Chapter TWO

Yasmin kissed her son on the forehead before leaving her tiny, but tidy apartment on the Lower East Side. Thank the gods for rent control. It was like a blessing sent directly from the heavens when her elderly aunt had asked her to move in when her relationship ended.

“Be good for Auntie Lisa,” she told Mikey, and the four-year old nodded sagely.

“Yes, Mommy.”

“I love you.”

“Love you too.”

He was so quiet and reserved. Not at all like other cubs she’d known. Yasmin couldn’t help feeling as if she’d made a terrible mistake taking him away. But how could she remain in a Pride where he was a prominent member? There was only one answer. She couldn’t.

“You leaving, Yas?” Aunt Lisa asked.

“Yeah. I’ll be back after three.”

“Okay, and I noticed your heat pills running low. Don’t forget to call the alchemist for a refill.”

“Shit. Yes, I’ll do that,” she replied kissing her aunt’s cheek.