Five years ago, Lyana experienced a devastating betrayal: her fiancé and her half-sister abandoned her, leading her to spend a night with a stranger. That fateful night led to the tragic death of his mother and caused him to be banished by his own father. Today, Lyana is back, accompanied by her twins and exceptional medical skills. Will she manage to reintegrate into a society of wolves dominated by alliances and rivalries? When an influential Alpha declares that she would be the ideal mate for his grandson, a handsome and promising young Alpha named Kaelan, tensions rise. Will a first suitor, Ewan, long in love, try to conquer Lyana's heart and accept the twins as if they were his own? Will a second, more possessive suitor, Orion, go so far as to claim Lyana as his own, ready to eliminate all competition? But when the Alpha of the powerful Ashford family intervenes, claiming that Lyana is his mate and the twins are now his children, who will dare challenge such an Alpha? Will Lyana give in to passion, will she finally find true love and a home for her children within the pack?
Chapter 1 Chapitre 1
Lyana pauses for a moment before crossing the city limits. His hands, crusty on the steering wheel, betrayed the anguish that gripped him. After five years of absence, she was finally returning to her hometown, but she could not ignore the bitter mixture of apprehension and nostalgia that boiled inside her. This return is in no way a new adventure or a simple stopover to visit old friends. No, she was coming back to face the past, to face those who had abandoned her, betrayed her, and above all to give her children a home.
Her twins, Ethan and Emma, were sleeping peacefully in the back seat, oblivious to their mother's whirlwind of emotions. She looked at them in the rearview mirror, their faces so sweet, so innocent. They were his whole life.
She exhales slowly before putting the car back into drive and venturing out onto the family roads, lined with towering trees and green hills that still held so many memories. The town had changed a little since she left, but she quickly recognized the café where she had spent countless afternoons with her friends, the old cinema with the used facade, and even the bakery that made the best croissants in the city. region. But none of this could offer her the comfort she hoped for. She knew that as soon as she saw a familiar face, the whispers would begin.
Arriving in front of a small house with green shutters, his heart sank. She had rented this modest refuge hoping to go unnoticed, but she knew that her mere presence would sooner or later be a topic of conversation. As soon as she stopped the engine, Ethan opened his eyes, yawning and rubbing his little fists. Her sister quickly followed, looking around curiously.
"Mom, are we there? Emma asked, her eyes bright with excitement.
Lyana smiled softly. "Yes, my dear. This is our new home. »
She gets out of the vehicle and helps the children get out. Ethan, already adventurous, ran towards the entrance of the house, closely followed by Emma. As she unlocked the door, she felt someone watching her. She turned around and saw a familiar figure, that of a woman in her thirties, with auburn hair and a warm smile. It was Mila, an old friend, one of the rare people who had never judged her.
"Lyana? Is that you? » cried Mila's voice, tinged with a mixture of surprise and joy.
Lyana, hesitant, smiled weakly at him. "Yes, it's me. It's been a long time. »
Mila approaches, her eyes shining. "You have no idea how happy it is to see you again. I've heard... rumors, you know, but I'm so happy you're back. »
Lyana felt her heart warm slightly. Mila had always been sincere, without ever getting involved in the exchanges surrounding the pack. She took Mila in her arms, feeling a comfort she hadn't known in years.
"Thank you, Mila... It's good to see you. »
Ethan and Emma, curious, watching the scene with a mixture of concern and interest.
"Are these your kids? » demanded Mila, her gaze softening.
Lyana nodded, a hint of pride in her eyes. " Yes. Ethan and Emma. They are everything to me. »
Mila leaned towards the twins, her kind smile immediately reassuring them. "Hello, Ethan, Emma. You are lucky to have such a courageous mother. »
Ethan, a little shy, whispered a little "Hello" while Emma hid behind her mother's leg. Mila sat up, glancing at Lyana, as if to say she understood the challenges she had faced alone.
"Did you get a job?" » demanded Mila after a moment of silence.
Lyana squeezes her head. "Not yet, but I heard the pack infirmary is looking for someone. With my skills, I hope to be able to obtain a position. »
Mila frowned. "You know that some people won't welcome your return with open arms... Things have changed a lot since you left. »
Lyana nodded, aware of the hostile looks she might receive. But she had no choice. She had to move forward, for herself and for her children.
The next morning, as she prepared for a visit to the pack infirmary, she felt that family tension in the air again. The pack. She had grown up here, surrounded by familiar faces and memories, but she knew she would never be completely accepted. Not after what happened.
She took Ethan and Emma to Mila, who had offered to look after them. As she approached the pack's health center, she felt each step weigh her heart down. She had barely crossed the threshold of the infirmary when eyes turned towards her, gazes sometimes curious, sometimes suspicious. An older nurse, with gray hair and a stern face, approaches her.
"Lyana... I didn't think I'd see you here again one day. »
Lyana takes a deep breath. She knew that the rumor of his return had already spread like wildfire. "Hello, Martha. I am here to apply for a nursing position. »
Martha looked at her with a mixture of pity and disapproval. "You're brave to come back after... all that." But the pack council is strict. They do not easily accept elders. »
Lyana stood up, meeting Martha's gaze without wavering. "I'm here for my children, Martha. I have skills the pack can use, and I'm willing to work hard. »
The old woman stares at her for a moment, before nodding slowly. " Alright. I'll see what I can do. But be careful. Everyone here has a long memory. »
Lyana thanked her with a nod, feeling the apprehension turn to determination. She was no longer the fragile young woman of the past. She had survived much worse, and she wasn't going to let anyone crush her. As she left the infirmary, she felt a piercing gaze following her. She turns around and introduces Kaelan, the new Alpha, a man with imposing charisma and an icy gaze. Their eyes met, and she felt a palpable wave of tension between them.
Kaelan steps forward, his eyes shining with a light she doesn't understand. "Lyana. » His voice was cold, almost distant.
She stood up, resisting the urge to flee. "Alpha Kaelan. »
He stared at her for a moment, as if trying to read her thoughts. "Your return... is causing a lot of commotion." »
She clenches her fists. "I'm here for my children, and to help the pack if possible. I don't want to cause trouble for anyone. »
A smirk appeared on Kaelan's lips. "Hopefully you're ready to handle what's ahead." The pack is not in the habit of forgetting. »
She holds his gaze, determines not to let herself be intimidated. "I am ready to face whatever it takes. For my children, I am ready for anything. »
Kaelan stared at her for a moment, then turned away without a word, disappearing into the crowd. Lyana stood there alone, but she knew that this first confrontation marked the beginning of a greater battle. She was no longer the vulnerable woman they had once known. She would fight, for herself, for Ethan and Emma, and to prove to everyone that she deserved to come back.
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