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Story: Ellie 2

“Because you were born a freak and a fluke,” she growled.

“No, because Iworkat my endurance and health,” I purred as I sniffed her fear. “I worked harder in school. My private funds and investments are absolutely bigger than yours. All of yours. With no start-up from our parents.” I snorted when none of them believed me. “I’ll make you a bet. If any of you have private funds you started on your own more than mine—”

“You’ll leave and never come back?” she mocked, flinching when Da growled. “What?”

“I’ll let you tear the mickey out of me and never say another word as long as you don’t do it in front of Mum.” I gave her a wolfish grin. “All six of you can play. But when I win, this shitstopsbecause it breaks Mum.”

They were quiet a few minutes and it was my second sister, Seo-yeon, who broke the silence. “I agree that we stop running to Mum or involving her.” She sighed when the others gave her looks. “Not because he says so. Grow the fuck up. I’m a hundred, and I’m done running to my mummy because I dislike our baby brother. She’s too good to us to suffer like this.”

My eldest sister gave a nod. “She walked out of here crying earlier and Mum doesn’t deserve that. I agree.” She let out a long breath and met my gaze. “No more involving Mum, but I still want to see what you got because I don’t think you beat me. Making money is my field, and I know Da asked you to make me connections. I don’t want it. I did it all on my own and will always.”

“You got start-up and some of your funds were from that,” one of my brothers muttered.

She bared her teeth at him. “You got a flat. I took that money and invested it. Built it up. Fine, I’ll take out that one building and the start.”

“You got other things, like your schooling as Ha-joon did,” Da cut in. “But yes, be fair if we’re going to be this petty in our damn family.”

Ouch. I heard the chastising for me as well and accepted it.

Ha-yun did too and backed down, muttering she’d called the others and we could compare and handle this. I nodded in agreement and left with Mum. Honestly, out of all of my siblings, it upset me most that Ha-yun was a git to me. She was the most like Mum, kind but fierce and always there for the others.

And always overlooked first as the eldest female in an old,oldpack like London. As much as my parents fought against that—it was the way of shifters too often. I even heard my grandfather giving her shite that she was a female and her job was to quietly support my brother.

I’d been about five and kicked him in the shin and defended her, but that had never won me points with her. She simply called me a kiss ass.

Can a five-year-old know enough to kiss ass and be so manipulative? I’d just thought Granddad was wrong and she was hurt and it upset me.

She was even given a docile name as if to remind her of her place. Da hadn’t known the meaning and Mum had apparently been out of it from giving birth, so her father named her first daughter. Da got to name his first son, but Mum’sfathergot to name the next child.

When the fuck did Mum get to name anyone when she carried us for so long and went through giving birth? Seriously, it pissed me off sometimes especially since shifters said we were the least sexist of any species.

We weren’t. We just hid it better. Magics were by far the least sexist.

But Ha-yun was… We should have understood each other better. My sister was “summer combined with sky” lovely to everyone else. Just never me.

A name for a sweet baby girl who always did her duty and stepped aside. I’d felt bad for her when she was smarter and better than our eldest brother in every way.

Except beating and bullying me, but she wasn’t far behind.

“This is too much, Ha-joon,” Mum chastised as we picked up the catering.

“It’s not,” I chuckled, thanking the owner as the staff loaded up the carts we brought through the portal. They’d been able to accommodate even the extras I’d ordered and I was grateful. I told the owner as much.

“We appreciate the business,” he said honestly. “Kept the staff working and used the ingredients we had. Business has been too slow since—” He chuckled awkwardly when he caught himself.

“I know everyone at the hospital loves this place,” I muttered, shocked they were having trouble. “I was immediately told it’s the best ribs and barbeque chicken in Atlanta.”

His eyes shined with pride. “You got that from Ms. Ellie. She always tells all the transplants to come here. She’s a gem. Works too hard and needs more help, but such a kind heart.”

“I think she’s finally getting it,” I told him.

Mum and I managed with some additional large paper bags and I thanked them again before the warlock opened another portal. My family was beyond shocked when I brought in enough meat for several pigs and three dozen chickens. I simply shrugged.

“It won’t get eaten around here?” I teased.

“If it’s half as good as it smells, I’d eat it all on my own,” Da muttered. “I love American barbeque. Your mum promised we’d get it more with you moving, and it’s the only way I could let you go.”

It was sweet of him to say.