by Lecia Bester
DAYLILY
AWAKENING
Lecia Bester
South Africa
2021
Thank you to Janet, Anzelle, Joan and Karenien, who continuously reminded me and motivated me to finish this book. I might even attempt a second one.
Chapter 1 - Summer
EMILY
Walking along the river bank, twirling a daylily between my index finger and thumb, my mind gets to shut down for a moment. This flower is bright orange. The beautiful petals matched the sunset. It’s peaceful out here, no noise, nothing to remind me of the city I left behind. Just the river bubbling as the water runs over stones, wind rustling through the leaves. I always enjoyed it when we visited my aunt and uncle. My brother and I would go on little adventures through the forest, making up magical beings and getting lost in a make-believe world. Mundane activities remind me of them.
Mostly the simple things like making a cup of coffee reminding me of my mother, who was addicted to her caffeine. Listening to music became painful because my father used to have it blaring in his car when he picked me up from school. My brother won’t be barging through my door anytime soon. I’m hoping I don’t miss my family like this every day for the rest of my life. I love them, and I know they wouldn’t want me to linger in the past. It’s just that moving on is so much more complicated than I thought. The summer ended too quickly; I’m not ready to head back to school.
Absentmindedly I rub the palm of my hand over my left hip, feeling the uneven surface below. Somehow I survived with nothing but this scar. My parents and brother, on the other hand, were not as lucky. I imagine it looks like a pattern sometimes. The scar spreading over my right hip is slightly paler than the tan skin I have from lounging next to the river, getting lost in fictional love stories. I don’t remember much from that night, just that all of us were in the car singing along to Oasis, and the next thing, I woke up in the ICU with alarms blaring and my aunt staring down at me.
I have this recurring dream of being dragged out the window by a man, but the social worker told me that I was attempting to cope with the trauma of being the only survivor. I’m still not sure how I got out of the burning car. Maybe I dragged myself out by some miracle. The first responders found me next to the car, unconscious. Doctors found no evidence of a head injury and concluded that I must’ve passed out from smoke inhalation. That doesn’t explain being in a coma for three days, but I’m not a doctor, so I guess I have to accept it.
The sunset was turning into night, and even though this was a very safe town, I felt uncertain walking back to my aunt and uncle through the nature reserve. No wild animals roam these parts, but the way shadows dance from the treetops and the wind whistles over the mountains is just eerie and honestly freaks me out. Picking up the pace, I basically run back to the house and feel a sense of relief when I see my aunt’s flower garden. It’s colorful and takes up most of the backyard. She placed a little stone path, and I weave through it back to the porch. The whole section of the garden to the left overflows with daylilies of every color.
The back porch overlooks the nature reserve, and I decide to sit and watch the rest of the day’s sun filter out through the trees. I hear my aunt calling my name, but something catches my attention. It moves very fast, and all I see is a glimpse of a shadow in the woods. It looked like a human shadow but disappeared behind a tree. Scanning the rest of the woods, I don’t see anthing move; all is at peace. Just as I turn, I hear birds’ commotion, as if something frightened them. Freezing for a moment, I feel a strange sensation make its way up my spine telling me to get inside. I do just that and slam the doors behind me a little too forcefully. Don’t be ridiculous, Emily, it’s the woods...everything makes a shadow or a noise.
“Hey Aunt Rose, something smells great!” I try my best to fake a smile and walk into the kitchen. Taking a seat at the counter, I watch my aunt make dinner. It’s a beautiful kitchen with big open windows and turquoise colored cabinets. Herbs are stacked on the window frame with an ample counter in the middle that functions as the informal dinner table/breakfast spot and general working surface.
“Hi dear. You shouldn’t walk in the woods this late. It’s starting to get chilly, and down by the river, it’s practically freezing.”. She’s mixing a sauce into a bowl of pasta and giving me a stern look.
