The Unexpected Visit

The final bell rang, and the echo filled the hallways. 

While other students rushed out, eager to escape the day’s drama, Lily stayed behind, feeling a weight settle over her. 

She leaned against her locker, her mind racing with thoughts of everything that had unfolded.

"What if the twins’ father has seen the photo?"

The thought hit her with an intensity that made her throat tighten. 

She knew enough about him to realize he would be furious, perhaps even see her actions as a betrayal of her responsibilities as Luna. 

And while Lily wasn’t someone who easily gave in to fear, the idea of facing him filled her with dread. 

The mansion was the last place she wanted to go right now.

She sighed, a hit of regret twisting in her chest. But beneath the anxiety was something more—something that hurt just as much, if not more. 

It was the memory of Alex’s face, his eyes filled with betrayal, and how he had walked away from her, his trust shattered. 

She couldn’t bear leaving things like this with him, especially not when she had finally allowed herself to feel something real, something meaningful.

She wanted to find him, to make things right. It wasn’t going to be easy, and she had no idea how he would respond. But if there was even a chance he would listen to her, she had to try.

Reaching into her bag, she pulled out a small, folded handkerchief. It belonged to Alex, a small token he’d lent her once on a cold day. 

She lifted it to her face, inhaling its faint scent, hoping to draw strength from it. 

Taking a deep breath, she let her senses sharpen, allowing the scent to guide her. 

She began walking, her heart pounding as she focused on tracing the faint trail. 

It felt strange and slightly reckless, but as she moved, the smell grew stronger, and she knew she was on the right path. 

It led her farther than she had expected, to a neighborhood she’d rarely ventured into.

Eventually, she reached a tall iron gate that loomed before her, marking the entrance to a grand estate. 

The mansion beyond was magnificent, its structure elegant yet imposing, surrounded by beautiful gardens. 

She swallowed, feeling small under its shadow, and gathered her courage as she approached.

Two guards stood by the gate, their eyes narrowing as she drew closer. 

They exchanged skeptical glances, clearly not used to unannounced visitors.

“State your business,” one of them said, his tone firm.

Lily squared her shoulders, refusing to let her nerves show. 

“I’m here to see Alex. Please tell him… that Lily’s here.”

The guards exchanged looks of hesitation, but after a moment, one of them agreed pulling out a communication device. Finally, the guard gave a nod, his expression softening slightly.

“Mr. Alex has given permission. You may enter,” he said, stepping aside.

She murmured a quiet thanks, feeling her pulse quicken as she walked through the gate. 

Each step she took was measured, her mind racing as she wondered what she would say, how she could make him understand.

As she approached the front entrance, the doors opened, and she stepped inside, blinking at the wealth that surrounded her. 

The mansion was grand, with high ceilings and gleaming floors that reflected the soft glow of crystal chandeliers. 

She took it all in, feeling slightly out of place, yet more determined than ever.

Then, she saw him.

Alex stood at the far end and her breath caught in her throat. 

He was shirtless, his broad, muscular chest exposed, and she couldn’t help but notice the way his muscles flexed as he moved. 

He was more powerful-looking than even the twins, his strength apparent in the definition of his arms and shoulders. 

There was a rawness to his presence, a reminder of the alpha he had become, chosen by the Moon Goddess herself.

For a moment, she was struck silent, feeling an unbidden flush rise to her cheeks. But as her gaze met his, she saw the guarded look in his eyes, the flicker of anger that lingered beneath the surface. 

Whatever feelings his presence stirred within her, she knew they would have to wait. This was a moment for honesty, for confronting the hurt she had caused him.

Alex crossed his arms, his expression unreadable as he looked at her. 

“Why are you here, Lily?” he asked, his voice steady but lacking its usual warmth.

She swallowed, forcing herself to stand her ground. 

“I came to talk to you… to explain.”

“Explain what, exactly?” His tone was sharp, a hint of bitterness seeping through. “That you’re Luna? That you’re bound to the twins? That everything between us was… what, a lie?”

His words stung, and she felt a pang of guilt twist in her stomach. 

“No, Alex. None of it was a lie,” she said, her voice soft but firm. “I didn’t tell you because… I was afraid. Afraid that you’d see me differently, that you’d feel like you couldn’t be close to me anymore.”

He let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. 

“Well, congratulations. You succeeded. I don’t know what to feel anymore, Lily. One minute, I thought I knew you. The next… I find out you’ve been keeping something this big from me.”

She stepped closer, desperate to make him understand. 

“Alex, I didn’t mean to hurt you. I didn’t want to put this weight on you. Being Luna… it’s something I didn’t choose. It was decided for me, and I felt trapped. You… you were the first person who saw me, just me. Not a title, not a duty. Just Lily.”

His gaze softened slightly, but the hurt in his eyes remained. 

“And yet, you kept me in the dark,” he said, his voice low. “Do you have any idea how it feels, Lily? To open up to someone, to trust them, only to find out they’ve been hiding a part of their life from you?”

She took a shaky breath, her own emotions threatening to spill over. 

“I know… I know I made a mistake. But Alex, I care about you. More than I can even put into words. I didn’t want this… this mess to come between us.”

He looked away, his jaw tense, as if he were trying to hold back the storm of emotions inside him. 

“It already has,” he murmured, almost to himself.

Desperation clawed at her, and she reached out, her fingers grazing his arm. 

“Please, Alex. I came here because I wanted to make things right. I don’t want to lose you. I don’t want to lose… what we have.”

He looked down at her hand on his arm, his expression conflicted, and for a moment, she thought he might soften, that he might forgive her. But then he gently pulled away, the hurt still evident in his eyes.