Chapter 1

MacKenzie's POV

"Ren, Sweetie we need to go. The cab is here." I told my daughter who was fetching her teddy bear from our old room.

"Okay, Mommy." She gave me a toothy smile. Her smiles never fail to make my heart swell with love. She's my everything.

Bending down, I couldn't resist her chubby cheek as I pressed a couple of kisses onto her cushions. Giggles instantly had her squirming as she tried to escape my smothering love, making a smile grace my lips.

"Okay, let's go before we miss our bus," I said as I took her tiny hand in mine and guided her to our packed luggage." Stay by Mommy's side, okay?"

"Yes, Mommy." She obediently nodded, giving me a toothy grin that reached her chocolate brown eyes that resembled mine, shining with childlike happiness.

Grabbing the two handles, I pulled the two suitcases out of the apartment. It was just our luck our apartment was on the ground floor. I don't think I would have been able to pull two suitcases down a long staircase while trying to keep my child next to me at the same time. When we finally reached the gate, the cab driver walked toward us with a polite smile 

"May I, Miss?" He offered, gesturing to the suitcases.

"Please." I politely smiled.

He smiled back and without another word, he took the bags and pulled them to his cab. Opening the trunk, he placed them in, just as I let Serenity get in the backseat before jumping in after her and closing the door behind me.

"Mommy?" My daughter's sweet voice called, making me turn to her.

"Yes, my Love?" I smiled at her.

"Please help me put on my seatbelt?" She asked as she pulled the strap.

"Of course, Baby." I smiled in approval.

Raising Serenity was far from easy, but my sweet baby has always been obedient. She never caused me problems, still doesn't. She's just the sweetest and I'm the proudest mom to be honest. I absolutely love my baby girl.

My life has not been the best but not the worst either. I was raised by my aunt, Jennifer. My parents ditched me at the hospital immediately after I was born, so since Aunt Jennifer was the only relative I had left, they left me in her care. She took good care of me and raised me well, she showed me love and I'll be honest, I was happy in her care. I did not crave any other parent. But,  unfortunately everything came crushing down when I turned 18.

Aunt Jennifer had arranged for me to get a job as a hairdresser since I had finished high school the year prior and so it was my first day there and I was happy, of course. The day went well and that's where I met Serenity's father also known as my ex, Mason. He was such a fun person to be around and we became friends that very day.

By the time I returned home, I was exhausted. All I wanted to do was dive under my covers and sleep, but soon learnt that that day would change everything. When I got home, I found the house locked, with all the furniture out of sight from outside, with a sold sign proudly standing on the dry lawn. The panic I felt that day shook my world. The thoughts that plagued my mind threatened my sanity as I wondered where my aunt had gone while hoping that she was alright. After a few minutes, I don't know what made me go to the mailbox, but I did. I opened it and found a letter with a key from my aunt. She had left with a new boyfriend she met online. She apparently had fallen in love and had decided to move in with him in another country.

She told me how much she loved me. Even that she had transferred some money into my savings account and had gotten me an apartment. She even went as far as to pay for my rent for two months. My clothes had been moved there that very day while I was at work. When I got there, the fridge had even stocked to the brim with food and apartment was partially furnished with some of her furniture that she didn't sell. I felt heartbroken, betrayed and alone, but I had no choice but to live there.

A couple of months later I moved in with Mason, left the apartment and sold the furniture and put the money into my savings. Mason and I had become the closest of friends by then, but we had feelings for each other, so we eventually decided to explore them. People told us that we made the cutest couple and I guess we did. We were so happy together, he was only two years my senior, so age wasn't a problem. 

We waited to initiate any sexual activities until I was 20. We used protection but somehow I fell pregnant. The birth control had lost effect because a couple of weeks prior I wasn't quite well so I had used antibiotics.

I was so conflicted between happiness and fear but Mason reassured me that it would be okay and I believed him. He supported me and was just the best partner, that is until a week later. I had a day off while Mason had to go to work that day, which was normal. The day passed and at the time he would normally get home, he didn't. I tried calling him but his phone just went to voicemail.

I don't know how I slept that night, but I did. I went to work the following day and they told me that he had resigned with immediate effect that exact morning. I obviously tried calling again but he didn't answer, until I finally gave up. 

I got Serenity several months later and it's just been my baby and I ever since. It has been hard being a single parent, barely earning enough to care for two of us and pay for all our expenses. It was already hard without Mason, but add a baby on-top of that, it became difficult but I pulled through with the little salary I earned. 

Unfortunately recently, my luck ran out and my life got worse. The salon where I worked decided to move, so I lost my job. It's been a month since I've been searching for a new one, but it's not easy to find one in such a small town, so I got onto the internet.

I found a job a few cities away and thankfully, I have an interview there in three days. This town has bad memories for me so as sad as moving is, it's also a breath of fresh air for me. It will be a much needed new start for my baby and I.

*****

Pierce's POV

"Dad!" Called Milan as he entered our indoor gym."Still anxious?" He asked in disbelief.

"Yeah, and I still have no idea why. My wolf just feels so restless. It's been a couple of hours already." I said as I lifted my dumbbells.

"I just hope it's nothing bad." He sighed as he took a set of dumbbells and joined in my exercising.

"You and me both, Buddy." I sighed.

My name is Pierce Wright. I am a warrior wolf...yes, I'm a werewolf. I have a twelve year old son named, Milan. Him and I have a very close relationship but I don't blame him, I'm all he has aside his grandma.

You see, my mate, Ria and I met during our first day of training as warrior wolves. We fell in love right off the bat, and became each other's everything.

Four years later my mate gave birth to Milan. We were a happy little family, content even. That was until the rogue attack happened. Ria didn't need to participate in the fight, but my strong mate was never one to sit around when she knew she could help, so she did. She was fighting three rogues when one attacked her from behind. I was too late to save her and I blame myself everyday for that. Because of me, my son grew up without a mother. 

Our pack lost one of it's best warriors that day and I lost the love of my life, the mother to my son. If I had gotten there earlier, I would have saved her.

"Dad, are you okay?" Asked Milan as he looked to me with concern.

Plastering a small smile I gave a nod as I ran my hand through his hair. 'Please forgive me?'.

"Dad, it's not your fault. What happened happened, it can't be taken back.  You have to move on, plus I'm good with you playing both Mom and Dad." He beamed at me, obviously trying to cheer me up like the sweet kid he was.

"Thanks, Bud," I weakly smiled at him, "I am one lucky dad to to have such a great son as you," I said as I ran my hand through his hair again."Let's go out for lunch, just to spoil the best son in the world." I winked.

Milan might but young, but he's always been very smart. Since he found out that I still blame myself for his mother's death, he's been trying to take the blame off my shoulders and its improving day by day. 

Nowadays, more days than others, I realise how lucky I am to have him. My rock. A warrior with his son as his rock, ironic indeed.