The Thief Who Stole Alpha Jax's Heart

NEW YORK CITY...

Police sirens roared throughout the street, and gunshots could be heard from a distance. The entire city was in disarray as people ran HelterSkelter for shelter.

It was them again! The deadly Mafia organization that rules the city, wreaking turmoil and taking people's lives.

A 23yearold woman was seen jogging in the throng crowd.

She looked around, making sure no one was looking at her, and then she began dipping her hands into pockets, taking purses, phones, and money out.

She quickly opened her bag and poured in the objects while racing beside the crowd.

When she was sure she had picked enough, she diverted to a secluded dilapidated building where she stopped, breathing in air.

Taking off her shoulder bag, she poured out the contents on the floor, wearing a gluesome smile.

Happy that she picked enough things she could sell to feed her mother and younger sister, she pocketed the money and rearranged the bag leaving the dilapidated building.

The once disoriented vicinity was now calm as the gunshot had subsided. People had started moving about as though nothing happened minutes ago.

The girl stopped at a local market going straight to where she normally sells her stolen stuff.

"You are here again today" a fat dirty blonde man smiled showing off his dirty incomplete teeth.

"Yeah today was wonderful" the girl returned the smile pouring out the many phones she picked.

"Woah I can see that here" the blonde man laughed pointing at the phones.

The man took time to examine the phones and when he was done, he brought out a stack of money, counted it, and gave the girl who collected them with smiles.

Leaving the mobile shop, she trotted towards the bus station where she boarded a bus back to the slums.

IN THE SLUMS

"Aurora when did you leave the house?" A shabbily dressed woman called out to the girl as she walked into the shabbylooking house where she lived with her mom and younger sister.

"Early enough, Good morning mama" she greeted the woman and walked into the house.

"Such a smooth day" she whistled, climbing the almost wornout stairs that led to the rooftop where she used as a room.

In the tiny spaced room which was small, her foam mattress with a wornout spread lay at the corner of the room.

Her clothes were packed in a sack bag and a few hanging on a rope just above the bed.

There was nothing else in the room apart from her clothes which are very few and a bed. She took off her leather jacket then collapsed on the bed breathing heavily.

"Sis Rora" she heard and looked up to see her kid sister peeping by the door. "Maya come in and stop peeping" she scolded the little girl of about 8 years who sauntered into the room.

"How are you doing? Had something to eat?" She asked and the girl shook her head yawning.

"Why haven't you eaten," Aurora traveled her eyes down her sister's body and her little sister came closer to her then bent and whispered into her ear.

"Tsk, tsk!!, Here, go give this money to Mama and tell her not to question where it's coming from" she said and the little girl nodded running out of the room.

Aurora sighed and stare at the closed door. She would do anything in her capacity to make sure her kid sister was fed well and start school just like her mates.

She brought out the money she made from selling those items and counted it. "Quite good" she muttered and stood up, climbing a little stool, she stretched her hands and shifted the side of the ceiling, brought down a piggybank then folded the money, throwing it into the box from the small hole made at the top of the piggy.

She returned the piggy and made sure to cover the ceiling well before climbing down and falling back on her bed.

It's been 9 years since her father died. No one knew her father was involved with a mafia group till the rival of that group came to their house one faithful night and shot him dead.

They were once rich and living comfortably in the city before the death of her father. Then her mother was five months pregnant with her kid sister Maya.

That night, she had gone to her mother's boutique as her mother had gone to the hospital late in the evening and was yet to return.

When her mother finally returned, they went back home together only to see her father laying on the floor in his pool of blood, a bullet hole on his forehead.

"No one messes with the boss" was boldly written on a paper with his blood. That night was the worst night of their lives as everything came shattering.

After the burial of her father, all his properties were confiscated and taken away by the group that murdered him. Her mother had nothing and feeding became difficult.

Luckily she has graduated before his death and used her certificate to search around for jobs but couldn't find one even to the lowest of a cleaning job, she didn't get.

Her mother had wanted them to return home to their pack but Aurora vehemently refused, she hated the fact that she wasn't a human but some kind of creature her mother calls a werewolf and the fact that she has some wolf in her which often pops up to talk to her irritates her even more.

She hated to share her privacy with the socalled wolf but couldn't do anything other than yell at the wolf who said her name was Aliya anytime she talks to her.

She had never gone to the pack and wasn't planning to do so anytime soon so she would rather stay and die of hunger rather than return to where she believed wasn't a good place.

Since her mother loved her so much that she wouldn't want to force her to go where she doesn't like, they had to relocate to the slums at the end of the city where they started feeding by farming on people's land.

When it's not farming season, her mother would borrow money and get fruits that she sell in front of their house.

She had given up on searching around for a job when she couldn't find any then she got introduced to picking pockets on the day hers was stolen.

Her kid sister who was now 8 hadn't gone to any school and could barely speak English.

She has been saving for her school and now she could register her in the school near their house with the money she had gathered from picking pockets.

She knew it was a bad thing to steal people's money but she doesn't care. No one deserves mercy.

Those people killed her father and made them feed from hand to mouth, Those people refused to give her a job to help feed her family so she would never think twice before stealing their things.

"Mum, I'm taking Maya for registration today" Aurora said to her mother as they ate breakfast. Her mother's spoon dropped and she stare at her eldest daughter openmouthed.

She doesn't understand what Aurora was talking about and as far as she knows, they could barely afford two square meals and Aurora doesn't do anything for a living except go out every morning and evening and return with food.

"What are you talking about Rora," she asked her daughter who was busy chewing on her food.

"I said I'll be taking Maya for registration today, she's 8 and has never been to school, I know we don't have money and you're about to ask me where I got money from but Mama I do little errands that fetch me little money and I've been able to save for Maya's school," she said and her mother started crying.

