Chapter 0001

Every day, I washed 3000 dishes, working 15 hours. But my wages couldn't even cover the interest on my growing credit card debt.

To save my 5-year-old adopted daughter, Patti, I maxed out all my credit cards to pay for her medical bills.

Worse than that,I was alone in the restaurant kitchen with my sleeping daughter and the owner of the restaurant who insisted on ‘supervising’ me.

I felt his clammy hand on my waist, brushing against a sliver of skin where my shirt had ridden up. I felt his hot breath on my neck. A shiver went down my spine.

"You're a pretty little songbird, aren't you?" My boss' low voice asked as he stood close behind me. "You've been picking up a lot of shifts lately. Do you need extra cash?I would be willing to... help you out."

I could practically feel his teeth grow sharper behind me as he slid his hand from my back to press against my stomach, pulling me closer to him. I could smell the whiskey on his breath. "Thank you, but I couldn't-"

"You could be my mistress. I'd set you up in an apartment somewhere. I'd even let you keep the brat."

Anger flared up within me, but I bit my tongue. "It's a generous offer but-" I spat out.

"Or maybe I'll fire you. Or I could make you mine right now." He spun me around, pressing my back against the sink and making a pile of dishes crash to the floor.

My heart was pounding in my chest. I looked over to where Patti was napping, hoping that against all odds she was still asleep.

Rather than seeing the little girl, I saw a flash of jet black fur as Patti transformed into her wolf form and rushed at the man. "Get away!" She growled.

He looked over with a furrowed brow, but couldn't move fast enough to escape Patti's sharp teeth. He hissed in pain, letting go of me. He kicked Patti off of his leg.

Patti whimpered in pain as he moved to kick her again.

I felt a fresh wave of protective rage.No one can harm my daughter!

I grabbed a plate off of the counter and smashed it against his head.

The man swore as I scooped Patti up and sprinted out of the restaurant into the alley behind it. I looked around before running off to the left.

I ran into a dead end.

I let out a breath, turning and seeing my boss. Blood trickled down his face from where I'd hit him with a plate.

He had an empty bottle gripped tightly in his hand. He stepped forwards, menacingly. "Tell me, is it easier to be a songbird in a nest, or in a cage?"

I held Patti tighter to my chest. The girl sniffled. "I'm sorry mommy, I wanted to protect you."

He laughed. "Stupid brat! You can't even protect yourself! How are you gonna protect anyone else?"

Patti glared at my boss. "Maybe I can't protect her, but my daddy will! And he'll teach me so I can get you too!"

He roared with patronizing laughter. "Daddy? What daddy? Is some big, strong alpha gonna come sweep you off your feet?"

He stepped towards us, lifted the empty bottle over his head.

"Daddy, save us!" Patti cried out in fear. I held her tightly in my arms.

A hand grabbed his wrist.

"Leave them alone." A handsome man stepped into the low light of the alley, pulling my boss away.

"Mind your own damn business!" My boss hissed.

"I don't think you heard me." The savior responded.

Something in his aura shifted, he straightened his spine, seemingly growing larger. His white teeth began to sharpen into fangs. His skin seemed to glow in low light.

"Leave. Them. Alone."

The low rumble of his voice cut straight through my chest.

"I heard you crying." He looked to Patti, a sudden softness in his appearance.

"They're nothing." The boss snapped, being so drunk that he didn't notice the raw power the other man carried. "She's broke! Can't afford to take care of the damn kid she adopted!"

The handsome man reared his fist back and knocked him out with one punch. He shook out his hand, looking up at me with sharp eyes, the color of coffee with just a hint of cream.

Brown eyes similar to Patti's.

"Are you alright?" He asked, his voice low and just a little raspy.

"I- yes, thank you." I stuttered out, feeling my face warm. "We're... maybe a little shaken up and oh goddess."

"He's your boss?" he asked.

"Yes... he used to be." I looked at my boss, who had passed out on the ground, knowing that this job was done for.

Patti had a rare condition which made transforming into her human form very difficult. She hadn't been able to transform into her human form at all until after she turned three. She was weak, and transforming sapped her limited energy.

I was wolf-less, born without the ability to transform into a werewolf form, so I felt a kinship with the girl. However, Patti’s condition meant she needed expensive medication and regular checkups.

I groaned as I thought of the process of applying to jobs. All of the jumping through hoops and weeks of waiting for responses. I thought of the fact that I never wound up getting a degree.

I thought of the medical bills that were already piling up. I thought of the shakes and withdrawal symptoms that Patti would face. I thought about what would happen if I couldn't pay my rent.

I thought of the worst.

I almost jumped as a warm hand ghosted over my face. He wiped away a tear I hadn't known was there.

"Please don't cry." He said, hesitantly but gently. "You're okay."

"I... I don't know if we are." I answered softly.

"He won't bother you again."

"That's not really what I'm worried about." I let out a heavy breath. “I’m going to have to find a new job now.”

“Oh.” The man said, nodding slightly. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s probably for the best, I just… I don’t know how I’ll pay for her medical bills.” I sighed looking down at Patti, running my hands over the thick, black fur she had in her wolf form.

I shook my head. “I’m sorry, you just saved us and here I am complaining and I don’t even know your name–“

“Are you my daddy?” Patti blurted out loudly, hiding within my arms, but asking the question all the same.

I immediately felt my face warm. “Patti!” I exclaimed, mortified.

The man smiled. “Cute.”

“You adopted her?” He asked, looking from Patti to me.

“Yeah. She was left on my doorstep five years ago today. But she’s the best thing in my life .” I admitted.

“That… that’s nice.” He nodded. He let out a breath.

“I’m sorry for intruding, but uh…” He dug through his pockets, pulling out a business card.

“Come by my mansion tomorrow. I’ll see if we can find a job for you.” He handed me the card.

Their fingers brushed as he put it in my hand. The warmth of his skin against my own made my face flush.

“Think you can get home alright?” He asked, looking at me with his warm brown eyes. Being the focus of his attention was intoxicating, unlike anything I’d felt before.

“Um… yes! Yes we’ll be okay. Thank you.”

I swallowed. “Thank you for everything. I’ll be there tomorrow.”

He smiled hesitantly, stepping back and leaving me and Patti in the alley.

“Are you sure that’s not my daddy?” Patti asked, tilting her head as she looked up at me. “He came when I called for help!”

“No, no. He was just a kind, kind man.” I responded.

I looked down at the card in my hand, first looking at the address on the back. Then I turned the card over, my breath catching in my chest as I read the words.

Alpha Lionel, CEO and owner of Wolfsbane Industries.