CHAPTER 169 : MISSED

As the elves disappeared into the portal, Kira turned to face Bryan, Aiden, and Ryker, giving them a small smile.

She was going to miss El'fiannor, Lythari, the friends she had made, the trees, every single thing, but she was also happy to be back home.

"So... this is Kai, my horse," she announced as if she was introducing an old friend.

"Say hi," she urged them.

"Oh yes, hi," Bryan said quickly, laughing softly right after.

"Hi Kai, very fitting name," Aiden added, laughing as well. "You suit... your rider too."

Ryker, however, eyed the horse, thinking about something.

"Well, he will need a proper home," he said. "I'll take him to his new place. There's a building we can turn into a stable for him."

"That sounds perfect," Kira accepted and extended the reins to Ryker, who took them with ease before leading the horse away.

Watching as Ryker left, Aiden turned back to Kira with a warm, eager expression. "Come on," he said, "I'm sure Mum and Dad would be very happy to see you."

"As would I," Kira said, her eyes brightening. "What exactly are we waiting for?" She asked as she stepped forward, her excitement evident. "Let's go."

Bryan and Aiden smiled at her reaction, and as they began to walk back to the mansion, there was a silence between them. Not an awkward one, but a charged one.

It was a kind where the emotions they felt about being with each other, walking together, talking again-that kind where they could feel each other's excitement coming off, but just had to remain silent and try to restrain themselves.

It was the rush of everything they wanted to say to each other but had to hold back to let the moment breathe.

They would often sneak glances or just smile at each other like lovers who were on their first date, acting all sweet, and as they neared the mansion, they took the time to look around, taking in the sight before them.

Pack members, both men and women, were helping the wounded. Some were cleaning up, helping warriors sit up, offering water and so many more.

Even the pack healer was currently checking the injured, and her work wasn't much as the elves had already done a great deal for her, and so the injured warriors were healing very well.

Kira's heart swelled with pride at seeing all of them. It was her home. They were her people. And they were strong.

Finally, they reached the mansion, and there, standing in front, were Elara and Orion. They had just come out after the guard had informed them that the war was over and were now scanning the area and making sure everyone was safe and alright.

They were still unaware of what was about to happen, until Kira called out to them.

"Mum, Dad," she called softly, her voice soft and a wide smile on her face.

On hearing that, Elara turned and what she saw was not what she was expecting.

Her eyes went wide, and her hands flew to her mouth immediately.

She let out a joyous scream as she couldn't believe her eyes. "Oh my. Oh, my Goddess!" she gasped, her voice trembling. "Kira? Kira!"

Without hesitation, she started walking-almost running toward Kira.

Kira's smile stretched so wide it almost hurt, and she walked too, meeting Elara halfway, and the moment they collided, Elara wrapped her arms around her, holding her tightly, as if she might disappear again if she let go.

"I- I had no idea. Oh, my Kira!" Elara cried, squeezing her. "How are you here? Where have you been? I just came out; I never imagined I would-oh my God, my baby!"

"I missed you so much, Mum," Kira whispered, her voice emotional as she pressed her face into Elara's shoulder, the embrace making the world feel right again.

"I missed you so much too. I just can't believe it," Elara said and pulled away from Kira, then held Kira's face in her hands, her eyes searching every inch of her face and body as if she was confirming that it was really her.

"You are here," she muttered. "You really are here."

"I am," Kira grinned cheekily, and before either of them could say another word, Elara pulled her into another hug.

"We were so worried," Elara murmured against her hair, her voice cracking a bit. "We tried to call you. I tried to, but it wouldn't connect. Even the boys looked for you everywhere. No one found you. It was like you just disappeared, and we thought you were in trouble, but then we also thought that maybe... maybe you just didn't want to have anything to do with us or hear from us because of the pain and all," then she pulled back just enough to look at Kira again. "Uh, so many thoughts ran through my mind, and I am so relieved to see that you have been well. Look at you, beautiful than ever."

