I Risked My Life to Awaken My White Wolf for Them, Then Learned It Was a Prank Chapter 03

“Nora, what are you spacing out for?”

Ivy shoved her phone in front of my face.

On the screen was an electronic authorization form.

“The video’s blowing up. The platform requires everyone who appears on camera to sign a likeness and commercial use release.”

“Just sign it already.”

I stared at the dense wall of clauses, my vision already starting to blur.

The activator was draining my life force. I gripped the stylus, my hand shaking so badly I could barely make contact.

Ivy clicked her tongue impatiently.

“Are you doing this on purpose?”

“It’s just signing your name. If you cost me this brand deal, you’re paying the penalty.”

I took a deep breath. My chest rattled like a broken bellows.

I scrawled my name crookedly across the screen.

Ivy snatched her phone back, satisfied.

“That’s more like it.”

Adrian placed the fish tail on my plate.

“Eat something.”

“After you eat, apologize to everyone and we’ll put tonight behind us.”

I stared at that strip of fish tail, thick with tiny bones.

Growing up, whenever we had fish, the tender cuts always went to my siblings. I got stuck with the head and tail.

“Why do I have to be the one to apologize?”

I looked up at Adrian. His brows knitted immediately.

“You’re still not done?”

“Ivy just wanted to make everyone happy. You’re her sister. Can’t you give her that much?”

“Tonight was supposed to be a good night. I’m the Alpha, I came to your family’s Thanksgiving dinner, and you’ve been sulking the entire time.”

The taste of rust in my throat became unbearable.

I jerked my head to the side and spat out liquid laced with silver-black threads.

The table went silent for a second.

My mother slammed down her utensils.

“Nora! We’re eating!”

“Do you have to be this disgusting just to get to us?”

Mason covered his nose in revulsion.

“So gross.”

“If you don’t want to eat, just say so. Why put on this whole show?”

Adrian pulled out a few napkins and tossed them at me.

“Go clean yourself up in the bathroom.”

“How did you become this impossible?”

No one asked what that silver-black liquid meant.

No one noticed the white wolf’s scent growing stronger on me.

In their eyes, even my pain was just a performance for attention.

I gripped the edge of the table and stood.

My legs felt heavy, like they no longer belonged to me.

“Fine.”

“I’ll go.”

Behind me, the laughter quickly resumed.

The bathroom light was harsh and white.

I leaned on the sink, staring at myself in the mirror.

My lips had turned purple. Faint silver-white wolf marks surfaced beneath my skin.

They weren’t a sign of power returning. They were what was left behind when life force burned away too fast.

I’d heard that before a wolf dies, they see their ancestors’ call. So then, Dad—the greatest warrior our pack ever had—why haven’t you called me yet?

I turned on the faucet, trying to wash the bitterness from my mouth. Beneath the sink, the empty silver bottle still lay next to the first-aid kit. No one had paid it any attention.

Just like no one had ever paid any attention to me.

From the living room, I could hear someone cutting the cake.

Tonight was both Thanksgiving and my mother’s birthday. I’d spent the last of my savings to book this cabin and the dinner. I just wanted to make them happy.

“Happy birthday…”

The song drifted through the thin door.

“Mom, make a wish!” Ivy urged sweetly.

My mother laughed and said, “I hope Ivy becomes the most popular streamer, and I hope Mason passes his warrior assessment soon.”

She was eating the cake I paid for. Her wishes didn’t include me.