Rejected Luna Returns with Secret Twins (Lysandra) novel Chapter 32

Lysandra’s POV

These past few days, I’d been working quietly in Ravencroft Enterprises finance department, evaluating operations and assessing employee loyalty from my modest temporary office.

Dad and Alaric’s strategy was clever position me as just another team member while I learned the company’s inner workings firsthand. The employees had no idea that the unassuming woman reviewing their spreadsheets would soon be announced as CEO.

I’d kept conversation minimal, deflecting questions about my role with vague mentions of ‘departmental efficiency evaluation, which seemed to satisfy most people’s curiosity while allowing me to observe genuine workplace dynamics.

But even amid the chaos of my new responsibilities, I couldn’t escape the endless loop of anxiety.

My normally cheerful son had grown sullen and withdrawn since our return. Just yesterday morning, he’d looked up from his breakfast cereal with a scowl darkening his features.

“I don’t want to see that uncle again, he’d declared, his small jaw set in determination.

Lyra, on the other hand, couldn’t stop talking about “the prince uncle” with the beautiful eyes. Every night since our return, she’d asked if we might see him again, her innocent questions like daggers to my heart.

“He’s just a stranger,” I’d told her gently but firmly. “Someone we won’t see again.”

The lie had tasted bitter on my tongue. If Tristan ever discovered the twins were his… I couldn’t bear to finish the thought.

Mom had tried to reassure me during her visit yesterday. “Stop torturing yourself, Lysandra,” she’d said, squeezing my hand. “Tristan has no reason to suspect anything. The children are safe.”

I wanted to believe her, but the knot of dread in my stomach refused to dissolve.

A knock at my office door yanked me from my spiraling thoughts.

*Come in,” I called, quickly rearranging my expression into something resembling professional composure.

The door opened to reveal a young woman, perhaps in her early twenties, with intelligent eyes and a self–assured stance that immediately caught my attention. Her wolf energy felt controlled but alert–the mark of careful training and discipline.

“Miss Lysandra, it’s lunchtime,” she announced. “The cafeteria closes in thirty minutes.”

I glanced at my watch, surprised to find it was already past noon. “Thank you for the reminder. I’ll head down shortly.”

The young woman didn’t leave. “Beta Kieran asked me to personally escort you. He mentioned you might forget to eat. A knowing smile touched her lips. ‘He says you get too absorbed in your work.”

Her familiarity with Kieran’s thoughts about me suggested she must be one of his trusted pack members. I studied her more carefully, noting the subtle confidence in her posture.

‘I know who you are,” she said suddenly, her voice dropping to just above a whisper. “You’re going to be our new CEO.”

My eyebrows shot up. “Oh.”

She gave me a conspiratorial smile. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone. It’s between you and Alpha Alaric until the official announcement.”

“It’s not a secret that needs heavy guarding, replied, returning her smile. “The whole pack will know in a few days anyway.”

I grabbed my bag and followed her out. I’d skipped breakfast that morning, and my stomach was beginning to protest loudly.

1/3

Chapter 32

The corporate dining hall bustled with activity. Werewolves from various departments huddled together at round tables, voices riding and falling as the discussed business and personal matters with equal animation.

I scanned the room, taking mental notes. The women were impeccably dressed in designer clothing that practically screamed wealth–a reflection of Moonshade Pack’s prosperity under my family’s leadership. The men carried themselves with the alertness typical of wolves, their eyes flicking toward fas with curiosity before shifting away in respectful deference.

After lunch, we made our way back toward the offices, taking a shortcut through one of the building’s many common areas. I stopped dead in my tracks when I spotted it—a beautifully crafted cello positioned in the center of the space.

“Miss Lysandra? Is something wrong? Serena asked, following my gaze. “Do you play?”

I nodded, unable to tear my eyes from the instrument. Its rich mahogany surface gleamed under the skylights, strings taut and waiting.

“Would you like to play something?” she asked, gesturing toward the cello. “Many pack members come here during breaks to enjoy the music.

A bitter smile crossed my lips. “Unfortunately, I can’t anymore.” I unconsciously touched my right forearm where a curved scar marked the skin beneath my sleeve. “An injury a few years ago.”

Serena’s expression shifted to one of sympathy. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

I slowly lifted my hand, gently stroking the scar on my arm. The pain wasn’t just physical–it was the ache of something irretrievably lost. The cello had been my sanctuary long before I met Tristan.

But even as grief washed over me, I knew one truth with absolute certainty: I would make the same choice again. Even if I loved the wrong person.

“Miss Lysandra? Are you alright?” Serena’s concerned voice pulled me back to the present.

“Yes, I’m fine,” I assured her, forcing my hand back to my side. “We should head back.”

Back in my temporary office, I tried to focus on the quarterly reports, but my mind refused to cooperate. The cello had triggered memories I’d worked hard to bury–not just of the injury, but of everything that came after.

My phone vibrated against the desk, screen lighting up with an incoming call. Astrid, my wolf, immediately perked up, her consciousness surging forward with unexpected interest.

I froze when I saw the caller ID: Tristan Wolfbane.

How the hell did he get my new number? The answer came immediately–my adoptive father. The man had clearly decided to meddle again, probably hoping for some financial benefit if Tristan and I reconciled.

I let the call ring out, my heart hammering against my ribs. The moment it stopped, I blocked the number, my fingers trembling slightly as I navigated the phone settings.