From Chubby Target to Tennis Queen
Fuzzy Melissa · Completed · 7.0k Words
Introduction
"Look at that! The human backstop works great. We don't even need a net!"
It was Blair's voice, dripping with entitled cruelty.
Standing beside her, covering his mouth as he snickered, was Liam, the boy I'd been secretly crushing on—the same boy I'd stayed up late helping with his physics paper just last night.
Sweat stung my eyes, and the cramps twisting through my stomach made me feel like I was going to throw up. But I didn't cry.
I stared at the tennis ball rolling to a stop beside my foot, and for the first time in my life, something destructive ignited in my blood.
They thought being fat meant I was born to be their punching bag.
What they didn't know was that beneath all that fat was a monster capable of tearing down everything they were so proud of.
Chapter 1
The yellow-green tennis ball slammed into my stomach at full speed. The heavy impact sent my 210-pound body stumbling backward, instantly triggering a chorus of vicious laughter around me.
"Look at that! The human backstop works great. We don't even need a net!"
It was Blair's voice, dripping with entitled cruelty.
Standing beside her, covering his mouth as he snickered, was Liam, the boy I'd been secretly crushing on—the same boy I'd stayed up late helping with his physics paper just last night.
Sweat stung my eyes, and the cramps twisting through my stomach made me feel like I was going to throw up. But I didn't cry.
I stared at the tennis ball rolling to a stop beside my foot, and for the first time in my life, something destructive ignited in my blood.
They thought being fat meant I was born to be their punching bag.
What they didn't know was that beneath all that fat was a monster capable of tearing down everything they were so proud of.
I sucked in a ragged breath, my throat dry and raw, the metallic taste of blood spreading across my tongue.
"Pick up the ball, Talia! What, are your thighs so huge you can't even bend over?"
Across the net, Blair toyed with her custom racket.
With her blonde ponytail and perfectly tailored white tennis dress, she looked every inch the queen bee of St. Oak High.
Behind her, the elite members of the St. Oak tennis team sat on the bench, staring at me like I was some kind of freak-show attraction.
This was the third time I'd fallen for it that week.
Liam had texted me saying he needed help with "physics." Like an idiot, I'd hauled my ridiculously heavy backpack all the way here, only to become Blair's "live target" for serve practice.
I turned toward the person standing behind Blair.
"Liam…"
Liam avoided my eyes. He gave an awkward little laugh before slipping an arm around Blair's waist, eager to please her.
"Come on, babe. She's already struggling to breathe. If that two hundred pounds of flesh hits the court, Coach is going to make me lick the floor clean."
The bench erupted in laughter.
I clenched my fists.
Just last night on the phone, he'd whispered that I was "the smartest girl he'd ever met."
Today, I was nothing more than a cruel joke he could use to make the school's prettiest girl laugh.
"Ten more balls, Talia."
Blair didn't even pause. She pulled another ball from the basket, tossed it high, and smashed it down with all her strength.
Thwack!
The tennis ball slammed into my thigh. Pain exploded through me. Tomorrow, there'd definitely be a massive bruise.
I clenched my back teeth and refused to make a sound.
Slowly, I bent down, picked up the ball, and squeezed it tightly in my palm.
The rough felt dug into my skin. Every finger trembled with barely contained rage.
"What? Getting angry?"
Blair walked toward the net and looked down at me.
"A fat girl whose only job is picking up balls thinks she deserves dignity? You didn't seriously think Liam could stomach two hundred pounds of you, did you?"
"Shut up." My voice was so hoarse I barely recognized it myself.
"What did you say?" Blair sneered.
She reached her racket through the net and jabbed my shoulder with the hard frame. "Speak up, fatty."
I suddenly looked up and locked eyes with her.
The next second, I grabbed the racket where it pressed against my shoulder and yanked it backward with all my strength.
Blair wasn't prepared. She screamed as she lurched forward and crashed awkwardly into the net. "You psycho! Let go!"
I didn't bother answering. I ripped the racket straight out of her hands.
The expensive carbon-fiber racket was light as plastic, but my trembling arm was burning with enough fury to tear everything apart.
"Talia! What the hell is wrong with you? Give her the racket!" Liam charged toward me, pointing at my face.
I gave him a cold look and walked toward the baseline.
"What is she doing?"
