3.

I shouldn't have agreed to this.

I really, really, really shouldn't have. An hour into this party, and I am already regretting my decision for agreeing to be here. I flexed my fingers and counted, then swirled the ring which rests on the middle finger of my left hand. Yet, today, neither of both actions seems to calm me down.

The music was too loud, making my head spin. The booming sound erupting from speakers built into sides of the hall was nerve-wracking. I felt my heart lurch so hard my chest squeezed and hurt. The crowd was screaming with excitement while I struggled to breathe. Lasers and smoke. Then the grating boom died down just a bit, and whispers of people filled the hall.

Before I could attempt to relax, a slow beat picked up in the background, gaining speed with a slow buildup. Silence hung over the room for a good five seconds, as a slow melody cascaded from the speakers. It has been this way since I arrived, watching my colleagues have fun while I tried to, but failed miserably. Because this just isn't my place.

"Here, have a drink," Beverly, one of my coworkers, slid a glass of something in a cup. "You haven't had anything since you got here. Ease up and have fun, girl," she grinned.

I stared at her for a moment, noticing how carefree she was, and how much she was enjoying this loud noise. I love music, but only when I'm listening to it at my own comfort with my headphones. For a tiniest moment back home, I debated coming with them to the party before I decided otherwise.

I picked the cup, swirled the contents for a moment. And after a brief hesitation, I gulped the entire contents down. It burned my throat, causing me to cough as my eyes stung.

I looked around the table, watching the way everyone laughed without so much care in the world. So easy. I tried to mirror the expression, but as always, I couldn't. So I simply watched them. Allowing my eyes to take in the little things happening around. Robyn was a little bit quiet, which was very unlike her.

And then, without warning, the bass resumed at a frantic, adrenaline-inducing speed. The crowd went wild again. My heart pounded in a dizzying rush, and fear threatened to swamp me. Too much noise. Too much frenzy. I bottled up my emotions, as always, and buried them deep inside myself. Then forced myself to take slow breaths.

Dressed in a slitted red and black patterned ankara skirt that stopped at my knee, and a black off shoulder top, which left a better part of my back open, I had tied my braids in a bun, leaving my skin exposed. But with how crowded the hall was, it was nearly impossible to get enough air despite having put on open clothes.

Then suddenly, a clammy hand pressed to my bare back. The unexpected touch caused me to flinch so hard that I knocked down the drinks scattered on the table.

I waited for what felt like ages, waited until my breath started coming out in small pants. I had hoped the hand would vanish, but I felt it slowly begin to move, as though sensuously touching me.

An acidic urge climbed up the back of my throat. I needed to move away. Needed to get rid of the hand. Need to find a place to vomit. But then, the hand grabbed my waist and I was pulled into a sweaty smelling body.

I gagged.

Before I could react, before I could calm my raging heart, or understand what was going on, Robyn pushed forward, growling so hard that the sound vibrated throughout the hall, drowning out the loud music playing.

In a flash, I found myself whirling around, and then Robyn was gripping the man's neck. I sniffed the air, he was human.

His eyes popped out, and he began to gurgle for breath. I tried to reach Robyn, tried to calm her down, but it wasn't helping, mostly because I still felt the feel of his hand on my back and waist. I still felt his breath fanning over my face, and his smelly scent that had engulfed my entire senses.

I heard his choking sounds, but I was past caring. I simply wanted to leave.

"Hey, stop it, Sherneil," Madame Tabitha called from behind, holding my hand from behind. Robyn growled again, getting more and more angry with each passing second.

Perhaps she noticed my struggle to breathe, or maybe it was the presence of the new wolf we sensed that calmed her down. Regardless though, Robyn let go of the human, then leaned down and bared her teeth at him before she finally stepped back, allowing me to take back control.

I opened my mouth, sucking in deep breath. But the air was already mixed with sweat and alcohol. It felt as though something was crawling up my skin, and I could still feel the pressure of the hand that had grabbed me before. I need to go outside. I forced my way into the crowd, pushed through bodies swaying to the rapid tempo.

The music bombarded me. Lights flashed. Terrible body odor, cologne, alcoholic breath, hard limbs and pointed joints. My eyes flooded with tears. The bodies formed a cage around me, making it impossible to move. I couldn't move. I couldn't call for help.

