Chapter 2

My heart was failing me as I stared at the problem before me. I slumped on the ground, tears flowing freely from my eyes.

"Gramps," I called out, shaking her body to get a response.

"Gramps!" I called yet again, and when I didn't get a response, I placed my ears on her chest just to be sure she was breathing.

I quickly skidded off the floor and ran upstairs in search for my phone to call for help.

* * * * * * * *

Gramps has been the only family I have known since I was a kid; she has been the center of my world. I didn't get to meet my parents; I have no idea who my mom was, and Gramps never really spoke about them.

I never complained about my parents because Gramps was everything to me, but looking at her now, I feel the kind of pain I have never felt before. I could feel my heart breaking in two as I watched her hooked up on all sorts of machines.

"Gramps, please don't leave me," I cried, soaking her hands with my tears. I blamed myself for not taking better care of her.

"Amber!" Someone called me from behind. Interrupting my alone time with gramps, I turned around, drying my eyes with the back of my hands.

"Can I have a word with you outside?" He said and turned to leave. I went outside to talk with the doctor, who was waiting outside already.

"Is anything the matter, doctor?" I asked him, scared that things might have taken another turn judging from his looks.

"Is there nothing to be alarmed about, Amber, but why didn't she come visit earlier?"

"Doctor, we had a little problem."

"Her last visit was 6 months ago."

"Doctor, would she be okay?"

"Well, your grandmother's health is really deteriorating, and we need to fly her out for a specialist to have a look at her."

"Fly her out?"

"Yes, Amber, there is nothing much we can do for her now; the longer she stays here in this ghetto, the slimmer her chances of survival."

"When can we fly her out?" I asked, sobbing.

"Please put yourself together, but the sooner you get the requirements and we fly her out, the better her chances of survival." My sobbing increased instantly.

"I'm really sorry, child, but we have done all we can. You should meet with the receptionist; she will tell you the amount required," the doctor said, leaving me to my woes.

I dragged myself back to Gramps Ward, wondering what on earth I was to do. I could enter inside because I just couldn't bear seeing her like this. I stood outside her ward, watching her struggle for her life with those weird-looking machines hooked on her. There was literally no one I could run to for help; we had incurred more debt than we could afford to pay these few years, and no one in their right senses would lend me a cent.

"I can't let her die," I blurted, and I dashed out of the hospital in search of money.

"Child, these junks aren't worth that much; I can only give you 500 bucks for them."

"That's a little too small; these are real diamonds."

"Well, sorry, but they are not worth much. You can take your business elsewhere if you can't take $500," the pawn shop guy quickly said, shoving the necklace aside.

My tears let loose as I took the necklace. I was about to step outside when he called me back, and I was a little overjoyed that he was going to buy the necklace from me.

"It seems you are in need of quick cash; selling that junk won't give you much; there is only one person who can lend you any amount of money you desire, but you will have to pay a little price."

I was a little elated when I heard him say, Someone can actually borrow me the money to save Gramps.

"Who?" I quickly asked, racing to the counter to hear all he had to say before he changed his mind. I don't actually mind groveling to whomever, as long as he lends me the money to save my gramps.

"Alpha!" he said, staring at me right in the face. The sound of that name sent chills down my spine. I have never met the one they called Alpha, but his reputation supersedes him.

The group one day showed up in town a few years ago, occupying the other side of the town, a little far from the locals. The night forest was what separated the town from them. We heard he paid a huge amount of money to buy that side of the town.

They are a little secretive, behaving like they are running a cult up there. They sometimes come to town to get supplies, but they are always troublesome each time they show up. They all respected only one person, and that was the one they called Alpha.

"Alpha!" I nearly screamed out.

"Yes, he is the only one that can give you any amount," he reassured me.

I was lost for words. I knew I needed money, but the thought of going to the devil himself for help scared the shit out of me.

"I don't think that will be a great idea."

"I thought you wanted to save your grandmother? Well, I just thought the information might be useful to you," he said before he put back the magnifying glass he was using to look at one of the jewelry he had in his hands.

I knew that was my cue to leave. I slowly strolled out of the pawn shop, looking more dejected than I was when I came earlier. I went around town looking for someone to borrow money from, but no one was willing to part with that huge amount of money.

I looked at the time, and it was already getting late. I stood up from the couch, put on my coat, and headed straight into the night forest.

"Anything for gramps!" I whispered to myself continuously, heading into the depths of the forest. The deeper I went, the scarier it became. I have been to these woods since the very day I was kidnapped.

The forest was a little too quiet. I kept fighting the urge to run back to town because it was the only way to save Gramps, but what bothered me more was what he was going to ask for in return for the money. I obviously had nothing to offer him in return. I prayed he wouldn't kick me out once he realized I had nothing of value to offer him.

I stopped immediately at the sound of a crack; it sounded like someone stepped on a dried piece of wood, breaking it in two. I looked around anxiously but saw no one.

"Cool it, Amber, it is all in your head," I said to myself, trying to assure myself that it was all in my head. I continued walking into the wood, and before I knew it, I was surrounded by dogs. Hungry-looking dogs, ready to pounce on me, kept circling me as though they were weighing their options—whether to jump on me or let me live.

I was terrified, standing there, scared out of my wits. Gasping for air and about to lose it any second from now, one of the dogs leapt off the ground, making its way towards me.

"Cain!" I heard someone call from behind me; the dog instantly stopped; the others made a weird sound and bent their heads a little; they all sped off. leaving me all alone with whomever that was. I was already on the ground, gasping for breath.

"You are a little too far from home." I heard a voice say, and I turned instantly towards the voice, but my vision was blurry. I shook my head and looked to see a man in his thirties standing so close to me.

"Scared much!" He stooped down, and before I could say Jack, he grabbed my jaw, turning it from one side to another. I noticed he was missing a finger in his right hand; his look was a little too rough, but he was putting on clean clothes.

There was something about his voice that seemed too familiar, but I just couldn't place the voice.

"I'm looking for the one they call Alpha." I finally found my voice; he stopped immediately, his eyes buried in mine.

"What could a scared little cat like you want with the Alpha?" he asked me, looking all serious.

"I just need his help, nothing else," I quickly answered, getting off my feet and stepping away from him. He smirked as he stood up too.

"Do you now?" The air around this fellow was a bit too scary. If he was this scary, I wondered if I stood a chance with the Alpha.

"Go home, scardy cat; these woods are no place for you." He walked past me, not saying another word.

"I'm willing to offer him anything; just take me to the Alpha," he said abruptly. He turned grinning, and his once blue eyes were slightly a mixture of gray.

I stepped back, wondering why I just keep seeing strange-looking people these days.

"Anything?" he asked, walking back towards me. I could sense mischief and danger written all over him, but I had no choice.

"Yes Anything"