Familiar strangers

ELEANOR

I stood before the wing of the Grand Log Mansion, my old suitcase in one hand and Kate’s small hand in the other. The familiar sight of the place where I once called home stirred a rush of memories. I stared at the door, feeling the weight of everything I had left behind—everything that had been taken from me. Despite the rush of emotions threatening to overwhelm me, Kate’s quiet presence by my side kept me grounded.

“Mommy, we go in?” she asked, her soft voice breaking through my haze.

I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. “Yes, sweetie. Just… give Mommy a second.”

The wing of the mansion looked the same, even with the fresh coat of paint. The memories of my childhood—arguments, laughter, lessons—were still there. But now, standing here, I wasn’t sure I belonged anymore.

After what felt like an eternity, I raised my hand and knocked. The sound echoed louder than I expected, cutting through the quiet afternoon.

The door opened, and there stood Maurice, tall and muscular, with short dark brown hair and hazel eyes like mine. He looked stunned, his eyes widening as he took in me and Kate. His gaze lingered on Kate, her resemblance to me unmistakable, and his jaw dropped, but he couldn’t find words.

“Eleanor?” he breathed finally in disbelief.

I tried to smile, but it came out shaky. “Hi, Maurice.”

Before he could say more, a familiar voice called out from inside. “Who is it, Maurice?”

Oh Mom, I've missed you so damn much!

Maurice’s head turned slightly, but he didn’t answer. He was still staring at me, as if unsure whether I was real.

She came into view—my mom, in an apron, her auburn hair with gray streaks tied back, flour on her hands. Her sharp green eyes landed on me and Kate, and for a moment, she froze. Then, her face lit up with joy.

“Eleanor!” she exclaimed, rushing forward. Her arms enveloped Kate before I could react, pulling her into a warm hug. “Oh, look at you, little one! What’s your name, darling?”

Kate hesitated, glancing up at me.

“Kate,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Kate!” Queen—my mom, repeated, planting kisses all over her face. “You’re just like your mommy when she was your age. Oh, you’re beautiful, my darling. Absolutely beautiful.”

Kate giggled, her shyness melting under my mother’s affection. Maurice stepped aside, shook off his shock, and smiled as he picked up Kate.

“Hey there, kiddo,” he said, his voice still tinged with surprise.

I watched as he took a moment to shake off the shock, regaining his composure. He cleared his throat and turned to the side, calling for an Omega Servant. "Excuse me, could you help Eleanor and Kate with their luggage, please," he instructed, his tone firm yet calm.

The servant entered quietly, his steps calm and practiced. He was tall and lean, with neatly combed dark hair and a composed demeanor. With a polite bow, he took the luggage from me, his movements efficient and smooth. He carried the bags inside without a word, disappearing down the hall.

Mom looked at me, holding me at arm's length, her eyes searching my face for answers. “How are you, Elle? What happened? Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”

I couldn’t hold it in anymore. Tears spilled out as I fell into her arms. “Mom,” I sobbed, my voice breaking. The pain hit all at once, sharp and heavy. It was overwhelming, like I was falling with no way to stop.

She held me tightly, rubbing my back and murmuring soothing words. “It’s okay, baby. You’re home now. I've missed you too.”

After a moment, she pulled back, wiping her hands on her apron. “Come inside. We were just sitting down to lunch. We have a visitor, it's our new Alpha, Lord Tristan.”

My heart stopped.

The name hit me like a cold wave, and for a second, I couldn’t breathe. My body went stiff, and I stood frozen in the doorway, the weight of those few words sinking in.

Tristan.

My first love. My brother’s best friend. The one who had hurt me in ways I still wasn’t ready to face.

I hesitated, quickly wiping away my tears. Kate was already inside, carried by Maurice and talking about the cookies on the table. I followed them, but as I stepped through the doorway, a scent hit me—one I had never smelled before, yet somehow, I knew it immediately.

Fresh cedarwood, earthy, a bit smokey, raw and masculine. It wasn’t just a fragrance; it was HIM, powerful and magnetic.

Oh. No.

No, no, no, no,no!

My body froze, panic flooding me as a strange tingling rushed through me. My chest tightened, and I struggled to breathe. I knew this feeling—this undeniable pull.

The Mate Bond.

Tristan was the one all along.

I had suspected it, but now it terrified me.

Tristan betrayed me. He hurt me!

How could fate do this? How could I be bound to him after all the pain he caused?

I froze in the hallway, unable to move, my mind spiraling.

“Eleanor?” my mother called, her voice distant and concerned. I took a shaky step forward, gripping the wall for support. As the living room came into view, there he was.

Unaware of the turmoil inside me, mom smiled gently. “Elle, greet Lord Tristan. You remember him, don’t you? Maurice’s best friend. He recently ascended to the position of Alpha after his father’s passing, just around the time you were still in the Moonclaw Pack. You should show him the respect his new role demands.”

Tristan turned, his eyes locking with mine. For a moment, we just stared at each other. He seemed just as shocked, his lips parting as recognition hit him.

I couldn’t speak, I couldn’t think. I just stood there, frozen, as the weight of fate hit me.

I realized she wasn’t done with me yet.