CHAPTER SEVEN: THE CONTRACT

SAGE'S POV

I signed the papers with a shaking hand and pushed them back across the table toward Cade. My stomach felt heavy and my head spun, but I forced my face to stay blank.

‘This wasn't going to end well’ the voice in my head echoed repeatedly but I ignored it. I was already pregnant, realistically what's the worst that could happen?

"You can go now. A car would be waiting for you," Cade muttered, scanning my signature like I had forged it. Letting out a sigh, I took fast steps walking out of the overly large mansion.

A guard opened the door and I stepped in, pushing my hair out of my face only to meet the hard gaze of Dante.

"Why the hell are you here?" I asked, my patience wearing off faster than bad nail polish.

"Start the car," he said to the driver not even sparing me a glance. The engine roared to life and I huffed a breath turning towards the window.

I had signed the contract thinking of only one person; my Granny and the more I stayed with Dante the more I felt like I had made a big mistake.

What if he lied? What if Granny just needed better care? The questions kept piling but it was too late—I had already signed the damn paper.

The car started moving smoothly through the pack territory and even though I tried my best to stare at the trees or the pack infrastructure, his scent seemed to torture me.

He always smelled of mild coffee and cinnamon, the same one I had been dreaming of for months.

Trying to ignore the heat growing in my tummy, I closed my eyes but that only made it worse with Cade's voice slowly slipping in.

“You stay in the territory until the birth. Full medical care for you and the pup. Your grandmother receives the full antidote treatment.

After delivery, you get the settlement and can leave if you choose. The child remains with the pack.”

I stared out at the passing houses and tried to breathe normally but the questions kept rising no matter how hard I pushed them down.

How long would this really last? What if the antidote did not work completely? What if I changed my mind halfway through? And why did my stupid body still react every time Dante sat this close?

The car slowed to a stop in front of a large medical building. Not waiting for anyone, I stepped out quickly and started walking toward the entrance, leaving Dante behind me.

My heart beat faster with every step. It annoyed me to no end that even though I could not stand the man and sometimes wanted to put a hole right through his head, my body still acted weird under his gaze.

I could feel his eyes on me, especially on my ass as I moved ahead of him. Heat crawled up my neck at the thought and I shook my head, increasing my pace.

I stopped at the reception table and soon Dante met up. He spoke a few words to the elderly nurse behind the desk, and she nodded quickly leading us towards the elevator.

We rode up to the top floor in silence. When the doors opened, the nurse took us down a wide hallway and stopped in front of a heavy wooden door.

“This is her room."

I stepped inside and stopped short, my jaw almost dropping in shock. The room looked nothing like an average ward with bright lights, fresh flowers, and expensive looking decors.

A large window overlooked the forest and there was even a small sitting area with comfortable chairs. It was beautiful.

Too beautiful but I tried my best to stay unimpressed not letting his money affect me.

Granny sat up in the wide bed, propped against pillows. Her skin looked brighter, the deep lines on her face had softened and her eyes were clearer than they had been in years.

God, she looked like she had aged at least a decade backwards.

As if Dante could read my mind he said quietly, “They have already started the antidote. The first dose went in this morning.”

His voice took me by surprise and I turned to him with a glare, “Do you have nothing better to do than cling to me like this?”

I expected him to let out a growl or something but he simply tucked his hands in his pockets and walked away. The door clicked shut behind him, leaving just Granny and me.

"Are you going to stay there or come hug your granny," she said with that airy voice I had not heard in so long.

Tears burned in my eyes but I blinked them back fast, rushing towards her. Her hands wrapped around me and I immediately noticed that she was stronger and warmer than the last time I had touched her.

“Granny,” I whispered against her shoulder. “What is going on? Dante showed me papers. He said I was born in this pack. He said you took me from here and hid everything. Is any of that true?”

Granny sighed and looked away from me toward the window. Her fingers twisted the edge of the blanket.

“Some of it is true, Sage,” she said, her voice laced with guilt.

My brows furrowed as my hands rested in hers. “Then, tell me the rest. Who were my parents? Why did you hide me? Why did you never say anything all these years?”

I searched for her face but she avoided my gaze, shaking her head. “It is not the right time, sweetheart. Telling you everything now would only cause more trouble than you already have.”

“More trouble?” I asked, my voice rising more than I hoped. “I am pregnant with an Alpha’s baby. I just signed my life away for months and I am stuck here because of you. Please, Granny. I am begging you. Just tell me.”

She reached out and patted my hand gently. “I promise I will tell you when the time is right. When the antidote is finished, you will be stronger. Right now it would only make things harder for you.”

I wanted to argue more, maybe even shake the answers from her. But I could still see the tiredness creeping back into her eyes even with the new treatment.

So I let it go for now with the hope that I would continue asking once the antidote was completely given and she felt even better.

Instead, I stayed and talked with her about smaller things. I told her about Crystal and how she had tried to help at the café. About all the funny and embarrassing things we had done in the past month.

It felt good just to sit with her and talk like we used to before everything fell apart. She looked so much healthier already and I was loving every minute of it.

Too soon a nurse knocked and stepped inside. “I am sorry, but visiting hours are over for tonight. You can come back tomorrow.”

I stood up slowly and hugged Granny again. “I will be back first thing in the morning. Rest well, okay?”

“I love you, Sage. Try to take care of yourself too.” Granny said, pushing her light brown hair out of her face.

"Love you too, Granny," I walked out of the room and pulled the door closed behind me, only to find Dante sitting on the hallway bench.

"What are y—"

"I've done my part, now it's your turn."