Chapter 46 Supposed New Home
The gates closed behind us with a low, echoing thud that reverberated through my chest.
Home.
Or at least, that’s what this place was supposed to be now.
The estate rose before me exactly as I remembered, cold stone, sharp lines, towering windows that reflected the gray sky like watchful eyes. The air here was different from the island. Thinner. Colder. It smelled of soaked earth and pine, of old power and secrets that refused to stay buried. Autumn hovered at the edge of everything, the kind of season that crept into your bones and refused to leave.
Darius stepped out first, already in his element, already the Alpha King everyone expected him to be. I followed more slowly, my muscles tight, my pulse erratic.
The front doors opened before we could reach them.
Mara stood there.
For a moment, I forgot how to breathe.
She looked exactly the same as the day I escaped, short and sturdy, gray hair pulled back into its usual severe bun, eyes far too sharp for someone who pretended to be just a housekeeper. The lines on her face deepened when she saw me, and something close to relief flickered across her expression.
“Lyra,” she said, stepping forward.
Before I could react, her arms were around me.
It startled me. I stiffened out of pure instinct, my body remembering restraints and locked doors and quiet nights filled with fear. But her hug wasn’t possessive or cruel. It was warm. Solid. Real.
“I was worried about you,” she murmured. “Truly worried. I’m glad you’re safe. And back with us.”
Back with us.
She pulled away just enough to look at my face, her hands gripping my shoulders. “Welcome home, Luna.”
The word hit me like ice water.
I opened my mouth to protest, to tell her not to call me that, to tell her she was wrong, but another presence stepped into view before I could speak.
Tessa.
She stood just behind Mara, her dark hair pulled into a neat braid, a faint scar still visible near her hairline where I’d struck her. My stomach twisted painfully at the sight of it. She looked… normal. Calm. Not angry. Not afraid.
Just tired.
“I—” My voice came out hoarse. “Tessa, I—”
“I know,” she said gently, surprising me. “You were scared. Anyone would have been.”
“That doesn’t make it okay,” I said quickly. “I hit you. With a vase. I could’ve—”
She shook her head. “Its okay.”
The words lodged in my throat.
“I’m sorry,” I said anyway. I needed to say it. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
Tessa gave me a small, sincere smile. “Apology accepted.”
I hadn’t realized how tightly my chest was clenched until that moment. Some of the pressure eased, just a little.
Mara cleared her throat, reclaiming her usual authority. “You must be exhausted from the trip,” she said kindly. “Why don’t you go freshen up? The party will begin in about two hours. Everyone is looking forward to seeing you.”
The party. Of course, Darius had already mentioned it on the drive back, but the reality of it was sinking in now. A celebration in my honor. A gathering of people who believed I was their Luna, who wanted to welcome me back into the fold. My stomach twisted at the thought. I wasn’t ready for this.
But what choice did I have?
“Sure,” I said quietly, forcing a smile as I nodded at Matilda. “I’ll … go get ready.”
“I’ll see you soon, Luna,” Tessa said softly, as if trying to reassure me.
There it was again.
I nodded stiffly, unsure what else to do. Darius had already disappeared somewhere inside the house, likely to prepare for his role as host and ruler. No doubt the entire estate was buzzing with anticipation.
I followed Mara down the long corridor, my footsteps echoing softly against the stone floors. Every turn stirred memories I didn’t want—being escorted under guard, doors locking behind me, the sense of being watched even when I was alone.
When we reached the room that had once been my prison, Mara paused.
“If you need anything,” she said, softer now, “you only have to ask.”
Then she left me alone.
I stood there for a long moment before pushing the door open.
The room had changed.
Not drastically, but enough that it stole my breath.
The furniture was warmer now. Softer textures. The harsh edges had been smoothed, the dark, oppressive colors replaced with neutral tones and deep blues. The windows were uncovered, curtains drawn back to let in the pale autumn light. Even the bed looked different, larger, layered with thick blankets meant for cold nights.
It should have felt comforting.
Instead, it made my skin prickle.
I went straight to the bathroom, shedding my clothes like they were contaminated. The shower steamed quickly, hot water pounding against my back, washing away the chill from my bones. I leaned my forehead against the tile and let myself breathe for the first time since we landed.
I wasn’t safe.
But I was alive.
When I stepped out, wrapped in a towel, I noticed the closet.
The door stood open.
I froze.
The walk-in closet was divided cleanly down the middle. One side was unmistakably his, dark suits, tailored jackets, boots lined with military precision.
The other side—
Mine.
Clothes I had never chosen. Dresses. Sweaters. Boots. Coats meant for cold weather. Everything in my size. Everything new.
A life prepared for me without my consent.
My throat tightened as I ran my fingers over a soft knit jumper, then a pair of fitted sweatpants that looked warm and comfortable. I hated how practical it all was. How thoughtful.
I dressed quickly, choosing comfort over appearance. Two-piece sweatpants and a thick jumper. No jewelry. No makeup. I wasn’t dressing for a party. I was dressing to survive the cold.
As I tied my hair back, my reflection stared at me with haunted eyes.
This place was different now.
But it was still a cage.
I sat on the edge of the bed, pulling on socks, when a thought surfaced,quiet at first, then louder.
Fred.
