68. Clarissa

The monthly family reunion was the next evening and I was dreading it. My aunties, Wendy and Willow were always so loud and my cousins so boisterous that I found it hard to relax around them, especially now that everyone knew about my relationship with Jalen.

I had tried to hide in my room, but my mother had insisted that I attend. "Wear something nice and behave yourself," she warned.

As I entered the spacious living room of my dad's mansion, I was immediately bombarded by my uncles, aunties, and cousins, dreading the subtle judgments and wagging mouths from them, I smiled and tried to be polite, but inside I was counting down the minutes until I could escape back to my room.

"Rissa, baby, I'm so glad that you finally came back to your senses and returned home. What were you thinking being with that Lycan, "Aunt Willow said, her floral cologne choking the hell out of me. I wrinkled my nose as I fought my way out of her embrace.

"We were so worried about you," Aunt Wendy added, her