Maya has already ran out of their small sitting room into the room she shared with their mother to get ready for school when she heard her big sister talk about registering her in school.

She has always wanted to go to school with her fellow kids but her mother and sister have no money to register her in one so she kept quiet not wanting to disturb them about it.

Every morning, she'll sit at the shade where her mother sold her fruit to watch her fellow kids who are going to school.

Aurora had caught her several times wiping off her tears and when she asked why she was crying, Maya would tell her something flew into her eyes but Aurora wasn't a fool to believe that so she made sure she picked more pockets and saved more money to enable her to go to school.

"You are such a blessing to me Aurora, I wonder what I would have done without you in my life. I would probably be dead from hunger" Her mother said sniffing her tears back.

"It's okay Mama don't cry, I will do my best to make sure we feed and cloth in this house, we will never die of hunger as long as we are still alive and has hands" Aurora consoled then stood up to go prepare and take her sister to school.

"Rora!!" A young boy of the same age as Aurora was seen calling out to her and running towards her from the other side of the road.

She raised her head and looked forward to seeing her best friend Craig calling her name and running towards her from a distance.

She was returning from registering her sister in school and was about to cross the road when she heard Craig's voice so she decided to wait for him to get to her.

"Hey buddy" Craig smiled finally reaching her, breathing heavily. "Do you have to run all the way to here and how did you even see me from afar?" Rora asked giving him a onesided hug.

"Even though there are 10,000 people gathered here, I will still pick you out in a split of an eye" he muttered breathing hard and she rolled her eyes at his words.

"By the way, where are you going to this early morning or are you coming back?" Craig asked staring at her.

"I went to register Maya in school," she said and his eyes shoot out in happiness. "Really? My Maya has started school? I'm so happy" he muttered excitedly and Rora smiled.

"Aren't you going to work today?" she asked and they both started walking in her direction. "I will go but in the afternoon," he said and Aurora nodded.

Craig work parttime in a coffee shop down the street and he had tried severally to help secure a job for her but nothing seemed to work out.

"There's this new bar that was opened down the street, just come to the coffee shop later in the evening and we would go check if they are taking in people," he said and she hissed not wanting to hear about work again.

"Tsk, tsk" she clicked her tongue and threw away her face. She doesn't want to talk about anything related to work or looking for work because she knew finding work in this part of the world can be very difficult for the poor.

The rich keep getting all the cooperate work and even ordinary sales work can't be gotten without having a connection.

She has been going from one company to another despite her having a firstclass degree certificate, she couldn't secure an office job and not even a sales job in any shop could she get.

She has become tired of going from one shop to the other in search of a job and she had given up eventually.

"Forget it, Craig, it would still be the old story they always say, I'm not interested in it" she muttered and Craig frowned hitting her on the arm slightly.

"Okay fine just come to my workplace in the evening pretty please" he begged and she sighed. She planned on resting today though so she'll just go to his workplace and who knows if she'll pick some wallets there.

"Come on Rora, you won't even spend up to an hour, just to say hello and keep me company," he kept pleading till she accepted.

They parted ways when they got to a junction. Aurora bid him goodbye and walked towards their house.

She got to their house and met her mother sampling her fruit on the little table in front of their house.

She collected the basket of fruit from her and started setting it up. "Go in and rest for a while Mama, I'll stay here for you till evening," she said and her mother thanked her before going into the house to rest.

Aurora finished setting the fruits and sat under the shade looking across the street to see a man sharing food with some kids. She sighed and shook her head on seeing the kids struggle to get hold of a plastic bag.

She could remember the time when she used to come to areas like this with her father when he was still alive.

They would share food and money to the less privileged and never had she thought she would one day live here and feed on picking people's pockets.

She stayed in her mother's shade selling fruits to kids and women who would occasionally come to buy one thing or the other.

It's evening and she's on her way to Craig's workplace. She walked down the street and crossed the room then took the part that led to the coffee shop.

She saw the bar Craig was talking about. It was beautiful and newly built. She doesn't want to spoil her mood by going there because she knew she could never get the job.

It's either they are no longer hiring staff or they would collect her number and promise to call her back.

She would end up waiting the entire week and month without receiving any call from them and when she returns, they tell her she came late or isn't qualified for the job.

She sighed and looked away from the new bar and walked down further till she got to Craig's workplace. She pushed open the door and walked into the coffee shop, her eyes roaming about the shop.

She checked out the people in the shop and tried to know if there was anyone who kept their thing carelessly, but it seems every one of them was careful not to drop their bag on the table.

"Hey Rora, over here." Craig called waving at her and she smiled a little before moving to him.

"I didn't know you would come," he said smiling widely and pouring out coffee for a customer.

"Yeah I did come, I didn't want you to cry," Aurora said sarcastically, her eyes were still surveying the shop which was filled with people.

"Do you need help?" She asked Craig. Perhaps she could start from serving and from there check out the customers well to see if she could get anything.

"Yeah, that couple over there", Craig pointed and Aurora nodded, staring at the couple who were busy playing romance and not paying attention.

The lady's bag was on the table while she bent over the man whispering to his ear and laughing out.

"Okay, I'll do that" Aurora muttered and took the tray, swiftly headed to the table. "Your coffee ma'am," she said and the woman waved at her to drop it but continued talking into her partner's ear less concerned.

Aurora bent slightly and dropped the coffee then looked around to see everyone was focused on their business . Then she swiftly dipped her hand into the lady's bag, collected her wallet, hid it in her pant pocket then straightened up and walked back to the counter to meet the glaring eyes of Craig.

