THE PRICE OF A DEBT 2
2091 Words
The car drove through the rain. The atmosphere inside was suffocating.
Only the sound of the wipers and Laura’s loud heartbeat filled the air.Nathaniel sat next to her. Only 10cm apart. But it felt like a chasm.
“Don’t touch me,” Laura whispered.
Her body pressed against the car door.Nathaniel didn’t answer. He loosened his tie.
Undid 2 buttons of his shirt. A black tattoo showed on his collarbone.
The shape of a wolf claw.
“Scared?” he finally spoke.
His voice was still low.
“I... I don’t know you!” Laura stared straight ahead. ,“Let me go. I can pay Dad’s debt. Give me time!”
“Time?” Nathaniel let out a quiet laugh.
No sound. “I already gave him 2 years, Laura. 730 days. He spent it drinking and gambling.
”Laura turned to him quickly. “You have no right to judge! You don’t know how bad our life is!”
“I do,” Nathaniel suddenly turned. His gray eyes locked onto Laura’s. “I know you work 3 jobs. Morning as a barista. Afternoon as admin. Night at a*****e. I know you sold your laptop to pay tuition. I know you ate rice with soy sauce for 4 days straight last week.
”Laura went silent. The blood drained from her face.“How... how do you know?”
“I’ve been watching you,” Nathaniel admitted without shame.
“Since you were 14. Since the first time the moon blood appeared in your body during your first period.”“You’re insane,” Laura shook her head.
“You’re a psycho.”
“Maybe.” He shrugged. “But I’m the psycho who saved your father’s life 2 years ago.
”The car stopped. A 4-meter-tall iron gate opened automatically. Inside wasn’t a house. It was a palace.Spotlights illuminated a wide garden. A fountain. Wolf statues. And a 3-story main building made of black stone.
“Welcome to Blackmoon Mansion,” Nathaniel opened the door himself. “Your new home.
”Laura didn’t move. “I’m not yours.”
“You are mine,” Nathaniel grabbed her wrist. Not rough. But impossible to pull away. “By law. By contract. And...”
He pulled Laura out. The rain had stopped. The air was cold.
“...by blood.
”In front of the main door, 20 people were lined up. Servants. Bodyguards. And 3 beautiful women in white blazers.They all bowed when they saw Nathaniel.
“Welcome, My King,” they said in unison.But all their eyes... glanced at Laura.
With hatred. Jealousy. And pity.Nathaniel pulled Laura inside. Marble floors. 6-meter ceilings. A giant wolf painting.“This is Miss Laura,” Nathaniel announced.
His voice echoed. “Starting tonight she lives here. In the east wing. Anyone who touches her without my permission... I will claw them myself.
”The threat was clear.A middle-aged woman stepped forward.
“I’m Mira. The head maid. Come with me, Miss.
”Laura was led upstairs. A spiral staircase. A long corridor. And stopped in front of a big wooden door.The east wing.Inside it was huge. There was a king-size bed. A bathtub. A wardrobe. And a floor-to-ceiling glass window facing the forest.
“May I bathe you, Miss?” Mira asked carefully.
“NO!” Laura snapped. “I don’t need anything from you guys!”
Mira nodded. “Understood. Dinner will be served at 8. The King asks that you rest.”The door closed.
Click.
Laura was locked in.She immediately ran to the window. Locked. To the door. Locked. To the bathroom. There was a small window, but it had iron bars.She was trapped.Laura collapsed to the floor. And cried. Loudly.
For her father. For her life. For the future that had just been sold.
“Why... why me...”Knock.The door opened again.
Without knocking.Nathaniel came in. Still wearing the same white shirt. In his hands was a tray. Bread, soup, and warm milk.He placed it on the table.
“Eat,” he ordered shortly.
“I’m not hungry.”
“You have to eat,” Nathaniel sat on a chair. Watching her. “You’ll need your strength.”
“For what?” Laura wiped her tears.
“To be your sacrifice?”Nathaniel was silent for 3 seconds. Then nodded. “Yes.”Honest. Too honest.
“You said my blood. What blood? I’m a normal human!”
“You’re not a normal human, Laura,” Nathaniel leaned back. “Your mother was the last guardian of the Silver Moon clan. The clan that cursed my grandfather 200 years ago. That curse made us unable to die... but also unable to live normally. We’re thirsty. We’re insane. We’re monsters.
”Laura covered her mouth. “Mom... mom died when I was born. Dad said it was an illness.”
“Your mother was killed,” Nathaniel cut in. “By my own pack. Because they feared your blood.
”Laura trembled. “So you... you’re going to kill me too?”
“No.” Nathaniel stood. Walked toward her. Stopped 1 meter away. “I want to marry you.”Laura’s world stopped.“A blood marriage,”
Nathaniel continued. “The only way to break the curse without killing you. After that you’re free. You can leave. I’ll pay off all your family’s debts and give you a new life.
”Laura laughed. Bitter. “Sounds great. What’s the catch?”“There is one.”
Nathaniel’s eyes darkened. “For 1 year, you have to live here. Be my wife. On paper and in bed.
”Slap.Laura slapped him with all her strength.
Slap!Nathaniel didn’t move. His cheek turned red. But his eyes... got darker.
“Don’t ever do that again,” he whispered. Dangerous.
“Get out of my room!” Laura yelled.
Nathaniel stared at her for a long time. Then turned. Walked to the door.Before leaving he stopped.“The wedding will be in 7 days. During the full moon. Until then... enjoy your last days of freedom, Laura.
”The door closed.Laura was alone again. With a tray of food and 1000 questions in her head.
3AM.Laura couldn’t sleep. She sat on the floor, hugging her knees, staring at the forest outside the window.The forest was dark. But there were eyes. Many. Watching.Wolves.Suddenly the room lights went out. Pitch black.
