Chapter eleven

Lana Dana's heart raced as the plane descended, the view of her hometown slowly coming into focus. After months in Paris, she was finally home, and she couldn't wait to see everyone, especially Marcus. She had told him she'd return next week, but the surprise was too tempting to resist.

She stepped into the grand hall of their mansion, her heels clicking on the marble floor. The vast room echoed with her presence as the servants hurried to greet her. The towering crystal chandelier above glinted in the afternoon sun, casting rainbow reflections on the walls.

"Luna Dana!" Maggie, her trusted maid and former nanny she was also human, rushed forward, her eyes wide with joy and surprise. "Why didn't you tell us you were coming today?"

Dana embraced Maggie warmly. "I wanted to surprise everyone. How's everything been here? How's the pack? Is Marcus doing a good job running things?"

Maggie's eyes sparkled with pride. "He's been doing wonderfully. He goes to the pack quarters every day to check up on things.

Almost all the werewolf pack quarters in Rainbow Town were located deep in the woods. Most of the pack members didn't live there, especially those who were wealthy and influential in town, because they didn't want to draw attention and wanted to keep their existence secret from the Normals.

Dana smiled, relieved. "That's good to hear. He's still new to being Alpha, only a year since he found his wolf."

Maggie's expression turned somber. "But... there was a fight between him and Alpha Hector."

Dana's brow furrowed. "What happened?"

Maggie sighed. "Two weeks ago, the Robinsons, came to see Alpha Hector. They had a private discussion and then asked for Marcus. When he came in, everything changed.

Alpha Marcus stormed out, and Alpha Hector was furious, yelling that Alpha Marcus wasn't behaving like a true Alpha.

Dana's heart sank. "I'll have a word with Hector. But first, I want to see Marcus."

She ascended the grand staircase, its polished marble steps gleaming under her feet. She moved quietly, mindful of her son acute hearing. Reaching Marcus's door, she gently turned the knob and pushed it open.

Her eyes widened in surprise as she saw Marcus on the bed, entangled with a girl. The girl gasped, while Marcus shot up, his eyes locking onto his mother's in shock.

"Marcus, what are you doing?" Dana said embarrassed.

Marcus scrambled immediately, not realizing how he had rolled over from the bed and landed on the floor when he heard her voice.

"Mom, when did you come back?" he said, trying to get back on his feet.

Dana managed a soft smile, masking her initial surprise. "Well, I suppose I should knock next time."

"Welcome home mom " Marcus said."

"I-I should go," Alina stuttered.

Dana shook her head. "Stay. I didn't mean to intrude. But Marcus, we need to talk. There's been enough chaos while I was away."

Marcus nodded, his expression shifting from embarrassment to concern. "I know, Mom. We'll talk. But first, let me introduce you. This is Alina my classmates."

Dana extended a hand to Alina, her smile genuine. "Nice to meet you, Alina. It seems you've made quite an impression on my son."

Alina blushed, taking Dana's hand. "Nice to meet you too, Mrs. Dana.I must be going now," she said, looking at her watch. "My dad must have been back, and he would be looking for me now. Bye, ma, once again," she said, smiling.

As Alina walked past her, Dana could not help but notice that she looked so much like a friend she knew way back. In fact, she had noticed that Alina looked familiar immediately she saw her, but she could not put a finger to it, and now it came back to her like a flash of lightning.

It was her childhood friend Susan. Alina looked exactly like her. "Hey, wait before you go. What's your name?"

"My name is Alina Wilson."

"Are your parents Paul and Susan Wilson?" she asked.

Alina looked surprised and startled. "How do you know my parents?" she said.

"Wait, so I was right. You are actually Susan's daughter. Come here, darling, let me give you a hug."

"Your mom was my childhood best friend, and I used to know your dad too. We all went to the same university. So how is my friend Susan?" she asked with excitement giving Alina a hug.

Alina's face immediately contorted into a sad expression.

"My child, what is it? Was it something I said?" Dana said, surprised by the change in the girl's expression.

"My mom is no more," she said with a sad expression. "She died when I was a child. It was a hit-and-run accident. That's what my dad told me."

"Oh my god, I am so sorry. I had no idea. Come here, dear," she said, giving her a hug. "You poor thing. Your mom would be so proud of you."

"You look just like her when she was young. Believe me, your mom was one of the most beautiful women I ever saw. And you will grow up to be just as beautiful as her."