“I know. I just needed to clear my head and didn’t realize it got that late.” I slump on the counter and eye the pasta bowel. It smells great, but I don’t have an appetite these days. Well, since the accident. My aunt catches me looking at the bowel.
“You have to eat Emily, you’ve lost too much weight already. We don’t want you to waste away, darling.” Her brows furrow and she looks me up and down.
“I’ll definitely have some of that.” If I don’t eat, she’s going to be on my case for the next 3 hours, and I really don’t feel like a lecture about my health tonight.
After dinner, I have a long hot shower and end up standing under the water until it turns cold. Draining the last bit of water from my hair, I twirl a bun on my head and look at myself in the mirror. The girl looking back at me looks different than three months ago. It’s the same blue eyes and messy dark brown hair. The same nose dusted with freckles. My body looks a little different but still me. Someone in my family gave me the boobs and butt gene. Not too much, just enough that I don’t look like a pole right now. A few months ago, I was a bit heavier, not fat or obese, just curvy.
That changed, though... a lot. But somehow, it’s not me. And it’s not the weight loss (because I definitely needed to lose a few). It’s like my soul changed or left me or something. I don’t feel sad. I don’t feel happy. I exist and find things to do until I have to repeat it all again the next day. Something feels missing, and I have no idea what it is. I’ve also started getting headaches and chills, but I’m keeping that to myself. Tomorrow I’ll just be passing the time at a new school. Senior year is probably the worst time to transfer schools but going back and facing the people that know me somehow seems worse.
Chapter 2 - The Woods
CONNOR
I’m walking through the woods to clear my head after my birthday weekend. It’s the best way to start getting to know my wolf. The nature reserve is beautiful in the late afternoon, and all the little creatures come out to soak up the last bit of sun. I felt a tingle in my palm, almost like an itch that I can’t scratch. Odd. But then again, I just turned 18 yesterday, isn’t everything supposed to feel strange... That and the fact that I have enough residual alcohol left in my body to stock a small bar, the tingling might be nothing.
It’s not the alcohol, you idiot. It’s our mate.
I met my wolf for the first time yesterday, and the first thing I realized was that he’s a serious soul. Our wolves awaken on our 18th birthday. My parents prepared me for it the best they could, but ultimately everyone is different. His name is Edan and descending from Alpha blood, he is much stronger than the average wolf. The awakening itself isn’t too bad. It’s overwhelming on your senses, two minds becoming one. Like a balloon is being inflated in your skull, and there’s no room, but it just keeps expanding. After a few hours, you adjust, and from there, everything becomes heightened—strength, smell, hearing, taste. I venture towards the river, the tingling sensation exploding over my entire body.
There’s no way...
I am sure, but the pull is weak.
Whoa, hold on a minute there, Edan. The smell isn’t familiar. Let’s just wait and be sure before we jump out of the woods.
She stood by the river in a light blue dress. She seemed lost in thought, and I found myself completely mesmerized. The pull I feel towards her was exactly how my father described it. I couldn’t stop myself. Every muscle in my
body wanted to take me directly to her. Before I knew it, my feet were moving through the forest, and just before I breached the tree line, I stopped.
If she has not awakened, we should wait. Edan did not like that. After winning the internal battle with my wolf, I decided to follow her through the woods. Noticing how gracefully she dodges the bushes and branches sticking out of the ground had me a little impressed. Her light blue dress a stark contrast against the dark green forest. When we reach a clearing, I realize it’s the Jenner’s house. They live on this nature reserve.
17 years ago, they moved from the Royal Pack to our pack for protection. Michael Jenner is on the council and a trusted advisor to my father, the Alpha of the Elemental Pack. I heard about a family member coming to stay with them through the grapevine. Never would I have thought it could be my mate. They kept everything very hush-hush, and when I asked, they said it wasn’t for me to know just yet. I follow just a few steps behind her. Not too far, just enough distance that she can’t hear the leaves getting crushed below my feet. The tingling creeps up my spine and warms my chest the closer to her I get. Feeling my wolf become anxious is a new sensation. It’s like a rubber band connects me to her, and the further it stretches, the faster I want to get back to her. She turns around, and I duck behind a tree.
