Rejected Luna Returns with Secret Twins (Lysandra) novel Chapter 133

The moment I stepped off the plane into Moonshade territory, something inside me instantly calmed. The gentle breeze carried the familiar scent of pine and wild Jasmine, wrapping around me like a protective blanket.

“You look relieved, Boss,” Serena commented as we walked toward the black SUV waiting for us.

I exhaled slowly, tension visibly draining from my shoulders. “I didn’t realize how much I needed to be back until now.”

Our driver stood beside the vehicle with a respectful nod. “Welcome home, Miss Ravencroft. Good to have you back.”

His familiar, steady presence was comforting. Here, I wasn’t just Tristan’s ex–wife or the woman from the scandalous news article. I was Lysandra Ravencroft, daughter of Alpha Caspian, sister to Alpha Alaric, a woman of power and status in her own right.

As my driver stowed our luggage, I caught him stealing curious glances at me. The news must have reached even him. I pretended not to notice.

The drive to Serena’s apartment passed mostly in silence. When we pulled up outside her building, she hesitated before opening the door.

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“Will you be okay, Boss?” Her voice was soft with genuine concern.

I squeezed her hand. “Go home, rest. I’ll handle the fallout.”

***

The massive oak doors of Ravencroft Manor swung open before my driver had even finished parking the car. Two small figures burst through the entrance, racing down the steps with excited squeals.

“Mommy!”

All my worries vanished at the sound of my children’s/voices. I barely made it out of the car before they crashed into me, nearly knocking me backward with the force of their enthusiasm.

I dropped to my knees, gathering them both in my arms. “My little moonbeams. My voice cracked with emotion as I breathed in their scent–sunshine, innocence, and something uniquely their own.

Lyra clung to my neck while Orion pressed his face against my shoulder. For a moment, we stayed like that, the three of us tangled together, reunited.

Over their heads, I caught sight of Alaric and Kieran watching from the doorway. My brother’s expression was unreadable, but Kieran offered me a warm smile. I’d expected anger or tension after the news article, but their calm demeanor

confused me.

I rose to my feet, keeping one hand on each child as we walked toward the house. Reaching Alaric, I let go of the twins long enough to embrace my brother.

“Is everything okay?” I searched his face for signs of the storm I’d been dreading.

His lips quirked upward. “Why would anything be wrong?”

1/3

Chapter 133

“You called Kieran back, so I thought

‘Everything’s fine, my dear Lyss. He ruffled my hair affectionately. “Sometimes his Alpha needs him too, you know?

1 lightly smacked his arm. “Ric.”

A chuckle rippled through our small group, easing the tension I’d been carrying.

“Mommy, we missed you,” Orion tugged at my sleeve, his serious blue eyes–so like Tristan s–fixed on my face.

“Mommy, this is for you.” Lyra held up a piece of paper, her expression expectant.

I took the drawing, heart melting at what I saw. A woman with a suitcase waved at two small figures–one with dark hair, one with chestnut curls. Yellow crayon sunshine beamed down on all of them.

My throat tightened. Lyra had always been able to express her emotions through art, capturing feelings too complex for her five–year–old vocabulary.

I kissed her cheek, then pulled both children close again. “I missed you too. So much. And guess what? I brought presents.”

Their excited gasps made me laugh. I glanced toward Alaric and Kieran, silently questioning if I could postpone whatever

serious conversation awaited.

Alaric nodded almost imperceptibly. “Go on. We’ll talk later.”

After spending an hour with the twins, showing them the gifts I’d brought and listening to their adventures with their uncle, I finally retreated to my bedroom for a much–needed shower. The hot water sluiced over my body, washing away the tension of travel and confrontations.

I wrapped a plush towel around myself and stepped into my bedroom, rifling through my closet for something comfortable to wear for dinner. I’d just selected a casual dress when my bedroom door burst open without warning.

“Mommy!” Lyra and Orion tumbled in, all energy and excitement, oblivious to my state of undress.

“Kids!” I clutched the towel tighter, turning to face them. “Don’t you know how to knock?”

Their eyes–one pair green like mine, one blue like their father’s–widened simultaneously, but not at my scolding. Lyra pushed past her brother, approaching me with curious intensity, her gaze fixed on my neck.

“Mommy, what happened to your neck? It’s all red and purple!” She stood on tiptoes, stretching for a better look.

My hand flew to my throat, horror washing through me as I realized I hadn’t yet covered the mark Tristan had left. The concealer must have washed off in the shower.

Orion gasped dramatically, eyes growing/impossibly wider. “I know what that is! It’s a vampire! Sam told about vampires. They bite pretty ladies when they’re sleeping!”