"I saw that Aurora, do you have to do that in my working place?" Craig whispered glaring at her. "You don't expect me not to, I need to eat and that lady doesn't need it, she looked rich." Aurora muttered and Craig frowned.

He understands she needed to eat and provide for her family, but stealing isn't the only option. He had tried to talk her out of it, but she would never listen to him and would always say she needed the money more than the owner.

"What if you get caught, Rora?" You can never tell, someone might be looking at you while you do that" He said deepening his frown.

"What do you take me for?" A kid? Come on, I'm so smart at what I do, so don't drag it out, sign out and let's get out of here" Aurora muttered shooting him a stare.

Craig checked his wristwatch and seeing it was already his off time, he nodded and walked in to sign out.

He returned and they both walked out of the coffee shop and headed home. They got to the new bar and Craig dragged Aurora to a stop.

"Come on, let's just try this one Aurora, you never can tell and they might just pick you. I really don't like the fact that you pickpockets. It annoys me." Craig said and Aurora scoffed but still followed him anyway.

They went into the bar which was really beautiful and didn't look like what was seen in the slums. The decor was beautiful and the tables and chairs were arranged neatly.

"Hey please can we talk to you?" Craig asked a girl who wore an apron, obviously a waiter.

"Yeah, what do you want?" She asked, looking in a hurry to serve other customers.

"We want to know if there's any vacancy here," said Craig and the girl simply pointed at the counter and hastily walked out on them.

"Bruh, I don't like this. Can't we just get out of here and forget about this work thing? I know it would still be old talk"Aurora muttered in annoyance.

"No, we ain't leaving Rora. We will try it out first before concluding. We are already in, so let's go over to the counter the girl pointed at," Craig said tugging at her hands and pulling her towards the counter.

"Yes, how may I help you both?" A plussize woman on huge glasses behind the counter asked peering at them from under her glasses.

"We came to inquire if this bar still hires workers," Craig said and the woman gave them a long stare before clearing her throat.

"Who among you is looking for the job?" she asked and Craig pointed at the less concerned Aurora, who was busy scrutinizing the bar and looking for a target.

"Aurora focus!" Craig tugged at her sleeve bringing her back to her senses. She blinked and stared at Craig who glared at her.

"Can you focus and tell her you're the one looking for the job and stop being silly" he whispered under his breath and Aurora nodded before turning to the woman and giving out one of her fake smiles.

Ever since her father died, she had seized herself from smiling and only smiled whenever she was with her family or her best friend Craig.

