Page 56 of The Baby Contract

"Ha! Dummy!"

Alex laughed, pointing at Nova. "You have got to be faster than that, dude."

"Yeah! Especially out here in these woods. You heard what Luna Rose said; you have to surprise your prey. If they see you coming, you will never catch it!"

We walked deep into the forest. "Well, not everyone can be fast." Nova huffed. "I'm better at other things like- "

"Looking cute."

Nova smiled mischievously, running ahead slightly, her dress flowing in the wind. "My mate will appreciate that more than other qualities."

"Give yourself credit, Nova," I laughed, swinging my arm around a tree and flying in the air. "You are more than what meets the eye."

We all joked as we continued back towards the pack house. "Hey, we should all hang out tonight. It's supposed to be a full moon. We should go to the lake and swim."

Our other friends, Lucius and Fiona, agreed. "That sounds awesome! I'll invite our friends from training. We'd better ask Alpha and Luna first."

"I'll ask," I volunteered, still twirling around each tree in our path. "I'm sure they will say yes."

"Hey, Dad!" I knocked on the door excitedly. "Can I come in?"

The other side of the door was quiet. "Dad?" I waited again before deciding to open the door. "Is it okay if some friends and-"

"Dad?"

Dad held a picture frame in his hands. His tears streamed down his cheeks and onto what I know was a picture of all 3 of us. His wolf was untamed and inconsolable inside of him.

My wolf responded immediately, carrying us fast to wrap our arms around him. "Dad, what happened? What's going on?"

Dad shook hard. A new feeling lit up my body, one of despair and heartbreak. I had never seen Dad like this; he was always so happy. He was one of the most joyful jokesters on this planet.

"Sweetheart," he whispered with his eyes closed, reaching to find my arm and pat it.

"What's going on?" I whispered, feeling guilty. "I don't have to go tonight, Dad. I know we haven't been spending a lot of time as a family together. Let's do something fun tonight, just me, you, and- "

"Mom is dead, Millie." He cried, pulling me into his warm embrace. "I'm so sorry, my girl."

"What are you talking about?" I struggled, finding it hard to breathe in his tight embrace. "Mom was just fine this morning. She walked me to school."

Dad looked back to make sure the door was shut before laying both of his hands on my face. "Mom was poisoned, Millie."

"Poisoned?" I panicked. "How? No- "

"Yes," Dad caressed my cheek.

"Who?" I jumped out of his hands. "Who would have done this to Mom? Who would want to kill her? She did nothing wrong!"

"Millie-"Dad cried, reaching out for me. "Come."

Dad pulled me back into his gentle embrace. He brought my head to his chest and stuck his nose in my hair, breathing in my scent. His wolf gave a soft, audible purr.

"I hate when you are upset," he said. "You and your mother. Especially when I am the one causing it."

I sobbed as soon as Dad held me closer. We stayed like that for a while, finding comfort in each other's scents.

"Who did this?"

Dad sighed heavily. "Orion Eclipse's fingerprints were on the syringe."

"Him? Why would he do this?" I trembled. "There is no reason! Everyone loves Mom- "

Dad hushed me. "That I don't know, my girl."

I shook my head. "We have to do something! We have to go and kill him! We have to punish him, banish him!"

"Look at me-"

"You must not tell anyone about this, my rose," Dad spoke seriously. "No one."

"Why? They deserve to know! They need to know who killed- "I choked. "Who killed- "

Dad grabbed my face again, forcing me to look at him. "You cannot face him or anyone alone, understood?" he said, as if saying this is final. "Or you will be in danger too."

"I'm not alone, I have you. We have each other!"

Dad took a shaky breath. "Millie, you must be a strong girl for Daddy," he said softly. "Just promise me you will stay safe. You will stay unharmed."

"And one day, you will claim your rightful title as Luna to this pack."

Dad and I stayed together that night. But the next morning, he was insistent that I find Nova and spend time with her. "Please, go."

The night I returned to Mom and Dad's room, it was empty.

"Millie," Orion appeared, leaning on the doorway. "There is- "

"Where's Dad?" I screamed. "He should be here! Where is he?"

"Oh, poor girl," Orion sighed, puckering his lip in pity. "Do you not understand how the mate bond works? I thought the Alpha and Luna would have informed you."