"Thank you, ma." Alina replied

"So you and your dad live in this town!"

"Yes, we do live here."

"But how come I never come across him? This town is really small. I just don't understand how I can miss him."

"We moved here, maybe four years ago."

"Wow, that's awesome. Well, tell him that I would still visit him. I will get your address from my son."

"Okay, ma'am."

"Bye, dear. If you need anything, tell me," Dana said before Alina smiled and closed the door behind her.

Dana turned her attention to her son, a serious expression on her face. "Don't mess with her."

"What did I do? she wanted to help me with my assignment," Marcus said defensively.

"Spare me the lies, Marcus. I know how you can be. Don't mess with her. She is my best friend's daughter, and I won't forgive you if you hurt her."

Marcus scoffed. "I don't understand. Is she your child? I thought you would be on my side no matter what."

"Yes, I'm on your side, but I won't if you did something wrong."

"Alright, mom. I have heard you. Let's talk about something else," Marcus said, standing up from his bed and going toward her. He gave her a warm hug and a kiss on her forehead.

"You did not tell me you were coming today. Who picked you up from the airport?"

"Nobody. I came on my own, and I did not tell you because I wanted to surprise you."

"So, how is everything? I heard you had a fight with your dad. What happened again?"

"Mom, you would not believe Dad," Marcus said, getting worked up. "He tried to manipulate me into engaging with Kendra."

"And what did you do?" Dana inquired.

"Well, I let him know I can't be manipulated."

"Good, don't worry. I will talk to him."

"I'm so happy to see you, baby," she said, giving him another hug.

"Likewise, Mom, but don't call me that anymore remember am now the Alpha" Marcus replied.

She rolls her eyes, " okay your highness" she said as both of them start to laugh

"Well , I need to go talk to your father," she said as she opened the door.

"Mom, please tell him to leave me alone. I won't allow him to manipulate me anymore."

"I will tell him that, but don't forget what I told you. Don't you hurt that girl," she said as she slammed the door behind her.

Marcus sat on the edge of his bed, rolling his eyes in exaggerated disdain. "Don't hurt her," he mimicked his mother's concerned tone, the words dripping with sarcasm. "What if she was your best friend daughter?" He mutters and scoffed. As far as he was concerned, if she was human, she was fair game.

His gaze drifted to the floor, where he noticed Alina's scrapbook lying slightly open. He bent down to pick it up, a sly grin spreading across his face. "Thank God she didn't take the book when she left," he muttered to himself, his mind already scheming how to use it to his advantage.

As he flipped through the pages, a vivid memory flashed through his mind – Alina, curled up beside him on the bed, looking adorably innocent. "She's so cute," he blurted out, his cheeks turning a deep shade of red. He quickly shook his head, catching his reflection in the mirror. "Oh my gosh, what is wrong with me?" he questioned, staring at his own flushed face.

"Why am I smiling like an idiot?" he grumbled, trying to snap himself out of it. "Come off it, Marcus. Remember, she's just a plaything." He let out a tired breath and plopped back onto his bed, feeling the weight of confusion pressing down on him.

"Should I call her? I wonder if she got home safely," he thought. "No, I bet she is fine. I don't want her to think I'm into her or something."

After a moment of hesitation, he grabbed his phone and dialed Alina's number. The line rang twice before she picked up.

"Hey, did you get home safely?" he asked, trying to sound casual.

"No, but but I'm almost there," she replied softly.

"Okay. I'll see you tomorrow," he said, quickly hanging up before she could respond further. As he put his phone down, he felt his heart racing. "Oh my God," he whispered, clutching his chest. "Why is my heart beating so fast?"

He stared at the ceiling, thoughts racing. "I must have a heart problem," he joked to himself, trying to laugh off the strange sensation. Just then he heard raised voices coming from downstairs.

Instantly alert, Marcus jumped off his bed and crept to the staircase. Peering down, he saw his parents in a heated argument. His mother was scolding his father, likely for trying to force him into an arranged marriage with Kendra. His father, in turn, was trying to defend himself, his voice rising in frustration.

Marcus chuckled quietly. "Dad still thinks I'm a kid," he muttered. But for now, he watched the scene below, a mix of determination and amusement in his eyes. His thoughts drifted back to Alina, and he couldn't help but wonder what tomorrow would bring.