"I'm the one looking for the job ma'am" she muttered and the woman stared at her for a long time before telling them to wait for a moment and then walked into the inner door at the back of the counter.

~~~BLOOD MOON PACK~~~

"Alpha we got them", a very tall muscular man said, coming into a very dark room.

The only light in the room was that of the computer of which the alpha was operating. Other than that, the room was pitchdark.

That was the way Alpha Jax likes his room. Dark and chilling.

"Did they confess?" Alpha Jax asked not caring to see who it was or turning on the lights.

From the voice, he could tell it was Gamma Lucas, the head warrior of the pack.

"They haven't but we would make them" Gamma Lucas said with a deep voice.

Good, make sure you get all the information and tell Beta Rufus to see me now" Alpha Jax dismissed and turned back to his computer screen.

"You asked for me Alpha", Beta Rufus muttered, dragging a seat closer to him and sitting down.

He didn't not look around much to identify where the stools were. They had been with Alpha Jax for a long time and everyone already knows and can see clearly even in the darkness of his room.

"How was the trip?" Alpha Jax asked and Beta Rufus smiled, touching his chin.

"Very well Boss, We got the deal and we would be finalizing it next week.

"He requested the deal be finalized in a local bar in a hidden place to avoid any unnecessary leakage", Rufus said.

"I see, remind me of the date later." Alpha Jax said and stood up heading to the door.

Alpha Jax was not only the most powerful and richest Alpha among the packs in California, he was also recognized across the states and countries.

Apart from being the alpha of blood moon pack, he runs a mafia organization which was known as "The Underworld".

This organization was known as the most powerful and ruthless mafia group and only Beta and Gamma knew it was owned by Alpha Jax.

Everyone knows about The Underworld", but no one knows who the Boss was.

Alpha Jax made sure his business was controlled by Beta Rufus who in turn sent out representatives. And even though he had to step out, he wouldn't go without a mask and a voice changer attached to his mouth.

"Some bunch of fools were caught snooping around the borders and when asked who sent them, they refused to talk. Go find out who sent them." Alpha Jax said when he got to the door.

"Okay Boss" Rufus muttered in smiles. It has been long since he flexed his muscles and he couldn't be less happy to teach the fools some lessons.

NEW YORK...

"Craig I told you, that lady had forgotten about us obviously. She has been inside that room for a very long time now and my legs are beginning to arch me" Aurora complained, a deep frown plastered on her face.

She might be just talking to the boss, you can never tell, she might be begging on your behalf", Craig said.

"Begging? Tsk! Does that lady look like one who would plead with whoever the boss was just for me to be offered a job?" Aurora cracked hitting Craig's head.

"Ouch! What would you have me say then? Let's just wait a few more minutes then we'll leave if she doesn't come out" Craig groaned rubbing his head.

"You keep bullying me forgetting I'm the man here" he whinned and Aurora burst out laughing.

All eyes turned to them, staring at them like they've grown more heads.

Aurora quickly clamps her hands over her mouth to control her laughter. She wouldn't want to be thrown out for disturbing the customers.

"Let's sit over there and wait, I promise we'll only wait for five minutes and then we'll leave" Craig pointed and Aurora nodded and walked to the vacant table which wasn't so far from the counter.

Three minutes later, the woman walked out with a smile on her face but stopped on her track looking around the bar looking for them obviously.

Aurora rolled her eyes. She was right there on her front but she kept looking past her. She shook her head and stood up dragging Craig, who wouldn't stop gawking at a hot guy sipping on a wine two tables away.

"What Rora? can't you see I'm busy? Let's just wait some more" Craig whined thinking his friend was dragging him up so they could start going home.

"Busy? Tsk! You mean busy gawking over that guy?" Aurora said raising her voice a little.

"Rora stop!" Craig quickly clamps his hands over her mouth in embarrassment.

Aurora chewed on her inner cheek trying to control herself from the uncontrollable laughter that was threatening to consume her.

Craig's face was so red out of embarrassment. Everyone's attention seemed to be focused on him, especially the guy he was gawking at.

The guy he was gawking at had raised his heads and stared at them when she said those words.

Craig felt like running out of the bar in embarrassment. "Rora!! I'll get revenge" he whispered in her face.

The lady at the counter saw them and frowned. "Hey there, are you here for the job or to play with your lover?" The woman called out to Aurora who looked at Craig to see him pouting.

"Haaaa!!!! What kind of thing is this? First, I'm trying to act cute for that guy and you interrupted me and then this lady thinks we are lovers. Me and you, lovers? Wtf!!!" Craig cried out in frustration.

"Why would she think of such a thing? A sissy like me loves Aurora the bully? No, she must be joking." Craig whinned.

"Do I blame her? You look cute whining, so I think she must have thought you're my boy." Aurora laughed and turned around heading to the counter.

"Yeah I think so too" Craig said in a low tone and began walking after her but stopped immediately as if stung by a bee.

"Wait a freaking minute, Did she just say her boy?" He half yelled, his eyes almost bulging out of the sockets.

"Me Craig, her boy. Heeeeish!" he mumbled and stomped at the counter.

"You can start tomorrow" The lady said and Aurora's eyes widened. You mean I should start working tomorrow?" she asked unbelievably and the woman nodded her head positively.

Aurora screamed out, hugged Craig who had just arrived. Craig's eyes widened almost bulging.

He didn't understand why Aurora was suddenly hugging him. Could it be she's trying to prove to the woman that he's her boy?" he thought.

He tried wiggling himself out of the hug, but instead of getting away, Aurora lifted him up to the astonishment of the people present in the bar.

"Drop me down Rora, you're embarrassing me." Craig muttered lowly, his face covered in embarrassment.

"Craig I really got a job, after all these years of wandering about, going from one place to another in search of a job, I finally did it, I got a job" she screamed and Craig's eyes widened.

She wasn't lifting him to show the woman he was her boy, but because she got the job.

"You really got the job", Craig half yelled and Aurora nodded.

He screamed and hugged her, clashing his body on hers. Aurora hugged him back.

Craig, on realizing his crush was still there, he quickly withdrew and held her hands instead, but Aurora began jumping with her hands on his and to avoid him falling, he had to jump back.

He was so happy for her, but can she just stop pulling him already? That guy was looking at him, Rora!!!!

"Woooaaahhh!!!" Aurora screamed out, but when she realized the woman was glaring at her for shouting, she quickly shut up and comported herself.

"Thank you ma'am and I'll be here tomorrow" she said happily and tried to leave, but the woman stopped her.

