CHAPTER 1—Payment in Lieu of Debt

Chapter 1: Payment In Lieu Of Debt

Raffi’s Point of View

"What are you saying, dad? I don't understand anything." I heard what he told me, but I just don't understand why he wants it to happen like that. "What you want to happen seems very impossible." I was still shaking.

He called me to his office after I got home from the hospital where I worked.

"Raffi, this is the only way we can pay Rock Redwood. I know you don't forget what we spent when your mother got sick, right?"

Sadness suddenly crept into my heart when I remembered my mother, who died only a month ago. There is still pain in my heart because I admit that I have not really accepted her loss. I immediately stopped my tears and took a deep breath.

"Dad, you know that Rock Redwood. He's your nephew. He is an evil creature. And no matter how you look at it, it seems very impossible that he would want me to be the mother of his child! I'm just a lowly she-wolf, and he is the Lycan King!"

My foster father, Cannor, wanted me to marry Rock Redwood, who is his nephew and the leader of the pack he belongs to. Rock Redwood is known throughout Europe for its bad temper. Based on what I hear, he has killed many people because of his being an evil lycan.

"We have no other solution that can be done now. We borrowed too much money when we needed to take your mother to the hospital."

I pinched my forehead. Once again, I felt like a worthless child because I could not heal my mother. I'm a she-wolf with the ability to heal wounds or illnesses, but I couldn't even heal my mother's illness. What is my use in the world if my skills are not used properly?

I have healing power, but it seems to be of no use because I was unable to save my mother, who had blood cancer. It's too late and can't be treated anymore. Even my skills did nothing. Even if it is said that I have been able to heal many people at the hospital where I work, that is still nothing because I have not been able to heal my mother, who raised me.

"Is it really necessary for me to be the payment for our debt to him? Maybe we can find a way?" Even if it's hard, I'll do anything to just pay Rock Redwood. Just don't use me for his own benefit.

Daddy shook his head. "I'm very sorry, Raffi. I begged him several times and told him to give me more time to pay, but he talked to me."

"What did he tell you?" I asked.

"He needs to find a woman who will be the mother of his child. You know that he has no other family to whom he can pass all his property, right?"

As far as I know, Rock Redwood is completely orphaned because his parents were killed in battle. My real father died too. I just bowed my head. I don't even know what to do anymore.

"Dad, I'm not ready to bear a child. Also, I don't like that Rock Redwood. I don't like his behavior because he is bad. And what will the Lycans say? That is an insult for them if Rock chooses me to bear his son."

"Raffi, I know this is very difficult for you, but I am begging you. This is the only answer so we can pay. Rock and I have talked. He can manage and handle other lycans, so you don't have to worry about it."

"If I don't agree to what you want, what will you do?" It's unfair because I'm the one who has to suffer. Why me?

"He will remove me from my position as Zeta and you from the hospital where you work. We will be kicked out of Luciana."

"Dad, that's unfair! We can't even afford that Rock Redwood if he does that! Is he really going to make us suffer?" I couldn't believe what that Lycan King wanted to do. He is really bad. "What if we pay my savings, dad? All of those are his now!"

Dad shook his head. "I think it is still lacking. Also, the interest on our debt has grown too much."

"But it's unfair because..."

"That's right, Raffi. So if possible, grant my request. It will also help to somehow make our lives easier, just like when your mother was alive. I also can't regret borrowing money because you know that Rock's money also helped us."

I just took a deep breath.

Our lives were okay then. When my real parents died, I will admit that my foster parents were the ones who helped me have a good life. They made me study until I finished school. That's why I'm having a hard time rejecting dad, but I really don't like the idea that we can just pay off our debt.

I am too young to conceive and bear the child of a Lycan King. I can't imagine the two of us getting along.

I let out a deep breath. "Can I think about this first, dad? I'm just going to rest, I said to him. I just got back from my duty at my job as a nurse.

My stepfather nodded slowly. He walked closer to me and grabbed my shoulders. He looked me in the eyes. "Okay, Raffi. Sorry if this is all we have to do for now. I know your mother doesn't want this either, but I don't want you to suffer either. We know Rock has the same skills when it comes to things like this."

Even against my will, I just nodded. I don't know what to do. I don't want to go back to all the things I worked hard for to become a full-time nurse. Knowing Rock Redwood, he can fire me from where I work, and he can also talk to other hospitals not to accept me.

I went into my room feeling confused. I don't know what to do because I feel like I have a big responsibility to fulfill for our family. I sat on the edge of the bed and slumped. I was just staring at the ceiling as tears slowly formed in my eyes.

I cry every night because I miss Mommy. I miss her presence.

'Mommy, help me think about what I should do. I'm having a hard time deciding. I know if you were here, you would tell me what I should do.'