The image of his face filled my mind, sharp and sudden. I hadn’t seen him since everything fell apart. Since the truth fractured my world and blood stained the past I could never reclaim.
I thought of his father’s pub, a place I worked part time. My pulse quickened.
I needed answers.
I couldn’t just sit here and wait for a party meant to parade me like a trophy. I couldn’t smile and pretend this was normal while questions burned holes through my mind.
I stood and crossed the room, glancing once more at the closet, at the life Darius was trying to fold me into.
Not yet.
I moved to the window and looked out at the estate grounds, already filling with staff and guards preparing for the evening. Somewhere beyond the walls lay the city.
And somewhere in that city was Fred.
I squared my shoulders.
If this place had taught me anything, it was this,
No one was going to give me answers willingly.
I would have to take them myself.
With a sigh, I made up my mind. I would find a way to find out some news about Fred.
I climbed into bed and pulled the covers up to my chin, staring blankly at the ceiling. The quiet of the room was unsettling, but at the same time, it was the only space I had to gather my thoughts. After everything that had happened, I needed to process it all. Gosh I hated this place, I hated Darius.
The more I thought about Fred, the more I felt a gnawing sense of urgency. He was the only person who had been by my side through thick and thin, and now he was hidden away somewhere.
Just as I was about to drift into another storm of thoughts, a soft knock on the door pulled me from my reverie.
"Luna?" Tessa voice was soft, almost hesitant. Without waiting for an answer, she stepped into the room, her face lighting up when she saw me sitting up in bed.
I didn’t have the energy to put on a friendly face, and instead, I simply nodded at her. I didn’t want to be rude, but the weight of everything made it hard to summon any enthusiasm.
“Everyone’s started arriving,” Tessa said, standing awkwardly by the door. Her eyes darted toward the window, where the fading light of dusk barely lit up the room. “The party will begin soon.”
I stayed silent. The last thing I wanted was to mingle with people who saw me as their Luna, someone I could never be. Tessa seemed to sense my reluctance because her expression softened.
She turned to leave, her hand lingering on the door handle, but then she stopped in her tracks. She turned back toward me, her face filled with something deeper than concern,compassion, maybe.
“I’m really glad you’re back,” she said, her voice barely a whisper. “I know things have been difficult for you, but… give us a chance. Give the pack a chance. Give him a chance.”
I froze, unsure of how to respond. Her loyalty to the pack and her Alpha was evident, but there was a sadness in her words, a plea that tugged at something inside me.
Before I could muster a reply, Tessa stepped forward and wrapped her arms around me in a warm hug. The gesture was simple, but it was the first genuine touch I had felt in a long time. I hadn’t realized how much I needed it until that moment.
“I’m just glad you’re safe,” she whispered into my hair before pulling away.
I nodded, still at a loss for words. Tessa didn’t wait for me to say anything; she simply smiled and left the room quietly, closing the door behind her.
Once the door clicked shut, I slumped back into bed, feeling a strange mix of emotions. I didn’t want to be here, didn’t want to play the role of Luna, but Tessa’s words had stirred something inside me. How could she remain so loyal to a man like Darius?
And yet, her plea for me to give them a chance lingered in my mind. Tessa wasn’t wrong. The entire pack couldn’t be like Darius. There had to be good people here,people like her and Mara.
But how could I? How could I go on living a normal life with Darius knowing what he had done? It felt like betrayal. And being hear brought back those feeling of guilt. How would my father feel seeing me sleep with the man that killed him, this bond mist have been a joke the goddess was playing.
I sighed, closing my eyes as I tried to shut out the swirling thoughts. Tessa’s hug had softened something in me, but the reality of my situation remained unchanged. Darius was still the man who had killed my father, who had stolen my freedom and forced me into a life I didn’t want. The pack might be full of kind people like Tessa, but the truth of who Darius was loomed over everything.
No matter how much Tessa wished for things to be different, I knew the truth. And for now, I had no choice but to stay. I had to play my part, at least until I could figure out a way to see Fred and make sure he is okay and to get out of here for good.
I glanced at the clock on the nightstand. The party would start soon, and I would have to face them all,the people who saw me as their Luna. The thought made my stomach churn with anxiety.
With a sigh, I slid out of bed and made my way to the mirror. I ran a hand through my hair, wondering what to wear for the party. I could wear what I was wearing right now but opted for something else.
A simple black sweater and jeans,it wasn’t glamorous, but it would do. I wasn’t trying to impress anyone.
I had just finished pulling on my boots when there was another knock at the door.
“Luna?” Mara voice this time.
“Come in,” I called, already feeling the tension creep back into my chest.
Maraentered the room with her usual air of efficiency, but there was something softer in her demeanor tonight. She gave me a once-over, her eyes lingering on my casual attire, but she didn’t comment.
“The guests are starting to gather,” she said, her voice calm. “The Alpha is waiting for you downstairs.”
Of course, he was, I said to myself and rolled my eyes.
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. Mara offered me a small smile, as if trying to reassure me. But no amount of smiles or reassurances could make this situation any easier.
“I’ll be down in a minute,” I said, forcing myself to sound steady.
Mara nodded and left, closing the door softly behind her.
I took one last look in the mirror before heading for the door. My heart was pounding in my chest, I didn’t want to go downstairs. I didn’t want to face the pack, to play this role that had been forced on me. But I had no choice.