Be sure to come on time, so we would discuss the payment and mode of work", the woman said, then dismissed her.

Aurora thanked her and followed Craig, who was still not recovered from the embarrassment of Aurora lifting him up as if he weighed nothing.

"Thank you so much Craig. If you hadn't pushed me in, I would have left thinking it would be same here as always", she said as they walked back home.

"You just rubbished me in front of that guy. Is lifting me up really necessary? You should have seen the way he was staring at me like I've grown a huge head." Craig pouted wiping off imaginary tears from his eyes.

"Awwww my boy, I didn't know you were embarrassed. Not to worry, when I start working there, I'll make sure to talk to him on your behalf and you can always come there after work." Aurora muttered in conviction.

"Really? Would you do that for me?" Craig asked and Aurora nodded.

It was his turn to lift her up. He tried but he couldn't. Rora you're so heavy," he whined and Aurora laughed.

"What do you expect from an able bodied lady like me? Do you think I'm you that does nothing else but eat, yet the food doesn't show on your body?" Aurora mocked flexing her muscles while grinning.

"And whoever told you that you are strong must have been cracking a joke which you mistook as truth".

"Girl you are only filled to the brim with the excess water you have been feeding yourself with" Craig fired back and Aurora's mouth dropped open.

Oh really? I canceled my offer then. I'm going to link the guy with someone else and I do not want to ever see your shadows lurking around my work place" Aurora muttered in all seriousness.

Craig shifted back and frowned, "stop please Rora. You are so strong and even stronger than the strongest, please don't do what you are planning to do." Craig whispered.

"I'm really sorry, you know I'm just joking right." Craig pouted blinking his huge eyes.

Aurora chewed on her lower lips trying to prevent the laughter that was threatening to burst out. She couldn't afford to lose seriousness.

She needed him to beg for belittling her. Imagine him saying her stomach was filled with water, which made her heavy to lift up.

"Not even food but water! Oh my ego has been bruised." Aurora mumbled and glared at Craig.

"No, I'm being serious here unless you bribe me". She said and folded her hands.

"Yes, I will do anything you want me to do bestie" he muttered, adding the bestie to remind her who he was to her.

"Okay.. You know I'll be starting work tomorrow, and I need some clothes ironed for me." Aurora said and Craig quickly nodded in all smiles.

"Tsk, not only that, but you also need to do the dishes. I'm so tired of doing that now" Aurora smirked and Craig's eyes widened.

"Uhhh?" Craig looked dumbfounded. "You know how much I hate doing dishes, Rora, especially washing pots."

"I see you aren't ready yet, I'm going then." Aurora said and began walking away.

"No no... I will do the dishes. I will make sure the pots are sparkling Don't do this to me Rora." Craig ran after her.

Aurora gave a lposided smile and winked. "Good, that's why you're my boy." she replied and Craig frowned but quickly shrugged it off.

As long as she does what she promised, then he could be her boy for now and do anything she wants him to do.

He can't afford to lose that cute dude.

"I still can't believe I got a job and I'll be resuming tomorrow", Aurora muttered with a small smile.

"I told you, you just have to keep pushing till you get what you want." Craig said and Aurora chuckled.

"You just have to push till you get what you want!!!! Motivational speaker, have you gotten what you want ever since you started pushing? You are still in this slum." Aurora taunted jokingly.

Craig raised his hands to hit her and she ran out, but Craig being Craig, he must not allow her go free without hitting her head, so he pursued her.

They kept running pursuing each other till they got to Aurora's house. "Craig, you are so wicked, can't you just forget what I said for a minute", she said breathing heavily.

"Why would I when your big head needs hitting to make it small" he said hitting her head in satisfaction while also breathing heavily.

"Aaahhh!!! Aurora rubbed her head. I'm so tired and exhausted, did we really run that much distance? Wow, I'm such a fast runner and you couldn't even catch me despite being male, shame on you" she taunted.

"I just wanted to let you go today, so don't even let it get into your head because next time you try to belittle me, hehehehe you won't know what I would do to you" Craig mumbled and Aurora rolled her eyes.

"It will only be happening in your dream, you really underestimated my powers Craig, don't worry someday you will have a taste of my medicine" she said and Craig burst out laughing.

"Your mouth is filled with the impossible Rora, get off my way, let me go greet Aunt before I change my mind and flex my muscles on you" Craig joked feigning seriousness, making Aurora run out of the doorstep into the house.

"Mama!!!" She screamed, calling out her mother who came rushing from the backyard to see what the problem was.

Aurora jumped on her when she came in smiling widely, making her mother surprised. Rebecca glanced at Craig, who was also smiling widely.

"Guess what Mama?" Aurora asked hugging her mother tightly.

Her mother smiled looking at her daughter. It has been a long time since she saw a genuine smile and happiness on her daughter's face. Whatever that had happened must be very good news.

"Don't stress yourself playing Rora's guessing games Aunt, she got a job at a new bar down the other next street" Craig chipped coming out with a cup of water to drink.

"Aaarrrgh!!! You dirty head, how could you ruin my surprise" Aurora screamed at him running towards the unconcerned looking Craig who was busy drinking his water.

He suddenly heard a yell and looked down from his cup of water only to see an enraged girl coming at him.

He mumbled and dropped the cup, turned around and fled for his dear life like a bolt of lightning.

"I will get you soon", Aurora screamed from the door when she couldn't get hold of him.

"Calm down Rora, you were still going to tell me anyways, so isn't it the same as him saying it" Said Sarah, Aurora's mother.

"No, it will never be the same as the way I wanted to put it. That big head has spoilt my surprise plan and I don't mind him being the architect of me getting the job, I'll still beat him for spoiling my plans" Aurora fumed.

"I'm really surprised baby, so you don't have to get mad at your best friend. Finally, you got a job and I am super excited for you. Come here," her mother cooed and she dolefully walked into her embrace.

Can't believe you will start working tomorrow after all these years of staying idle and looking for a job, you finally found one, now we could boost a two square meal." her mother said sniffing back her tears.

"Yeah, and I will be able to pay Maya's fees and save for your business. I also planned on us moving out of this slum" Aurora said and her mother's eyes widened.

"What do you mean Rora? How much will you get paid that you planned on doing all these you mentioned? Do you think you are going for an office job?" Sarah asked, trying hard to hold back her laugh but she just couldn't do it . She ended up laughing so hard.

Her daughter won't seize to amaze her. She can't believe Aurora planned on paying her sister's fees, opening a business for her and taking them out of the slum all on a meagre salary paid to a server.