“Who?!” Laura immediately stood up.
From the darkness came the sound of breathing. Heavy. And a smell. A metallic smell.Laura’s heart felt like it would explode.
“Who’s there?!”A big shadow moved. Too fast.
GRRR...A low growl. Not human.Laura backed up until her back hit the wall.
“HE—”The lights turned on.Standing in front of her door was Nathaniel. Half naked. Only wearing training pants. On his arm were 3 long claw marks. Bleeding.And at his feet... a large black wolf. Dead. Its neck broken.
“Someone tried to get in,” Nathaniel said flatly. As if he’d just finished working out.
“One of my men. He thought he could have you before I did.”Laura covered her mouth. Nauseous. “You... you killed him?”
“I’m the King,” Nathaniel stepped over the body. Two guards came in and dragged the wolf carcass out. “These are my laws.”He came into Laura’s room. Blood dripped from his arm onto the white carpet.
Laura reacted immediately. “You’re bleeding!”
“I’m fine.” Nathaniel
“Let me treat it!” Without thinking Laura pulled Nathaniel’s hand to the bathroom. She wet a towel. Wiped his blood.Her hands were shaking.
Nathaniel just watched her. “Why are you helping me? Don’t you hate me?”
“I...” Laura didn’t answer. She focused on treating him.
“Shut up.”After she finished, she threw away the bloodied towel.Nathaniel suddenly grabbed her chin again.
This time gentler.“You have a foolish heart,
Laura,” he whispered. “That’s what makes your blood valuable.”
“Don’t touch me.” Laura Speak
“I won’t touch you... until you allow me to.
”He let go of Laura’s chin. Turned around.
“Tomorrow at 7 AM, Mira will teach you the pack rules. At 8 we have breakfast together. At 9 we go to town. We have business.”
“What business?”“Buying an engagement ring.
”The door closed.Laura sat down. Her head was spinning.Sold. Locked up. Engaged to the Wolf King. And now told to buy a ring?
She laughed. It was crazy.
The next morning.Exactly 7 AM. Mira came in with a stack of books. “The Blackmoon Pack Rules, Miss.”“Rule 1: Never leave the mansion without 4 guards.”
“Rule 2: Never look directly into the King’s eyes when he’s angry.”
“Rule 3: Never refuse the King’s orders in public.”
“Rule 4: You are the Luna. The future Queen. Respect her, but never forget... you are also a prisoner.
”Laura wrote everything down. With trembling hands.8 AM. The dining room.A long table with 12 chairs. Only Nathaniel was at the head.
“Please sit,” he said.
Laura sat at the far end.Breakfast was served. Steak, eggs, bread. Luxurious.They ate in silence.
Until Nathaniel placed a small box in the middle of the table.Black velvet.Inside... a ring. A large diamond. With a crescent moon engraving in the center.“This is a family heirloom,” Nathaniel said.
“Worn by every Luna of Blackmoon for 300 years.
”Laura didn’t touch it.
“Wear it,” Nathaniel commanded.
“No." Laura tell
Nathaniel stood. Walked to Laura. Knelt in front of her. On the floor. In front of 10 watching servants.He took Laura’s hand.“Laura,” his voice was soft. Only for Laura. “I know you hate me. I know this is wrong. But give me 1 year. If after 1 year you still want to leave... I will let you go. With 1 Billion in your account.
”Laura looked into his eyes. Searching for a lie. There was none.With trembling hands, she held out her finger.Nathaniel slipped the ring on. It fit perfectly.
“Congratulations,” he whispered. “You are officially my fiancée.”All the servants immediately clapped. “Congratulations, My King! Congratulations, Miss Luna!”
Laura could only stare at the ring on her finger. Cold. Heavy.And outside the window, the moon began to appear. 6 more days until the full moon.6 days until the blood wedding.6 days until her life changed forever.
That night Laura didn’t sleep in the bed.
She slept on the floor, leaning against the window, with the ring on her finger that felt like handcuffs.Every hour, she heard footsteps outside. Guards. Watching.At 4 AM, it started raining again.
And along with it, a howl sounded. Long. Piercing. From inside the forest.Laura shivered.Knock knockA soft knock on the door.Laura immediately got up.
“Who is it?”
No answer. Only the sound of breathing.Then a piece of paper was slipped under the door.Laura picked it up with trembling hands.
The writing was messy. Red ink.
"HE’S LYING. YOUR BLOOD WON’T SET YOU FREE. YOUR BLOOD WILL KILL YOU. RUN BEFORE THE FULL MOON. - S
"Laura’s blood ran cold.S? Who is S?Before she could think, the door was slammed open.Nathaniel stood in the doorway. His gray eyes were red. Angry.
Behind him, 2 guards bowed their heads
.“Who came in here?!” he barked.
Laura hurriedly hid the paper inside her shirt.
“No one.”Nathaniel stepped in. Sniffed. His nose twitched.
His gaze dropped to Laura’s hand clenched at her chest.
“Open your hand.”
"No.”
Grrr...A growling sound came from his throat. Not human.Laura reflexively stepped back.
“Don’t!”Nathaniel stopped. He closed his eyes. Took a breath. When he opened them again, his eyes were normal.
“You had a nightmare,” he said softly. Lying. “Sleep. We’re going to town tomorrow.”
He left. The door was locked again.Only then did Laura dare to open her hand. The paper was wet with sweat.RUN BEFORE THE FULL MOON.She looked at the moon outside. 6 days left.For the first time since being sold...
Laura had 2 choices: Trust the Wolf King... or trust the mysterious person who wanted to help her.And at the edge of the forest, a second howl sounded. Answering.
#Wolewolf
- Writer