"Thank you, Mum, and you look beautiful as well," Kira smiled gently while rubbing Elara's arm. "And about why you couldn't reach me; I will explain everything later at dinner, hm?" she said sweetly. "I have missed your cooking."

"Don't worry!" Elara smiled proudly. "I will cook all your favorites for dinner. I will start right now."

"You're the best," Kira said while nodding cutely. Then her eyes landed on Orion, who was simply standing quietly behind Elara.

He had not moved forward yet or at all, his arms crossed and his expression blank.

"Dadddd," Kira called out, her voice playful as she already knew what the problem was.

Orion, however, ignored her and turned his face away dramatically, pretending to be angry.

"Daddd," Kira repeated, drawing out the word as she walked up to him with a teasing smile. "Didn't you miss me?"

"Missed you?" He scoffed, feigning indifference. "Well, I did. But as for you, I am not sure you missed me, seeing how you gave your mother all your attention. It's okay, though; it's fine. You can forget I exist."

"Dad, come on," Kira laughed. "Don't be like that."

"Hmm. Okay," he shot her a look, holding the act for just a moment longer, but seeing her face made him drop the act, and before they knew it, he pulled her into a hug.

Kira giggled and wrapped her arms around him tightly.

"You are so dramatic," she teased.

"Well, whose fault is it that I have to be so dramatic before I get attention around here?" He asked, letting out a chuckle. "No one treats me right."

"You know that's not true," Kira said as they broke the hug. "We all give you attention."

"We do," Elara jumped in. "I don't know when he will ever stop being so dramatic," she teased him as well, her voice laced with lighthearted affection. "I also give him all my attention."

"Of course, Mum," Kira agreed with Elara, trying to keep a serious face but could not hold in the laughter. It was a familiar scene, and she loved how they were just free with each other and would talk and laugh.

She missed it all.

"I am not dramatic at all," Orion argued, defending himself. "I am just... showing my emotions. Right? Bryan, Aiden, don't you agree?"

"Don't drag me into this, Father," Bryan said while chuckling and looking away.

"He just always has to get all the attention," Aiden added. "It never ends."

"Do you see?" Orion gasped, turning to look at Kira. "No one here treats me right. No one."

"I will treat you right," Kira assured him, trying not to laugh some more and make it seem like she was laughing at him. "It will just be the two of us. Deal?"

"Deal," Orion agreed proudly. "Now, let's go inside. There is no reason to be out here when we can be inside, comfortable and talking about everything we have missed these past years."

"I would love that, but we can't go in yet," Kira said, her eyes softening. "We have to help around the pack, and there are warriors to lay to rest too. I also need to make sure everyone's okay and safe, but don't worry, we will have plenty of time to talk. We can do it at dinner, tomorrow, the day after, any day. I'm back, and I am not going anywhere," she finished, her tone gentle and reassuring.

"I understand," Elara said, rubbing Kira's face softly while smiling. "And good. You are not allowed to go anywhere, even if you wanted to. We shouldn't have let you guys go with that stupid plan, and right now, standing here... I already had plans to kidnap you and tie you up somewhere if you were thinking of leaving again."

"What!?" Kira asked as she and everyone else burst out laughing, her laugh the loudest. "Oh, my Goddess, I would love to see you try. I mean, I would love to see your facial expression while you try," she said while still laughing.

"Mother," Aiden called out, his eyes closed as he rubbed his forehead while trying to keep a serious face. "Just... Just go inside. We will see each other at dinner."

Immediately the words left Aiden's mouth, Elara glared at him.

"You always have something to say, don't you?" She asked him and then kissed her teeth in frustration before turning her attention back to Kira, her expression softening.

"See you at dinner, darling," she said, her smile wide and sweet.

Chuckling softly at her behavior, Kira responded affectionately.

"See you at dinner, Mum."