When I opened my eyes, it was pitch black. I wondered if the darkness finally took me, and I was out of existence.

The sound of water dripping from the kitchen tap brought me back to the realization that I was still at home. I stood up from the floor, staggering till I reached the light switch and turned it on.

Good lord. I had stayed at the same place where I collapsed earlier, without anyone offering a helping hand.

I headed to my room, my legs were heavy as I dragged myself up the stairs. It was a few minutes past midnight, I contemplated calling my best friend, Sandra and telling her what happened, but later changed my mind. I could still do that tomorrow.

I reached for a cotton wool and dabbed it in ointment. The wound was still evident on my face.

"Joey." I hissed in an infuriated manner. "Wouldn't you at least help me heal?"

I got no response. Joey was my wolf. Since I got her, she was more like a toxic roommate living in my body.

"You're the one with the wounded body, not me." She responded in a scornful manner. Never in my life would I have imagined that someone could have a quarrel with their wolf.

"Fine! Don't help me." I said in annoyance.

"I won't." She snapped and went back into her corner, where I couldn't feel her.

Joey hated me, because according to her, she couldn't cope with a fat body. She always whined and complained of how she was meant to be with an owner whose body reflected her strengths. She never stopped cursing the day she became my wolf.

I let out a desolate sigh and climbed into bed. I was a size 18 and was barely 5ft. I never bothered knowing my exact height, because everything about my body made me angry. I also hated myself. Born into a werewolf city where I didn't fit any of the beauty standards always made me feel like I didn't belong.

After trying to push away the pain of my dramatic breakup with Adrian, I fell into a deep sleep.

THE NEXT MORNING

The sound of my alarm clock jolted me out of sleep. I grunted in annoyance. I felt like I needed a full day of sleep after yesterday's event.

After putting the curtain in place to allow the faint sunlight to slip into the room, I reached for my laptop. The device made its usual squeaky sound as I opened it. Parts of its metallic coating were rusted and the display screen had black color which blocked the upper view.

I kissed my teeth in annoyance as I waited for it to boot. It took almost an hour to switch on, after all, I had gotten it from a yard sale.

I rushed to my emails, eager to see if the college grants I applied for had been approved.

"Rejected."

"Not approved."

"Sorry to announce..."

"Unfortunately..."

Those were the subjects I read as soon as I opened my email box. I went through each of the emails. I had applied for different college grants and scholarships, and each of them were rejected.

"Oh goddess," I sighed, wondering if my dreams of going to college would ever be possible. My mother cared less about me, instead, she gave all her attention to my stepsister, Angela. My stepfather had the money, but anytime I asked, he would give me conditions. I never got to know my father, my mother said that he left. All I had of him was a tiny photograph. I wondered if he would have treated me the same way the rest of the family treated me. I also wondered if it was possible to reconnect with him.

Left with no choice, I had to face Christian, my stepfather and try to ask him for college funding. If he turns me down this time, then there's no more hope for me.

I wore a long sleeved dress and headed out. Even when no one was looking, I felt like they were watching me. I pulled my sleeves, and fidgeted with the hem of my dress a couple of times.

I headed to my stepfather's office. As the secretary saw me, she did her regular eye rolling, and the way she looked at me with contempt, I could tell that she didn't like me. I waited at her desk for a long time, and she kept clipping papers, adjusting staplers and doing unnecessary things.

"I'm here to see my father." I repeated a second time.

"You mean your stepfather. Wait, I want to make sure there's enough space in the room." She dragged out the word 'space'. I knew what she was doing, but I kept my cool.

"You can go in." She finally said.

I walked inside Christian's office, trying to bury the behaviour of the secretary. She had seen my mother treat me like trash anytime I came here, and she copied it.

He was on a call, and once he saw me, he dropped the phone.

"Dad, I...You've not said anything about my college fees."

He furrowed his brows, allowing wrinkles to form on his forehead.

"I said something, but you refused to listen."

I swallowed hard, knowing exactly where the conversation was leading.

"I can't do that. You're my stepfather. I have dreams of going to college, you have to help me." My eyes were stinging, threatening to become watery. He was my last resort.

He chuckled and rubbed his salt and pepper hair. "I also have dreams of sleeping with you." He stood up from his chair and walked towards me, placing his hand on my thigh. I took a few steps backwards, causing his hand to fall off.

"This isn't right."

"You're being stubborn. Just do this and I'd sponsor you through college." He said, while licking his lips in the most disgusting manner. "I know others think you're fat, but I think you're more than enough to warm my bed."

"Stop saying nonsense." I snapped in a disgusted manner. "Infact, forget it." I faced the door, ready to leave.

Before I could reach the doorknob, I felt his hand grab me roughly by the waist. He forced a kiss down my lips.

I bit into his lips, causing him to jerk his mouth away.

