Fine then, she’d thought bitterly; I’ll make it on my own without her. She grew up fast, realizing early on that nature had blessed her with striking beauty—a memorable face and a slender, graceful figure. She quickly learned she appealed to men and allowed herself to be drawn into their affections. But she’d made a grave mistake along the way, with no one around to guide her or offer advice. She’d figured everything out through trial and error. During her time at community college, she’d had plenty of admirers. She captivated them with her boundless energy and cheerful disposition. She’d mastered the art of laughing even when a lump formed in her throat and tears threatened, determined to infuse brightness into every single day.
One night, at a bustling club, she fell in with a group of rough-looking guys in tracksuits. She started a romance with one of them, Derek. He showered her with cash and indulged her every whim. She had an inkling of what he was into—extortion, gang rivalries, shady dealings. But it didn’t bother her much; she felt like life was finally going her way. They moved in together at his apartment. Soon after, Olivia discovered she was pregnant. Derek wasn’t thrilled by the news, but he didn’t say much against it. Then, not long ago, he vanished without a word or note, no hint of where he’d gone. It turned out he’d fled from his own crew, taking a huge stash of money with him.
They called it the crew’s shared pot. They threatened her life, demanding she reveal where Derek and the cash were. They refused to believe she was clueless. So, they’d hauled her out to this swamp to kill her. If not for Jacob Richardson and his wolf, she’d be gone by now.
— I can offer you a place here, daughter, Jacob said gently. This house has five rooms, and I only use one. There’ll be plenty of space for you and the little one.
A few months later, little Jake came into the world. Olivia vowed to herself that her son would never endure the kind of childhood she’d had. He’d have a mother, a grandfather, even his own wolf, and the happiest life possible.