The Price.

Hailey stopped her car in front of a huge gate guarded by two huge, muscular men.

"We are here." Hailey said to Aria, who looked like she was lost in thought and didn't even realize that the car had stopped.

Aria only came out of her daze after Hailey had shaken her. Her gaze moved from Hailey's to where they had stopped, and she asked, "Is this where he lives?"

"Yes."

"Wow, it's so huge."

Hailey smiled and replied, "That's because this is a pack house, and I know you haven't seen one before, but as long as I'm with you, there is no need for you to get scared."

Hailey was about to get out of the car when Aria held her handand asked,d "Will those men allow us to enter?"

Hailey glanced at the two men who were standing guard at the gate and said, "They know me, Aria. This is my pack as well, and the person we are about to meet is my Alpha."

"Your Alpha?"

"Yes, the Alpha of the Shadow Moon pack, and my father is the Beta, and everyone respects our family, so as long as you are with me, you should fear no one. Now, let's go."

True to Hailey's words, the two men bowed their heads slightly to her and opened the gate for them to enter.

There were different houses, and even though Aria was confused by it, she didn't ask.

Hailey led her to the biggest house that looked like a mansion but was also guarded by another man, and unlike the two men at the gate, this guy didn't bow down to Hailey.

"Move aside, Marcus." Hailey said with a scowl.

Marcus ignored her and glanced at Aria, who quickly looked away when Marcus looked at her, and soon enough, Hailey stood in front of Aria and said, "Alpha Milton is already expecting us, and if you don't believe it, then you can give him a call."

Marcus still didn't say anything; he only opened the door to the house for them, and Hailey quickly dragged Aria inside.

In all her years of living, Aria has never seen such a house before in her life. It was big and so well polished; however, the fear of losing her grandmother was so strong in her heart that it could not even allow her to admire anything.

"We are here." Hailey said in a whisper as they stopped in front of a wooden door.

Aria noticed as Hailey took in a deep breath before knocking, and then a male authoritative voice replied.

"Come in."

Hailey gently opened the door and came inside along with Aria.

Unlike Aria, Hailey bowed to the man who was sitting majestically on his chair and said, "Alpha."

"Hailey, how many times have I told you that you don't have to be formal with me? Now correct yourself" Alpha Milton said with a smile.

Hailey smiled and corrected herself. "Uncle."

Alpha Milton chuckled and asked, "Who do you have here?"

"This is Aria, my friend, and she really needs your help." Hailey said, maintaining her smile, but deep within she knew it was all a farce. She may be young, but she wasn't stupid; she knew her bringing Aria here was Alpha Milton's plan, but why? What exactly do they need Aria for?

Aria came forward and went down on her knees, shocking Hailey, but Alpha Milton, on the other hand, smiled when he saw her action.

"Hailey said you are the only one who can save my grandmother, and that is why she has brought me here. The doctor said that she was poisoned, and right now, even as we speak, the poison is spreading quickly to her body and is damaging her organs. If I don't find a solution soon, then I will lose my grandmother, and I can't lose her. So I beg you, please help me save my grandma."

"Hailey, leave us." Alpha Milton said.

"But....." Hailey was about to refute his words when he gave her a look, and that look sent chills down her spine. She glanced at Aria, who was still on her knees before leaving.

"Aria, is it?"

Aria nodded. "Aria Wilson."

"Such a lovely name. But before we discussed anything, you had to sit and not kneel. Hailey is like a daughter to me, and since you are her friend, then that makes you a daughter to me as well."

Aria nodded and stood up; she sat opposite him, in one of the chairs facing him, and said, "Hailey told me that you don't help anyone for free."

Alpha Milton chuckled and asked, "Is that what she told you?"

Aria noticed his dimples when he laughed and was sure that this fifty-something-year-old man must have been a looker when he was younger. He looked friendly, and even his laugh sounded so warm, so why did she still feel so uncomfortable around him? Why does she feel as if every laugh and warm word that has left his lips were all pretentious?

"She is right."

"Huh?"

"Hailey is right. Whether it is our world or the human world, nothing comes for free."

"Then, what is your price? How can you even save my grandmother when you don't even know the poison that she has been injected with?"

"I have an idea of what she has been injected with. One of the benefits of being a werewolf is having the ability to heal fast, but this poison seems to be stronger than her healing powers, not to mention the fact that she is old. If your grandmother is not given the antidote quickly, I'm afraid she won't last tonight."

"You... you have the antidote, right? Hailey said you would have the antidote for the poison."

"I do have the antidote, and I am ready to give it to you, Aria, but..."

"But what?"

"Are you capable of paying the price?"

"I would do anything." Aria replied without even hesitating.

Alpha Milton smiled and said, "You shouldn't agree so quickly, especially when you don't even know what I am about to ask from you."

"Even if you ask for my life, I will give it to you, so please just save my grandmother." Aria said with tears in her eyes.

"Oh dear, do not cry. How can I ask for your life?" Alpha Milton asked softly and sighed. He opened his drawer and brought out a small bottle and placed it on his table.

"Once your grandmother drinks this, the poison in her body will slow down, but she won't be completely cured. With this portion, your grandmother will be able to survive for at least three months, but if you want her to be by your side for years, then you have to kill someone."

Aria's heart sank immediately when she heard that she had to kill someone. She could barely kill an animal, so how could she kill someone?

"I... I can't kill a person."

"A person? I assure you that this man isn't a person; he is a monster who has taken a lot of life, and now in order for you to save your grandmother's life, you must kill this man."

"If he is a monster as you say he is, then how... how can I kill him?"

Alpha Milton smiled and said, "The first thing you have to do is get close to him, and thankfully you will be able to do that at tonight's party. In tonight's party, Alpha Tristan will have to choose a wife, and you must ensure he chooses you."

"And if he doesn't?"

Alpha Milton suddenly looked sad as he said, "Then I'm sorry to say, but your grandmother will have to die."