Werewolf

I M Done Being Family Joke

by Melton

Before Christmas Eve dinner starts, my sister, Lily Cornwell, says she's been learning body painting and wants to practice on my back."Don't worry. The paint is washable and will fade in a few days," she says.I believe her.When she makes me stand in front of the mirror, I see the words "I'm an idiot" written beneath my shoulder blade.My face falls. I feel angry and embarrassed. Lily laughs so hard she can barely stand.Mom chuckles and walks over to pat me on the shoulder. "Lily just wants to make everyone laugh. The paint will come off in a few days. It's Christmas. Don't be so serious and ruin everyone's mood."Dad cuts a piece of roast turkey and puts it on my plate. He tries to reason with me. "You're the older sister. Be the bigger person. Don't take it so seriously."I look at Ethan Brooks, my fated mate, the one person who knows exactly how much I hate being laughed at.He's on his phone, sending money to Lily. "Alright, 200 dollars. You win."Lily waves her phone. "I told you she'd get mad in one minute. See?""I said five minutes." Ethan laughs. "Looks like I overestimated her."They're all having a good time at my expense.Lily likes to play jokes on me. She has hidden my keys and swapped my medicine. And every time she gets into trouble, my family says, "She's just being playful."It's not that they don't love me. They just always ask me to put up with her.I think back to the job offer from Arthur Richmond, the Alpha of the Northridge pack. He wants me to be their chief healer, the position I've always dreamed of. I have until Christmas to accept.I decide to leave my family and Ethan behind.

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