Chapter 2

HANNAH POV

I barely slept that night, every time I tried closing my eyes, I couldn’t get the image of Elias, smiling comfortably with the other girl while putting his hands on her waist, off my mind. By morning, I was already looking deranged due to my lack of sleep throughout the night. It felt like the universe was mocking me for thinking I was allowed to rest.

I dragged myself out of my bed quietly so I wouldn’t wake my mother. 

The apartment was cold. Our heater had stopped working again and I made a mental note to call the landlord later, even though I knew what he would say. I moved towards the kitchen and fixed tea for my mother the way she liked it, counting the pills she had to take this morning.

Life did not pause because I was heartbroken, heartbreak was a luxury I couldn’t afford at this stage of my life. Bills were piling up, my mother's medications still needed to be bought. I still needed to be strong for my mother if not for myself.

When I stepped into my mother's room, she was already awake. 

“Hannah”, she said softly, smiling at me the way she always did, trying to hide her pain through that smile of hers. She didn’t want to burden me with how tired she felt. The drugs weren’t really helping her, but that’s what we could afford for now.

“How are you feeling today?” I asked, forcing a cheer into my voice while smiling. If seeing me happy made her happy, I didn’t mind faking the happiness.

“Better,” she lied.

I helped her sit up, handed her the tea, and adjusted her pillows. I couldn’t bring myself to tell her about Elias. She already had enough pain of her own she was carrying and I couldn’t burden her with a silly breakup.

As I watched her sip the tea slowly, my chest tightened. Doctors had said the surgery would help, but the fees were way past our budget.  Juggling 3 jobs wasn't enough to pay for the surgery fees, barely sleeping, barely eating , barely surviving just to keep us afloat, put a roof over their head and also feeding.

I called in sick for work. My boss was surprised because I never missed a day of work even if I’m sick. But I needed the break and he didn’t question me further. 

By afternoon, I couldn’t stay in this apartment again. The bills that were piling up were just on my mind and I wasn’t doing anything to push the thoughts aside. I grabbed my jacket and headed out.

Valerie’s place wasn’t far, I was glad she was working evening shift. I decided to head there for some fresh air.

When she opened the door and saw my face, she didn’t say anything. She pulled me into a hug. And I just broke down. Everything I’ve been holding within came crashing. She didn’t say anything throughout and allowed me to let it all out. We stood there for about 5 minutes before I calmed down and she led me to her living room.

I sat quietly, afraid the world might need an explanation, but I didn’t actually have strength to give any explanations.

“He didn’t even deny it,” I said while whimpering. “He didn’t care Val, did he even love me? Did I waste 2 years of my life on someone who never gave a fuck about me? I’ve been stupid to think he would actually love someone like me Val.”

“Don’t say that Hannah, he’s the one that doesn’t deserve you.” She said while tightening her jaw.                                

“I know,” I said, even though a part of me was still mourning the version of him I thought I loved. 

We sat on her couch, legs pulled up, silence stretching between us. Then she broke the silence, her voice sounding hesitant and shaky, like she didn’t know if what she wanted to say would hurt me. 

“There’s something I haven’t told you.”

I looked at her confused. “What’s that Val?”

She took a breath. “You know the hotel I work at?”

I nodded. “Yeah I know it babe. What’s wrong with the hotel?”

“There are things that happen there,” she looked at me then continued carefully. “Things people don’t talk about. I overheard something months ago. I didn’t think it was real at first.” She paused looking at me. 

My stomach twisted and I was already impatient. “Valerie!”

“There’s a ritual,” she said. “Illegal. It’s dangerous Hannah, but I’m very sure it’s real.”

I laughed softly, out of disbelief. “You can’t be serious babe. You don’t actually believe this shit.”

But the look on her face said otherwise.

“I am,” she said sounding very sure of what she was saying. Girls get selected. If you survive it and you’re chosen, they’ll grant you one wish. 

My heart skipped. “A wish?”

She nodded. “Anything.”

I sat back, suddenly alert. “What kind of ritual?”

Valerie hesitated before she spoke. “It’s for the werewolf kingdom. They’re choosing a bride for the Alphas.”

I stared at her taken aback by her words. “You’re joking.”

“I wish I was,” she said quietly and sighed. “The alphas are triplets. Powerful, feared. No one knows anything about them except that they’re ruthless and I also heard they’re ugly. People say they can’t find a bride in their kingdom.

“And they pick humans?” I asked.

“Yes. But for the past 2 years the ritual hasn’t picked anyone. I guess their bride is not among humans also.”

A chill ran through me. This sounded insane, Impossible and also dangerous. Yet my mind betrayed me. 

One wish. I thought of my Mother. The hospital bills, her tired smile. I could save her with the one wish.

I looked at Valerie. “What happens if you don’t survive?” I asked Valerie.

Valerie didn’t answer immediately.

“That’s the risk Hannah,” she finally answered. 

I went home later that evening with her words in my mind. I watched my mother sleep, listened to her breathing unevenly. She was still finding it hard to breathe. And something inside me shifted.

I’m not sure if it was desperation, or fear of losing my mother or even the love I had for her. I just knew I had run out of options.

I kissed my mother’s forehead that night and whispered a promise she couldn’t hear.

“I’ll fix this mum. I promise to keep you safe forever.”

Even if it meant walking into something very dangerous and I didn’t understand, or never returning back the same way.