Rejected Luna Returns with Secret Twins (Lysandra) novel Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Tristan’s POV

I glanced down at the tiny figure standing before me. A little girl, no older than five, with round green eyes that stared up at me unblinkingly. Her chestnut hair fell in loose curls around a beart–shaped face. Something about those eyes tugged at my memory, but I brushed the thought aside.

“We?” I asked, looking around. “But you’re alone.”

The girl pointed across the waiting area. “My brother’s over there. Uncle Sam came with us too.”

I studied her for a moment, noting the expensive quality of her small sundress and the confidence in her posture that seemed oddly mature for a child her age. Definitely from a high–ranking pack family.

“Why are you asking me?” I gestured vaguely at the empty seats surrounding us. “This is a public area. Sit wherever you want.”

Her face fell slightly at my tone, and she took a small step back. Before she could retreat, a blur of movement caught my eye as a small boy appeared at her side.

“Don’t speak to her rudely.” The boy’s voice rang out clear and commanding, his chin tilted upward in defiance.

I blinked, momentarily taken aback. “Excuse me?”

The boy moved slightly in front of the girl, his stance protective. “Why did you snap at her?”

“Orion,” the girl tugged at his sleeve, “he didn’t snap at me.”

“No, Lyra.” The boy–Orion–shook his head firmly, eyes never leaving mine. “I saw how he spoke to you.”

Something about his unwavering stare sparked a flicker of respect within me. The kid had guts–or a death wish. Who in their right mind confronts an Alpha with that attitude?

I almost laughed thinking about how his father would react knowing his son was challenging strangers like this. He’d probably ground the brat until college.

“Listen, kid-”

“Don’t call me kid,” he interrupted. “My name is Orion.”

My lips twitched, caught between irritation and amusement. Before I could respond, a middle–aged man in a crisp suit hurried over, his expression shifting from concern to mortification when he spotted me.

“I’m terribly sorry, sir.” He placed his hands on both children’s shoulders. “They’re just children. Please forgive them.”

I waved off his apology, oddly reluctant to see the confrontation end. Something about these kids–especially the boy–intrigued me. Under different circumstances, I might have admired his protective instinct toward his sister.

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Chapter 26

“It’s fine,” I muttered, surprising myself with the lack of anger in my voice.

The girl–Lyra–tugged at her brother’s arm. “Orion, this uncle isn’t bad. Don’t fight with him.”

Orion’s expression remained skeptical, but he nodded stiffly. “Lyra, let me sit here.” He pointed to the seat beside me. “You can sit between me and Uncle Sam.”

I couldn’t help the short laugh that escaped me. “What am I, a kidnapper?”

The boy ignored me, keeping his body angled protectively as his sister settled into her seat. Their guardian–Sam, apparently–sat on Lyra’s other side, casting nervous glances my way.

“Sir.” Varian returned, stopping short at the sight of me sandwiched between the two children. His eyebrows shot upward in undisguised shock.

I gave him a look that clearly said, Don’t ask.

Varian cleared his throat. “1, uh, found that post you mentioned.” He handed me his phone, screen displaying a social media post that immediately caught my attention.

My eyes narrowed as I read Lysandra’s words. She’d publicly called out Selene as a homewrecker, detailing how she’d insinuated herself into our marriage. The accusations were nothing new to me–I’d heard similar complaints during our marriage–but seeing them aired publicly was surprising.

So this is her latest game, I thought bitterly. First announcing her “engagement” to Kieran, now dredging up ancient history about Selene? She’s clearly trying to get my attention.

The thought left a sour taste in my mouth. I’d spent five years trying to find her, and now that we’d crossed paths again, she was playing these childish games?

“Sir, where are you going?” Orion’s question drew my attention away from the phone.

Varian looked startled at being addressed directly by the child. “We’re heading back to our pack.”

Lyra leaned forward to peer around her brother. “Which pack are you from,?”

Her innocent curiosity somehow softened my mood. “Silverblood Pack.”

“I’m Lyra,” she offered with a sunny smile. “That’s my brother Orion.”

Despite myself, I found my lips quirking upward. “And where are you two headed?”

“We came to see our mom,” Orion answered, his earlier hostility fading slightly. “We missed her.”

A thought struck me. “She left you behind?”

Orion’s expression darkened immediately. “No. She had important business. We surprised her.”

“You’re really handsome,” Lyra declared, her green eyes wide with childish admiration. “Like a prince from my storybook.”

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Chapter 26

I blinked, caught off guard by her blunt compliment. When was the last time someone had spoken to me without fear or agenda?

Orion rolled his eyes dramatically. “Lyra, stop being weird. Mom says not to talk to strangers like that.”

“But he’s not a stranger anymore,” she argued, logic impeccable in her five–year–old mind. “We know his pack.”