Chapter 3

Present

I held Alina tightly in my arms once I left the hospital. I cuddled her tightly, grabbing extra blanket to wrap my daughter in. She slept comfortable, while I shivered, as the wind blew on my bare arms.

We made our way to our cheap, one bedroom apartment. It wasn't the ideal place I would like to be living in but I had no other option, it was abandoned and it seemed to have had a few supplies of food that I could live on. I didn't have to pay to stay.

The good thing about the neighbourhood is the homeless shelters who seemed to feed me and put clothe in my back. I wasn't use to living like this but i had to in order to survive.

But as I took the last corner to my apartment my heart stared thudding. I saw 6 hooded men standing to the entrance of the building.

I was use to there presence but having Alina had made me become fearful.My gut had a strong, wrenching feeling. I knew this wasn't going to be good, few times I had seen them manhandle women.

It will be fine my wolf assured but I couldn't trust her. She was to naive to see the truth beneath the lies of both humans and werewolves. She couldn't protect me I thought bitterly.

I walked in quick pace holding my daughter tightly, while looking directly to the floor trying to avoid eye contact with any of them. Once they see someone, you could be their potential target and they'll do anything to either rob your or let's say force you into things.

I've faced this many time's, but due to my strength I could fend for myself. But with a child and my body still in recovery it would be difficult.

I walked towards the stairs, but was stopped as the tall one blocked my way. I smelt his scent-definitely a human.

"How much is it to have you for one night?" He asked peering down at me,l laughing with his group of idiots. He was not sober.

"Look sir. I'm not a prostitute" I tired to stay calm but my palms were sweating.

Even in the state O was in I never thought of being a prostitute for money. I became angrier learning that all women's true asset was promiscuity that paid well for some.

"Is that one of your customer's baby?" the same man asked, tilting his head staring at Alina.

He was now angering me, but my eyes they were flickering turning black any minute. I took few steps back and again trying to attempt to enter the dingy building, but his large body blocked my way again.

Not only was he annoying but claiming my little Alina was a 'customers baby'. I can't believe he had the cheek to say such a thing.

"Look sir can you just move so I can go in" I replied coolly, taking no notice of the chuckles around me and the courage of this human. I still held my respect no matter how irritating was becoming. I have to be civil I thought. I couldn't blame him since I knew how hard it was living in this area. But this was no way to behave.

But not everyone in the area behaves like him but few did. Mostly people who have ran away or those who just like causing mayhem on the streets.

I prayed that Alina wouldn't end up like him.

"No madam." He mocked; I let out a low growl, which stared Alina. I stepped back soothing my baby who began to cry. I rocked her peaceful body back to sleep.

He came forward trying to touch me, I flinched away from him. I didn't want to get touched by anyone. What Adam did to me still scarred me.

I needed to forget about the past, I needed therapy or something. But just the thought of anyone touching me in that manner scared me.

I froze when I smelt something in the air. For some odd reason a place where no werewolves lived, a scent of another werewolf engulfed me.

I turned around to see a make figure stood tall and proud who stared at me. His eyes glowed like the moon. His glowing eyes stared directly at me and then finally down at the bundle in my arms.

For some reason I walked towards him. Even though I had no idea who he was, it was refreshing to meet another werewolf. Nine ling painstaking month without another wolf had been harder than I thought. I couldn't explain myself to the doctors or the nurses they didn't know about me. So seeing another wolf made me feel at ease.

I couldn't see his appearance so I strode towards him slowly; taking a deep breath while taking every step so I could see his face.

" Is everything okay?" he smooth voice spoke making me jump in surprise. He nervously scanned my face, his grey eyes looking down at Alina with concern.

"I'm fine thank you" I replied back sharply. I didn't need his help.

"I don't think this is the right place for you baby "he said looking down at me.

He is right I shouldn't be living in these conditions. "You're a werewolf and no werewolf should be without a pack. your baby needs stability and this place wont help her." I wasn't sure what to do. My body tensed at though of joining a pack.

" I can't" I told him swiftly.

"Okay how about I make you a deal. You're looking for a job right?" hHow did he know? "A lot of runaway wolves end up in places like these and I help them out by giving them a pack. some need jobs and others need a home and I intend on giving them what they need." he answered.

"Don't worry about me. I can look out for myself" My voice was hostile to his invatation. I wasn't use to kindness.

"Well I went to the hosptial and they told me about a young 17 year old who ran away. Her body seemed to fight infection faster than imaginable. Only real explanation to that is that your no human. I'm not here to hurt you I'm here to help you out." I nodded again but this time turned my face away emotions flooded back again. I had gotten sick during my pregnancy and I was struggling. it had been such a hard time for me to cope that I couldn't bear to live anymore sometimes.Nightmares weren't helping either.

"I'll make you a deal you can stay here if you want but I do have job opportunity for you. But it does require you to commute everyday." he softly smiled said.

I really needed a job to provide for Alina, but trusting him was another thing.

"What is it?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow, and then turning my gaze back to Alina.

"Well looking at your youth and your height I see you having a good career-" I cut him off before he could say anything else.

"What does this have to do with the job?" I asked trying to sound cool, but I was too impatient, and standing out in the cold was giving me goosebumps.

" I'm trying to say that you have a chance in the modelling industry. I don't mean like models that just do photo shoots. I'm saying runway's."

But I still wasn't sure; I knew this could give me good opportunity in giving Alina a better life but trusting in a total stranger wasn't my ideal plan.

"Sir I-" he interrupted me before I could even finish off what I was saying.

"I'm not trying anything funny. I'll give you my card search my company up. Ponder over it for a while and then call me. I'll be waiting" he smile charmingly at me, handing the card over to me.

I looked down at the piece of card. It looked genuine and I most definitely sounded familiar to me.

To be honest I'm not sure a modelling career is what I'm looking for but it's a great offer, good wages, and easy life style. It could be a good opportunity to build my confidence.

I turned back around to make another attempt walking back into my apartment, but the hooded men stood there laughing.

I felt Alina stir in my arms, which gave me more awareness. This place wasn't the right place to raise a child in. He's right I'm 17; a single mother and I can't be living in these conditions. Alina needed to live with her kind, grow up around wolves not humans.

Taking a deep breath I swallowed my fear and acted in instinct. I turned back around to see him walking away.

" I accept your offer" I spoke up.

He stopped in his track and turned to face me.

"Then come on " he said waving his hand's towards the direction.

I nervously smiled walking behind him. I've been through enough. After I've received payment it will just be me and Alina, no one else.

I will not treat her like how my mother treated me; I will show her compassion and love. I will give her guidance and opportunities which I never had. I will be a better mother than any mothers in the world. Heck, I'll be the best mother I can be ti her.