Rejected Luna Returns with Secret Twins (Lysandra) novel Chapter 102

Chapter 102

Lysandra’s POV

“Grandpa!” Lyra broke free from my grasp the moment we entered the mansion, racing toward my parents with outstretched arms. My father caught her mid–leap, gathering her against his chest with visible relief.

“Little moonbeam,” he murmured into her chestnut curls, his voice rougher than usual. “We were so worried.”

My mother crowded close, her elegant fingers trembling as she brushed Lyra’s hair back, checking for injuries with the practiced eye of a Luna who’d seen her share of wounded pack members.

“I’m fine, Grandpa. Don’t worry, Grandma.” Lyra’s voice carried that peculiar mix of childish sweetness and premature maturity that always caught me off guard. In moments like these, she seemed older than her five years.

I scanned the room for Orion, finding him pressed against the far wall, half–hidden behind a potted moonbloom. He wasn’t rushing to greet his sister. Instead, his small face looked pinched with something that made my heart clench – guilt.

While the family fussed over Lyra, I crossed to my son. He didn’t look up as I approached, his gaze fixed on his shoes. I crouched before him, the silk of my dress pooling around me on the marble floor.

“Hey baby,” I kept my voice soft. “What’s wrong? Don’t you want to see your sister?”

Orion lifted his head just enough for me to catch the silvery sheen in his eyes tears he refused to let fall. Those eyes, so hauntingly like his father’s, pierced straight through me.

“I’m sorry, Mom.” His words barely carried beyond the space between us, fierce determination making his small jaw clench. “I couldn’t protect Lyra.”

I reached out, running my fingers through his dark hair. He finally looked up fully, steel–blue eyes swimming with unshed

tears.

“Don’t cry, honey.” I wiped away a tear that had escaped despite his best efforts. “You’re my brave wolf cub. This wasn’t your fault, okay?”

He shook his head, stubborn as always. “I-”

I pulled him against me before he could finish, holding him tight enough to feel his rapid heartbeat. His small arms wrapped around my neck as I stroked his back.

“Tears don’t suit a future warrior,” I whispered. “You need to be a strong little werewolf. One day you’ll be a powerful Alpha.”

“Like Uncle Alaric?” he asked against my neck, voice muffled by my hair.

I smiled, nodding. “Yes, just as powerful as your Uncle Alaric.”

When our embrace ended, I turned to find Lyra watching us. She immediately pushed away from my father’s knee and darted across the room, her dress fluttering behind her like violet butterfly wings.

“Orion!” She crashed into her brother, arms wrapping around him with unrestrained affection.

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Chapter 102

I rose to my feet, giving the twins their moment. Orion hugged Lyra tightly, his eyes finding mine over her shoulder.) offered him an encouraging smile, which he returned before focusing on his sister.

“I missed you. Where did you go?” he asked.

Lyra pulled back, opening her mouth to answer, then paused. She turned toward me, uncertainty flickering in her green eyes, seeking guidance.

I gave the slightest shake of my head, barely perceptible to anyone not watching for it. She blinked, processing, then turned back to Orion.

“I got lost. Mom’s friend found me, and I stayed with him.”

She’d lied to her brother because I’d instructed her to. In the car, I’d made her promise not to mention Tristan to anyone, especially Orion. She’d looked confused, clearly eager to talk about her “handsome Wolf King Hero.” I hadn’t explained further, just forbidden her from mentioning him.

I knew Orion shared my wariness of Tristan, making it a strange coincidence that one of Tristan’s own children instinctively mistrusted him. Then again, it raised questions: why did Orion react so negatively to a man he’d only encountered once, a man who hadn’t been rude to him according to Lyra? Could something in his blood sense that man was a threat to us?

***

Joy returned to the mansion with Lyra’s homecoming. Pack members dropped by throughout the evening, ostensibly to check on the family but mostly to satisfy their curiosity about the lost Ravencroft child.

“How did you get lost, little princess?” A Delta–ranked female asked, the third pack member to pose the same question in

an hour.

Lyra, perched on my mother’s lap, recited her practiced answer. “I was chasing a little fox and got lost.”

Kieran stepped in before the questioning could continue. “I think we should let Lyra rest now. Asking her to repeatedly relive a distressing experience could damage her wolf connection.” His tone was gentle but final, the authority of his Beta

rank evident.

When Alaric returned to the mansion shortly after dinner, he made a beeline for Lyra, beckoning her to follow him to his study. My stomach knotted with anxiety. If he pressed her for details, the truth might spill out.

Kieran caught my eye across the room, giving me a subtle nod that promised his assistance. Still, I couldn’t help trailing after them, stopping just outside the study door. With my enhanced hearing, I could easily capture the conversation

inside.

“Where did you go?” Alaric’s voice remained measured, his Alpha control evident even when addressing a child.

“Uncle Alaric, I was with Mom’s friend.” Lyra’s reply came quickly.

“I see. How do you feel now, little moon? Did anyone hurt you?”

“No, Uncle. Mom’s friend was nice. He got me moonlight ice cream and then my favorite brownies.”

‘He?‘ Alaric’s tone sharpened instantly. “Your mother’s friend is a man?”

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Chapter 102

My heart rate spiked. Alaric had caught the detail I’d hoped would slip past.

“You can come in. Don’t you know eavesdropping is beneath a Ravencroft? My brother’s voice carried clearly through the door, his Alpha senses having detected my presence.