"What's wrong with you?" I shouted, too stunned that he could put up such an act. "Get your hands off me," I tried hard to pull his hairy hands, but he only tightened his grip.

He covered my mouth and dragged me towards the table, flinging me on top of the table. My screams were muffled to nothing by his hand over my mouth.

"Joey," I screamed inwardly. "Bring out your claws, just help me this one time." My wolf didn't respond.

I was forced to use my human strength. There was an empty glass of wine on the table. As he gripped my dress, I grabbed the bottle and smashed it into his head. He let go of me, gripping his head with his hand. I hit him again, this time in his eyes. Some shards got into it and he screamed.

Did I really just do that? I reflected on my actions at the gory site of blood on his face.

He tried to go after me, but I used the period when his eye was shut to run away from the room.

The secretary looked at me with confusion, I didn't spare her a glance, and I ran as far as my legs could carry me.

I didn't even notice when I ran into the road and a car came speeding in my direction.

I froze as I stood in the middle of the road. The car stopped just a few inches away from my knees.

"Do you want to get killed?" A man shouted as he came out of the car. "Who runs into the middle of the road?"

I steadied myself and crossed over to the pedestrian path. Adrenaline was still surging through me. I tried hard to steady my raging heartbeat as I found a seat by the bus stop.

How could he even think of forcing himself on me? I had to tell my mother about this as soon as I returned home. I doubted if she would believe me, but I had to let her know the dog that she got married to.

My dreams of college were buried in the mud, and it was only a miracle that could help me right now.

I worked in a coffee shop and recently I resigned due to the small pay. I had to start looking for a new job if I ever wanted to achieve my college goals, but I would end up saving for ages before I get a semester's fees.

An hour passed since I remained on that bench. I was occupied with a lot of thoughts to even notice. I finally went home. I had to expose my stepfather. That sleazy fool.

As I opened the door, I met my mother in the living room. She looked at me as though she was expecting me. My eyes drifted to the corner. There was a box of my clothes standing there.

"Mom, you wouldn't believe what your husband did. He..." My voice trailed off as she cut me short.

"He told me everything, and don't ever call me mom. I regret the day I cried you in my womb" Claire raised her voice, throwing a coffee mug in my direction. I ducked, missing the mug by an inch as it flew over my head.

"He already told you?" I asked in a shocked manner.

"Take your things and get out of my house. I can't have you seducing my husband."

"What? Seducing? Me?" I stuttered, still trying to process her statement. "He's the one who tried raping me."

Angela was already bringing more of my belongings from my room. All of them were dumped on the floor.

"You're shameless." She said and spat in my face, like literally spat in my face.

"Mom, I promise you your husband is lying. He's the one who forced himself on me. I managed to fight him off." I was already beginning to break down with tears.

"Get out of my sight." Mother shouted one more time. Her claws and canines began to get visible, proving that she was extremely angry.

Angela grabbed me roughly, pushing me out through the door. I didn't try to fight with her. When I was finally outside, she threw my bags at me, then slammed the door in my face.

I blinked my eyes repeatedly and hot tears flowed freely down my face. Why didn't I just die at birth? I had nowhere to go. I hated myself, my body and the life that was chosen for me.

I gathered all the items that were thrown at me. My laptop was there, and the only picture I had of my dad was also there. Maybe one day, I would find him and he would treat me better than my mom did.

I dragged the bag with me, heading to the only place I knew I could get help. As I walked out of our house, I saw my stepfather's car from afar. His gaze lingered at me for a moment before I looked away. There was no need to confront him. Maybe I was even safer leaving his house.

Sandra answered the door as soon as I knocked. I came all the way to her place as I didn't know anywhere else to go.

"What happened?" She asked as she looked at my big bags. I crashed into her arms for an embrace, and began a fresh round of shedding tears.

"They kicked me out. Christian tried to rape me, and my mom threw me out." I stuttered, my voice clouded with tears.

"That bastard," Sandra hissed. She ushered me into the house. It was just a small apartment.

"I really don't want to discomfort you, but I don't have anywhere to go."

"You can stay for as long as you wish. I really don't mind." Sandra tried to comfort me.

I bawled my eyes out till they became crimson red.

"Let me make tea for you. It would calm your nerves." Sandra said and left for the kitchen.

There was a knife on the table, close to where I sat on the couch.

"I'd just cut off this excess skin," I sobbed, drawing the knife closer to me. "I hate my body." If I carved away the excess flesh, maybe Joey would finally stop hating me. Maybe mom would smile at me for once, and Adrian may come back.

"Trust me, your body isn't the reason your family hates you. Those people are just idiots." Sandra returned and placed a mug containing hot brewing tea in front of me.

"If only I was slimmer," I muttered before sipping the tea.

"What of Adrian? Have you told him about this?"

I paused midway, and dropped the cup on the table. Sandra wasn't informed about our breakup.

"We ended things."

Sandra's eyes widened, obviously shocked by the news. "But things were going on well between both of you."

