But the truth is that no matter how much I try to convince myself otherwise, their words always stick to me like glue

, sweet. The reason is it reminds me that breakfast can't last forever.

lways stares back at me, showing me a combination of resistance and acceptance. My figure and my curves are fuller than the sleek, toned-bodied of the others

e year where the entire pack comes together to celebrate... what? I've never really understood the point. It's another o

r of jeans that are a little too tight and a T-shirt that's seen better days, then brush through my hai

n any hope of looking presentable. No one will

ar my mother. Calls from dow

ess I leave behind, but she still offers, just in case I want to join the family. It's her way of

ipping it on. It's like armour, which serves as a barrier between me and th

reakfast. My parents are already at the table, my Dad is reading the newspaper while my mom serves plates f

ith a warm smile, gesturing to

even if they don't always understand me. There's comfort in their presence, in th

folding his newspaper and g

of bacon. "Same as always. W

und always makes me smile. "We coul

ike I'm getting much beauty sleep anyway,"

ally looks up from his p

ling my eyes but smiling despite myself. It's all in g

he quickly ducks back, pretending to be engrossed in whatever's on his scr

S

on to start waters, "Are you ready

I force a shrug. "As ready as I'll ever be.

w, sweetie... try to have a good time, okay? It's

t. But I also know I don't have a choice. Skipping the gathering would be worse than endu

say, I force a smile that d

od of approval. "That's a

and squeezes my hand. "Remember, Tali

nd back. Her words are a balm to my nerves, e

pha Bran walks in, his imposing figure fills the doorway. My heart skips as he

, commandingly,

he atmosphere in the room changes, heavy with te