Orion sauntered towards me. "If one dies, the other will also die."

"Are you saying Dad- "

Orion tilted his head. "Sorry, kiddo."

That night was the first time I had ever run away. Nova tried to chase me, but she was no match for my speed.

It was also the same night I discovered the ring.

When I arrived back home, Orion became Alpha, and I traded in my dirty, pink Converse and sweatshirts for a new maid uniform.

Orion turned our unused basement area into a storage closet for all of his newly named maids.

"Our mates won't let anything happen to us, Mills."

Nova looked at me from across the console. Her gaze held so much hope. "I just don't know what Dad meant. Why wouldn't he want me to take revenge?"

Nova held my hand. "It would be dangerous to take back the pack now, on your own," she nodded. "You are strong, but they are stronger in numbers, and who knows how many people are working with him. You could be killed in a heartbeat, Mill."

"I don't understand why they didn't just kill me too," I gulped, staring at our family picture. "If he wanted to kill my family, why not me?"

It never made sense.

I always assumed it was just a way to punish me, to live without Mom and Dad.

"You never live without us, baby," Mom appeared, her smile wide as ever. "We are always watching after our little girl."

"Mom?" Her face glowed in the sun. She was magical, her long black hair in curls down her back. She held her arms wide in front of her.

I ran as fast as I could. "Mom!"

Dad appeared behind her, crouching down next to Mom to embrace me in their arms. "Oh my-"

"I can't believe you are- "I tried to hug them, only to find clouds. "Why can't I- "

Mom and Dad smiled down at me. They were hard to look at, their complexions shiny and bright like the sun.

"I missed you so much, I-"

"We missed you, too," Dad soothed, wrapping his arm around Mom.

I looked around. "Where are we? Why can't I touch you? I was just in the Camaro with No-"

"Wait," I froze, looking around. "Am I dead?"

Mom put her hand on her heart. "Millie," she caught my attention. "We absolutely adore the woman you have become. Even in our absence, you preserved, just like a true Rose."

"You protected our people," Dad added proudly. "You've taken care of them in the ways you knew how."

"And now," Mom beamed. "You saved them. Freed them."

I shook my head. "No, no- "I stumbled. "They all went to Stromblade, they-"

"-They're going to be very well taken care of under your mate's protection," Mom said. "They will have everything and more than they wish."

"My mate-"I said, confused.

"Just because we are dead doesn't mean we don't keep up on the latest details of your life, Mills," Dad joked. "We love watching our grandchildren, too."

I stumbled back confused. "How- "

"You know," Dad added gently. "I was quite surprised when your mother told me you were Alpha Theo Stormblade's mate. But the moon goddess makes no mistakes. You are perfect for each other."

"We were so happy to know that you would be well taken care of," Mom said, squeezing Dad for comfort. "Although we don't agree with the approach- "

Dad chuckled. "He was also suffering, and he needed you just as much as you needed him."

"Theo has a mate," I gulped. "They mated before your death."

Mom and Dad looked at each other questioningly. "I guess you don't know that part yet."

"What part?"

"Ember was never his mate, Mills," Dad softened. "You were always destined to be his. Not her."

I shook my head. "That's impossible-"

Mom hushed me gently. "Don't panic, my daughter. Especially not now."

"Your mate needs you," Mom stared into Dad's eyes lovingly before focusing back on me. "He needs you now more than ever."

Mom and Dad waved goodbye as they slowly started to disappear into the sky. "No, wait!"

"Mom, Dad, I don't want to leave you!"

"You will see us soon enough, Mills." Mom blew me a kiss. "But, right now, you still have your whole life ahead of you."

"Wait!"

I panicked as I watched them disappear, their bodies breaking into a million clouds. I ran after them, as fast as my legs could carry me. "Don't leave!"

"Mom!"

"Dad, please!"

"Millie?" a voice floated from above.

"Her heart rate is extremely elevated!" someone screamed. "Get the Alpha now! Tell him it's urgent!"

"Yes, Doctor!"

Loud beeps crept into my ears. I suddenly felt gravity again, weighing me down to something soft. My hand ached when I tried to move. A low rumble came from inside my chest, something so foreign yet so familiar...

That's when our eyes snapped open.

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