Chapter 1

Jena's POV

My giant wardrobe stood before me as I raked it for yet another dress to satisfy Oli’s definition of fashion.

She let out a sigh when the next dress still didn’t match the one she wore.

“Some fashion sense would really go a long way for you, Jena,” Oli taunted.

I chuckled and gave her a cute wink.

“Don't worry, babe, in no time I'll get the hang of this whole fashion thingy,” I promised.

“I pray so,” she said. I dey her hands on my hips from behind. “But, goddamn, you look super sexy in everything you try on.”

I chuckled softly as I raised a red satin gown and scanned it. I’d always been one to rock any random dress selection. By the way, my job never demanded that I leave the house.

If she hadn't wanted me to wear something that marched her's, we’d have been on our way to the party by now.

The city where we lived was called the Liberal city. It was ruled by the council of lycans. Rogue wolves like Oli and I came here to escape the harsh nature of trying to survive in the woods without belonging to a pack.

In the woods, wolves like us were game for the pack wolves. And the worst thing that could happen to a rogue is being caught by members of the pack you fled. They'd mercilessly beat you, make fun of you, or even kill you. The chances of survival in the woods, for Rogues, was almost zero.

However, life in the Liberal city was different for us. Here we could earn a living by doing jobs, there were flats we could rent at affordable prices. Most importantly, we were free from being our former packs’ targets.

Nonetheless, all this wasn't at no cost. Every rogue dwelling within the walls of the Liberal city, signed a contract of no-trespass. The city was divided into two; Metropolis and Subcity. Metropolis was green, full of opportunities and beautiful sights. Subcity, on the other hand, was just where we rogues lived.

The no-trespass contract kept us off limits from Metropolis. However, there were people who never listened. People like my best friend, Oli.

Oli and I were both big party freaks. We were the best at squeezing out time from our task-filled lives and hitting the club. We knew all the big clubs in Subcity and had been to each one several times.

Tonight was a five-star club house. And I was surprised when Oli came knocking on my door with two five-hundred dollar tickets. Like, how on earth was she able to achieve that? And where the hell was the party located?

She struggled to survive off a meager three hundred dollars a week, and I could remember she was saving for a doctorate degree she was after. The two of them had her being cautious of how she spent, not to talk of her mother who was at the hospital, battling leukemia.

“It's my college money, and I'm not going into that party to come out empty-handed,” Oli said, her voice full of determination.

“Easy, girl,” I cautioned her overambitious eyes.

“I mean it. I'll go in and do whatever I have to do in order to make one of those rich bastards take me home tonight. Case closed,” she said.

That sounded like a plan, but a horrible one for a person I called my friend. However, there was no convincing her. She was stubborn, and moreover, she had bought the tickets from her important savings.

I would have said no to her, but one thing I disliked was whenever I made her feel bad.

“But, how do you know there'll be rich guys there?” I asked Oli.

“A friend. The one I normally attend parties with whenever you're not available,” she said.

“Jeff?”

“Yes. Jeff. Good job not forgetting his name,” Oli said.

“And what about the location?” I asked.

“Not to be disclosed until the party bus gets us there,” Oli said.

“Hmm… Well…” I was indecisive, but I knew for sure that I couldn't get lost anywhere within Subcity. If we got kicked out, I'd find my way home.

Back to the dresses I was choosing. I was down to my last dress and still it wasn't a suitable outfit for a party, from her judgment.

“Here,” she tossed me her handbag, “take the purple gown. It can go with a black purse and a black heel. Be a lady for once and look sexy.”

With a smile, I took the bag from her and dressed up. Looking in the mirror, I felt so glad that I had Oli as a friend.

We left for Jeff's house which happened to be one of the pickup points for the party bus.

“Isn't this one of those rumored billionaire clubhouses?” I whispered to Oli as we joined the cue of ladies entering the club.

“It is. Now, shush,” she silenced me.

We got to the bouncer by the entrance and she handed the tickets over to him. He glanced at the ticket and asked her when she purchased them.

“Two days ago,” Oli blurted.

The bouncer glanced at his colleague who nodded immediately.

“You must be a VIP, ma'am,” the bouncer said.

“I mean, that's the ticket I bought,” Oli chuckled, but I could sense some nervousness in her voice.

“Welcome, then,” the bouncer smiled at us. He turned to his colleague, “can you guide them to the VIP section?”

“Of course.”

With that, we followed the other bouncer and headed to the VIP section.

As we trailed behind him, I whispered to Oli, “how the fuck did you afford a VIP?”

“Trust me, girlie. I can do anything,” she giggled.

My nerves itched with anxiety, but it soon went away when we got to the VIP room.

On the tables, there were expensive drinks. Strippers danced under the dim party lights. Wealthy men sat across each other with their stack of cards and cash, their bouncers standing right behind them and holding solid briefcases.

The smile on Oli’s face was proof that she was finally where she'd always wanted to be.

We went to the dancefloor and began to dance together. Oli swirled her hips like an Indian goddess. And I couldn't help but switch up my tempo.

I was so excited until I noticed two handsome men dressed in gray suits, glancing at us from where they sat. They stood up with their glasses of wine and began walking toward us.

“Don't fuck this up,” Oli whispered as she continued dancing, pretending like she didn't notice them.

“I only came here to drink and dance, and then get my ass home,” I protested.

Before I could say one more thing, two male figures stood between me and Oli.

“You look fucking gorgeous. I love the way you dance,” his voice caught me unawares.

I glanced up at the man standing before me. His eyes were soft and inspecting.

“Thanks,” I muttered.

“You wouldn't mind dancing with me, would you?” He asked gently and didn't wait for a response before his arm went round my waist.

As we danced, I noticed Oli and the other man dancing too.

From time to time, he sipped his wine and gave me a sip as well.

After a while, my eyes suddenly became heavy and I proposed to take a seat.

I was taken to a seat where I sat beside and leaned my head against his shoulder. I could barely make sense of anything I saw now.

“You're drunk,” he said to me, “do you want to go into a room?”

“No,” I said.

I gave him a suspicious glance and when a smirk appeared on his face, I knew right away that he had something up his sleeves.

My legs were gradually growing limp.

“We drank from the same,” he said as if he knew what I had in mind.

“You,” I snarled. “What did you do t-t-to me?”

I tried to reach him, but my hands failed to make a move. All my joints were absurdly heavy on me. He then wrapped an arm around my shoulder before flashing a devilish grin in my face. “Easy now, you'll hurt yourself, little kitty. Your body needs some good rest.”

“I'll make you p…pay,” my lips squabbled.

“You'll thank me when you wake up,” he smirked, pulling off his jacket and folding up the sleeves of his shirt.

I trembled with fear, wondering what he was about to do to me. Somebody save me. What in tarnation have I gotten myself into?

“Now, go to sleep,” I heard him whisper before he wiped a handkerchief across my face. Those were the last words I heard before my eyes suddenly went shut and everything became dark.