Prologue
The poor part of Blackstone city,
29 years ago.
The rather frantic knocking on the front door wakes Mae Tempest, which makes her curse low, as it is her first truly restful sleep for days. Her three little pups are all teething and it makes them a rather grumpy lot. But tonight they have decided to be angels, and are sleeping soundly.
The knocking continues and she realizes that if she doesn’t go open the little boys might wake, and then true trouble will start. So with a sigh she throws back the blankets and climbs out of bed.
She turns on the little lamp on her bedside table, and steps into her slippers. Grabbing her robe she smile at the small sleeping babies, as they are snuggled up together in the big crib. Despite the size they will soon outgrow it and she will have to find something bigger for them.
Shuffling to the door, she opens it at a c***k and peered out into the darkness, surprised when she realizes it is a young woman standing out there, a bundle held protective to her chest. It is usually men making the deliveries.
“Are you Mae Tempest, the woman who takes in pups that has nowhere else to be ?” The woman says in a thick accent.
Mae nods. For a small fee she takes in illigal pups. The laws do not allow wolves to have kids with anyone but their true mates, but it happens nonetheless and she is sparing especially the young women for a life in shame where their true mate might reject them. Other kids are a result of a wolf's romance with a human woman.
“I am yes”. She says.
“Will you please take my little one ? I don’t have a lot of money, but it’s only for a short time”. The young woman looks around nervously. “It’s just until it’s safe… I will come back for him, I promise”.
The coins she holds out will only feed the baby for a short time and she already has the three other babies to feed. But she still opens the door wide and holds out her arms. “Of course I will take him”.
The young woman eases aside the blanket and gently presses a kiss to the sleeping baby’s cheek. Her eyes are getting moist.
“What the devil did you do to the poor pup ?” Mae gasps seeing the boy more clearly.
The woman snaps up her head, staring defiantly into Mae’s eyes. “Nothing, he was born this way. He really is an easy boy, I promise he won’t give you any trouble at all. Please don't turn him away for something he can’t help. You are his last hope, someone wishes him harm”.
Mae knows that in some packs kids born without their parents having a mate bond are seen as trash, not worthy of life.
“I never blame pups, or anyone actually, for things they have no control over”. Mae gives her a reassuring smile. If she did she wouldn't have a litter of pups already. Mae makes a motion. “You can hand him over”.
Being careful not to wake her little babe, she places him in Mae’s arms, and as she leans in the older woman can see she is more girl than woman, her features tells her she is most likely a highly ranked wolf. “Please promise me you will love him like he was your own”.
“That is the only way I know how to love”. Mae reasures her.
With a hopeful smile she slips the coins into Mae’s hand. “Thank yours so much”. Turning she takes three steps before turning back, tears now wetting her cheeks. “I named him Micah. I will come back for him”.
The words come with such passion and conviction, and Mae is unsure if the young mother is trying to convince her or herself.
As the young woman darts down the street, she quickly disappears into the foggy darkness.
Mae Tempest kept the promise she made. She raised him with love and loved him like a mother would have, but his mother never came back for him.
