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#Chapter 8: My Saving Grace
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2024-10-29 19:42:56
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The Billionaire's Baby Bargain #Chapter 9: The Contract that Binds
“Coffee would be wonderful, Dana. And could we see about getting Almara some clothes?” Arthur asked and relief flooded through me. Typically wolves didn’t care about nudity since shifting meant being naked, but it had always made me feel vulnerable.Dana bowed and walked off. Arthur wrapped an arm around my shoulders and led me up the stairs to the entrance of the house. An extravagant foyer with a split staircase was the first thing that I saw. Golden light from a chandelier gave everything a warm glow.“Where are we going?” I asked as he led me down hallways filled with artwork that I knew must have cost him a pretty penny. Persian rugs lined the floor. Everything just screamed money.“To my office. We have a contract to sign,” he answered, stopping in front of a set of french doors. They led to the coziest space I could have ever imagined. Every wall was covered in floor to ceiling bookshelves with the exception of the stone fireplace that already held a roaring fire.Another mahog
The Billionaire's Baby Bargain #Chapter 10: Identity Crisis
AlmaraShe is still hesitating. “I don't know.”Arthur held back a growl. Why was she being so difficult? “Either you quit your job at the restaurant and work at the gallery or you don’t work at all. Your choice.”Almara’s eyes narrowed and it was like she had lit a fire inside of him. He wouldn’t admit it, but he wanted her to fight back. He wanted the challenge. She would lose, but then he could punish her. And oh did he want to punish her.“Fine. I’ll quit tomorrow morning. Now, are you going to take me home?” She asked and Arthur gave her his trademark smirk.“You already are home.”The next morning, Arthur escorted me to the restaurant and then disappeared. I didn’t even see where he went. It was like he just vanished into thin air.I had to admit that I was disappointed. I didn’t really want to face my boss by myself. I didn’t like letting people down. I couldn’t even give the courtesy of a two week notice.I took a deep breath and began to walk toward the back of the restaurant
The Billionaire's Baby Bargain #Chapter 11: Becoming “Almara”
I grit my teeth as my face burned red. Arthur knew that I couldn’t pay him back. I didn’t have a choice. I would have to play by his rules…or else.I nodded and focused on my food. It tasted like cardboard. I didn’t think it was the chef’s fault. I was just miserable.We ate the rest of the meal in silence. Well, I was silent. Dana and Arthur chatted merrily away. I wonder if Arthur knew that Dana was in love with him.I bet Dana would be a perfect candidate for the surrogate position, I grumbled to Lily as I speared a spinach leaf with my fork.Not if she’s in love with him. She wouldn’t be able to let him go once the contract was fulfilled. That one would definitely cause problems, Lily surmised and it made a certain sense. I couldn’t wait to get away from Arthur. I would not be sticking around once the contract was over.“Alright, little wolf, it’s time for us to go. You are getting a much needed makeover,” Arthur told me cheerfully as he set down his utensils. I didn’t miss Dana’s
The Billionaire's Baby Bargain #Chapter 12: Paint…or Else
Arthur introduced me to so many people that I knew I would never be able to remember who was who. Luckily, I didn’t think that I would ever see these people again once the contract was over and done with.I stayed glued to Arthur’s side. Wherever he went, I went too. It would have been fine, but being so close to him meant I was breathing in his scent constantly. It was driving Lily insane.Just one little taste, Lily pleaded and I hated to admit that after that kiss, it was extremely tempting to go for another one. But I had to be careful. Lust was only a few steps away from love and I could not fall in love with Arthur.It wasn’t helping that Arthur kept bending down to whisper in my ear. I was afraid I was going to have permanent goosebumps. “We have to tread very carefully with this next person. He would love nothing more than to steal my title.”My grip tightened on his arm as I nodded my head. We approached a middle aged man with his back to us, his salt and pepper hair cropped
The Billionaire's Baby Bargain #Chapter 13: The Perfect Gentleman
“Almara, say goodbye to William,” Arthur commanded and I bit back the retort that was on the top of my tongue.“Bye, William. It was so nice meeting you,” I said instead and I offered him a shy smile. I actually liked William. He might even become a friend.“It was nice meeting you, too, Almara. I look forward to the next time that we get to talk. I’ll have my people get in contact with you to set up a date,” William said, giving me a devilish grin. My heartrate spiked a little. Arthur’s grip tightened even more.“I’m afraid that Almara will be very busy in the future. It might be a long while before you see her again,” Arthur answered for me, voice strained slightly.Ooh, he’s so jealous, Lily purred and I almost laughed out loud.I highly doubt that, I told her. The entire idea of Arthur being jealous over me was so farfetch’d. He was probably just worried I’d say something to ruin our whole agreement.Arthur led me away William and I gave him a small wave before the crowd swallowed
