The Royal Contract: The Lycan King's Stolen Queen

VALESKA “I'm sorry, but you need to settle the payment now. We can't clear the next round of medication until a payment is made.” The receptionist's voice hung over my head. Panic surged through me. I stood up, nearly tripping over my feet. “I-I know. I am so sorry. I just... I need a little more time. I’m trying to reach my mate right now.” The receptionist sighed slowly. “Miss Vaughan, we’ve given it twenty-four hours. Our system won't let us hold the medication much longer.” “M-my mate's Alpha Garrick Barrett,” Desperation clawed at my chest as I grabbed her hand. “Please… Just a little more. He’s just... he’s in meetings today. As soon as he answers, I'll pay the bill. Please, just don’t stop her treatment.” The receptionist looked at me up and down. Faded jeans, an oversized sweater and the dark circles beneath my eyes… I looked more like a stray struggling to survive than the Luna of one of the most powerful packs. Her face softened slightly. "Alright, I'll talk to the floor manager and see if we can hold off the system update for another hour." "But after that, we can't help you anymore." She muttered, backing away. “Thank you. Thank you so much!" The moment she turned the corner, my knees gave out. I sank back to the bench, My fingers trembled violently as I pressed my phone to my ear. "Come on, Garrick, pick up..." My teeth clenched in frustration. "Don't do this to your own daughter, please..." But the call never connected. "Damn it!" I couldn't help but curse. I had been calling him for what felt like the hundredth time now. But her never answered. The reality of my isolation pressed down on me with a suffocating weight. To Garrick, to the pack, I was a wolfless, half-human trash who had failed to awaken her inner wolf or bear a male heir to the pack. Two miscarriages hadn't been enough to make me give up. Years after my second miscarriage, I conceived for the third time, foolishly hoping things would finally change. But two days ago, I lost that baby too. That shattered any remaining illusion of protection that my title had given me. When Garrick's mother announced the ridiculous punishment of cutting off almost every resource available to us, Garrick merely smirked and said nothing. But I never thought he'd still be keeping this up when our daughter's life was at stake. I kept texting and calling him for the last twenty-four hours. At first, it rang, but then, he started rejecting every call... Suddenly, my phone vibrated in my hand. My heart leaped; had Garrick finally called? But the name that flashed across the screen made my heart sink. Morgana, my stepmother. At first, I considered not answering. But, remembering the hell she would raise, I swallowed and pressed the phone to my ear. “Val! Why haven't you wired this month's allowance yet?” Morgana's sharp voice barked through the line. “The rent is due, and so are Priscilla's tuition fees! Why the hell are you delaying?” I closed my eyes, exhaustion weighing on every inch of my body. "I... can't send anything this month." I whispered. Silence greeted my ears for a moment, and then— "What do you mean you can't?" "M-my allowance is cut off." I muttered, trying not to break down. "Mom... Naya is sick. I... “Sick again?” A sharp, mocking laugh cut through the line before I could finish my sentence. “Of course, she is! A pathetic weakling just like you! Did you waste all the money on her again!?" “Mom, please…” “If you weren't so useless, you would have given Alpha a healthy male heir. No wonder he's tired of you!" Every word stabbed straight through my chest. "Honestly, we'd all be better off if that sickly burden just died." I could endure everything, but she shouldn't have cursed my daughter. Something inside me snapped. “Don't you dare!” I shouted, my voice echoing through the empty corridor. "If I didn't have to send money every single month to support you, Alpha wouldn't despise me so much!" “You ungrateful brat!” Morgana screamed. "Ungrateful?!" I couldn't help but laugh bitterly. “Then be it! I'm not gonna send you a dime!" I didn't care anymore and hung up. My body slumped against the wall as my fingers gripped the hem of my sweater until my knuckles turned white. Slowly, my fingers loosened. For the first time in years, I stood up to her. After a moment, I inhaled a deep breath, wiped away my tears, and put on a forced smile before stepping into the quiet ward. Naya, my five-year-old daughter, was lying on the bed, and that broke my heart even more. She had been sick for days, but not to burden me, she kept silent until she fell unconscious yesterday. The moment the door clicked shut, her eyelids fluttered open. "Mommy..." Her lips curved into a small, weak smile. "Hey, my love." I whispered, walking over and taking her small, burning hand in mine. “Is Daddy busy again?” A sharp anguish pressed against my throat like a thorn. I forced my lips to curve against my will. "Daddy's busy with pack business tonight, sweetheart. But Mommy is right here. I won't leave your side for a single second.” Deep down, the truth tasted like ash. I lowered my head, pretending to fix her blanket. I couldn't let her see me cry. I knew where Garrick was right now... In another woman's bed. Naya just looked at me with eyes that were far too wise for a five-year-old. "Mommy, please don't be sad... I promise I'll eat well and be strong. So, Mommy doesn't need to worry.” Tears stung my eyes. Five years old. She should've been asking for toys, complaining about bitter medicine, throwing tantrums because she hated hospitals. Instead... She was comforting me. What kind of mother had I become, that my little girl had learned to hide her own pain just to make me smile? "I'm proud of you, pumpkin." I caressed her head and brushed my palm over her eyes. "Now close your eyes and go back to sleep. Mommy's right beside you, love.” She stirred slightly and touched my hand with her frail, burning hand. “When I wake up, everything will be okay, right?” Her small tone was full of hope. “Right,” I choked out, kissing her hot forehead. “Everything will be perfect. Just sleep, my love.” Slowly, she closed her eyes and drifted off. I took out my phone and dialed his number again, only to be refused once more. Garrick and I had been together for six years, yet there's been no ring, no marking and no official claim to be his Luna. Even though we had a bumpy start, in the beginning, it was all good. He promised to hold a grand Luna ceremony, but that promise died with my first miscarriage. Then Garrick changed. Little by little, our room became the furthest corner of the packhouse, while another woman's laughter slowly replaced mine. He still cared for Naya. Or at least, I thought he did. Until Lilith arrived. His mistress. From that day on, he was always with her. I had been enduring everything for one reason only... My sweet Naya deserved her father's name. Even if I had to destroy myself to give it to her. I was lost in thought, my eyes grew heavier with time. I felt drowsy and almost fell asleep, when… BZZZ The sudden vibration inside my pocket startled me awake. I checked my sleeping daughter before pulling out my phone. Immediately, my pulse thundered inside my ears. Garrick. After twenty-four hours... He finally answered. My fingers shook so violently I almost dropped the phone. I opened the text. 'Are you still at the hospital?' ​