Chapter 3 3. Aira.

I clutched the bag that held the medicines my mother would need to my chest, keeping my gaze trained forward as two Lycan soldiers walked beside me. The gentle morning rays was warm against my skin but I was too wired up to feel any appreciation for it. Just like the Lycan King had instructed, medicines for my mother's ailment had been given to me and the soldiers had even followed me back home.

People stuck their head out of the windows of their homes as we walked through the streets, passerbys stopping and staring, their mouth agape, bewildered expressions on there faces. I did my best to ignore them, images of my sick mother spurring me forward. Eventually we got to the cottage and my steps slowed to a stop, my heart racing as dread pooled in the pit of my stomach.

Swallowing tightly, I turned back, passing a glance to the soldiers stern expressions. "If it's alright with you, can you stay out here while I go in and check on my mother. I wouldn't want her to wake up and the first thing she sees is you." I said.

One of them scowled, a snarl escaping his lips as he took a step forward to hit me but the other held him back with his hands. "How dare you tell us what to do!?" The angry one raged, his pupils dilating.

"I would never do such a thing!" I screamed, trepidation filling me. "I swear I'm not trying to run away! I just want you to stay out here, please." I cried, lowering my head.

"We would stay out here, but if you try anything funny, we would murder you ourselves." The calm one growled.

I nodded quickly, turning on my heels and running into the house. I doubt they would go through with their threats due to the Lycan's King instructions, but I didn't want to take any chances. Slamming the door behind me, I panted heavily, my entire body trembling as I made my way to my mother who was lying like a corspe on the bed. My heart broke at the sight and I couldn't help the sob that spilled from my lips.

Heading to her side, I brought out the medicine from the bag, arranging it neatly on the bedside table, before settling on the bed next to her. Running a finger through her face, I sniffed, blinking away the tears that were filling my eyes.

I picked up one of the small bottles from the table, unscrewing it and emptying the contents into her mouth. She didn't give any reaction and for a moment I thought the worst. But minutes later, color started to return to her cheeks. I intently watched her, my heart rate rising as her breathing grew deeper, her skin brighter.

Hours later, her eyelids fluttered open, her gaze unfocused as I travelled across the room before settling on me. "Mom...?" I called out warily, trying to confirm if it wasn't just my imagination.

"Aira?" My mom answered, her voice raspy yet stronger than I've heard it in a long time. A sob of relief broke from my lips, as I rushed to hug her.

"Mom!" I cried out in happiness, my body trembling in relief. "You're awake! Thank the gods, oh...Thank you! You scared me mom! Don't ever do that again!" I cried into her neck, my body trembling.

Her small hands reached to pat my back as she pressed a kiss to my cheeks. "I'm sorry if I scared you." She whispered as I cried, relief and happiness flooding my heart. The medicine worked after all. I pulled away from her after a while, staring at her glossy eyes.

"I'm so happy to see you getting better. For a moment there, I really thought the worst." I said, my voice hoarse from crying.

"For a moment, I did too. Thank you for caring for me." She muttered, her gaze drifting towards the table where the other bottles lay. Her brows furrowed slightly. "How did you afford the medicine?" She asked and I stiffened. Forcing a smile, I stood to my feet.

"Not now. Let me get you something to eat first, we'll discuss later." I said, running to the cup boards in hopes of finding anything that would be edible enough. There were some dried out herbs and a huge chunk of cheese, but other than nothing." I turned to look at her, wearing a bright smile.

"Hang on, I'll be back in a jiffy." I said, skipping out of the cottage to beg for ingredients from a neighbor which I would use to make broth. I returned home as quickly as I could, cutting up the vegetables I had gathered and throwing into a boiling a pot of water, making a soup broth out of it. It didn't smell like much, but at least it would be edible.

Once it was ready, I dished it into a bowl and went to her. She was already propped by the pillow, smiling warmly at me. I returned it with one of my own, blowing on the broth in an attempt to cool it off before serving it to her. We would eat quietly for a moment before her gaze flickered towards the blood on my dress and the wound on my neck. She froze, her face growing pale.

"Aira, what happened?" She asked and my grip on the spoon faltered. "How did you get that wound?"

"Oh... This was an accident. I stumbled and fell while I was foraging for fruits and herbs." I lied, staring thr broth as I averted my gaze. My mother pursed her lips, not convinced.

"How did you get the medicine, I know it can't be cheap. What did you do?" She asked again, prodding

"Mother, the broth is going to grow cold. You need to finish this first." I said, trying to dissuade her. Already, the Lycan soldiers outside were already impatient. I had to lie to them that my mom had yet to wake up.

"Aira... " My mother ground out now, her voice stern. My lips trembled and I let out an exasperated breath. I tried to blink back the tears threatening to fill my eyes as I stared at her but they still gathered anyway. How could I tell her that I handed my freedom for her recovery and I was now a slave to the most despicable Lycan king of all time? I'm going to give my mother a heart attack with that news.

