Rejected Luna Returns with Secret Twins (Lysandra) novel Chapter 218

Her eyes widened on the screen. The shock on her face was almost comical.

“What did you just say?” Lysandra asked, her voice sharp enough to cut glass.

I’d expected surprise, maybe even a hint of happiness at the chance to see the children on their birthday. What I hadn’t expected was the cold fury that transformed her features, turning those emerald eyes to ice.

“I thought you’d be happy,” I said, keeping my tone deliberately neutral. “The kids miss you.”

Lysandra’s jaw tightened. Her fingers gripped the edge of her robe, knuckles turning white. “Tristan Wolfbane, are you trying to humiliate me again?”

“What?” I frowned, genuinely confused. “Why would you think that?”

“A man like you can’t be trusted.” Her laugh was brittle, empty of humor. “I think you’re planning something.”

I stared at her, the accusation hitting harder than it should have. Was this how little she trusted me now? I opened my mouth to defend myself but stopped. From her perspective, why should she trust me?

“I’m not planning anything,” I finally said, trying to keep the frustration from my voice. “This is about the kids, not us.”

“I don’t want to attend your party.” Lysandra ran a hand through her damp hair, pushing it away from her face. “If you want to surprise them, send them to my house. I’ll spend time with them there.”

“That’s not-”

“I don’t trust their father.” Her eyes locked with mine through the screen. “So I won’t walk into your trap. You’ve done enough to my family already. No more.”

“Lys-”

The screen went black before I could finish. She’d hung up on me

I stood motionless, staring at the darkened tablet. After a moment, it reverted to the home screen–a wallpaper showing a younger Indra with the twins as toddlers. They looked so happy, so complete without me.

“I apologized,” I muttered to the empty balcony. “Isn’t that enough?”

The wind carried no answer as I turned and walked back inside the bedroom.

The twins had finished their dinner and were sitting on Lyra’s bed again. Orion was showing his sister something in the wooden box I’d given him, but both looked up when I entered.

“Did you talk to Mommy?” Lyra jumped to her feet, rushing toward me.

I crouched down as she approached, automatically opening my arms. She crashed into me with surprising force for such a small body. The unconditional trust in that simple gesture made my chest tight.

“What did she say?” Lyra’s eyes‘ sparkled with excitement. “When is she coming to see us?”

I chose my words carefully. “She’s busy right now. Has some things to take care of.”

Orion’s eyes narrowed. Unlike his sister, he was always quick to sense when adults weren’t being completely truthful.

Chapter 218

“Did you two fight again?‘ he asked bluntly.

I considered lying but decided against it. These kids had been lied to enough. I sat on the edge of the bed, gesturing for them to join me.

‘Not a fight exactly.” I paused, searching for words they might understand. “You know how when you break a toy you really like, and you try to glue it back together?”

Lyra’s eyes widened with recognition. “Like when my little pony broke its leg and you helped me fix it with the special glue?”

I’nodded, smiling slightly. “Yeah, kind of like that. Except the ‘glue‘ adults need takes longer to dry.

Lyra seemed satisfied with this explanation. She climbed onto the bed and picked up a book from the nightstand.

*Could you read us a story?” she asked, her voice small and hesitant. “Mommy always used to read to us, but no one does anymore since we

haven’t seen her.”

“I…” I took the book from her hands, surprised by the request. “Sure.”

I settled into the chair beside the bed. The book was a simple children’s story about animals in a forest. Nothing complicated, but the twins watched me with rapt attention as I read, as if I were performing some extraordinary feat.

When I finished, Orion looked at me directly. “When can we see Mom? We miss her.”

The simple honesty in his words hit me like a punch to the gut. “I know you do,” I said quietly. “I’ll… I’ll figure something out.”

“Really?” Lyra’s eyes lit up with hope. “You promise?”

I nodded. “I promise I’ll try my best.”

I tucked them in, pulling the covers up to their chins. “Time to sleep now. Sweet dreams.”

Their small faces, so trusting now despite everything, followed me to the door. I turned off the light, leaving just a small night lamp glowing

beside Lyra’s bed.

“Good night, Daddy,” Lyra called as I closed the door.

The night air was crisp against my face as I stepped outside Moon Sanctuary. Varian stood near a large oak, hands

the branches.

pockets, staring up at

“Made you wait,” I said, stopping beside him.

Varian didn’t look at me, his gaze still fixed on the tree. “It’s fine.”

I shoved my hands into my pockets, following his gaze upward. The oak’s leaves rustled gently in the evening breeze, moonlight filtering through the branches.

“Tristan, Varian finally broke the silence. “I misjudged Selene. I never particularly liked the woman, but she nearly sacrificed her life for you.

“I only learned about the broken bones today,” I replied, keeping my voice even.

Varian turned to me. “So what are you going to do?”

I kept my eyes on the swaying leaves, not answering.

Chapter 218

“No other woman would have been as brave as Selene was for you,” Varian pressed. “She truly has the qualities of a Luna, willing to do anything for her Alpha.

I closed my eyes, conflicting emotions washing over me. Yes, Selene had saved my life. Yes, she had suffered terribly for it. But marriage? Mating? The thought left me cold.

“Tristan, do you want to cancel the breakup announcement with Selene?” Varian asked directly.

I opened my eyes. “No. Just delay it. I need time.”

Varian looked surprised. “She risked her life for you. Most men would be grateful to marry a woman who’d make such a sacrifice.”

I shook my head, my resolve hardening. “I’m grateful for what she did. I’ll compensate her generously. But I can’t offer marriage as repayment. Especially now…”

“Because of Lysandra?” Varian’s gaze was shrewd, missing nothing.

I didn’t deny it. “You shouldn’t be surprised, Beta Varian. If you are, you don’t know your Alpha as well as you think.”

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