Tarnished Gold

DISCLAIMER This is a work of fiction not based on any fandom, or real people. Anyone bearing a name or similarity to another person in real life or literature is coincidence. This book is written with lore and plot that I have come up with on my own. It will not have much of what is expected in most of the werewolf genre. It is part of a larger work with many more characters and species that may also make an appearance. Please do not use my characters elsewhere. Thank you... TRIGGER WARNINGS  This book is not going to be all warm and fluffy. There will be mentions of domestic violence, suicide, depression, and death of a child. There will be violence. +~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~+ DELILAH   Her lips tugged into a soft smile, dark mahogany eyes looking lovingly upon the small form sleeping on the couch. It was clear that Lily had crashed hard into sleep, it didn't matter that the room was well lit, or that two children giggled and played less than five feet away...  "Thanks Jen," Delilah looked over to her friend, "not sure what I'd do without you."   Everyone needed a friend like Jennifer. She was a damn saint as far as Delilah was concerned. She'd always been so willing to help out with watching her daughter when she had school, or work. It wasn't easy being a single mother. No matter what. But it helped having friends like Jen. "Oh please Del, save it. You know I just want to keep her forever. She's a saint. I'll trade you my two demons..." there was an undertone of laughter in the blondes voice. Del knew full well for all her joking, Jen loved the s**t out of her kids. She was a damn supermom. And Mark - her husband - both had really been there for Delilah along the way.  She had been on her own it seemed since the night she'd conceived her daughter. It wasn't that Lily's father was a stranger. It had been a friend of hers, a little older. She'd had the biggest crush on Theo from day one. And it never seemed like he had returned the feelings. Though the last party before the end of year they had ended up getting drunk... And hooking up.  Problem then?  He moved - and never really reached out. So much for being friends, it would seem. She was forgotten. And Del was to proud to reach out when she found out that she was pregnant. She'd done it all on her own. Had her daughter, and for the past four years she had fought tooth and nail to provide for her daughter, and work on opening doors for a brighter future for them both. She'd finished her last year of high school pregnant for a chunk of it.  Giving birth hadn't prevented her from graduating.  After she'd moved out of the small town and into Vancouver City. And she'd happened to meet Jen at a job they had shared at the time. They had hit it off. And finding out that Delilah was raising a kid on her own - well. They had been life savers. Both of them.  They ultimately had managed to find her a reasonable place to rent in a better part of town - rather close to theirs as well.  It was perfect. And they had become like family.  Delilah smiled looking back to her sleeping daughter, "I really did luck out in the kid department, didn't I?"   Jen just laughed, "sure did Del... Was your taxi waiting?"  Shaking her head, "nah. I can carry my little gremlin home. I wanted some fresh air anyways."  The other woman sighed and nodded. It wasn't far. But she knew her friend always worried once the sun sunk down and gave the day away to night. Even though the streets had been lined with lights.  "It's just a block and a half Jen," Del chuckled, "less when I cut through the park." "I know. I just worry okay. I'm allowed to worry," her tone a bit defensive before she finally crossed her arms and stuck her tongue out at her friend.  Delilah laughed heartily, "so mature."    Mark just snorted and shook his head, amusement clear in his eyes at his wife and friends antics, "and to think you both are mothers."  Their kids squealed as little Tommy poked Samantha before getting up and bolting, hollering as he ran out of the room, "YOU'RE IT!"  Sam tore out of the room after her brother in a fit of giggles. Mark looked back to Delilah as she leaned down and picked up her daughter - who was still sleeping. Apparently able to sleep through the ruckus somehow.  "I wish I could sleep as soundly as her," Mark mused, looking to Del, "want me to walk you home?"  Another shake of her head, "nah, Mark. It's fine. I think Jen here might need help wrangling your little darlings tonight and convincing them to go to bed."  Jen sighed, she lowered her voice. It was full of concern, "maybe he should, Del. It's dark out now. And even if it isn't a bad part of town - it isn't always safe. You heard about the Mrs Kennedy's dog, Buttercup? Someone tore the poor thing up..."  "Sad as that was... That was a block in the other direction Jen. I'll be fine. I'll text you when I get home if that will get you to take a chill pill," she really was like an older sister to Del. The age difference had never been an issue in their friendship.  Sighing again, putting a hand on her hip, "the very second you enter your door! If I don't hear from you in fifteen minutes... I swear to god I will not be happy!"  Laughing again as she shifted her daughter in her arms, "you're such a worry wart."  A brow raised, "I swear you're going to give me gray hairs before my own children have a chance."  "Alright, mom," Del teased. But she appreciated that there was actually someone out there that gave a damn about her and about her daughter. It sure as f**k would have never been her parents... Her mother had been unstable, volatile, and abusive. Her father a drunk.  "Oh if you wanna go that rout Delilah - I'll bend you over my knee and spank you," using her mom voice naturally, though once more a hint of amusement laced in her tone.  "I'd like to see you try," Delilah challenged with a goofy grin. "You're barely five foot. I think I could."  "Wooooow," Del giggled lightly, "bring out the height card. I'm hurt."  Shifting once more, and perhaps regretting picking her little girl up before she was for sure ready to head out. Delilah was tired from a day in class. She looked it with the puffy dark circles under her eyes. Her thick copper waves pulled back in a messy bun. She hadn't even bothered with makeup today at least. Knowing that after her morning classes, she also had her one night class. There was no one to impress today.  "Text me as soon as you get home. Don't you forget!"  This was the usual conversation when she walked home at night from their place, "I will. Promise."  After a few more reluctant goodbyes Delilah left Jen and Marks house...   Shivering lightly as the coolness of the night nipped at her bare arms. It wasn't really that bad. If anything the night air felt refreshing. Lily had on her jacket - and was snuggled against her mother with little soft snores making her mother smile every few minutes.  Cutting through the park she knew soon they'd both be home.    Humming lightly and rubbing Lily's back, smiling as she kissed the soft strawberry blonde hair of her daughter. But her expression froze, along with everything else as she heard the sound of a twig snapping...  Delilah looked around, trying to find the source. But seeing nothing, letting out a breath she frowned, starting to walk again. Sure that Jennifer's worry had just driven her over the edge.  That was when another sound came. Spinning and holding her daughter closer.  Her heart was hammering now in her chest. Jaw clenched, tension clearly through her body. But once more as she turned and looked. There was nothing there.  Sleepily her daughter spoke, fear in her small voice, "M...mommy... Who's big doggy?" the three year old whimpered.   Realizing her daughter was looking over her shoulder... In the direction of where she heard a vicious snarl...  Delilah slowly turned. Holding her breath. Eyes going wide at what greeted her.  It wasn't a dog.  It was a f*****g wolf. A grey and brown creature that stood much to tall to be natural. Fangs bared, and strings of saliva dripping from the frightening maw. It's fangs looked sharp. Another savage snarl left its lips before snapping at them.  She took a step back, the best took two forward. Her daughter screamed, and so did she.  Twisting around and holding tight to her daughter Delilah ran.