The Return of Lena

Lena couldn’t help but smile as she leaned against the cool window of the car.

The air outside was fresh and clean, the familiar scent of pine trees and the distant mountains filling her senses as they sped down the winding roads toward the mansion.

It had been two long years since she had left for Europe to study.

Two years of living without seeing Alex, the boy who had filled her every thought.

She was finally coming home, and everything felt like it was falling into place.

Her twin brother, Ethan, sat in the front seat, his expression a mixture of boredom and smugness.

He had never liked leaving their home, especially not for college.

It was always about business for him, and their father’s donations to the prestigious Moonshine College had ensured they would be admitted there.

“You’re really excited to see him, huh?” Ethan asked, his voice laced with amusement.

Lena’s heart skipped a beat.

“Alex?” She grinned. “Of course I am. I haven’t seen him in so long. I mean, he was always around back then, but now… well, I can finally tell him how I feel.”

She gazed out the window again, her thoughts drifting to the last time she had seen Alex.

He had been so distant when she left—so wrapped up in the drama with the Alpha twins and Lily.

She had left before she could sort out everything that was happening.

Ethan huffed, his gaze narrowing on the road ahead.

“Well, we’ll be at Moonshine soon enough. Can’t say I’m thrilled about it though. I don’t get why we couldn’t just start as freshmen. Our father practically owns the place now with his donations. We’re basically walking into a crowd full of Alphas, Lunas, and their pack members. It’s going to be a mess.”

Lena laughed softly, feeling the excitement rising in her chest again.

“You’re just mad because you’ll have to deal with actual students for once instead of your usual business meetings and private circles. And come on, it’s Moonshine College! It’s going to be amazing! All those wolves who are destined for greatness… and now we’re part of it.”

Ethan grumbled under his breath.

Lena’s face softened, her eyes full of longing.

“Alex has been through a lot. You know that, right? The pack... everything that happened while I was away... I tried to reach out to him, but he never responded. I don’t know what happened between him and the Alpha twins, but I want to see him.”

Her brother turned back to look at her with a raised eyebrow, his expression unreadable.

As they got closer the mansion, Lena’s heart raced.

The car pulled up to the grand entrance, and the butler was already there waiting for them.

He opened the door and greeted them with a polite nod.

“Welcome home, Ms. Lena, Master Ethan.”

Lena smiled at the butler, grateful to be back in the familiar surroundings.

“It’s good to be home,” she said as she stepped out, feeling the cool air rush past her.

Her excitement was palpable.

She couldn’t wait to see Alex.

“I can’t believe we’re finally back,” Lena said, her eyes shining with anticipation as they walked into the mansion. “I’ve missed everything here—the pack, the grounds... and especially Alex. He’s going to be shocked to see me again, don’t you think?”

Ethan smirked again, crossing his arms.

“If you think Alex will care, you’re delusional. But whatever. I don’t care either way.” He dropped his tone, his eyes narrowing. “But it’s probably best not to get too attached to any of this. We’re here for Moonshine College, not to hang out with someone who’s still stuck in the past.”

Lena shot him a glare.

“You don’t understand,” she muttered. “I have to tell him I love him. I can’t keep pretending that I don’t care about him.”

She couldn’t stop talking, her words tumbling out in a rush.

“I have to tell him that I’ve loved him for so long, that even while I was studying abroad, I couldn’t stop thinking about him. He’s been through so much, and I need him to know I’m here for him.”

As they entered the main living room, the large flat-screen television flickered on, the news anchor’s voice cutting through the room.

“Breaking news tonight: Alex, the exchange student that entered the pack two years ago, has been convinced for his involvement in a high-profile case endangering the lives of the Alpha twins and their Luna, Lily…”

Lena froze. Her heart dropped into her stomach as the words echoed in her mind.

She took a step forward, her eyes glued to the screen.

The footage showed Alex, his face gaunt and weary, handcuffed as he was led into a courthouse.

His once proud, confident demeanor had been replaced with an expression of sorrow.

The news anchor continued,

“The wolf council found Alex guilty of endangering the lives of the Alpha twins and their Luna, Lily. After a long and grueling trial, he was sentenced to life in prison.”

Lena’s breath hitched in her throat, and she felt a rush of confusion, disbelief, and grief.

“No… this can’t be real,” she whispered, staring at the screen in horror. “Alex… how could he...?”

Ethan, standing beside her, was equally stunned, his voice tight with shock.

“What the hell? I—I don’t understand. Alex would never do something like that.”

The butler, who had been standing silently by the door, finally spoke, his tone heavy with the weight of the truth.

“I’m afraid it is true, Ms. Lena. Alex betrayed his pack and endangered the Alpha twins and Luna Lily. After a thorough investigation, the wolf council found him guilty and sentenced him.”

Lena shook her head violently, her anger building as tears welled up in her eyes.

Her hands clenched into fists at her sides.

“Lily…” she spat the name, her voice dripping with venom. “She did this. She must have… she’s the one who’s behind all of this. I won’t let her get away with it. I won’t let Alex rot in prison because of her lies.”

Ethan’s face hardened.

“You want revenge, don’t you?”

Lena nodded slowly, a dark fire igniting in her chest.

“Yes. And I will make sure she pays. I’ll make sure the Alpha twins pay too.”

Ethan smiled coldly, his earlier indifference replaced by a gleam in his eyes.

“Then let’s make them regret ever crossing Alex.”

And so, with vengeance in their hearts, they turned to face a future that promised nothing less than war.