Chapter 1 1
Maisie
My hands wouldn't stop trembling as I looked at the medical report in front of me.
This can't be.
I looked up at the healer with tears in my eyes. “Please, tell me this is not true.”
A sorrowful look etched his face as he slowly shook his head. “I'm sorry, Luna Maisie but it's true. Your daughter has The Red Howl.”
My whole world came crashing down without warning. The Red Howl was one of the deadliest diseases to ever exist in the realm. It was a deadly curse that ate away at its victims causing their skin to develop pores to eventually die. Legend has it that there's no cure for it.
My heart ripped in my chest when I realized my daughter has the curse.
I glanced at her small head cradled in my shoulder, a sob tore through me each time her feverish body shuddered with pain. She felt me shaking and pulled away to look at me. She was in pain but that didn't stop her from smiling at me. Aria cupped my cheek and frowned. “Stop crying, mommy.”
A silent tear streaked down my cheeks as I nodded slowly. My daughter had so much to live for. Now, she was going to be taken from me. She was too innocent to deserve this.
I looked up to the healer and asked the question I'd dreaded to ask. “How much does she have left?”
“A month at best.” He replied.
My eyes widened in horror. “What? There's not much time!”
The healer gave me a weak smile. “That's why you have to make the best of memories with her and shower her with all of the love and care you can. Aria needs you now more than ever.”
Tears welled up in my eyes as I looked down at Aria now cradling her head in my shoulder. She had a fever last night and I took her here for a medical checkup only for the results to come out and she was diagnosed with The Red Howl.
“What do I do now?” I covered my hand with my mouth to lower my sobs. “Aria's only five years old. What do I even do? I can't lose her.”
“I'm sorry, Luna,” the healer gave me a light pat on my shoulder. “I wish there was something else we could do.”
My hands trembled as I reached for the medical report again. This time my eyes widened as reality dawned on me. Aria was going to die soon.
“I don't want to sound so sure, Your Highness,” the healer said softly. "But I believe there is a cure for The Red Howl.”
My head snapped up. “What?”
“A cure,” he added with a soft smile. “The hospital is currently working on a cure for the Red Howl. The trial phase isn't showing much progress but we're doing everything in our power to make sure our efforts are fruitful.”
I didn't want to take any chances but it was the last thing I got. The only hope I have to keep alive not just for my sake but for Aria. Once the hospital gets a breakthrough then she will receive treatment immediately. Aria will live.
I wiped my wet cheeks with the back of my hand.
“Mommy?” Aria called out again, looking at me with those beautiful blue eyes. “Will I be okay?”
“Of course, baby,” I cupped her cheek. “You'll be perfectly fine soon. All you need is to eat more and sleep.”
“Okay, mommy.” Aria smiled.
I bit my bottom lip to stop them from quivering and reached for the medical files.
The healer gave me a look that said ‘I hope you know what you're doing’ and honestly, I wish I was.
While we drove home, Aria wouldn't stop rambling about her sixth birthday coming up in a month's time. I nodded silently to every word she said. Without a cure, Aria wouldn't be alive to celebrate her birthday.
Aria went silent for a moment and I turned to look at her.
“Mommy,” she began softly.
“Yes, baby?” I loosened my grip on the steering.
“Can daddy come to my birthday? I promise I'll be good.” she added with a pout.
I froze. Aria never asked for anything because she always got all she needed but asking for her dad? I wasn't so sure of that. Xavier was rarely home.
Xavier was the Alpha of the BlackRock Pack and my mate.
He hated Aria and it was all my fault. I was the reason my child didn't grow up with a father figure in her life.
My heart broke at the memory and my eyes threatened to blur but this wasn't the time for me to cry. It was time for me to right my mistakes and make sure my daughter had the fatherly affection she craved.
The second we got home, I had the maids put Aria to sleep and dialed Xavier's number.
When the dial tone clicked, I said softly. “Hey, Xavier. We need to talk.”
I didn't have this on his face to know he was irritated. His harsh tone gave him away.
“I haven't got all day, Maisie. What is it?” He snapped.
His irritation was something I was used to but I brushed it off. “Tomorrow's Saturday so you won't be going to work. Can you please spend the day with Aria? I promise it won't —”
“Is that why you called?” He hissed. “You’re distracting me right now. Kylie needs help with her son so I have a lot on my plate right now.”
The mention of Kylie and her son made my heart bleed. Kylie was Xavier's first love who left the pack several years ago only to return with her son, Hunter.
“But Xavier, Aria is your daughter. You barely spend time with her or even look at her.” My voice cracked at the memory of the medical report.
Xavier lost his control. “Why do you keep insisting I see her when —”
“That's because Aria's sick.“ I cut him “Your daughter’s dying, Xavier.”