"Has she even played before?"
"She must've finally snapped…"
The mocking voices behind me continued.
I raised the tennis ball I'd been gripping tightly in my palm.
I'd never played tennis before. I didn't know the proper grip or how to set up a swing. I only knew that I needed to let it out.
I tossed the ball high into the air.
My vision sharpened with adrenaline. The spinning ball seemed to slow as it climbed higher and higher.
The instant it reached its peak—
I swung my right arm.
All 210 pounds of me, all the humiliation, all the rage, went into that single shot.
"CRACK—BOOM!"
There was no clean pop of a tennis ball being struck.
Only a deafening explosion.
The ball tore through the air like a bullet, crossed the court, and slammed with terrifying precision into the steel post holding up the net.
With a stomach-churning shriek of twisting metal, the heavy steel post actually bent backward under the impact.
The taut net instantly collapsed. The rough cords snapped against the court like whips.
The entire indoor court fell silent.
Everyone stared at me as if they'd seen a ghost, then slowly turned toward the wrecked net post.
Blair sat frozen on the floor, her face drained of color. She'd forgotten how to scream.
"Your power and dynamic vision are elite. But your mechanics look like something a prehistoric ape would use."
A lazy voice broke the silence from the shadows of the bleachers.
A tall, lean boy with his hands in his pockets walked slowly down the steps.
Black hoodie. Baseball cap pulled low. Eyes cold enough to cut.
Julian. The former U.S. junior tennis champion who'd become infamous at St. Oak High for his vicious mouth after a car accident destroyed his knee.
"Julian? What are you doing here?" Blair demanded, using Liam's hand to pull herself up.
Treating her like she wasn't even there, Julian walked straight toward me.
He was a full head taller than me, and the way he studied me reminded me of someone examining a crude but extremely dangerous weapon.
"Were you trying to hit her in the face with that shot?" His voice was calm, but loud enough for everyone to hear.
I froze. My pulse started pounding.
"Julian! What the hell do you mean?!" Blair shrieked.
Julian ignored her. He stared directly into my eyes.
"Three months. Team tryouts. I'll coach you." He held out his hand.
"All you have to do is get rid of the weight that's slowing you down, then walk onto that court in front of the entire school and crush that blonde idiot—and whatever pathetic pride she has left."
I stared at his outstretched hand, then glanced back at Blair's furious face and Liam's stunned expression.
I dropped the custom racket at my feet and took Julian's hand without hesitation.
"Deal." My voice was cold. "I want her crying on that court."
Last Chapters
You Might Like 😍
Everybody is Guilty Here
Middlesbrough's underworld is a dangerous game, and Matthew Smith finds himself right in the middle of it. A once-feared gang leader, he is now forced to be a pawn in a deadly cat-and-mouse game. Matthew's only shot at freedom is helping the police bring down Mr. K, the elusive mafia boss of the city. The only problem is that the detective he is forced to work with is the same man who arrested him years ago.
Masahiro Payne is everything Matthew hates: cold, calculating, and relentless. But their only hope for survival is by pretending to be a happy couple, blending in amidst dangerous crime, deceit, and power struggles. The closer they find themselves to taking down Mr. K's empire, the more they are attracted to one another, an affair too potent to turn from.
As their undercover mission spirals into a web of lies and hidden desires, they face a growing threat from all sides. But the greatest risk is the one they can't control-their own feelings. With every touch, every stolen kiss, the line between their fake relationship and real emotions blurs.
In a world of betrayal, trust is a luxury, and falling for each other may be the deadliest mistake of all. Can they survive the deadly mafia games or will their passion be their demise?
The CEO Above My Desk
“I know she does.”
“And what if she doesn’t want this kind of protection?”
“She will,” I say, my voice lowering slightly. “Because she needs a man who can give her the world.”
“And if the world burns?”
My hand tightens subtly at Violet’s waist.
“Then I’ll build her a new one,” I reply. “Even if I have to burn the old one down myself.”
I don’t work for Rowan Ashcroft.
I work beneath him.
From my desk, I decide who gets access to the most ruthless CEO in the city, and who never makes it past the lobby. I manage his time, his silence, his enemies. I keep his world running while my own quietly collapses under unpaid bills, a mother locked in rehab, and a brother who vanished without a goodbye.