"Can I help you?" A woman's voice said beside me.

I nodded, swallowing hard and fast. The woman took my hand in hers, and we began walking again. She shoved people aside as we walked, leading me through people, opened the door and pushed me out.

The door clicked shut, muting the booming sound of the music and the loud cheers. I was gasping as I covered my eyes and sank down to the floor. My legs were trembling, as though unable to take my weight.

"You good?"

I nodded at the question, sucking in enough breath to push back the nausea hitting the back of my throat. "I'm fine. Thank you," I forced a reply out.

But I knew that was a lie, because I still want to throw up. It was as though I can't suck in enough breath into my throat.

"Just breathe..." the woman said, moving to touch me but I flinched, and she backed away, raising her hands up.

I leaned against the building, embracing the cold night air hitting my face. I hated when I was this weak around people, hated it with so much passion because it shows my vulnerability. So, I gritted my teeth together, fisted my hands on the side and tightened every muscle in my body. The loud thudding in my head stopped.

"I'm...good now. It was just too much back there," I said again, as though trying to reassure myself.

"Are you...you know...are you..."

"Am I what?" I asked sharply, my voice so hard that the woman flinched again.

When she narrowed her eyes, I could almost see her making the connections, and then the judging look she'll throw at me. I knew what she wanted to ask, and I knew she was already making the connection. Knew that she already knew what I didn't want to speak of. I knew she was already classifying the type of person I am. The 'abnormal' one among normal people as I've always been called. I waited for her to say that too, to tell me how impossible I am to react that way with just a simple touch.

But she didn't. Instead, her lips tilted upwards slightly, and I found myself nodding at the question she hadn't voiced yet. Maybe now she'll throw me the judging look, or perhaps, tell me how different I am. Or how difficult I am. For her to tell me I didn't belong here, or that I should've stayed home. I waited, but she didn't do any of that. Instead, she smiled and stretched her hand towards me for a shake, before quickly shoving it back.

"My name is Tabitha, Tabby for short. I'm a wolf just like you. I'm from the Kankia Kingdom."

I nodded, wondering if I should share my name with her. But wouldn't it make me rude not to?

"I'm Sherneil. From Zambele. Thanks for helping me."

"Oh, don't mention it. I have some experience there. My sister is just like you," she waved her hand, still smiling. Then her eyes suddenly lit up brighter than before, her long straight hair falling to her back. It was then I noticed that her ears were a bit pointy, and that she had another scent around her besides that of a wolf. Is she a hybrid? "Did you say you're from Zambele?"

I nodded, pushing away from the wall and smoothing my skirt with my sweaty palms. My bag was still lying on the side.

"Oh wow! I am a huge fan of your king!" She squealed, clapping her hands together. "I have watched every single one of his matches!"

The heaviness in my throat lessened, and I found myself attempting to smile. When I talk about things I truly enjoy, the smiling comes easier.

"You're a football fan too?"

"Yes yes. I play back home. Although, I won't call it playing, but I do try to play."

"I try to play too," I mumbled shyly, feeling the way Robyn nudged me softly. After she had surged forward to tackle that human, she had grown more quiet, and only reacted now that I was calm enough to talk to a stranger.

Tabitha's dark skin shone underneath the light spilling from the bulbs above, and she wore a tight fitting dress with black heeled shoes that had straps tied around her legs. Her lips were painted deep red, and she drew a smoky eyeshadow over her eyes. She had a small tattoo on her neck, a nose and lip piercing, and another on her ear lobe. Her auburn hair fell to her back, with a streak of silver in the front.

And weird as it may seem, I felt connected to her, if not for anything, but for helping me tonight and loving football.

"Uhm, would you like to have a drink with me?" I heard myself ask.

She smiled widely, then nodded. "Of course! I want to hear your experience in football, and maybe we can watch a few of your king's games again?"

I nodded. And felt my lips tug upwards slowly.

I was smiling, although no one might even notice it because it was subtle.

But I was still excited. And now, I was ready for another round tonight, and then I face tomorrow head on and bang the escort, then allow Robyn to bang him too and have the fun we wanted.

Perhaps things weren't so bad.