Life After the Storm

As I hear my alarm going off, I'm super excited—today is my 18th birthday, and my twin brother's birthday too. I hop out of bed and run over to my brother's room just to be a pain in his ass. I jump on his bed until he wakes up. As he pulls his covers over his head, I start singing to him.

“Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Today is the day we finally can meet our mates. Come on, get up.”

“Get out of my room before I kill you.”

“Really? That isn't nice to say, especially when you would be lost without me.”

“Maybe not. I wouldn't have someone jumping on my bed, waking me up.”

My parents then walk into my brother's room with a cake, singing to us. I can't help but laugh when my parents bring the cake into his bedroom.

“Aww, thank you guys so much! You are so sweet. We are so lucky to have you as our parents.”

My mom looks at me. “Ok, what do you want, Lilly?”

“Can we skip school today and go to Wicked Falls?”

My mom laughs. “Absolutely not. Now, get ready for school. I’m going to start your breakfast.”

“Come on, Mommy, don't make me beg, please.”

“No, you guys can go to school. We will head up after you two get home. Your dad will be home too, since he is getting off work early.”

“Fine, I guess that will be fine.”

“Get out of my room so I can get ready. God, you people are annoying in the morning.”

I jump off my brother's bed and give him a big kiss on the cheek. I run into my room to get dressed for today. I want to look my very best just in case I actually meet my mate at school. I can't believe today is finally the day.

My brother has always had a crush on Jenny from school. It would be shocking if she were his mate, even though we do not get along at all—but I would be so happy for him, since he’s had a crush on her forever. We will become officially part of the Night Walker Pack this month.

They hold monthly meetings for the higher ranks, but if there are wolves that turn of age, they will be announced and welcomed into the pack. In my family, we are low ranked, so we don’t have to attend every meeting—thank God. There aren’t that many packs in Alaska; we live in a little town called Bear Run. I couldn’t ever imagine leaving. I love it here. It’s the most beautiful place I have ever seen, always snow-covered and not too cold—just the right weather every day. It’s most beautiful at night, with the Northern Stars. It’s like you would imagine heaven to be.

I get into the shower to freshen up. I want to look my very best today. I laugh to myself as I try to fix my hair. I’m not really the fashion type of girl, so I call my mom to help make some curls in my hair to look a little more presentable today.

“Mom,” I yell downstairs, “can you please put some curls in my hair, please?”

Most people say my mom and I, as twins, look so much alike. My mom’s hair is shorter than mine—she doesn’t like her hair as long as I do.

“Lilly, I’m cooking breakfast. Just hold on. I’ll see if Dad can finish breakfast, and I’ll be right up, sweetheart.”

“Thanks, I’ll be waiting. Love you so much.”

I get into my closet. Oh God, what the hell am I going to wear? I want to avoid being rejected. I want to look beautiful. I can’t take all this pressure, so I sit on my bed and just start to cry. I can’t handle this. Damn it.

“Lilly, what is going on with you? Why are you crying?”

“Mom, I’m just freaking out. What if I get rejected?”

“Baby girl, you will not get rejected. Whoever is your mate will love you endlessly.”

I put my head on her shoulder as I begin to quit crying. Having her close makes me feel secure.

“Ok, now get off this bed and get dressed so you can come downstairs and eat your breakfast.”

She kisses me on my forehead. “Thanks, Mom. I love you.”

“Honey, do you still want curls?”

“No, I’ll go all natural.”

I find an oversized sweatshirt in my favorite color, purple, and some black leggings. I get dressed—I just prefer being comfortable. I brush my teeth and my long brown hair as I look into the mirror, hoping I’m beautiful enough for my mate.

As I walk down the stairs, the smell of bacon hits my nose. My stomach growls at the smell. Yum! I can’t wait to eat. I reach the bottom of the steps, and my brother barges into me. I put my foot out and trip him. I laugh, then he grabs my foot and falls to the ground, still laughing. We both get up and rush to the table to grab breakfast.

“Mom, this is so freaking delicious! You are such a remarkable cook.”

My dad cuts in, “Hey, I helped her make it, so I think that I am the better cook.” He laughs.

“Ok, Dad. I bet you made all of this.” I start to laugh, knowing he’s joking.

“I don’t care who made it—it’s freaking delicious,” my brother says with a mouth full.

I love days like these, full of jokes and laughter. Nothing could ever break us apart—we are just that close. The conversation stops as everyone enjoys our birthday breakfast. I look around at my family, knowing that today I might find my mate, hoping it won’t change anything. I hope we will stay close, even if we don’t live together.

As I’m in a daze, I feel a slap on my shoulder.

“Quit daydreaming, Lilly. We need to leave for school now, or we’ll be late. Let’s go.”

“I’m coming, Landon. Geez, you didn’t have to hit me so hard.”

I get up from the breakfast table to gather my things for school. I grab my book bag and my lunch that my mother prepared. She still puts little notes in our lunch every day. My brother thinks it’s childish, but I think it’s heartwarming. I run out to the car and, of course, my brother is up front. He always sits there. I just let him—who cares, really?

On the way to school, it is quiet. I’m so nervous about what is about to happen: finding my mate. I hope he doesn’t reject me. I hope I am good enough for him and that he will love me.

When we arrive at school, I’m still nervous. My mom looks at me and smiles.

“It’s ok, Lilly. He will love you, and if he doesn’t, you will find someone who will love you and make your life more magical than you could ever imagine.”

“Thanks, Mom. I love you so much.”

“Don’t forget, Dad and I will be here to pick you up right after school, and we will go to Wicked Falls as a family tradition.”

“We’ll try to have a good day at work, Mom.”