That was close.
The wind decides to pick up, and her scent consumes me. Lavender and honey fill my senses. I stammer backward from the intensity and grab hold of the tree’s branch. Birds start flying from the tree. Shit. Way to go, Mr. stealth... She’s gone when I take a peek from behind the tree. I muster all the self-control I have and head back home. I’m sure I’ll get another chance to see her soon. Tomorrow is the start of senior year, and I need to sleep off the hangover...and the girl. I find my dad and mom arguing in the entrance hall when I get home. Mom is fuming, and dad looks defeated. He might be the Elemental pack’s Alpha, but my mother seems to be Alpha in this house.
“Hey, guys...” They stop arguing momentarily to look at me.
“Son, your mother and I were just talking about...” Mom cuts him off with the wave of her hand.
“We were saying that tomorrow is the first day of school. You might even find your mate now that your wolf has awakened!” She’s practically frothing at the mouth and clapping her hands together. “To think, you are all grown up now.” Tears start sparkling on the side of her cheek as they roll down. Great. Mother and her emotions.
“What your mother is saying is the truth, son. The faster you find your mate, the more prepared you’ll be to step into my role as Alpha.” Not this shit again. I’d initially asked my parents just to let me live my life a little before stepping into politics next year. Guess my father seems to have forgotten about the little chat we had.
“Yea, dad, I know, a single Alpha is only half as strong as a mated one. I’m well aware.” I clench my jaw to keep the sarcasm from flowing out of my mouth.
“Exactly, so I know we spoke about the senior year being your last year of no duties, but you might have to join a few meetings earlier than expected. Some of the packs are unsettled, and if packs are at odds, a war might start.” I see dad’s serious face and decide that he wouldn’t listen to reason right now, and the best thing would be to agree.
“Yes, dad. Of course, but packs have been at odds for decades, and no war ever started”. The muscle in my jaw ticks as I restrain the argument rising in my throat. He’s always ready for a fight. Our pack is known for producing some of the best fighters, and our wolves even defend the Royal Pack.
“I’m also expecting you to start behaving like an adult. Your birthday was a little bit reckless, especially inviting some of your human friends.” I knew he was going to give me shit.
“Yes, dad, I know, but nothing happened. Luke behaved himself, and I would’ve stopped a fight before it even started.” I make a quick escape to my room before this conversation escalates into a fight because it usually does. It takes a lot of alcohol to make a wolf intoxicated, even more so one with alpha blood. So I was well aware of what was happening at all times. As for Luke, my soon-to-be Beta, some or other redhead, occupied him the entire evening.
The man has a way of just looking at girls, and they drop essential pieces of clothing. I’ve heard countless whispers of us when we walk down the hallways-perks of better hearing. Sometimes girls talk about his blond hair and blue eyes or my dark hair and green eyes. Whisper’s about us being well built and being football players usually float through the air. But mostly, we don’t give a shit. Every wolf hopes to find a true mate. The rest of the girls are just there to occupy the time and let out our pent-up frustrations.
Luke prefers to find solace in multiple girls. I, on the other hand, am currently using Mandy. Mostly because she requires no actual conversation from me, she’s very generous with other oral activities, though. Now that I’ve found my mate, I need to have a serious talk with her. I hadn’t told my parents because that would mean the end of my carefree senior year. I’m also pretty sure she’s not 18 yet. It takes a lot of willpower to fight the physical attraction between mates. It’s primal in every way and even more so when both wolves sense each other. If her wolf were awake, she would have found me in the forest. Now I only get to dream of her and hope her 18th birthday is soon. Even picturing her now did things to my body that either requires a firm hand or a cold shower.
