My mate is the Alpha who should kill me

Kaelie’s POV “Don’t you dare go near that cursed forest, Kaelie. Promise me… swear right now that you’ll never try.” Grandpa’s voice came out rough and strained, his thin fingers wrapping around my wrist with a strength that startled me, especially from a man who could barely lift himself from the bed anymore. How could Grandpa tell I'd already decided to go to the Boundary Forest? I gulped, forcing a weak smile even though my heart hammered against my ribs. “I swear, Elias,” I whispered, brushing damp white hair from his forehead. “I’m not going there. Just rest, okay?” I lied, unable to hold his gaze. " I’ll get the medicine tomorrow.” But obviously, he didn't buy the lie. I could tell from the way he stared at me, worry deepening across his face before another coughing fit tore through his frail body. He pressed a handkerchief to his mouth, and my stomach twisted when I saw the dark spots of blood staining the fabric. Oh my God! I quickly steadied him, one hand on his shoulder as the coughing wracked him. "Sorry…” I muttered, my chest tightening with helplessness as I waited for it to pass. When it finally did, he sank back against the thin pillow, exhausted and struggling to catch his breath. Our tiny apartment felt even smaller tonight, the cracked walls seeming to close in under the weight of his illness. I’d seen colors around people my whole life, each one carrying its own meaning—something no one else ever seemed to notice. But for weeks now, Grandfather’s aura had been bleeding black at the edges. And it terrified me. I stood up slowly, my legs aching from another long day at the market, and walked over to the small table where my basket of dried roses still sat half-full, beginning to separate them. A soft knock at the door made me pause. “Who is there?” I called out. “Open up, Kaelie…” I hesitated for a moment, then opened the door to find Mira standing there, her curly auburn hair tucked under a scarf, her bakery apron still dusted with flour. Her bright green aura wrapped around her like a warm hug, always making me feel a little less heavy whenever she’s around me. “Kaelie, you look exhausted,” she said, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. She carried a small bundle wrapped in cloth. “Brought you some leftover rolls. Cheese and herbs… your favorite. And don’t argue. You need to eat.” I took the bundle, my stomach twisting with gratitude. “Thank you for this, Mira. How was the bakery today?” She shrugged, leaning against the wall as she watched me help Grandfather sip some water. “Same as always.” "Oh…" “Kaelie, I overheard people whispering about wolf patrols getting closer to the Boundary Forest. Tomas said he saw lights moving through the trees last night. He claimed they looked like glowing eyes.” Her voice dropped. “You know what that means. Stay clear—” I grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the room before she could finish. “Why would you say that when Elias is right there?” I snapped, anger rising in me. “He’s already worried enough.” “Kaelie…” She held my gaze suspiciously. “Stay clear of the forest edge, ya? Those Iron Claws don’t play games.” I let out a short breath. “I know. Do you really think I was serious when I said I was going there?” “You were serious.” A cough came from inside the hut, loud enough to make us both freeze for a second before rushing back in. Grandpa had drifted into a restless sleep, his breathing shallow, and he coughed even in that restless sleep. I let out a shaky breath and quietly adjusted the blanket over his shoulders, careful not to wake him. I turned back to Mira. “I wasn't. I’m not stupid.” Mira crossed her arms, studying me with that sharp look she got when she worried. “Then why do you look like you’re planning something? I’ve known you since we were kids selling scraps together. Spill it.” I hesitated, glancing at the coins I’d counted earlier—barely enough for bread, nowhere near the real medicine Grandfather needed. The healer’s tonic was expensive, laced with rare herbs that only grew in places humans weren’t allowed. The boundary forest. “It’s nothing. Just... the fever’s worse. He keeps talking about secrets, about my mother and things I carry. Doesn’t make sense.” She squeezed my shoulder. “He’s old and sick, Kaelie. Don’t let it mess with your head. Get some sleep. I’ll cover your stall in the morning if you need me to.” We hugged, and after exchanging our goodbyes, she left. The room fell quiet again except for the distant howl of wind through the narrow streets of Grey City. I sat on the edge of my thin mattress, twisting my hands in my lap. The market had been brutal today—cold winds whipping through the stalls, customers arguing over every copper. “Two coppers for the bunch,” I had told one woman earlier, holding up a cluster of dried roses. “They keep their scent for weeks.” She just sniffed and tossed them back. “Too expensive. Everything’s too expensive these days, with those wolves draining us dry from their fancy Spire.” Another customer, a man with two kids, had bought one bunch but grumbled the whole time. His little girl’s soft yellow aura had been the only bright spot, her missing-tooth grin making me smile despite everything. Now, staring at Grandfather’s pale face, I felt the weight of it all pressing down. He had raised me after my parents died, teaching me to survive in this crumbling city where the sun barely broke through the haze. I moved to the window and peered out. In the distance, the Boundary Forest loomed like a dark wall separating our slums from the wolves’ territory. Beyond it rose the Obsidian Spire, a towering black fortress where Alpha Jaxen Vane ruled with iron claws and cold justice. Stories said he had killed his own father to take power. Crossing into their lands meant death—traps, wards, patrolling beasts that tore intruders apart. But Grandpa’s medicine... the good stuff came from rare plants like Moonshade, the glowing blue flower that grew only in the dangerous edges of that forest. I had heard whispers about it from herb sellers. One bloom might break his fever for good. I turned back to the bed. His coughing had started again, weaker this time, but each rattle pulled at something deep inside me. The colors around him darkened further, shadows creeping closer. I didn’t know what my strange sight meant, but I knew it wasn’t good. Hours slipped by as I paced the small room, unable to sleep. Grandfather stirred once, murmuring in his sleep. “Kaelie... your blood... hide it... Witch-Queens...” I froze. Witch-Queens? The words made no sense, but they sent a chill down my spine. He had mentioned my mother before, vague stories about her disappearing into the mists, but never this. The coins on the table mocked me. Not enough. Not nearly enough for his medicine, and the fever was getting worse. If I wanted to see my grandfather alive by morning, I would have to do the one thing I swore I would never do. “I’m sorry, Elias… I have to do this for you…” I breathed, clenching my fists. Tonight, I’d go to the Boundary Forest and steal from the wolves. God help me.