CHAPTER 14

Lyra(Mia's)POV

I was seated beside Xander while Nyla sat in front.

If looks could kill, I'm sure that Nyla would have buried a dagger in my gut like she had ordered her hoodlums to do in my other life.

I was uncomfortable with her being in the same car with me. But I kept my cool.

I didn't want to mess up this part of the plan. I ignored both of them and looked out the window.

I recall the pack a little differently.

There was a new building at every corner and new businesses here and there. Everyone wanted to dabble in commerce it would seem. Even the air seemed to smell different, unclear.

Me being back here plagued me with so many memories. These were the streets I grew up in.

I could remember touring every corner of the pack whether I was allowed to or not. I could still remember walking around with my sister and causing trouble wherever we went.

Now that woman that meant everything to me was a traitor. I wouldn't have believed that we would ever grow apart and hate each other after the kind of deep connection that we had.

But I guess life wouldn't stop hitting me with surprises.

“Impressed?” Xander asked as he caught me observing the environment.

“Not so much. Feels like every other pack I have been to.”

“Wait till you see my home.”

I turned to him sharply and so did Nyla.

“Your home?”

“You're taking her to our house?” Nyla retorted. “What happened to taking her to the company?”

“Don't be so bitter. We have just invited Luna Mia into our pack. We ought to host her accordingly. There is no way she can visit and not be properly hosted.”

“There is no need to take me back to your house. It's okay if we go straight to the company so I check it out. I have to get back anyway before Damion begins to get worried.”

“You heard her, Xander. She has to get back as soon as possible,” Nyla chipped in.

“That's nonsense. You're coming to my palace first and then I'm taking you on a tour to my workplace. Don't worry, I contacted the maids to whip up something for you.”

I would have kept rejecting his offer but his mind was already made up. There was no changing it.

Even Nyla has given up.

I didn't want to show up to the palace.

Just as we turned to the path leading to the palace gate, I could already feel the memories flooding In. I was held captive by a feeling of nostalgia for all the sad and few happy moments I had here.

As you would have guessed, the dark memories were the dominant.

This was where I had been made fun of, rejected, betrayed and lastly, killed.

Even as we got to the parking lot, I refused to step down from the door. How could I spend another moment in here when all it had taught me was watching my back and trusting no one?

This was an even more uncomfortable place for me. It made the palace back in Riverdale feel like a walk in the park.

I felt a hand touch my shoulder gently.

“I know it's magnificent. But we do need to get inside.”

How boastful of him. The building in front of me meant nothing. It was the memories I had made over the years that made me stunned.

“It is,” I managed to say. “I wonder how long it must have taken to put such a magnificent structure up.”

Like everything else, the palace has changed.

“Some parts had been demolished and made even grander. I had the entire place repainted and even added a couple of buildings.”

All he said was true. But that didn't impress me. Frankly I was disappointed. I was used to how the palace was before. There was never a need for space nor was the building looking less grand. Everything was just perfect.

“Looks great,” I commented. I wondered what made him motivated to give the building a new look.

“I know. Now let's go. The maids have everything in order for your arrival.” He led me to the palace ignoring Nyla. “Come along, Nyla.”

His attention was on me just like I expected. I stole a glance at Nyla and her eyes still looked like they would tear me in half.

Now she knew what it felt like when her man gets stolen. She followed us into the house but at a pace that kept her at more than an arm's length.

I hesitated at the door but I finally walked in.

Surprisingly the interior has remained the same. The nostalgia hit hard.

I ran my hand along the swede cushion letting my finger slip through the smooth material.

When the pictures on the wall remained the same except there was a new frame. It was a picture of Damion and Nyla smiling and holding hands while being adorned in wedding apparel.

They looked so happy, a sharp contrast in what was theirs reality right now.

“Go and call everyone to come out. We have a guest,” he instructed Nyla and she obeyed.

She disappeared down a hallway. By the time she emerged, she had gathered everyone. I'm talking about everyone from my past life; my family.

My father; Nathan, my mother; Lucy. They all walked out with smiles on their faces.

I had the urge to rush after them and hug them. It feels like an eternity since I saw them. I wanted to tell them that I was their daughter who had been reborn into another maiden's body.

But no one would believe me. Here I was with another face and life. Even I was yet to come to terms with my new reality.

But then I recalled. They wouldn't want anything to do with me. Even if there was a way to prove to them that I was Lyra, I would always be the daughter that brought shame to my entire pack and the child my parents couldn't defend.

Speaking of my mother, she wouldn't stop staring at me. She seemed to stare past my skin into my soul. I had to look away from her intense stare.

Xander did the introductions. “Hello guys, this is…”

My mother finished his sentence.

“...Lyra?”