"Don't laugh mother, you will see it with your eyes, I have so many plans which would be executed once I started working" she said putting on a convincing face which further made her mother laugh more.

Aurora sighed, watching her mother laugh at her. If only she knew what she does to bring back food everyday, she wouldn't laugh, rather she would rejoice at the opportunity facing her.

She knew she would make a lot of money out of people from that bar and her mother wouldn't just understand it.

She just ignored her and climbed up the almost broken stairs into her small room to prepare for her work.

Next Day...

Waking up to remember she was meant to start work today, Aurora sprang up and took her toiletries, and ran down from her room to the bathroom they use, which was outside the house.

She quickly took a bucket and ran to the little water wall at the back of their house and fetched water before rushing back to take her bath.

She rummages through her bag which contained a few clothes that are worn out, looking for a suitable one to wear on her first day of work.

After searching for a while and about to give up, she finally stumbled upon jeans that were faded a bit and a black polo that was quite bigger than her size.

She dried her body and applied her body butter. It was cheap but she doesn't mind, her skin was great and she doesn't need so much to care for it.

Putting on the cloth, she folded the hem of the polo and tied it, reducing it to a smaller size.

She had sold off her bags of makeup and expensive clothes when things became much more difficult for them.

She wore only her black shoe and walked out of her crib. "Mama I'm ready to go, where's Maya" she yelled climbing down the stairs.

"Sister I'm here in the kitchen," Maya replied, running out of the kitchen with her mouth filled with food.

She took little Maya's hands running out of the house.

"Take care of yourself and be careful out there", their mother yelled out to them but they were already far gone and couldn't hear her.

She dropped her sister to school which wasn't that far from her workplace. She walked into the bar and headed to the counter.

"Good morning ma'am." she greeted the plussized lady who scrutinized her frowning.

"Are you just coming to work by this time of the day?" She asked staring at her. "I'm sorry ma'am, I had to drop my sister in school but I promise not to be late next time." she muttered staring into the woman's eyes.

"Go into the laundry room and change, you can ask one of the employers to show you," she muttered and waved her off, focusing back on the book she was scribbling down on.

"Hey, my name's Jenny and I volunteer to show you where to change," a young girl said smiling wide with all her teeth out.

"Ok, thanks which way please?" Aurora asked to go straight to the point. She didn't actually like making friends, especially with the female folks and Craig was the only friend she had.

"Hehehe, this way," the girl said laughing nervously. She was not expecting that treatment from here, but she quickly shrugged it off and led the new girl to the laundry room.

"Here are the uniforms, you can pick anyone you want that suits you" Jenny muttered pointing at the uniforms before leaving the room.

Aurora nodded and took off her polo then put on the bar's polo. She folded hers properly and kept it in her bag which she dropped in a corner.

Arranging the polo, she walked out of the laundry room to the counter where she was assigned tables to serve.

"Ma'am what about my payment, I don't know how much I would be paid" she had said to the plussized lady who she later found out was the manager.

"You would be paid five hundred dollars per month and you get to work fulltime not parttime because we do not need parttime workers for now" the lady had told her before she resumed serving.

She could manage it even though it was small compared to her family challenges, but it's better than none. Besides, she still gets to pickpockets to support herself.

She started serving customers and also using her eyes to search for things to take.

"It's lunchtime, can we go grab a bite at that cafeteria down the street?" Jenny said coming to her.

Aurora wanted to decline, but because she treated her badly somehow in the morning, she decided to go with her.

"My name is Aurora and I'm sorry for the way I acted earlier. It's just that I am not good at talking to people I don't know" she muttered as they walked to the cafeteria opposite the street.

"I understand and I take no offense. Your name's nice though and you are so beautiful," she said, making Aurora scoff internally.

Of what use was her beauty if she couldn't turn it to food or morning. She hates people telling her about being beautiful, yet she wasn't offered any help.

She remembered having gone to many modeling agencies to know if they could take her In to model for products, but all of them had refused either demanding money or herself, which she would never do.

If she was still rich, they would all be begging her to sign in with them, but because she was poor, no one wants her.

"Are you okay?" Jenny asked tapping her. Aurora came back to her senses blinking her eyes to see they had gotten to their destination and she was still walking.

"You seem lost in thought, can I know what's bothering you?" Jenny asked and Aurora practically rolled her eyes.

Reasons why she hates making female friends are too nosy and would want to know practically everything going on in the lives of other people.

Craig had never asked her to tell him what was bothering her. He lets her be when he figures out things aren't good with her, and instead of poking his nose, he lets her decide if she wants him to know or not.

"Nothing, I'm fine, and can we go get the food before our time elapses," Aurora said a little harshly, making Jenny desist from prying more into her business.

They got into the cafeteria and Aurora ordered a burger and juice while Jenny ordered hers.

"Let's go sit over there", Jenny pointed to a free table and Aurora nodded, following her over to the table.

She settled down on the plastic chair and uncorked her mineral, taking a bite from the burger. She closed her eyes to relish the heavenly taste.

"Are you going to be okay with just that or would you mind joining in my pasta?" Jenny asked, pointing at her plate of pasta which aroma was wafting through Aurora's nose.

Pasta has been her favorite meal ever since she was a kid, but she needed to save it, so she had long stopped buying food other than snacks and juices from outside and she's not a person who would share food with someone, especially when she isn't yet familiar with the person.

She looked down at the pasta which was calling on her to devour, swallowed her saliva, then shook her head vehemently as if trying to shake off demons.

"No, I'm good with this, I don't like food much," she lied and forced out a smile. That was a blatant lie because she knew she loved good food more than anything else, well apart from money.

"If you say so" Jenny smiled and concentrated on her food while Aurora munched on her burger grumpily.

They soon finished, paid, and returned to the bar.

"You both are 5 mins late" the plussize woman whose name was Mandy yelled with her coarse voice.

"We are sorry, the cue there was pretty much so we had to wait for our turn ma'am" Jenny replied to her but she scoffed not ready to hear any excuse.

