"Please help me... I'll do anything. I just want my mother to live." I cried, tears streaming down my face in torrents, my body trembling in fear. Kael stared down at me, his glowering eyes devoid of any emotion and a chill ran down my spine. "Anything, you say?" He asked, pointing the edge of his sword against my neck and I stiffened, refusing to breathe. "Anything... " I whispered, my voice small yet resolute. A corner of his lips quirked up, not quite forming a smile. "How about my slave?l ***** "She was supposed to be his captive, not his salvation. When Aira sneaks into forbidden Lycan territory to save her mother, she is caught and thrown at the mercy of the ruthless Lycan King, Kael Drathlor. In a desperate bargain, she trades her freedom for her mother's life. But as she becomes the king's unwilling companion, Aira discovers a terrifying truth-Kael is cursed, unable to die, unable to feel the mate bond that should tie them together. As dark forces conspire against them and Kael spirals further into self-destruction, Aira must decide: escape and save herself, or risk everything for the beast who might never love her back. In a world where fate is both a gift and a curse, can she break the chains of destiny before it's too late?"

Chapter 1 1. Aira

Striding back to my old rickety cottage I called home, I hummed a low tune to myself, gripping the basket of herbs I had foraged tightly to my body. My heart raced with a mix of fear and hope, but I forced myself to be positive.

My mother had been unwell for weeks nows and I've done everything I could in my power to try and nurse her back to good health to no avail. Calling a medicine man was out of the question because they were too expensive and I didn't have the money that they would demand. I reached the porch, and unlocking the door, pushed the door open and walked in.

The cold, damp air greeted me first. My eyes adjusted to the dim lighting and I found my mother lying at the far corner in the room, covered by a soft yet worn out blanket. She hadn't moved from the position I had left her in, her skin even paler, beads of sweat coating her forehead. My heart lurched at the sight and I let out a shaky breath, gently closing the door behind me.

Walking towards the chimney, I set up a pot over the coals and started to boil the water in the pot, hurriedly rinsing off the herbs and grinding a couple others which I added into the steaming water. A warm, earthy scent filled the room and that's when my mother stirred. I turned to her, a smile lighting up my face when her eyelids fluttered open.

"Mother!" I cried out, rushing to her side. She turned weakly towards me, managing a tiny smile as her eyelids drifted to a close.

"Aira... " She called out, her voice almost inaudible, reaching out to grab my hands. I held her hands, pressing a soft kiss against the back of her palm. "I just got back from the forest. I went to gather some herbs. Hopefully, they'll make you feel better." I said to her and she managed a small nod, unable to speak.

Blinking the away the tears that had gathered in my eyes, I leaned forward to give her a kiss on the forehead before standing to my feet. The water had come to a boil and I poured the steaming concoction into a bowl, blowing on it as I let it steep and cool. Pain twisted my insides and my hands trembled as I watched my mother groan in pain but I forced myself to focus on the present.

Once the concoction had cooled to a comfortable degree, I went to my mother, raising her head gently and prompting her to drink. I met with no resistance at all, as the dark, warm liquid flowed into her mouth till she emptied the bowl. A slight frown appeared on her face afterwards, but other than that, nothing. A few moments later, I realized she had fallen asleep. Her complexion was getting better now, her fever breaking and I finally let out the breath I was holding, my lips trembling.

"Please, mom... " I whispered, my voice breaking. "Please get better, you're the only I have left in this world. You have to get better." I muttered, my head falling as tears streamed down my cheeks. I stayed there, watching her sleep, occasionally cleaning off the sweat that had gathered on her body.

It was in the evening when the convulsions began. At first they were minor, almost unnoticeable tremors, which I dismissed because I thought it was her fever returning but they progressively worse till it seemed like my mother was being possessed like the very devil. I couldn't stop screaming, trying to hold her down but it wasn't enough. Torn on what to do, I ran out the cottage, calling for help on anyone who would hear me.

A few passerbys and onlookers watched as I cried, but neither offered an helping hand. Mostly because they were already aware of my mother's illness and thought it to be highly contagious. Eventually, I had to call on the healer who I had been avoiding to come and see my mother, to determine what was wrong with her.

He seemed reluctant at first, unwilling even but at my persistence, followed me. I couldn't stop crying on my way back, terrified that I would return home and meet her lifeless. Racing in front, I turned back multiple times to confirm if the healer was indeed following me before running back to the cottage.

Fortunately, she was still alive, but her convulsions had yet to subside. The healer walked in a moment later and seeing the state my mother was in, immediately set to work, alarmed. I watched on in horror as he administered every herb, potion and pills available to him, yet my mother's tremblings showed no signs of stopping. When all hope seemed lost, she finally stopped, falling into an exhausted sleep afterwards.

I collapsed to the floor in exasperation, tears pouring out of my eyes like rain, devastation tearing through me. "What's wrong with her?!" I asked in between hiccups, staring at the healer like he had an answer.

He pursed his lips, a confused look appearing on his face. "To be honest, I don't know. I've never seen anything quite like it before. How long as she been unwell?"

"I don't know, weeks? Months? She complained of body pain once and since then, I've done everything I could, she didn't get any better." I explained. He stared at my mother was who lying unmoving, a look of pity flashing in his eyes.

"To be honest... I don't think I would have any medicine your mother needs to get better. This looks like something out of my expertise." He explained solemnly and I froze.

"What do you mean? Are you saying she's not going to recover!?"

"I didn't say that. I just said, I just might not be able to be of help. If only... " He trailed off, a pained expression appearing on his face.

"If only what?" I asked, scrambling to my feet and grabbing his hands. "Please, healer Khamel. I need my mother to recover."

"The Lycans who rule the land might have medicines for such ailments like this. But not only are they incredibly expensive, they are also not available to us, humans. Their king made sure of that. It's his way of punishing us and controlling our population." Khamel explained, downcast.

An exasperated gasp escaped my lips. "But my mother is dying!" I screamed, pointing at her. "I can't let her die. Isn't there something I can do?"

"I'm afraid there isn't. We are banned from entering the Lycans abode, Aira. Doing that would mean instant death. And the medicine would be too expensive for you to be able to afford it. I'm afraid this is all I can do. You might have to prepare for the worst." He said and I whimpered, crumbling beside my mother as sobs racked me. This couldn't be happening.

I didn't realize when the healer left my house, but soon I was all alone with my mother, whose body seemed to be growing colder by the second. I couldn't do it. I can't lose her. In this world that was filled with cruelty and pain, she was my beacon of light. I had to get the medicine she needed, even of it meant I would go to extreme lengths.

With that resolve planted in my heart, I cleaned the last of my tears, and cleared up the place, tucking her in bed and ensuring she was still breathing when I left the house. Tonight, I would sneak into the the Lycans territory and steal the medicine if I have to. Humans lived in the outskirts and yes, there was a wall dividing us, but I had enough experience climbing it. Just never had the nerve to jump in. All that was going to change however.

Hang in there mother, I'll get you the medicine that you need.

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