~The Eldest Daughter~

[Valerie]

That night after an uneventful dinner, I locked myself in my new room. Thankfully, mom managed to get me a room of my own. Maia has to share hers with another girl from the pack even though she is practically the soon-to-be Alpha of the pack. She said, “In Pa’s words ‘Sharing will enhance your sense of responsibility and keep you humble,’ and I don’t see anything wrong there.” Well, she was an extrovert, so of course, she wouldn’t have problems. I, on the other hand, did not like socializing that much. 

I stared at the glass of water near the bedside table and scooted toward it. Removing the lid, I hovered my hand a few inches above the rim. I wiggled my fingers slowly and, as mom had once said, concentrated on feeling the heat in the middle of my palm. 

“Feel it spread from your palm to each of your fingertips. You have to be patient and focussed at the beginning and once you are adept at this then you will see how easily you will be able to control your element.”  My mom had lovingly caressed the top of my head back then when I was just 16. A naive girl who pinned her hopes on the greater powers, a girl who was sorely disappointed by reality. 

The momentary tingle that I felt almost made me think that I was imagining it. That after being practically obsessed at perfecting or even trying to be a decent mage, one who could at least be called Luna Erica’s daughter, my brain was playing tricks but my eyes widened when I lifted my hand slightly and the water rose as if trying to touch my hand. 

I let out a suppressed squeal but in the process, my hand somehow knocked down the glass and now a part of the duvet and the hem of the right pyjama leg was soaked. And of course, the carpeted floor too. I screwed my eyes shut, thankful that the glass did not break. I let out a slow breath and picked it up. My heart was rabbiting in my chest as I climbed into the bed. I couldn’t wait to tell mom about this. 

‘Yes.’ My hands stilled, fingers wrapped on the hem of the duvet. 

Who was that? This time, I couldn’t even blame my nervousness. I clearly heard the syllable. Could it be…? No, I shook my head. I can’t start dreaming about something that would never happen. 

‘No dormant werewolf ever finds their wolf after the age of 18,’ I agonizingly told myself because that is what it is meant to be. Unlike my mother, no one would dare to lock my memory or my wolf… if there’s one. 

I sighed and pushed back the duvet and lay down. I should focus on what I can improve and not what I can’t ever get. 

~~~~~

I surfaced back to the conscious world with the twittering of birds and the general bustle of life. I quickly changed my clothes, did my morning routine, and left my room in search of my mom. I finally spotted her in the front yard after searching every spot where she could be. Initially, I decided to call her or surprise her from behind, but my feet slowed down when mom stepped sideways to reveal my estranged older sister. 

She was looking at my mom with a fond look, which honestly looked quite out of place on her otherwise blank slate face. Our gazes collided and something flashed across her eyes before she alerted mom of my arrival. Mom turned and smiled at me, which didn't reach her eyes, and I knew how she disliked handling the tension that flowed whenever Viola and I were around each other. The excitement with which I wanted to tell about my achievement evaporated, dulled almost. 

“Hi,” I forced myself to say. Viola nodded in acknowledgement. 

“I will see you later,” she addressed mom, speaking to her in that soft, light tone that she usually reserved for those she held dear. I was obviously not on the list. She nodded once again before leaving. I looked at her retreating figure. Her black ponytail swayed as she walked perfectly towards the other side of where probably Elias was waiting. 

I heard a tiny sigh from my right. 

“I tried to be nice to her.” I really did, she saw it didn’t she? 

Mom shook her head and wrapped an arm around my shoulder. “Trying is okay but what about your body language?” 

Here we go. Mom always found an excuse to defend her favourite. I shrugged off her arm gently and turned to look at her. “Mom, didn’t you see me saying hi and her merely nodding before she left?” Mom gave me an exasperated look. 

“Anyway, why are you here? Shouldn't you be in the class?” 

I stared at her, baffled. “New semester doesn’t begin until next week and training doesn’t start until noon today.” 

“I was looking for you by the way. I wanted to tell you something,” I said, the excitement crawling back into my heart. Mom smiled. “Really? What can it be?” I could see mild curiosity in her gaze. 

“I could finally feel that tingle you were talking about and…and I could control water like not just move it slightly but like move it out of the glass.” Her eyes widened and then her lips spread into a wider smile. 

“That is great!" Her voice dripped with genuine excitement and happiness. "Why don’t you show this to Elias?” she suggested. Before I could say anything, she was hooking her arm through mine and pulling me towards the building where training was being held. 

I resisted, but she pulled me along gently. She knew why I didn’t want to go but maybe Viola was gone, and on second thoughts, why should I not step into the same piece of land where she is? 

The moment we stepped into the arena, I realized why. Viola was at her top form today. Elias was standing with his back to the entrance while the other students crowded and gawked at the powerful mage with awe. 

I halted in my tracks, feeling my mother’s hold tighten slightly as I watched her control fire and water together and then swirl it with the help of wind. I could see dirt swirling in them as well, and somehow fire and water remained separate. I couldn’t help but watch, transfixed and mesmerized. 

She was a perfect mix of my parents. She got our mother’s height but father’s good looks. Her lithe form provided her agility. Her midnight blue eyes seemed to care about nothing else but the elements in front of her and that was something very few could master - to let the rest of the world fade and see the four elements only. 

“Wow, I am damn sure she will win the competition,” I heard someone say. 

“Yeah. I mean, no other mage is likely to be at this level, I guess,” another agreed wholeheartedly. 

“Look…look at fire and water, it’s like they blend but don’t at the same time. Woah man, if I could ever achieve this much or even the tiniest bit of her adeptness, then I would be more than satisfied,” someone said in awe. I clenched my jaw. I unhooked mom's arm and turned away. My breathing had become irregular at this point.

“As expected of Luna’s elder daughter,” another joined in. My nails dug into my palms. No longer being able to tolerate, I left because I knew if I didn’t, I would cause a scene and embarrass myself. I knew this was childish, running away and hiding somewhere to lick your wounds - it was cowardly, but I couldn’t possibly ever be better than her or get guidance from her. 

I speed-walked to the packhouse, not bothering to greet anyone and bounded up the stairs and went straight to my room, and slammed the door shut. I didn’t want anyone to see my angry tears or think I was being a brat. I slid down against the door, pulling my knees to my chest. I buried my head in my folded arms.

How long before someone would throw a random compliment at me like that? Why am I so pathetic, anyway? 

When the tears dried, curiosity occupied my mind. I let my head fall back against the door with a hard thunk. The competition they said? What competition? I thought of all the possible challenges or contests that are held in Ravenwood. And then I remembered. 

“Medeis Challenge…”