What are you both still doing here?" Will you quickly go and serve the customers that had been waiting for so long?" she shrieked, making the girls scamper off.

"I will see you soon Rora". Jenny muttered with a bright smile which Aurora had just replied with a fake one and walked away to the table on her lists.

"Where do I sign out," Aurora asked Big Mandy as people called her. "Over here" she replied, pointing at her head with an eye roll.

"What do you mean? So I should sign on your head?" Aurora cried out in frustration. It's way past her closing time, but here they were, delaying her, and she was supposed to go pick up her sister.

"Didn't you see the signing book over there? Must you always display foolishness? Mandy glared, making Aurora shake her head.

She knows why she doesn't want to talk back to Mandy and just keeps quiet with all her abusive words. If not that she needed the money, she would have smacked her in that mouth of hers which are filled with insults.

She quietly moved over to the book, signed her name, and left to grab her things from the laundry room.

" Hey Rora wait for me!" She heard Jenny call out to her and groaned inwardly.

"Must you always be grumpy towards people", Aliya, her wolf muttered in her head.

"Mind your freaking business and stop meddling in my business!" She shrieked and Jenny, who had gotten to her, widened her eyes and thinking she was the one being referred to, she turned around and tried to leave.

"Hey Jenny, I wasn't talking to you." Aurora yelled out to Jenny who had started shedding tears.

"But I heard you clearly, you said I should not meddle in your business," she said sniffing back her tears.

"That wasn't directed to you but someone or rather something else," Aurora said, getting Jenny more confused.

" I am not a thing Rora, I am your wolf and I'm part of you, you can't drive me out and stop referring to me as a thing." Aliya growled.

"Not when you keep prying your nosy eyes into my business, can't you understand I don't need you and get out of me." Aurora mumbled annoyingly.

"That won't be possible because you can't exist without me and I can't without you too, so you better stop shunning me out and accept me." Aliya cried out in pain.

Jenny kept staring at the lady who kept mumbling and talking to herself. "Is something wrong with her?" She thought and tapped Aurora, who looked at her, she could see the angry expression written all over her face and wondered if she was the one making her angry.

"Are you mad at me?" She asked blinking her eyes rapidly. "No, why would I be, I told you I wasn't referring to you," Aurora said softening her gaze when she noticed her expression might have scared Jenny.

Jenny looked sideways but saw no one else there who the words might be directed to. She sighed her head and decided to wave it off. "Maybe someone offended her in the bar", she concluded.

"Are you going this way?" Jenny pointed and Aurora nodded seeing it was the road that leads to her little Maya's school.

"Yeah, I am going to pick my little sister at Greenstone junior" she muttered and Jenny, who was also going to pick her brother, squealed happily. If Aurora's sister also schools there, then she would no longer go to school alone.

"Why do you look happy? Aurora asked to fix her gaze on the happy lady. " Well, my brother also happens to attend the same school we can go there together." Jenny replied all smiles.

"Aurora secretly rolled her eyes wondering why the girl is so happy being around her and it doesn't look like her harsh expressions would ever drive her away.

She just doesn't feel comfortable around human females as they all act so soft and cry a lot, just like Jenny did minutes ago when she thought she was driving her away.

"Alright then let's go." she mumbled and started walking towards the direction of her sister's school with Jenny tagging behind her while trying to raise conversations which she wasn't interested in but trying to reply as to not make the girl feel unwanted.

They got to the school and Aurora sighted her sister standing with a boy who looks younger than her and smaller.

"Maya" she called the attention of her little sister who turned alongside the boy she was sitting with.

"Oh, that's your sister? She's so beautiful and the boy is my kid brother" Jenny said getting more happier.

Rora's sister knows her brother and they seemed to be friends too.

"Ooh..." Aurora drawled waiting for the kids to get to them.

"Big sister" Maya squealed hugging her sister tightly as she got to her, Aurora carried her up and spun her around further increasing the girl's happy giggles.

Jenny stares on, her eyes widening as she stares at her colleague. She never knew Aurora could be a playful type and she even smiled. Her smiles are so beautiful and she wonders why she acts all tough.

Aurora stopped spinning her sister and brought her down then bent to her level.

"How was school today? I can see you made a new friend" she asked and the girl frowned a bit before smiling widely.

They all called me big aunty and wouldn't play with me, they said am older than them and shouldn't be in the same class as them, it was only kelvin who came closer to me and played with me, he also shared his candy with me" Maya muttered and Aurora's countenance changed.

She knew her sister would surely face such in school because she had grown past being in that class. She's 8years old when her classmates are probably 5 but she's happy Maya didn't take it to heart as she kept smiling.

She turned to the boy whose name was Kelvin and ruffled his hair. "Thank you for being friends with Maya and sharing your candy with her, I'll get you a lot of candies tomorrow when we come to pick you both" Aurora said and the boy smiled widely going to Jenny.

"Don't mind them and do not listen to whatever they say to you, you are unique and I'm proud of you, no matter what they say to you, do not put it in mind" Aurora consoled and her sister nodded before holding her hands and they all walked home.

We'll take this way, our house is down there" Jenny said as she reached the junction to their house.

"Ooh, Bye then" Aurora muttered with a little smile. "Bye Kelvin" Maya yelled out with her tiny voice as she waved at Kelvin who waved back in return.

"Bye Rora be sure to come early tomorrow," Jenny said and Aurora replied with a short nod then started walking away with her sister.

They got home to meet their mother in her fruit shade together with Craig who was grinning from ear to ear when he saw her approaching.

"Do you have to show your incomplete teeth all the time Craig?" Aurora teased.

"What? My teeth are complete silly or have you forgotten I have the best sets of teeth and not even yours can compare" Craig bragged making Aurora roll her eyes.

"Good evening Mama" Aurora greeted her mother who was now carrying Maya.

"My dear how was your first day at work?" She asked with a big smile at the mention of work, she can't believe her daughter now has a workplace and even though it's not a company, they could manage the income.

"It was all good Mum" she replied. Except for that big Mandy who has started getting on her nerves on her first day" she mumbled incoherently Making Craig raise her brows.

"Are you perhaps talking to your wolf?" Craig asked getting closer with interest.

