now-" I breathed, looking at the line of SUVs ready to go. "Let's hit the road!"

I jumped in the first car, turning on the engine and revving it. The rest of the cars did the same after me, following their Alpha's orders.

I saw Mom and Dad with Elora and Elijah at the front door, waving to me sadly as we left. The scene broke my heart, causing my wolf to whine at being separated from his pups. He wanted nothing more than to have Millie here, safe and sound, cuddled up with our sweet angels.

But instead, she ran. She took the escape that Nova had offered her.

Why didn't she tell me she was the rightful Luna of Eclipse? Did she not trust our care and protection?

I knew Millie had a past but this was far more than I could have ever imagined. Did Jasper know that Millie was the Luna when he rejected her?

If it had not been for Nova being Boris' mate, we would never have known. I would have never known about Millie being the rightful Luna. I would have never known that Orion forced her into the surrogacy deal.

"How many hours until we arrive, Alpha?" My warrior asked from the passenger seat, surveying the changing landscapes.

I stepped on the gas slightly speeding the car up more. "We are close." I inspected. The trees had started to change colors, the grass turning a slight shade of brown. "Very close."

"Look over there!" He pointed, getting out of his seat and showing the warriors in the back. "There is smoke coming from the North."

He was right. Through the thick forest, miles away, there was heavy, dark smoke floating up into the clouds. "That's not the pack house, is it?"

"No-"I furrowed my brows in confusion and worry. "It's coming from the woods."

"Why would it be coming from there?" He questioned. "There is nothing out here. No one inhabits that land."

That's when it hit me. "Fucking shit- "I swerved, heading away from the Eclipse pack house towards the smoke. "What Nova said was true. This is not the pack house, no- "

"It's the ring." I slammed my hand on the steering wheel. "It's the illegal fighting ring!"

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