The Billionaire's Baby Bargain #Chapter 14: Beauty and Pain
I woke up to sunlight streaming in through a high window. I was warm and snuggled up to Arthur’s hard body, my head resting on his arm. For just a minute, I enjoyed the intimacy that Robert had longed denied me before I pulled myself away.“Good morning, little wolf,” Arthur’s husky morning voice came from behind me and I froze. “I was afraid if you slept any longer I was going to lose my arm.”I turned to look at him. He was opening and closing his hand, the one attached to the arm I had been sleeping on. It must have gone numb during the night.“Why didn’t you move it?” I asked, feeling bad even though I knew on some level that it wasn’t my fault. Not really.“I didn’t want to disturb you. You looked so peaceful while you were sleeping,” Arthur answered, peering at me through hooded eyes. Bedroom eyes. Eyes that were doing funny things to my lower body.“Is there anything that I could do to make it up for you?” I asked before I could stop myself. I’m not even sure why I did. I didn’
The Billionaire's Baby Bargain #Chapter 15: Good Vibrations
AlmaraArthur had insisted on escorting me to the gallery so there I was, in a limo, again. I had never been in one my whole life and now it had been three times in less than a week. What had my life become?Arthur vacantly stared out the window, hands folded casually across his lap. I couldn’t help but watch him from my peripheral. As an alpha, he was so strong. He had to be, but I couldn’t help but wonder how much of that was an act.My sneaky studying was cut short when Athur’s phone started vibrating. I glanced down at it. Sofia’s name flashed across the screen and I raised my eyebrows. Arthur hadn’t mentioned once that she had contacted him since she departed the cruise shipIt rang and rang, but Arthur never moved. He didn’t even give the slightest hint that he knew that Sofia had called. Maybe he was too lost in thought?“Um…Sofia just called you,” I said, breaking what had been a comfortable silence.“I’m aware. I just don’t care. However, I do know that since I didn’t answer,
The Billionaire's Baby Bargain #Chapter 16: Difficult Assignments
The art gallery was smaller than I thought it would be, but that just meant it was more intimate, more exclusive. Only the best of the best would be displayed here and the pressure I felt threatened to overwhelm me. Why did Arthur think I could do this?He squeezed my hand as if he could sense my inner turmoil and I squared my shoulders in resolve. I had at least one person’s support and an alpha’s at that. That had to count for something right.Arthur led me through the revolving doors and I was greeted by a woman with short, flaming red hair. Her dark navy blue suit and bright hair contrasted with the white walls of the gallery. Even the warm smile she gave stood out.She held out her hand and I took it hesitantly. “Hello! My name is Molly. I’m the owner of the gallery and a long time friend of Arthur’s. You must be Almara. It’s a pleasure to meet you and I can’t wait to start working with you.”Everything about her radiated kindness and I could feel myself smiling back at her. “Yes
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The Billionaire's Baby Bargain #Chapter 250: I wonder
Almara’s Pov5 Years Later“Cheers,” Arthur sys clinking his mixed drink of vodka and lemonade with my non-alcoholic lemonade. I’m pregnant, again. This pregnancy is completely different than my first two, I actually get to relax. Which is exactly what we’re doing in the manicured garden of our backyard.We sit stretched out on zero-gravity pool chairs, sweat
The Billionaire's Baby Bargain #Chapter 249: The End of an Era
Almara’s PovAfter a much-needed week of rest and restoration, Arthur and I are back on the vampire territory. I suppose that it can officially be called that again now that it has been reclaimed.My body healed magnificently after months of not only growing another being, but also fighting a war. It’s amazing what good rest and proper nutrition can do. Of course, the real healing ingredient came from the sacrificial love of my wonderful husband.Even though he suffered his own inju
The Billionaire's Baby Bargain #Chapter 248: Home Repairs
Almara’s PovFinally, after several journeys back and forth from our homeland to the enemies we come to the final steps. We saw plenty of wolves making their expedition back home and there was a unspoken agreement that what everyone needs right now is peace.Thankfully, no one came up to us with questions, grief, or comments. It’s like we have this new kinship with the gammas in our world that we didn’t before. We seem to understand each other, or at least truly see one another.
