"That strong mother doesn't tell her cub, Son, stay weak so the wolves can get you. She says, Toughen up, this is reality we are living in."

Lauryn Hill

Prologue

Mama Loves You Baby

She could remember when her son was seven years old and sitting in the living room watching his Saturday morning cartoons, she would stare at him from her place on the couch. The book she had been reading was lying forgotten on her lap as her eyes sized down her son. A creamy skin complexion with a light dusting of freckles along his nose and cheeks, messy blonde curls and big blue eyes. He was snickering at some antics that Tom and Jerry had gotten into this time. From her spot, Karen Newton couldn't just believe that her baby boy was so sweet, so pure and untouched by the cruelties of this world, was created from one of the most terrible sins.

Every passing day, when her husband would come down the stairs and get ready to go to work while she stayed home and watched Michael, her stomach would tighten every time he ruffled the boy's hair. He'd turn towards Karen and kiss her cheek or the corner of her mouth and say "He's looking more and more like you each day, Kare. Must be your good genes."

"Must be your good genes."

She had heard those words before. Five years ago when Michael was resting in his crib, unaware of the tall man with brown eyes and Native features starting down at him. He had caressed a bit of the boy's hair while Karen watched from the doorway. She had basically growled for him not to wake her baby boy.

The man turned to her and smiled. "He looks just like you Karen," then he paused and chuckled. "Must be your good genes."

"Are you done?" she asked. "Because if you are, I want you out of my house."

"I'm leaving," said the man as he held up his hands. He turned and gave one look back inside the crib. "But don't forget Karen, it took two to make that kid. You best hope he doesn't turn out to be an animal like me."

"An animal like me."

Five years had passed since she had seen Joshua Uley and yet those words stuck to her like glue. Every day she watched her baby boy and not once had he shown any animalistic signs. He was a quiet boy. He didn't talk much and then when he did, it was when something caught his interest.

As the years passed, her little boy had grown up to become a young man. When Michael started high school, he had asked his mother if she could drive him to school. She had been happy to oblige. Pulling up to Forks High School, Michael had been a bit nervous but she assured him everything would be okay. But when she picked him up that afternoon, he looked different.

His blue eyes had a wild look to them and his hands were tightened into fists. "Michael?" asked Karen when he slammed the door shut and leaned back against the seat. "Michael honey, what's wrong?"

"They smell so weird."

"Who does?"

He turned his head towards a group of teenagers. Karen's eyes widened at how beautiful they were but she could see how unnatural they were. Pale skin, dark circles under their eyes and their eye color was gold. She shivered and then turned to her son. "Mikey?" she asked, calling him by a childhood nickname that he abandoned when he was twelve.

"Can we just go home? I can't stand that smell."

Karen had started up the car and drove out the parking lot.

That event happened two years ago. The early January weather meant that the snow would be slowing down. Or picking up depending on the day. Karen stood in the kitchen, a cup of hot chocolate in her hands. Mike was sleeping in since it was a Saturday and she was lost in her thoughts she almost didn't hear the knocking.

"Karen, you there!?"

She blinked and set her cup down before heading for the door. Opening it, she found Charlie Swan standing there with a soft smile. "Hello Charlie," she greeted.

"Hi," he said with a gruff nod. "Harold home?"

"No," she answered. "He's down at the shop. It's just me and Mike."

"Oh," said the chief. He cleared his throat. "Hey, um...from one parent to another, what's it liking living with your kid 24/7?"

Karen laughed. "It can be a handful. But Michael's never really given me any trouble."

"Oh."

She smiled at his distress. "Is Bella coming for another visit?"

"She's coming to stay. She arrives tomorrow."

"Oh my," she gasped. "This late in the school year?"

"Yeah," Charlie said with a sigh. "Renee wants to travel and Bella thought it would be a good idea to live with me while she does."

Karen frowned. Bella had always had be a grown up when it came to Charlie's ex-wife. In her opinion, Renee Dwyer was not fit to be a mother; which was a lot coming from Karen.

"So." Charlie said. "Do you think Mike could show her around?"

"I'll ask him and call you tonight."

"Thanks Kare," Charlie smiled. "That kid really is a life saver, even if he- ah never mind. Didn't meant to bring up old wounds."

Karen nodded somberly. Charlie was the only one in town who knew of Mike's actual parentage. He hadn't been too happy with her and even though they had long since dropped the whole "you need to tell Harold" debate, Charlie still hoped she would come around to it. She could see it in his eyes and whenever Mike and Harold were in a room together.

"Well," Charlie said with a nod. "I'll be heading to the station. Talk to you later, Karen."

"Bye Charlie." she waved and shut the door. Her fingers curled into a fist and she slammed it against the door frame.

"Mom?"

She turned and saw Mike at the top of the stairs. He came down and reached for her hand. "You okay?"

"I'm sorry," she whispered and didn't even noticed her voice was cracking. "Just...a little off today."

Mike wrapped his arms around her, and she couldn't helped but notice how he was getting taller. "Mom, you wanna go to the dinner for breakfast? We can talk and you can get some fresh air. You've been cooped up here since Thursday."

Karen laughed. "Sure thing sweetheart."

"Okay," he said. "Let me shower and get dressed. And I'm paying okay?"

"Okay."

Mike kissed the crown of her head. "I love you mom."

She watched him go and head back up the stairs. "Michael," she called. He paused and turned around. "I love you too."

He continued his trek up the stairs and she sighed.

"But don't forget Karen, it took two to make that kid. You best hope he doesn't turn out to be an animal like me."

She'd rather burn in hell for her sins than let her son turn into a monster like Joshua Uley.