I'm Still Breathing 

Alex's POV

I laid in my bed, thinking about what happened. I heard a knock on the door. I jumped up thinking it was Francisco. I was annoyed... and excited. Should I answer it? My heart was telling me yes, but my brain was telling me that he would just take advantage of me. When I didn't answer, the door burst open.

My dad came barging in with an angry expression. He raised his hand and slapped me. "Who said you could eat?" He asked me, ripping my shirt off. I yelled in surprise, and he slapped me again. He stared intently at my stomach. "You're getting fat... you know what that means, right?" He asked sweetly, his smile disgusting me. I shook my head, while I pleaded, "No, please, please, I'll behave," he just shook his head coming closer.

He gripped my hair and pulled it back, no doubt removing a handful while doing it. He punched me in the stomach hard, while I held back a cry of pain. He didn't like it when I made noises. He dragged me to the bathroom and banged my head against the glass, tiny pieces cracking into my skin and onto the floor. I see red liquid dripping slowly down it and I bit my lip to keep in the strangled cries.

"Maybe you should eat more often," he laughs. "this is fun." Then he throws me on the hard floor and leaves me there. I hear the door slam shut and then I know that it's safe to finally cry now. I cry until my throat hurts I can barely breathe. I wish Francisco stayed here to protect me, I thought ruefully. But, he'd probably join in on the fun, laughing with my father.

I slowly stand up, ignoring the protests my body gives me. Of course, he beats me when I miss school, so I better get to bed. I look in the mirror, and I could barely see the damage between the missing pieces and cracked ones. But, I do. My forehead has dried blood crusted on it. My right cheek has a big purple bruise in the size of a hand on it. I stretch on my tippy toes to see my stomach and I gasp. An almost black bruise covered most of my stomach. I sigh sadly, and carefully clean my forehead and climb into my bed and fall asleep immediately after taking the usual pills to help me...

At school, I go to class earlier than I usually do. I groan in pain when I bend my back to get into my seat. Oh, shit. I see Francisco in about 8 minutes when class starts. I'm not ready. I pull up my hood further and crouch, somehow trying to make myself disappear. But, of course, that doesn't happen. A loud tap sounds in front of me. I cringe, and look up slowly to see a tan hand holding a #2 pencil. I move my eyes, not my head, and look at him. He's smiling at me... it reminds me of my dad right before he... I sniffle, my hands tremble.

"Hey, what's wrong? Do you need to go to the nurse?" He asked worriedly. I shook my head and look down. He put a finger under my chin and made me look at him. His eyes were glowing... a little. Right now, I couldn't care less. His eyes search my face and I get worried he would see the bruise so I slap his hand away. With that force, my hood unexpectedly fell off. His eyes grew wide and then they narrowed. Now, they're glowing full on. Oh, no...

Francisco's POV

Who did this to her?

My wolf growled with rage, fighting to get out. He wanted to hold Alex close and feel her safe in his arms. Then after, he wanted to kill that bastard who hurt our little mate. She was so innocent. Why would anyone do this to her? 

"Who did that to you?" I growled out, losing control. I was trembling, and she swallowed, but cringed when she did. That's it! I grabbed her arm-very gingerly-and took her outside in the hall. We hid in a secluded corner then the bell rang. We waited a few more minutes just to be safe.

I helped her stand up, and I tried to see if she was hurt anywhere else, but of course, she was back to her usual attire. "Is there more?" I whispered. She opened her mouth, probably to lie, but I gave her a stern look and then she reluctantly nodded. I growled unintentionally again. "Where?"

"My stomach," she whispered quietly, and she unzipped her sweater and lifted up her shirt. Her once beautiful clear skin was now covered in a big black and blue bruise covering most of her flat stomach. My wolf growled and I punched a locker, making a huge dent in it. But, I didn't care. I strode over to Alex and engulfed her in a hug.

I was beyond angry, but I had to be calm for her. "Who did this?" I tried once more. She shook her head, and I growled. She stiffened, and her shoulders slumped. They started to shake and I heard her lightly sniffle.

"My dad," she cried softly. I growled so loud it echoed through the hallways. I tightened my hold on her and squeezed softly. What kind of man did that? To his own daughter, for God's sake! 

The punishment shall be death, no excuses!

My Alpha wolf coming out.

"I was thinking of my first day here," she said and I stiffened. "when you accused me of being anorexic... it wasn't by choice! He doesn't let me eat... says, 'it's easier for me to throw you around,' and whatnot. J-just, please don't let me go back there, please, Francisco," she sobbed, my tears getting soaked with her hot tears.

I held her tighter while shaking my head. "No, you won't go back there. You're going to live with me from now on, okay?" I said to her, coming out as a question, but I meant it as a command. She nodded, somehow wise enough to not argue with me. "Come on," I murmured to her sweetly, leading her to the door. She shuffled beside me, cringing a little when her stomach twisted as she walked.

With no argument, I picked her up bridal style as she yelped in surprise. Her little arms wrapped themselves around my neck and pulled herself closer. My wolf stirred at that, but I pushed him down. Now wasn't the time to get distracted by that.