2. Homecoming

Elowen’s POV

The estate gates opened, and for the first time in two years, I saw home. The iron gates parted slowly, revealing the long drive I had known since I was a child. 

The old oak trees still lined the road. The fountain still stood in the center of the courtyard.

Everything looked exactly as I remembered. Except nobody was waiting for me.

Servants were moving across the entrance hall with armfuls of flowers, polished silver, and boxes of wine. 

Two men were arguing over where to place a set of banners bearing the royal crest.

Nobody looked toward the driveway. Nobody smiled. Nobody came running. A young servant carrying folded linens nearly walked into me.

She stopped and stared, “Who is she?”

The question landed harder than it should have. The older maid beside her immediately lowered her voice.

“That's Elowen.”

The girl blinked.

“Oh.”

Just that. Then both of them stepped aside and continued with their work. I stood there for another second before following Caelan inside.

He had said almost nothing since the journey from Blackstone. Now, as we crossed the entrance hall, he glanced at me.

“Everyone is busy because the Lycan King arrives tomorrow.”

“I understand.”

“You'll have a room prepared.”

I nodded.

“Which one?”

“The east guest room.”

I stopped. Caelan looked back.

“The guest room?”

“Yes.”

I looked toward the staircase. My old bedroom was on the second floor, at the end of the western corridor.

For years, I had known every scratch on its wooden door. I had left my favorite books on the shelf. My old photographs had once covered the desk. 

There had been a blue blanket on the bed that Mother bought for me when I was twelve.

I didn't ask about any of it.

“All right.”

Caelan's brows pulled together.

“You're not going to ask about your room?”

I shook my head.

“There's no need.”

His expression changed.

“You used to love that room.”

“I know.”

“And you don't want to see it?”

I tightened my fingers around the strap of my bag.

“No.”

He stared at me for a moment before turning away. The guest room was clean.

Small, but clean. A bed. A wardrobe. A narrow window overlooking the gardens. Someone had placed fresh towels on the bed.

I set my bag down. Caelan remained in the doorway.

“If you need anything…”

“I'll manage.”

His mouth tightened, “ Elowen, you don't have to keep calling me Alpha.”

I looked at him, “It's what I should call you.”

“You used to call me Caelan.”

“That was before.”

He didn't answer. I closed the door after he left. For several minutes, I stood in the middle of the room. I had spent years imagining this moment. I had imagined opening the front door and hearing Mother's voice.

I had imagined her arms around me. I had imagined crying into her shoulder and telling her that I had survived.

I had imagined many things. None of them had happened. But there was one reason I had still agreed to come back.

Mother, Isolde had been the one person I couldn't completely let go of. Even after the silence. Even after the letters that never came. Even after I learned that no one was coming.

I still remember the woman who used to sit beside my bed when I was sick.

The woman who had held my hand during my first shift. The woman who had kissed my forehead before every important day.

I couldn't erase fifteen years simply because the last two had hurt.

So I made myself a promise. I would stay until Mother was stable.

Then I will leave. I didn't know where I would go. I didn't know what I would do.

But I knew I couldn't spend the rest of my life waiting for people who had already made their choice. A soft knock came at the door.

Before I could answer, it opened. Seraphine stood outside. She wore a pale dress, her hair falling neatly over one shoulder.

For an awkward moment, she simply looked at me. Then she smiled.

“Elowen.”

I didn't respond immediately. She stepped inside.

“I heard you arrived.”

“Yes.”

Her eyes moved over my face.

“You look…”

She stopped herself.

“I'm glad you're home.”

Home. The word felt strange coming from her. She took another step toward me.

“I've missed you.”

Then she opened her arms. My body moved before I could think. I stepped backward immediately and hard. 

My shoulders hit the wall. Seraphine's arms slowly fell. Caelan appeared behind her.

I hadn't heard him approach. His expression hardened.

“Elowen.”

I looked at Seraphine. She looked embarrassed rather than angry.

“It's okay,” she said softly.

Caelan frowned. Seraphine gave him a small smile.

“I know she probably still hates me.”

“I don't hate you.”

The words came out quietly. Seraphine's eyes widened.

“You don't?”

“No.”

I looked away.

“I just don't want to be touched.”

Her expression softened.

“Of course.”

She glanced at Caelan.

“I understand.”

I knew that look. The careful sadness. The lowered eyes. The way she made herself smaller so someone else would feel cruel for hurting her.

Caelan moved closer to her.

“Don't worry about it.”

I said nothing. A few seconds later, footsteps sounded from the corridor. Mother appeared. My breath caught.

For the first time since I had entered the estate, my carefully built walls cracked.

“Mother.”

Isolde stopped. Her eyes met mine. For one heartbeat, I was twelve again. Then her gaze moved to Seraphine.

“Are the preparations finished?” she asked.

Seraphine smiled, “Almost. I still need to check the west hall.”

“And have you eaten?”

“A little.”

“You need to eat properly. The royal delegation will be here tomorrow.”

“I will.”

They spoke easily and naturally. Like I wasn't standing three feet away.

I waited. Surely she would look at me again. Surely she would ask.

How was Blackstone?

Did they hurt you?

Why are you so thin?

Anything. Instead, Mother finally turned toward me.

“It’s good you're back, Elowen.”

My throat tightened. I lowered my head.

“Thank you.”

She hesitated. Then she looked at Seraphine again.

“There is something I wanted to ask.”

I waited.

“The formal welcome tomorrow will be quite crowded. Perhaps you should remain upstairs.”

I didn't let her finish.

“I'll stay upstairs.”

Mother's lips parted.

“Elowen…”

“It's fine.”

I gave her a small nod.

“I understand.”

I walked away before either of them could say anything else. Up the staircase. One step. Then another. I didn't cry. I didn't turn around.

Not until I reached the landing. I looked back once. Mother was still standing beside Seraphine. Caelan had joined them.

Nobody followed me. Nobody called my name. I turned away and continued upstairs.

For two years, I had dreamed about coming home. I just hadn't realized home had stopped dreaming about me.