"Aira!" My mother screamed now, if her low, frail sound could be call a scream, jolting me out of my thoughts. "Talk to me. What did you do?!"

I set the bowl down, sniffing. Reaching for her hands, I squeezed them softly. "Mom... I have to tell you something. Ill be gone for a little while, but I'll do everything in my power to come back okay? Keep using your medicines and make sure to take care of yourself." I said, my voice trembling.

My mother was panicking now. "Aira, I don't understand what you're saying. What do you mean you're leaving for a little while, where are you going?!" She asked, her eyes filled with worry.

Just then, the door burst open, and the Lycan soldiers burst in, all furious and menacing. My mom screamed, her entire body going rigid.

"I told you she was lying, her mom is already awake!" The angry one roared.

"Lycans? Why are they here?!" My mom asked and I started crying. One of them stalked up to me, grabbing me by the shoulders kael had stabbed earlier."

I screamed, the tears coming unrestrained. "Mom, I have to go. I'll be back, I promise."

"Aira!" My mom called out again, trying to reach for me but she tumbled to the ground instead, I winced, guilt and shame drowning me. The soldier carried me out of the house as I screamed her name, my mom crawling out as well, tears streaming down her cheeks

"Please, leave my daughter alone. Take me instead. She's all I have left!" My mom cried out, staying on the threshold, unable to keep going.

"Mom!" I screamed as they marched away, hauling me over their shoulders.The image of her laying on the threshold as I was taken away, burned into my mind and I sobbed, reaching for her.

I'm sorry mom. Please, be okay.

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I cried all the way to the Lycan King's castle, paying little notice to the attention I was gathering. It was the first time in years a human would be brought to the Lycan Kings residence and of course, I attracted a lot of curious onlookers. I had just been cruelly separated from my mother. Why did it feel worse than watching her die?

Please heavens, keep her safe. She's all I have left, I prayed, sniffing. We finally arrived at the huge gates leading to the castle and the soldiers stopped walking dropping me to the ground. I let out a yelp, my entire body hurting. Carrying myself to my feet, I watched as the soldiers spoke with the guards and they opened the gates, letting us in.

It was my first time seeing anything as grand as this, so I was dumbfounded. Despite the Lycan Kings horrible reputation, the castle was the most beautiful thing I had ever laid my eyes on. A well kept garden adorned the huge land leading the to the doors of the castle, with a splendid water fountain standing right in the middle. Other than the guards who were stationed in their posts, they were very little people moving around. Yet, they still seemed very shocked seeing a human walking into the castle.

We finally at the grand stairs and I stared at the huge doors thet had the head of wolves at its doorknob, my heart palpitating in my chest. A soldier glare forced me to move and I climbed up the stairs, letting out a shaky breath as the door was opened for us.

Inside the castle was much darker and colder than outside. I shivered, wrapping my hands around myself as my gaze darted around, looking for him. The maids who had been walking about froze when they saw me, their mouth open in shock. Why? Is it because I'm human? Uncomfortable, I dropped my gaze to the ground, squeezing my clothes to my dress. Why did I agree to this?

"Has she returned?" A deep voice cut through the silence and I flinched, my fingers growing cold and clammy with sweat. He was here.

"Yes, your majesty." One of the soldiers answered, his voice tinged with fear. I bit my lips, willing my body to stop trembling.

I didn't hear him approach us, but soon I could feel his presence and his piercing gaze on me and I cowered slightly, my heart racing in my chest. When he didn't say anything, I tried to peek a look at him and stopped in my tracks. Maybe because the first time I saw him was in the dead of the night and I was completely disoriented, because I didn't remember him being so huge and... Intimidating.

He looked larger than life, towering above everyone present. Wearing a huge robe that trailed behind him, with his long dark hair falling freely over his shoulders, he was the most handsome yet terrifying man I had ever laid my eyes on.

He caught me staring and I immediately averted my gaze, feeling my cheeks burn. He stood before me for a moment and I became tongue tied, cold sweat breaking out of my body. I noticed that the soldiers who were standing next to me were trembling as well and I shivered. Then he walked past me.

"Please, your majesty... " One of them began to plead as the sound of steel cutting through the air was heard, followed by a low yet forceful thud. Something tumbled to the ground but I was too afraid to check what it was until something warm spayed on my cheeks. Reaching my fingers to touch it, I realized it was blood and I screamed.

Heavens, he's a monster.

"Tighten the security around the walls." He instructed in a bored tone. "I don't want this to repeat itself." He added.

He then turned to me and I stumbled backwards, the adrenaline pulsing through my veins numbing my senses. Grabbing my chin, he forced me to face him and I squirmed, trying to get away from his grip with zero success.

"As for her, have her cleaned and bring her to my chambers" He growled, his yellow eyese boring holes into me. Letting me go, he turned around and left. I watched him go, feeling myself start to hyperventilate.

Oh, I'm going to die. He's going to kill me.