Chapter 2: The Cold Homecoming

POV: ARIA

The black SUV pulled up the gravel driveway of the Frostwood Pack estate. I stared at the stone arches. For fifteen years, this place was my home. Now, looking at it, I felt completely hollow.

Gavin parked near the main entrance. His hands remained gripped tight on the steering wheel, his knuckles white after watching me flinch in the car. He hadn't said a word since.

"We're here," Gavin said quietly. "Aria... about what happened on the road…"

"I will take my bag, Alpha," I interrupted, unbuckling my seatbelt. "Thank you for the ride."

I stepped out into the cool mountain air. The estate grounds were buzzing with activity. Servants were carrying trays and floral arrangements across the courtyard for the Lycan King’s delegation. Nobody stopped working because I had returned. A few older servants caught sight of me and froze in shock, but most of the new staff walked right past me without a second glance.

Gavin pulled my canvas bag from the trunk and stopped a young steward. "Take Lady Aria’s luggage up to the guest wing."

The steward blinked. "Lady Aria? Which room should I put her in?"

Gavin’s jaw clenched. "Assign her one of the second-floor guest suites in the east wing."

"The guest wing?" the steward asked. "I thought the family stayed in the main floor quarters."

"Just do as you're told!" Gavin snapped.

I didn't complain that my old bedroom was gone. I already knew Lyra lived there now. I accepted the guest room quietly. I hadn't come back for a bedroom or my old status. The only reason I returned was my adoptive mother, Elena. I needed to check her health, repay the debt of her raising me, and leave.

"Aria, wait," Gavin said, reaching toward me before pulling his hand back, remembering my reaction earlier. "Lyra needed space for her piano, so we moved her into your old room last year. The guest room is temporary."

"It is fine, Alpha," I said flatly. "A bed is a bed. The prison cell was stone and iron. A guest room is adequate."

Gavin winced. "Stop comparing everything to prison. Can't you just act normal?"

Before I could answer, the front doors opened.

"Gavin! Is she back?"

Lyra rushed down the steps. She wore a tailored cream dress, her golden-brown hair curled perfectly. Tears welled in her eyes as she ran toward me with open arms.

"Aria!" she cried. "You're back! I prayed every day for your release!"

She threw herself forward to hug me.

Two years of prison conditioning surged through my body. I stumbled backward violently, gasping for air as my hands shot up in front of my face.

"Don't touch me," I gasped out.

Lyra froze mid-stride, her arms falling as tears spilled down her cheeks. "I…I'm sorry... I just wanted to hug my sister..."

Gavin stepped between us, pulling Lyra against his side.

"Aria, that is enough!" Gavin barked. "Lyra welcomed you with open arms, and you treat her like this the second you walk in? Have you learned nothing from where you were coming from?"

I stood there, my chest heaving. I didn't defend myself or explain my PTSD. It wouldn't matter. To them, everything I did was out of jealousy.

"I apologize, Alpha," I said softly, bowing my head. "It was an instinctual reaction."

"Gavin, don't yell at her," Lyra sobbed softly. "She must hate me..."

"She has no right to hate you," Gavin snapped. "You were the victim."

"What is this commotion?"

I looked up. Elena stood at the top of the stairs, supported by a nurse. She looked pale and frail, wrapped in a wool shawl.

My chest tightened. Mother.

Elena came down the steps. I took a small step forward, waiting to see if she would embrace me. But Elena walked straight past me and turned to Lyra, cupping her cheeks with worry.

"Lyra, my child, why are you crying?" Elena asked anxiously. "Are you unwell? You need to rest before the Lycan King’s delegation arrives tonight."

"I'm fine, Mother," Lyra sniffled. "Just happy to see Aria."

Only then did Elena look at me. Her eyes swept over my dull hair and threadbare coat. She gave a small, tired nod.

"It is good that you are back, Aria," Elena said quietly, her voice distant. "Gavin said your paperwork was finished."

No hug. No questions about prison. No concern.

I swallowed the ache in my throat. I was already used to disappointment.

Elena turned back to Lyra. "Go upstairs and prepare your gown. Lord Rowan will sit beside you at the banquet, and you must look your best."

Once Lyra went upstairs, Elena turned to me, hesitating.

"Aria," she whispered. "Tonight is critical for our pack. Lord Rowan may match with Lyra. Because of where you have been for two years, your presence might raise uncomfortable questions..."

"I understand, Mother," I cut in before she had to ask. "I will stay in my room upstairs tonight and will not disturb the gathering no one will know that I’m around"

Elena smiled, relieved. "Thank you, dear."

Gavin watched, unsettled by how quietly I agreed. Two years ago, I would have cried and demanded to know why I was excluded.

Instead, I turned and walked up the narrow servants' staircase to the guest wing entirely alone.