Chapter 1

I breathed in the crisp cool air as I stepped out into the fading darkness of the early morn. I close the door behind me, softly, so as to not wake those sleeping within. 

I take off into a slight jog, feeling the dewy grass between my bare toes. As my legs stretched with each stride, I sped up my pace, now sprinting down to the small lake near our home. The sunrise was on the horizon, a small stream of orange and pink light streaming over the tree line, cascading down onto my bronzed skin. 

I'd barely run, my thick legs heavy from the short distance. I heaved over, resting my palms on my knees, panting heavily. 

Heck, I hated running. 

But I hated the name calling more… it was constant. At school, even at home. The endless fat shaming. I stood up, staring back at the reflection I'm the water. My mom's words popped into my head. "Margot, if you cared more for your body, you wouldn't be so tired. Try to take a lesson from your sister."

Ugh!

Hearing her voice in my head drove me crazy! I stripped down to my knickers and sports bra, running into the glistening still water of the lake. The chill of the cold water took my breath away, burning the skin it touched as I stood in deeper. 

When it reached my hips, I dove in, submerging myself in its chilly water. 

"Be more like Ella."  My mother's voice and I dove deeper into its depths, trying to drown her voice out. 

I could be like Ella, I had tried. Countless times. Despite all the efforts, the constant starving and forced exercise, my body build was different. Ella was slender, fit, medium height, with thin lengthy legs, in contrast to my tall heavy build. I never thought I was fat, but the teasing at school would beg to differ. I wasn't thin, but I was tall, my hips were wide and my ass and chest kind of just stuck out, doing their own thing. I'd starve myself, spent countless days in the gym, running, anything to try and reduce my size, but it was useless. I didn't want to hate my body, but every time I looked in the mirror their voices would appear. 

"Hey fatty." 

"Why don't you eat another donut sasquatch." 

"God, if I looked like you, I would definitely kill myself." 

Constant taunting at school, and it was no better at home. Ella and mom were relentless, all the fad diets, meal plans.. working out until I cried. 

My lungs began to burn, all the air in them completely depleted, as I swam for the surface. I gasped for air, trying to catch my breath as I treaded water. 

I swan for a while, enjoying the feeling of gliding through the water. I knew everyone would be waking up soon, and I needed to get home and shower before school. Reluctantly, swam back to the shore. I rnag out my long, curly hair, tying it back into a ponytail. I slipped on my sweatpants and oversized t-shirt, jogging back to the house. 

I slipped through the back door, trying to move silently through the house. 

"Mar?" 

My brother Peter stood in the hall, toweling his dampened hair. 

"Morning Pete." 

"Swimming again?"

I nod. Trying to dodge past him to my room, but he was a big guy, and took up the majority of the small hallway. Peter was four years older than me. He didn't live with us anymore, he moved to the pack house when he was selected to be on the Alpha's personal guard. He came back to visit when he could, and I missed him like he'll. He was the only one who stood up for me. He'd told mom off a few times on my behalf. He was my best friend, and I hated that he left me here alone.

"Want me to bring you to school? Maybe grab some coffee on the way?" 

I smiled at him, nodding. "Sounds good to me! Did you save any hot water?" 

He smirked, throwing his towel over his shoulder. "Nope. Looking this good takes time." 

I roll my eyes, punching him in the shoulder. "You are so full of yourself. You need to come down a few notches."

"You need to do some more lifting if you actually want to make your punches hurt. Weakkkkk." 

"Shush! You're going to wake mom and I'm not interested in dealing with her this morning." I glared at him, shoving past him and into my room. I hurriedly grab my robe and head for the bathroom. I needed to hurry before Ella woke up. 

Pete wasn't joking about using all the hot water. It was Lukewarm at best, so I made quick use of it, washing my hair and body with much haste. 

Feeling fresh, I brushed my teeth, avoiding the mirror. I wrapped my robe tightly around me, enjoying how the soft fuzzy fabric felt against my skin. 

I grabbed my phone, checking the time. School started in less than two hours and if I wanted to get going I needed to get a move on. 

I dug through my drawers for a pair of pants, selecting my favorite pair of black distressed stretchy jeans and  a LoTR tee. I throw on some mascara after putting in my contacts. I run so product through my kinky curls, tucking my bangs behind my ears before rushing rushing down the stairs. 

Pete was sitting at the small breakfast counter messing with his phone. 

"Ready?" I ask as I slip on my favorite pair of gray and black converse. 

He spins around on the stool, tucking his phone in his Jean pocket as he heads for the door. 

"Yeah. Caffeine, need to function." 

I laugh as we head out towards his jeep wrangler. 

"You're going to have to put the doors on these soon. I heard this year winter is going to be cruel. 

He shakes his head, starting up the engine. "I will keep them off until the first snowfall." 

"Uhhh. The weather here is unpredictable. You never know, we may get another snowfall in May again. ." 

Pete shrugs as he pulls out of the drive and onto the main road. "Maybe, maybe not. You know me though, I love to live on the edge."

 He smiles his cheeky smile, and I can't help but laugh. My brother is a freaking fool. 

"So, how have things been going? Mom treating you okay?" He looks away from the road for a moment, his hazel eyes filled with concern. 

I sigh heavily, sinking into myself a little. I didn't want Pete to get into it with mom and Ella for the few days he was here. I loved that he defended me, but if they got upset with him, they'd complain to dad, and then I would get the brunt of it when he left. 

"It's been fine. I've been avoiding them until I can drop a few pounds, that way mom will be somewhat nice next I see her." 

He clutches at the steering wheel, his lips pursed in a thin line. "You have to stop letting them treat you like this Mar. There is nothing wrong with how you look. You are built like dad and I, like a warrior. You are strong. And honestly, if or when you find your mate, they aren't going to care about any of that." 

I can feel the tears stinging at my eyes, but I push them back, not wanting my mascara to run. "Thanks Pete. I really miss you around here." 

He pats my shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze before returning his hand to the steering wheel. "I know Mar. But you'll be 18 tomorrow, and then you can move out and you won't have to deal with mom and Ell's bullshit anymore." 

He was right. Tomorrow was my 18th birthday… I was finally going to have a lot more say in my life. Hell, maybe I'd find my mate and get swept away… I couldn't help but chuckle coarsely at the thought. 

Yeah right.