Rowan Ashcroft is power wrapped in a tailored suit.
Cold. Untouchable. Merciless.
He doesn’t flirt. He doesn’t smile. He doesn’t see people, only usefulness.
And for a long time, I was just useful.
Until he started watching.
A shift in his attention is subtle at first. A pause too long. A look that lingers. Orders that pull me closer instead of pushing me away. The man who stands above my desk begins to control more than my schedule, and I realize too late that being noticed by Rowan Ashcroft is far more dangerous than being ignored.
Because men like him don’t crave affection.
They crave possession.
This was supposed to be a job.
Not a test of my limits.
Not a slow, deliberate descent into his authority.
But if Rowan Ashcroft decides I belong under his desk, then so be it.
Survival has a price, and the bills don’t care how I pay them.
Omega Bound
Thane Knight is the alpha of the Midnight Pack of the La Plata Mountain Range, the largest wolf shifter pack in the world. He is an alpha by day and hunts the shifter trafficking ring with his group of mercenaries by night. His hunt for vengeance leads to one raid that changes his life.
Tropes:
Touch her and die/Slow burn romance/Fated Mates/Found family twist/Close circle betrayal/Cinnamon roll for only her/Traumatized heroine/Rare wolf/Hidden powers/Knotting/Nesting/Heats/Luna/Attempted assassination
Moonfire: Betrayed By The Alpha
Alpha Caden Blackwell believed those words would break me. That after three years of marriage marked by silence, humiliation, and quiet rejection, I would fear a life without him.
I did once.
As the Luna of the Shadowcrest Pack, I gave everything to a man my wolf recognized as her mate, enduring whispers, cold stares, and a pack that never truly accepted me. I stayed because I believed love required endurance. Because I believed patience would one day be rewarded.
That belief shattered the night Caden welcomed his former lover back into our home, along with a child he claimed as his heir. It ended the moment his choices nearly cost me my life and the life of one of my unborn pups. Leaving was no longer a matter of pride. It was survival.
Caden does not know the woman who walked away. He still sees the Luna who waited, who forgave, who loved without limits. He does not see Nova Ashton, a woman capable of rebuilding her identity and claiming a future on her own terms.
I will never crawl back.
Rejected By My Family, Desired By The Mafia
While the real heiress struggled to survive, the nanny’s daughter, Talia, was raised in luxury as the beloved jewel of the Laurent family, pampered by Camille’s parents, adored by her three brothers, and even promised to the prestigious Matteo Devereux through a childhood engagement arranged by their grandparents.
Then the truth came out.
Six months ago, Camille was finally brought back to the Laurent family. To protect the family reputation and prove their devotion to their bloodline, the Laurent patriarch transferred 35% of his personal shares into Camille’s name overnight, instantly making her one of the wealthiest heiresses in the country.
It brought anxiety to all the Laurent family. But what they don’t know…is that Camille never needed them.
Behind her elegant smile lies a woman filled with secrets powerful enough to shake the whole family. She's a miraculous healer capable of curing the incurable poisons.
Yet despite everything, her family still chooses Talia.
Every accusation against Talia is forgiven. Every scheme against Camille is brushed aside. Even Matteo, the man who was supposed to be Camille’s fiancé—cannot let go of the woman he always believed belonged by his side.
But while the Laurent family underestimates Camille, another man begins to see exactly who she is.
Dante Moretti.
The ruthless heir of an old-money dynasty. A billionaire CEO worshipped by the public…and the merciless king of a criminal empire hidden beneath the city’s glittering surface. When Dante is poisoned by a rival syndicate with a deadly toxin no doctor can cure, he offers a fortune for anyone who can save him.
Only Camille can. Their deal is simple: she becomes his personal physician, and he gives her anything she wants.
The Lycan Kings and the White Wolf.
Tempted By The Enemy
She escapes to Preston Island to attend the wedding without informing him only to collide with Lucas’s hot, fiery and arrogant brother, the twenty-three-year-old, Nicholas Donnelly. Sparks immediately fly between them but Alyssa refuses to acknowledge them fearing her brother's wrath.
The wedding is over and Alyssa tries hard to forget the mysterious Nicholas Donnelly but can he forget her? Can he ignore the attraction he feels for her, feelings that have resurfaced after ten years?