Chapter 3 - First Day
EMILY
North West High. Prestigious and intimidating as hell. Definitely not like the public school I attended in Boston. This place looks like it came from the Victorian era with its big windows and stunning garden. That seems to be the design of this entire town. I see a few kids getting out of expensive cars, everyone wearing the same dark blue and white uniform. Some of the girls added a few things or took away a few inches from the skirts.
People gawk at me as I walk in. Being the new kid is always super fun. I groan but stop immediately. Making bearlike noises in public would most likely be frowned upon. I’d asked aunt Rose to drop me off around the corner, hoping I could slip in unnoticed...so much for that plan. Breath Emily, Breath! I’m so focused on making it inside the building that I nearly hit someone in the face with the swinging door.
“Watch it!” This tiny little blond human flails her arms at me.
“This nose cost a fortune, and you almost ruined it.” I look down and give my best attempt at an apologetic face while she clutches her nose.
“Sorry, I didn’t see you...” She doesn’t seem convinced and stares at me.
“Well then, maybe look before you swing open doors on unsuspecting victims. But it’s fine, my nose is fine, so all is forgiven.” Now she’s smiling at me. This girl is so confusing. One minute she’s hostile, and the next, she looks like a cute little puppy.
“Well, my name is Jess. I take it you are new here?” Sticking out her right hand towards me, she gives me a once-over. I take it reluctantly and give it the tiniest shake.
“Hi, I ..… Uhh... mean Yea. Emily...I mean, my name is Emily.” Great... I sound like I had a stroke. Emily. Jess repeats my name like she’s trying to taste it on her tongue.
“I think we should be friends because you look like you need one. I happen to feel charitable today.” She crosses her arms over her chest, and her very tight school shirt stretches over her impressive assets in protest. I should be offended, but I don’t get a bad vibe from her, so I just ignore the jab.
“It’s nice to meet you, Jess.” I give a genuine smile this time, and she flashed me the pearliest whites I’ve ever seen.
“I’m taking a big guess here, but I’d say you are from a public school....” She’s looking at my outfit choice, and suddenly I feel very conscious about my uniform. It definitely doesn’t fit me as nicely as Jess’s, but my aunt ordered it thinking I still tipped the scale to borderline obesity. I could be upset that my metabolism kicked in so late in life, but I’m just happy it kicked in at all.
Jess proceeded to
take me on a school tour. For such a short human, I was barely keeping up with her. I got dragged past classrooms, barely hearing what she was saying. When we got to the one at the end of the hallway, my eyes flickered inside and landed on a pair of startling forest green eyes. They were staring right back at me, and I felt exposed. Like they saw so much more than they should. Warmth spread over me like the summer sun just started shining on my face. Jess tugged on my arm, and I snapped out of it.
“Yea..so that’s the math class...”
“And the boy you just stared at is Connor... he’s hands-off, though. Mandy is all over that piece of gorgeous human.” She gives me a knowing wink.
“I wasn’t...I mean, I didn’t stare.” Yea, I did.
“Oh honey, it’s fine...the man is built like a Greek god, and with that jawline, nobody blames you for staring.” Jess doesn’t miss a beat and continues showing me the very intimidating lunch area, library, pool, and bathrooms. Honestly, I wouldn’t have been able to find anything, so I’m genuinely grateful for Jess.
I made it to my first class on time with her help, and from there, the day passed quickly. My last class was AP English, and I had a tinge of excitement as my old school didn’t offer AP English. I love getting lost in classic romance novels, and I might even want to become an editor one day. I’m first in the class and find myself a seat at the back. So far, no class had assigned seats, so I figured the same with this one, but as I rummaged through my worn leather backpack, someone cleared their throat.
Brushing my dark curls behind my ear, I look up, and the most beautiful face is staring back at me. I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t want to be called beautiful, but there’s no other word. Dark green eyes, square jaw, dark brown hair short on the sides, and slightly longer on the top. He’s looking at me expectantly, and I realized I zoned out and heard nothing he said.
“Sorry, can I help you?” My voice comes out as a whisper. Get it together, Emily.