"Get away from me, I wasn't talking to her and Craig I do not know the reason you act like that when you mention wolf, do you think it's something cool that you should be excited about?" She glared staring at Craig.

Craig was the only one who knows about her being a werewolf, he had caught her yelling at Aliya countless times and when she could no longer give him excuses for her constant bickering with her wolf, she had to confess to him and he found it unbelievable at first but later got to believe after having to beg her to shift so he could see her wolf.

Ever since then, he had been begging her to allow him to see the cool and playful wolf again but Aurora always turn it down saying she doesn't want him having anything to do with the creature as she doesn't like it.

"Well you are the only one who doesn't find it cool, damn gurl you are a supernatural being, and am sure you have powers also, why not embrace who you really are, and maybe you will find happiness" Craig replied having on a serious expression.

"And you think being a werewolf makes me happy? You think I'm happy having to share my thoughts with a freaking wolf who speaks and argues with me?" She muttered.

"She isn't just a mere wolf found in the zoo Rora, she's your other half and I wish I was one too" her mother chirped making Aurora let out a cranky laugh.

"Why then didn't you become one when you Married father who was a werewolf?" Aurora snapped already getting angry.

"I wasn't supposed to become one Rora, your father just happened to have a human mate which was me and that wasn't supposed to turn me to one" her mother tried to explain but Aurora hissed and walked into the house with Craig whining beside her still complaining of how bad she treats her wolf.

"Can you just leave this topic of wolves and talk about another thing Craig? You are pissing the hell out of me now" Aurora yelled throwing her hands up in frustration.

"You just have to stop treating Aliya badly Rora, she's such a nice and happy wolf and I know you will love her if only you give her a chance" Craig insisted not ready to drop the topic.

Aurora got to her room and banged the door before Craig could enter.

"Really Rora?" Craig muttered from outside the door rubbing his head where the door had hit him.

"Yes, go away since you are not ready to stop talking about useless things, you might as well go home and sleep or get yourself a wolf if you so badly want one" Aurora yelled going towards her bed to lay down.

She was exhausted and doesn't need any more disturbances. Big Mandy had already caused her a lot of stress and right now she only needed a long deep sleep.

Hours later, Aurora climbed down the stairs after sleeping for hours to see Craig still around.

She shoot up her brows and walked towards him as he lay on the only couch in their sitting room operating his phone.

"You are still around Craig? Aren't you going to work today?" She asked sitting down on the little space left on the couch.

"No, I was on a morning shift today and returned some minutes before you, you just didn't let me talk and shut me out," he said throwing his face to the side feigning annoyance.

"You were being unnecessary annoying and I had to lock you out, I was so tired and didn't need any disturbance but you kept on saying shitty kinds of stuff," she said dragging his cheeks.

Craig shrugged off her hands glaring at her "Get away from me, I too need sleep" Craig muttered but was totally ignored by aurora who had already jumped on him.

"Aarrgh!!! Can you not see how heavy you are? Do you want to kill me before my time?" Craig yelled pretending to be choking to death.

"Look at you, weren't you the one bragging yesterday of how strong you are, so what now happened your James Bond strength silly?" Aurora mocked laughing heartily.

"I didn't say that so you could kill me with your weight, you know your butt is so big that I sometimes imagine how it was able to fit your tiny legs and to think you are using that same butt to sit on me" Craig muttered trying hard to pull her away from him but all his efforts dashed.

"You can't even pull me away and you call yourself a fullgrown man Craig, can you be more ashamed of yourself?" Aurora further mocked trying to taunt him.

"Well it doesn't matter, as long as Luke loves me that way, I don't mind" he muttered and Aurora laughed hard.

"Is it now Luke? I thought it was James the other time when did you move to luke and who the hell is this Luke of a guy?" Aurora asked putting up a hard expression that demands an immediate answer.

"You pushed me out of your room so I'm not telling you" Craig pouted.

"Really? Okay then" Aurora said and started tickling him.

"Arrrrghh, stop Rora" Craig yelled laughing.

"Tell me then"

I will Rora stop. I'll tell you" Craig begged and Aurora stopped tickling him.

"Start talking" she ordered.

"Well I'm thinking of considering him and he seemed to be deeply in love with me, don't worry, I'll introduce you to him when next he comes" Craig smiled making Aurora shake her head.

She knew Craig as a gay who wasn't committed in any relationship, he's always on and off and she knew this one he was talking about won't also last as he would always say he want to try a new guy.

"I just pray this one works for you so you at least stick your ass at one place" Aurora mumbled getting up from his body.

"Look who's giving me relationship advice, you have never been in a single relationship and you don't even know how to be in one yet you talk as if you have experienced it" Craig taunted.

"You should know that I'm not yet ready for any relationship and that doesn't mean I don't know anything about it, I am not dumb Craig" Aurora snapped rolling her eyes.

"Who knows if you are actually dumb" Craig laughed hastily using his hands to shield his body to prevent the incoming fist from Aurora.

"You sure are crazy, let's go out since it's the evening," Aurora said dragging the whining Craig up and out of the house.

"I'll be back soon Mama" she yelled out to her mother who was in her store and disappeared into the street with her best friend.

"Where are we going to?" Craig asked holding her hands. "I think the city" Aurora muttered.

"Don't tell you you are taking me to pickpockets, Rora?" Craig whispered lowly and Aurora smirked.

"Who knows" she replied and continued walking heading to the bus stop.

They soon got to the bus stop and boarded a bus which they luckily met up with.

"It's been long I went to the city and I can't believe you are dragging me there just for dirty stuff" Craig complained.

"Do you want to get down? I can tell the driver to stop and you can get down if you don't want to go" Aurora stated glaring hard at him.

"I can't let you go alone, what if you get caught? I want to be there to protect you" Craig bragged making Aurora chuckle.

"if at all I would be getting caught for truth then you would be the one to implicate me, but you better shut your damn mouth up when you see me act because I might end up throwing you into the lagoon" she muttered and Craig's eyes widened and he quickly made the locked lips sign on his mouth throwing an invisible key out of the window.

It took a little less than an hour to finally get to the city. The duo alighted from the bus with Aurora paying the driver.

They both walked into the busy street that led to the market with Craig trying to bring up a conversation but Aurora who was busy observing the environment had no time to listen to him.