HELLBOUND

Chapter 1: Fate

Sylvia's pov.

“Help! Help! Please someone help, my mother!” I called out for the doctors and the nurses, my mother was having another seizure and it felt scary every time.

The doctors, although reluctant, walked over and helped my mother while I stood to the side, praying to the moon goddess that she made it. I didn't want to have to lose another parent.

But first, they made sure that they were safe, putting on protective gears before they went close to her. They carried out their work and finally she returned back to normal.

The doctor slapped off his gloves, as well as the mask that covered half of his face, the look of disdain was written all over his features before leaving the room.

The nurse who mirrored the same expression came over, “When are you going to settle the rest of the payment?” The bitterness in her tone didn't faze me, “If we keep this up, we would have to discharge you and your mother.”

I begged them not to and that I would have the money soon, “I just need a little more time.”

The nurse disagreed though, “Time ran out a very long time ago, get the payment.” 

“….or we can just throw her out, it'll be better than having the hospital contaminated with whatever diseases she has been down with,” the other nurses whispered before they both scrunched up their noses and walked out of the room.

I sighed in defeat as the tears rolled endlessly, kneeling by my mother's side with my head pressed gently against her abdomen. 

My mother had been sick since I was as young as ten and my brother was just a new born, it was a dark time for our family. At first, it was manageable, but over the years, her health started to deteriorate, we made more visits to the pack hospital than we did our own home.

The doctors had never seen anything like it, and so they couldn't treat what they didn't know, they only tackled the symptoms that came with it.

I had to work at a young age, trying to pay her bills as well as feed and cloth the three of us, sometimes going as far as taking two jobs. But it was never enough.

The tears poured down like an open dam, soiling the sheets she laid in, “I’m really sorry mom, I truly am,” I entered into a fit of cough to silence my sobs as I didn't want to wake her up.

That night I knew I couldn't leave her for too long and so I decided to go pick my brother up, a change of cloth and something to eat before returning to the hospital.

Tucking my mother in and praying that the moon goddess watched over her before exiting the hospital. Walking down the aisle, the staff seemed to shift away from me, casting me with looks of ridicule and mockery.

Outside, the weather was windy, which only meant a storm was coming, “I better hurry,” grabbing a cab, throwing on my hoodie, I power-walked my way back home.

It wasn't much of a home however, “Alfie, I'm back, grab your stuff, We are staying with mom tonight,” calling out before walking towards the kitchen to grab the leftover spaghetti and heating it up before bagging them.

Staring at the little room and a kitchen we lived in, “Is Mom doing okay?” 

I offered him a tight-lipped smile, “She's fine, now c’mon, let's go.” 

My brother Alfie who was only 10 years old did as he was told and not long, we were already on our way. The wind had picked up, I grabbed his hands and pulled him closer but I didn't expect to be faced with a figure.

My heart skipped a beat as I thought they were about to bully me again, praying they wouldn't do this, especially not in front of my brother, “What do you want?” 

“Your presence is requested in the pack house this instant,” the man said in a gruff tone.

My brows furrowed, “Now??” couldn't it wait till the next day, it was literally almost midnight.

His expression shifted to one of disdain, “Is that going to be a problem for you?” as though he was daring me to say no.

And I wasn't going to take that bait, “Alright sir, I would be there.” 

I wondered what they would have me do this time of the night, “We'll make a pit stop at the pack house before we go see mom, okay?” 

Alfie nodded and we followed the gruff man back to the pack house.

There were only a few people present and the man who had led us there disappeared right after, mumbling under his breath why he had to be the one to fetch me.

The alpha had wanted to see me and so we had to wait, that didn't stop a few others from tormenting us, or could I say the leader, the Beta’s daughter, Eve, and her friends, Charles and Mila.

I wanted to hide away, because there was nowhere to run as they had already spotted us, instead, I pushed Alfie behind me and stood my ground with my head bowed. I didn't want to have to invite her wrath.

Eve, however, had other ideas, “If it isn't, the traitors bastard, aren't you going to look at me?” Her friends chuckled behind her.

“LOOK AT ME!” 

A shiver ran down my spine as I trembled before raising my gaze to look at her, the mirth in her eyes as she watched me squirm under her gaze.

My teeth chattered with anger but I also prayed she wouldn't do anything, especially in front of my brother, “Please…please.”

“I'm sorry, what was that? Are you begging me?” she chuckled obviously taking pleasure in my groveling. 

I didn't want to, but I had to protect my brother and this made my insides boil that I had to do this, yet it was all I could do.

I was expecting a few beatings though, that was until the doors to the pack house were pushed open and the most intoxicating scent wafted into my nostrils.

Despite the wind outside, the scent was still strong in the room. I glanced towards the door and one word echoed in my mind alone as I stared at the person.

Our eyes locked and we both growled at the same time.

“Mate.”