Life Debt

“You were saved by Alpha Eric? That notorious mass murderer who slaughtered our Royals? Charlotte, you got to be kidding me.”

Ava wasn’t ready to believe her story, which she had to repeat again and again.

“So, you are implying that Alpha played moral police and even sentenced his own warriors for a vampire? Total Rubbish!”

Ava was in denial. In their kingdom, Alpha Eric was taught as a subject to spread awareness about his uncontrollable hunger for killing. A merciless ruler who was blinded by the intoxication of power. Currently he was the head of Werewolf Council and next he was aiming for Royal Throne, extending his rule all over the kingdom.

How could he have time in his busy schedule to help a worthless vampire? That possibility was hard to believe. But concession money of seven thousand dollars was proof of Charlotte’s statement.

So, for the first time in their life, Ava’s family had a hearty meal, thanks to Charlotte. Uncle Tadd was curious about this much money, but she lied to him that she had got a full-time job in a luxury hotel.

“This is a great opportunity, Charlotte. Our best wishes are with you. Brother Carl would be so proud of his little princess.”

Ava’s parents blessed her for a new chapter of her life. Ava was clueless about her plan, so she caught her after dinner.

“What new job? You quit the bar to join as the school’s cleaner. What is this new full time work nonsense?”

“I am going to the Silver Moon Pack. I have to repay Alpha’s favor.”

Charlotte’s heart was brimming with Alpha’s kindness, her decision was a result of utmost admiration for this regal ruler.

Ava wasn’t a fan of her repayment idea.

“Are you out of your mind? They’ll skin you alive if you go there. Luckily, you were safe this time, but don’t push it any further. We are born enemies, don’t choose the way which will definitely end in destruction.”

Ava was quite right about this development, but Charlotte was blinded by Alpha’s courtesy.

“You are overthinking, Ava. I still have nine years before my marriage. I will use this time to serve Alpha’s family. You know it well that I am not an ingrate.

Remember? Father always said we should repay littlest of favors not to mention this life debt.”

Charlotte was persistent till its execution. She also thought about the odds of a vampire living in the werewolf pack, but Alpha’s behavior was encouraging her to continue with this arrangement.

Her original plan was to work as a servant at a pack house, as this was the only service she could provide in return. Then thought of his family came to her mind.

Charlotte had no information regarding this matter, so she inquired about her authentic walking encyclopedia: Ava.

“Alpha Eric is twenty-five years old. Obviously, he is married with kids. His personal life is not documented, but I am sure about his marriage because unlike us, werewolves find their soulmates on their 18th birthday. You can imagine that a healthy man like him would have three, four kids in seven years of mated life.”

Ava’s revelation was soul crushing for Charlotte, thought of him having a family saddened her. But what was she thinking? Alpha Eric would spare a glance to a visual bomb like her, impossible!

She buried those daydreams deep in her heart, and waited for some days to see whether Alpha accepted her request of not sending a report to officials.

After a week, she was confirmed that Alpha was a man of his words. He really kept his promise with a measly being like her. This blossomed a lotus of hope in her heart. Maybe she didn’t make a mistake while assessing him, maybe he was not as bad as everyone said. As the saying goes, some people are defamed by their opponents so that they could suffer from public hate.

In the middle of hopes and warnings, Charlotte prepared a cute basket with the help of DIY crafts videos, which was a token of her heartfelt emotions. This was possible with the help of Ava’s cell phone, which she got as a birthday gift from her mother.

She planned to fill it with fresh fruits to show her sincere wishes for his colorful future. She didn’t buy anything from the local market because it would arouse suspicion of border security. Alpha was finally talking about the good relationship between the vampires and werewolves, she was not stupid to destroy this chance of a better future.

Charlotte’s mind drifted towards Alpha repeatedly, she practically spent the whole week thinking about him.

"Will he remember me? How will he react after seeing me in the daylight? Will he be disgusted like everyone else?"

But the curiosity of seeing his mate was overwhelming. Of course she would be a gorgeous lady, but still, she wanted to see what kind of woman secured a special place in Alpha’s heart. She thought that it would be enough to stay by his side even as a maid, at least she would be able to see him daily.

Charlotte left after sunrise, when her roommates were fast asleep. This was to avoid unnecessary confrontation. She only informed Ava whom she trusted; otherwise, this news would have spread like forest fire there.

Sun was quite pleasant; she was humming a song while passing through the same path where she was about to die one week ago. Her every breath was a gift from him. No one ever made her feel so special as he did, standing by her side when she was wronged.

Women are rumored to be impressed by their saviors, how can a vampire like Charlotte can escape the sudden onslaught of fate? She was doomed to fall in the trap of cupid, her simple life was about to take the turn which would change her destiny completely.