A Wish Granted (Sterek)

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"Your child is dying inside of you." It spoke. "It is too far gone, even for my kind's normal means of healing." Its voice was deep and old felt every bit as powerful as the creature was. It was a low bass felt in the core of her being. "However, there is a way I can save him."

"Whatever it is I will do it. Just tell me the cost." The creature was silent. Weighing its options before speaking again.

"Your family have been loyal friends to my kin Claudia, I urge you not to make this contract." Claudia clutched her stomach, feeling the life slowly slip from her child with each second. She had no choice but to go through with whatever deal was given. Her son had to live. "I can see you've made your choice." The creature bent down, and lightly kissed Claudia's stomach. Its lips warm, and tender on her skin. "Your child will live. For the price of not just your life, but mine as well." Claudia gasped, telling the creature it did not have to give up its life. She was willing to give hers alone. The creature shook its head, the leaves feathered in its long hair browning and turning to ash as it did. "I give up my life so you may see your child. I do this, so that He may know your voice, and feel your love. You will not be with him forever, but he will know you and you him. For a short while at least."

"But what about you?" Claudia asked it. The creature was shrinking before her eyes, becoming older and frailer with every passing second. "What will your kin do without you?"

"I have been alive for a long time. Not as long some of my kind, but long enough to see that my kin can survive without me." The creature's voice still echoed deeply as it spoke its final words. "I have many children. One of them may take my place on the throne." It held out its hand to Claudia. She grasped it lightly, scared she would break the now fragile bones that shone through its bark like skin. "I request one thing of you my friend. I ask you to take my name, my true name. And give it to the child." Claudia nodded. The creature then whispered its name into her ear filling her mind with the memories of kingdoms of old, and ancient battles. She accepted the creatures every secret, and every dream. She felt its name inside her, and felt it, as it settled inside her child. "I wish you luck little one." The creature told her. Then it was no more than dust on the wind.

And so it was that Claudia Stilinski gave birth to a healthy baby boy. She got to see him grow up healthy, and was grateful for every second she had with him.

It came as no surprise to her when she began to get sick. The symptoms showing after her sons twelfth birthday. She knew the time would come when she would need to say goodbye. She did not regret the deal she had made though. Even in her final days. She did not beg for more time, or go back to the Under Kin and ask to take back the blessing their late king had given her to spare her own life. She died slowly, but peacefully. Her only regret that she was unable to explain to son why their garden grew lush even in the dead of winter. Or why no matter how he tried, her son would not tan under the sun.

When time his teeth began to shine just a little too white, and grow sharp at the edges. Or when his stomach growled with an ancient hunger. Claudia was too close to death to explain why.

When Claudia died her son's true name was never spoken. His father had tried to comfort him by calling to him, but however hard he tried he couldn't speak it correctly. After a week Claudia's son adopted a new name, one that didn't make the children around him flinch when they tried to speak it. Then months later Claudia's son, and his father moved to a small town in northern California. And her son was never known as anything other than Stiles Stilinski.