I shook my head and took a deep breath, then proceeded to tell her everything that happened on his birthday, leaving no details out of it.

"Men are jerks." Sandra retorted. "That's why I'm single."

My phone chimed. There was one new email and for the first time since the week began, I smiled. Something had finally gone right.

It wasn't a college scholarship or anything like that, but it was an invite to an interview as a cleaner at a company. Their pay was quite promising-600 bucks a month, and I only had to work on Saturdays.

I felt relieved, knowing that I could support Sandra around the house, now I just had to pass the interview.

"You've got good news?" Is it from college?"

"No. It's from Vixen Couture." I said, my voice still raspy with excitement. "I got invited for a cleaning job."

"At least some good news for the week." Sandra stood up, and cleared the mug from the table.

"Incase you see any of those fucking hot supermodels, try to put me on."

"I'm going there to be a cleaner, not a model." I rolled my eyes at her. She laughed it off, and returned to the chair by her sewing machine. I watched as she struggled with the seams of the top she was sewing. Even as she struggled, there was a smile on her face. I loved Sandra's company because of her positivity. She told me her stories of how she had been scammed by people posing as agents to recruit models. The crazy thing was how she laughed each time she told those stories, but to me, the experiences were all pathetic.

That evening, Sandra wore her uniform and left for her night shift in a hotel. I was alone at her home. I arranged my clothes in their place, and assured myself I would use this period to workout and become slimmer.

It had to start today. I squeezed my body into black top and loose pink trousers and headed outside. I stared at my reflection in the mirror. A short 22 year old with fat hands and bloated belly which bulged out of my trousers. I inhaled deeply. Perhaps if I'm committed to working out every evening, it may help me shed some weight.

All I wanted to do was to jog. I stepped outside and inhaled the fresh evening breeze. I plugged in my headphones and started jogging, slowly at first, before I increased my speed. The wind swooshed over my face, and my breathing got huskier as I increased my speed.

From a corner, I could see two wolves together. It was obvious that they were couples. I moved my gaze away, trying to stop myself from thinking about Adrian. When I reached a lane, I paused and placed my hand on my thighs, trying hard to catch my breath. The atmosphere was darker than when I came outside.

I did some limb stretches before resuming jogging.

"Hey fatty." I heard a husky voice say from behind me. I refused to turn backwards to avoid having to confront the fool.

He walked closer to me and I could see a yellowish glint in his eyes, his teeth were also yellow.

"A rogue," I whispered to myself.

"Just look at that ass jiggle," He said, and this time I stopped and shot him a hard glare.

"Excuse you? Are some screws loose in your head?" I couldn't just let it slide, I needed to give him a warning.

His hand held mine, and I tried to twist away. "Leave me this instant,"

I couldn't wriggle free from his grip, and before I knew it, three more men emerged from the dark alley and surrounded me. All of them were rogues.

"You're so beautiful. So gorgeous." He sneered, bringing his sharp teeth closer to my neck.

"Stop it." I screamed. I couldn't let this fool harm me. "Joey, if you don't help me this time, I'm going to kill you." I shouted at my wolf, who didn't respond as usual.

I could already feel his teeth rubbing against my skin, and the other rogues closed in on me. I shivered and screamed, not knowing what to do. There were four of them.

"Leave her." A masculine voice commanded. The rogue who held me turned to face the man.

"She's my prey, not yours." He snapped at the man.

"Release her immediately, or your life would be way worse than being a rogue. Do you prefer to die?"

I felt his grip on my hand falter, and his hand shivered slightly. Although he refused to release me, I could sense that he was scared. The man who challenged him was definitely an alpha.

"Now!" The man shouted. The rogue didn't contemplate further. He hissed and let go of my hand, running away with the rest of his men.

"Are you hurt?"

Those emerald eyes, thin sexy lips and shiny black hair, it looked like he was straight out of a magazine. His jawline was perfectly sculpted. I had to raise my head to look at his face. Damn. He was so tall.

He cleared his throat as if noticing that I was gawking him. A wave of embarrassment hit me.

"I was asking if you're hurt?"

"I'm fine. Thank you so much,"

He nodded his head. "You need to be more careful. This city has a lot of rogues, and it seems so hard to control them."

Control? He was definitely an alpha.

"Thank you once again."

His baritone voice rang gently as he made a slight hum in acknowledgment. He offered to escort me to the main road, where I could easily navigate my way home. I couldn't resist, because I was already scared of treading the path alone. He didn't spare me another glance as we walked towards the road, neither did he say anything. I wondered if my presence was discomforting. If he felt irritated walking with someone so fat.

He dropped me off, and I thanked him one last time before leaving. As I entered the apartment, I thought of the stranger again. Why did he interest me so much? Was it because no one had ever stood up for me when I was being bullied or was it just his Greek god features that drew me in.

I could swear I had seen his face elsewhere, but where?