03 - Deal

***Beatrice POV***

Omar's revelation had my head spinning. Not only did he provide me with the key to all my questions, but he also price-tagged it. Liam protected me from harm's way at the cost of his own well-being. Trying everything I could to help him seemed the right thing to do. The emotional attachment I shared with him also prompted me to find the answers. Losing him was not an option.

My bare feet carve a dimple path on the freshly soft fallen snow as I make my way up the driveway towards the front door. The sun rises behind the blue-pine tree setting the small wildlife into motion.  Dad ordered this two-story house to be built two years before Carl officially took over the alpha position. Four bedrooms, each with their en-suite bathroom, compose the top floor plan, while the first floor has the kitchen, living room, and small office space. It's not as big as the Alpha mansion but is still spacious enough for the three of us.

Lifting the outdoor rug, I take the hidden front door key from under it. My keys are in my car, which is still back at the mansion. I will have either dad get it or have Carl order one of his men to return it. Peeking through the peephole, I see Omar's car exit the driveway and disappear in the distance. He waited for me to enter the house before leaving, definitely a keeper.

-"Beatrice." My mother calls from the living room.

I was hoping to avoid her. She will want a full-on detailed version of what happened in the basement, and I am just not in the mood to relive the events, or rather my failures, first thing in the morning.

-"Mom, can we do this later? I don't want to do it right now." I say, locking the door behind me and taking the first two steps of the stairwell. My whole body ached, especially my ribcage.

-"We have to face our problems. Avoiding it only makes it worse." She insists.

-"Fine, but can I put on something warm? I am kinda itching for a change of clothes and a nice warm, soothing shower."

-"Okay, I will hold you on that. Meanwhile, I will cook you breakfast. How does chocolate chip pancakes and a nice mocha sound like?"

Even though her first instinct is to gather information about the threat and make sure everyone is safe, she still makes room for the kind, sweet motherly side of hers.

-"Well, if you put it like that, then I really can't miss it, can I?"

I head upstairs straight to my en-suit bathroom, almost scaring the life out of me when I looked in the mirror. My hair looked like a rat's nest, my dress had more holes than a slice of swiss cheese, and my skin had become grey with all dust stuck to it. How flattering! Placing the paper Omar had given me in a safe place, I peel the dirty fabrics off and jump into the shower stall. Long showers are not my thing, but today it took me an extra fifteen minutes. The ribs injury had me maneuvering my arms carefully to avoid pain as much as possible.

Fully dried and wearing my comfy neighbor Totoro pajamas onesie, I slowly lower my body to bed over a fluffy white duvet. It smelled like fresh laundry, soothing me into a relaxed state. The battle had tired me out, but only now did I notice how much it affected me. Going downstairs was now a task I wouldn't be able to accomplish. On queue, my mother knocks on the door before entering with a breakfast tray in her hands. Reluctantly, I sit up with my back rested on the bed's white wood headboard.

-"I figured you must be exhausted, so I brought you the breakfast instead." She says, placing the tray over my legs. "I added fresh strawberries and blueberries, your favorites. Oh!" She pulled out a medicine bottle from her jeans' back pocket, placing it on the tray before taking a seat at the end of the bed. "Dr. Reyes gave me those. They should help with the pain."

-"Thanks, Mom." I thank her, even though I don't feel like eating right now.

-"So..." Her left hand rubs her thigh up and down while the other tucks a loose silver hair strand behind her earlobe. "How's Liam doing?" She asks as I take a sip of the hot mocha.

My mother's hair used to be black like mine, but it became full silvery-white twenty-two years ago after healing everyone after the war. She is Moon Goddess champion, and as her daughter, I am expected to fill her shoes, to be an influential figure just like her. It's a lot of pressure.

-"No improvement. Still in critical condition."

-"Did you try—"

-"No, Mom, I can't heal him. Even if I tried, I have no control over my powers. I'm useless." I cut her sentence, tired of having everyone ask me the same thing.

-"Oh, Bea. It's okay." Her hand caresses the side of my face, giving me a comforting warmth. "It takes time, practice, and equilibrium. You can't force something that must come naturally. I didn't master them till I realized who and what I was meant to be."

-"And How am I supposed to do that?"

-"For now, by taking your medicine and focus on getting better. One flight at the time, little bird." She winks at me before standing up. "We will be downstairs when you wake up."

