Ella’s POV
We were home.
I didn’t know how I felt as I had a rush of different emotions floating in me. I had thought about this homecoming a lot, how I was going to feel and how I was going to react when I get home but now that I was here, I couldn’t understand how I felt.
I felt at peace that I was home finally after years of being away. I felt lonely since I had no friends who would be happy to see me. I felt scared about how they would act towards me. I felt insecure and wondered if I was going to be comfortable here. I was afraid of the future here. Heck, I was afraid of what my future here would be. I didn’t want to think too much about how I felt but what was going to happen but I found myself thinking of it as we drew closer to home.
I felt Kevin’s hand slip into mine and I smiled as I turned to him.
“What are you thinking?”
“I am wondering how the people will react to me. You know they never liked me.”
He sighed, a painful expression flitting across his face. “They will learn to love you. You are going to be their Luna.”
That was the issue. I didn’t want them to learn to love me. I wanted them to love me but I knew that was like asking pigs to fly. I was going to take what I could take.
He picked my hand and began to run circles around it, trying to take my mind off my worries. I smiled at me, grateful for his concerns.
“Where is the first place that you want to visit when we get home?”
“My mother’s grave.”
He sighed. “Can we go together?”
“Of course.”
He smiled at me. “Thank you.”
I snorted. “Would I have gone alone? I don’t even know where she was buried.” I felt ashamed to admit that out loud.
“That’s not a problem. You can always ask for directions and that will be all. I am honored that you want me to go with you.”
“You should come with me.” I repeated.
“Noted, your highness.” He chuckled.
I laughed. “Don’t tease me.”
“I’m glad you are laughing. It’s a delight to see you relaxed. I don’t want you in a bad mood. It makes me sad when you are sad.”
“We are home.” Liam breathed beside us.
It wasn’t long before he said that when someone spotted us and started shouting to alert the others about our presence. I didn’t know who she was as I was mostly a loner all the eighteen years that I lived here and stayed away from others but she seemed to know the others and started rushing towards us, her voice still blaring loudly like a bell to alert the others.
“The alpha is back!”
Everyone burst out of their homes and started rushing towards us. As I had expected, no one rushed to embrace me and I watched silently as they all jostled around Kevin, eager to have his attention.
The other men moved towards their families and were pulled into embraces here and there. I was happy they had all made it home safe and sound since they had risked their lives for the long journey because of me. I wouldn’t have forgiven myself if something had happened to them.
Kevin kept them at arm’s length, careful to not let them push him in their excitement. He smiled at them as he moved forward, walking through them and didn’t release my hand all through the journey. I felt a thrill in my heart as I clasped onto his hand. I knew the people weren’t here for me but being here with Kevin with our hands joined together made me feel like they were here for me too.
I could delude myself into thinking that they were welcoming me home as well.
“You brought the mute girl home?”
Everywhere went silent at the voice that spoke up and I winced as everyone turned their attention to me. No one had noticed my existence even though I had been there all along but with the way they all stared at me, I wished the time could go backwards and I was back to the moment they had all pretended I didn’t exist.
I knew who had spoken even though I hadn’t seen her yet. She moved forward and I watched as the crowd parted for her. I wasn’t surprised when I saw her and I let out a breath. She hadn’t changed and still had the scowl I expected to be on their face.
“I thought you went to war. Did you go in search of the mute girl?”
“Maya!” Liam hissed at her.
She didn’t even look at him, her attention focused on Kevin. “You rejected her five years ago. Why are you here with her?”
“Not your business.” Kevin replied, his jaw ticking with anger.
She finally decided to honor me with her glare. “Do you think you can be his mate? What lies did he feed you to make you forgive him? Do you think you can be the Luna of the Luna when you can’t even speak?”
I kept quiet, not wanting to give her the delight of forcing a response out of me.
“That’s enough.” Kevin growled. “Get her out of my sight.”
Two of the men bowed to him and dragged Maya away.
“I’m sorry about that. I had hoped for a perfect homecoming for you.” Kevin apologized, looking tortured.
I shook my head, smiling at him. “Being here with you makes it perfect already.” I shifted my gaze to Maya and sighed as I watched her being dragged away, yelling obscenities at me. I wasn’t going to fool myself that that was the end.