The Billionaire's Baby Bargain #Chapter 247: Family Time
Almara’s PovOn the way home we make a pitstop to a very special place. “Why are we seeing more dead bodies?” Grace asks, her tone telling me we are nearing a full-blown tantrum.“This body belongs to someone very important in our family,” I tell her calmly and hike her up on my hip. I’m not sure if my words got through to her, or maybe it’s her father's serenity as we ascend up one final hill to where Bess lays.Bess’s gravestone is set apart fro
The Billionaire's Baby Bargain #Chapter 246: Reunited
Almara’s PovWith the vortex closed off and gone, the air becomes breathable again and the storm lessens. Still, my paws squelch in the wet terrain.Unfortunately, as I look around at the battlefield and see the piles of bodies slumped over one another, I think it’s more than just mud causing the stickiness.I try not to look down at the innocent blood shed on the ground. As I take careful consideration to step over and around the bodies, I tell myself they chose to come out and hel
The Billionaire's Baby Bargain #Chapter 245: Finally Over
Almara’s PovCathy and I weave through the castle, barely missing rubble crumbling off from the stony walls. We leap over counters, using everything we have in us to catapult ourselves past knocked over statues of gargoyles and shredded velvet furniture.“Catch!” Cathy calls out and reflexively I snatch a jagged shard of ceramic in my hand. I recognize it from a broken pot on the ground. Then out of the corner of my eye I see something else flying at me, though I don’t catch it this time, I duck.
The Billionaire's Baby Bargain #Chapter 244: In Hiding
Almara’s PovI’ve never seen Cathy look more confident and proud than she does at this moment. She stands tall, cuts strewn across her body, but they only add to her tough exterior. She’s covered in her enemy’s blood and she has a thrilling look in her eyes.“Have you seen Arthur?” I ask cutting to the chase. Cathy nods back towards tall white cabinet doors. I turn back to look at my mother who nods in confirmation. I rush over to the door and throw it open.
The Billionaire's Baby Bargain #Chapter 243: Lead the Way
Almara’s PovI awake to a familiar beeping sound. It’s faint at first, like a distant call from far away until it’s suddenly blaring in my ears. My eyes shoot open and the blood in my body rushes to the important organs and I sit up with a jolt.“Where’s Grace?” I ask before I can make out anything else. “Arthur? Robbie?” I call out, hoping the sound of my distressed voice will cause Robbie to cry back.“Shhh,” a gentle voice says with
The Billionaire's Baby Bargain #Chapter 242: Surprise Attack!
Almara’s PovArthur flings open the door, this time it breaks off the hinges. I guess there’s no changing our mind now. I keep Robbie wrapped up in both my arms and under my shirt.Arthur uses his body to guard mine, outstretching his arms and a puffed-out chest as he keeps his eyes zeroed in on every moving body around us all while moving us forward and falling in exact pace with each of my steps.We fight through sideways rain and vicious winds, it dawns on me that this storm isn&