-"Mom?" She stops by the door frame to look at me.

If you and dad weren't mates, but a couple in love, and he got hurt with the only way to save him being to exchange your life, would you do it?

-"Thank you for breakfast." I smile, hiding the actual words I wanted to say. 

-"Anytime. Sweet dreams, my Moon Goddess Blessing." With this, she exits the room, closing the door behind her.

Blessing? I feel more like a curse. Groaning my way out of the bed, I place the tray on the small reading nook table. The knot in my throat made me feel like throwing up. Food was the least of my problem, but I sure will take the pain relief tablets. Taking the medicine bottle to the bathroom with me, I cup the running tap water bring just enough to help me swallow the pills. My eyes focus on the piece of paper Omar gave me. Grabbing it, I stare at handwritten numbers, 011 423 7XX XXXX.

Mindlessly, I  walk back to bed, still holding the number. Even though Maxine is a powerful witch, she still couldn't heal Liam. What could the person behind this phone number possibly do to help him? Unless they are an Ice phoenix-like me. I would dial the number, but again my phone was back at the Alpha's Mansion.

A new sense of resolve comes over me, sleepiness now completely gone, I carefully, put on a pair of tight black jeans, an oversized fuzzy sweater, and black socks before making my way down the stairs.  Knocking on my father's office door, I peek to see if he is inside. Although he isnt the Alpha King anymore, he belongs to Elders council that assists Carl in his decisions as the new king. Dad spends most morning in the office, if he isn't summoned to meetings, and in afternoons he likes spends time with my mother.

-"Hey dad, you busy?" I ask, fully walking into the room.

-"Never busy for my baby girl." He gets up and comes to give me a fatherly hug. "I thought you were too old for a bedtime story." He mocks me. " How are you feeling?" He kisses my forehead.

-"It hurts, but mom gave me the pain medicine. It should subside in a bit. Plus, I heal pretty fast, remember?"

-"Yes, but that doesn't mean I won't worry whenever you get hurt. I thought you were going to bed. What brings you here?"

-"I need you to drive me to my car or mind-link someone to bring it back. Can you please help me with that?"

-"Of Course." He holds the doorknob gesturing me to go first. "I will give you a ride. How can I say no to five minutes of father and daughter interrupted time?"

-"Matt, where are you taking her? She needs to rest!" My mother shouts from across the living room as we walk by—the weather channel playing in the background.

-"Father-daughter date!"  He shouts back while waiting for me to finish putting my black snow boots on.

-"We won't be long, mom. I promise." 

With that, we are out the door, into the driveway, and inside the Landrover.  Dad takes the chance to catch up with me. Organizing last night's party had made me extremely busy the whole week.  He doesn't touch Liam's subject, which I am sure he would love to, but respectfully doesn't. I am grateful for that. Dad waits for me to get in the car before he drives off. I search for my phone, to realize I must have left it somewhere inside Carl's house. I let out a grunt. Entering hurt like a bitch. Now I have to get out and back in. It takes me a minute or two to muster enough courage and get out, but eventually, I do it with a lot of inward cussing.

After waiting not so patiently at the mansion's door, Jessie opened it and guided me to the kitchen, where she placed my phone to charge. She is always so thoughtful, a true gem of a person. Who thinks of charging someone's lost phone? Certainly not I.

Former Alpha Lee, Liam's father, is sitting at the kitchen island with the same clothes as yesterday and a steamy cup of coffee before him. His mind was so far away that he didn't even notice us. I can only imagine the unsettling reality he is under. Having a child at heaven's gates must be suffocating.

Jessie goes on with her activities, and I step outside the house through the kitchen's backdoor. I kick the snow with my boots, creating a path towards the tree line a few meters away from the house.

Being surrounded by snow always makes me feel at ease. Its tranquility allows me to focus. Blizzard and I discussed the creature and what Omar had told us about it. There isn't any guarantee that the mastermind behind the first attack wouldn't send another minion to finish the job. And if it was after me, I can't afford to put anyone else in danger.

Ensuring no one is around, I dial the number on my phone from the piece of paper Omar had given me, not before setting my number to appear as unknown. You can never be too careful.  The phone rings three times, and my anxiety builds exponentially. I let it ring two more times before hanging up and trying again.  This was the only way to set things straight, and I needed whoever was on the other side to pick up. After what felt like ten calls, someone finally answered.