What will Allyssa do when she is stalked by the man who has been invading her dreams since the day she met him? What will she do when she is whisked away to a deserted island by the unpredictable Nicholas Donnelly? Can she tame her heart or surrender to sinful temptations? Read to find out!
Part of the Temptation Series. Can be read as a standalone.
The rejected white luna
Werewolf's Heartsong
I looked strong, and my wolf was absolutely gorgeous.
I looked to where my sister is sitting and her and the rest of her posse have jealous fury on their faces. I then look up to where my parents are and they're glaring at my picture, if looks alone could set shit on fire.
I smirk at them then I turn away to face my opponent, everything else falling away but what was here on this platform. I take my skirt and cardigan off. Standing in just my tank and capris, I move into a fighting position and wait for the signal to start -- To fight, to prove, and not hide myself anymore.
This was going to be fun. I thought, a grin on my face.
Mature Audience Only: Contains mature luangege, sex, abuse and violence
Tango 2 the Alpha's Heart
My gaze snapped to his. He was smiling, causing my heart to skip a painful beat. Before I could respond, the music began, and my body instinctively reacted to the sweet melody.
I found myself molded to Lex's will, my feet irresistibly following the dance steps.
The crowd gasped as Lex pulled me into a more intimate position, his hands roaming over my body in a seductive manner.
The experience was both terrifying and magical, allowing me to feel every longing emotion through the dance.
I soon found myself lost in his arms.
When the music finally stopped, my arms were wrapped around his neck, his hands resting on my back, our noses almost touching. He gazed deeply into my eyes.
The ballroom fell silent.
Was he about to kiss me?
Lilly’s life was never easy; she lost her memory and family in a blazing fire. Angelica found and took her in—only to make her a slave to the household.
Years of torment and abuse left Lilly weak, vulnerable, and believing she was without a wolf, but that didn't mean that all hope was lost.
At night, in her dreams, he would patiently wait for her—the man who brought sunshine into her darkest moments.
They would dance the night away, but as dawn approached, he would vanish into the morning sun.
Lilly had given up hope of finding a mate, having a family, and leading a normal life.
But things are about to drastically change for her...
Secrets, lies, betrayal... and a baby on the way.
What if Lilly wasn't wolf-less? What if it was all a lie?
What if she had a living family? Would she stay and bond with them or make a run for freedom?
GO ON YOUR KNEES, ALPHA.
He was wrong.
Six years ago, Pete Leadsilver had everything an Alpha could want. Power, a respected pack and a future already written for him.
Then he met me.
What began as a game became a mistake I would spend years trying to survive. When I told him I was carrying his child, Pete chose not to believe me. He rejected me, humiliated me, and allowed the people around him to make sure I understood that there was no place for me in his world.
So I disappeared.
I took the secret of my pregnancy with me and built a life far away from the Alpha who had broken me.
Six years later, Pete finds me again. Only this time, he isn't the man with all the power. His pack is dying, his people are running out of time, and I may be the only person capable of saving them.
But I'm no longer the woman Pete remembers. And beside me is a little boy who carries far too much of Pete's face to be a coincidence.
Our reunion should have been about a cure, but instead, it becomes the beginning of a war neither of us saw coming.
Because Pete's greatest danger isn't outside his pack.
It's inside his own family.
Old resentment turns into manipulation. Loyalty becomes betrayal. And the people Pete trusts begin hiding secrets that threaten to destroy everything he's built.
Then someone comes for the people I love.
Suddenly, this is no longer about whether Pete can earn my forgiveness.
It's about whether he can keep me alive.
Whether he can protect the son he never knew existed.
Whether he can uncover the truth before the people closest to him destroy everything he has finally learned to value.
Along the way, we'll lose people we thought would always stand beside us, I'll be forced to confront wounds I've spent six years trying to bury, and the family we're slowly building will be tested in ways neither of us could have imagined.
Because sometimes love isn't the hardest thing to find. Sometimes it's the hardest thing to survive.
Pete once believed power meant never needing anyone and I once believed surviving him meant leaving him behind.
We were both wrong.
Because some bonds refuse to die, some betrayals cut deeper than rejection and some people don't come back into your life to give you a second chance.
They come back to show you exactly what you almost lost.
Pete Leadsilver lost me once.
This time, he'll have to fight to keep the family he never knew he needed.