-"Connor, this better be a life or death situation, or I am gonna make you swallow your royal jewels." The male on the other side of the line says in a language I don't understand.

Completely shocked and not sure what to say, I end up dropping Omar's name, hoping the heated person on the other side would understand English.

-"Omar told me this number can help my friend." The line goes quiet.

-"Who's this?"

-"Does it matter who I'm?"

-"Well, if you want me to help your friend, yes, it does." He says in a heavy accent.

-"I am someone." I didn't want to disclose who I was, not till I figured out who this person was.

-"You wouldn't say! So, Someone, what does your friend need?"

-"He was poisoned by a rotting birdlike monster poisoned and is dying. This is something we have never seen before, so can you help, or not?" The line goes quiet for a moment.

-"Yes, I can, but are you willing to pay the price?"

-"Yes, money isn't a problem." I try to strike a material deal. Maybe he will take it, but my hopes are shattered by the male laughing burst.

-"Money, you say?" He takes a moment to laugh some more. "You are hilarious. My services can't be bought with money. A life for a life, that's the price. If I heal your friend, you will leave the life you know behind, fake your death, and live the rest of your days as a sworn soldier to my country. Call me only when you make up your mind, but tick-tock Someone, your friend is dying." The line drops dead.

What's up with this dealer's self-centered personality. I didn't like him one bit. At least I didn't have to stop breathing to get Liam some help, but from what I understood, I would have to ghost everyone I knew and become a soldier for this mad person's country, but can I break ties with everyone I know?

Stomping my way back to the mansion, I enter the kitchen.  Alpha Lee is still in the same position as earlier. His coffee had gone cold. This time I decided to greet him. No response. His eyes have dark circles from being up all night just like me. I place a hand on his shoulder, capturing his attention.

-"Sorry Beatrice, I didn't see you there." He says, adjusting out of his slanted posture.

-"Is there anything I can do for you, Alpha Lee? I am sorry for what happened to Liam."

-"Bea, don't fall in love with him." I almost dropped my phone hearing his words. "He has a mate out there, and that's who he needs to be with. Regardless, I am glad he was there yesterday to protect you."

-"What makes you think there's something in between your son and me? Liam was helping me carry the  O negative boxes Luna Jessie requested." I try to keep myself calm, hoping he doesn't see right through me like Uncle Leo.

-"Maybe you sitting by his hospital bed the whole night. Look, I am not judging. I don't want to see history repeat itself." He sighs.

Before he met his mate, Alpha Lee had been in love with my mother. They were even engaged, but they ended up walking their separate ways.

-"One of the most important lessons I've learned it's not letting go of the past that's difficult. It's coming to terms with letting go of a possible future that will never be, that is. We can't force relationships. What will be, will be. And what crashes, crashes. I, too, once thought I could make someone fall in love, keep her close. And I have done things I still regret to this day. Your father and I are very much alike when it comes to regret the choices we made."

-"I am not sure if I quite understand, Alpha Lee." He has me completely confused. Is he trying to cheer me up or tell me off?

-"Your Mother was my first love. We grew up together, and I knew she wasn't my true mate, but despite that, I still longed for the happiness she brought me whenever I was around her. She was my whole world back then.  The night she found out about your father is my grave greatest regret." His hands grip the coffee cup tightly. "I did everything in my power to keep her for myself. Not only did I misguide your mother through the garden as she tracer your father's scent, but I also provided her name and picture to your father's first wife, Carl's mother, who stood between me and the escape car that night.  I was foolish and blinded by an unhealthy love that would never have a future. Only after meeting my beloved wife and mate did I realize the gravity of my actions and how selfish I had been." He turns towards me and holds my hands in his. "So I beg you, when Liam wakes up, end whatever is going on between you two. Don't let my mistake be your mistake."

He walks away, leaving me perplexed. Talk about something hard to swallow. I was not expecting such a mind-blowing confession, but somehow this was the pep talk I needed to make my final decision. Liam and I would never be able to end what we shared until it was too late and someone ended up hurt. Last night was the proof of that. There was only one way. I needed to disappear, and if that could bring him back to good health, then so be it. I bring my phone to my ear and wait. The moment the male on the other end of the line answers, I confirm the deal.

-"I, Beatrice Stevens, accept your conditions in exchange for your services to cure Silverfalls Alpha, Liam Benson.