Chapter 252

We arrived back at our familiar neighborhood late into the following night. Kendrick's abrupt departure had left an uneasy silence lingering in the air, but Lucas and I were too preoccupied with our own thoughts to dwell on it.

Once we got off the private jet, Kendrick had taken off to deal with some business issues.

Lucas and I's ride back was quiet, the hum of the engine and the occasional flicker of passing streetlights providing a relaxing backdrop to our contemplations.

It felt surreal to be back in the familiar surroundings of our hometown after the whirlwind of events at the Ethereal Palace.

As the car rolled through the streets, I found myself gazing out the window, watching the familiar landmarks pass by in a blur of shadows and streetlights.

The sight of the quaint houses and bustling streets that I had known my entire life should have brought me comfort, but instead, it only served to deepen the sense of displacement that had taken root within me.

It was a strange realization, one that I couldn't quite describe properly.

Despite the familiarity of my surroundings, I no longer felt like I belonged here.

The experiences of the past few weeks had changed me in ways I couldn't fully comprehend, and now, standing on the threshold of the life I had once known, I couldn't shake the feeling that I no longer fit into the world I had left behind.

When we finally pulled up to Grandma Jo's house, I couldn't help but feel a pang of nostalgia at the sight of the cozy porch and the warm glow of the porch light.

But even as I stepped out of the car and breathed in the familiar scent of pine trees and autumn leaves, I knew that I was no longer the same person who had left this place behind.

The events at the Ethereal Palace had altered the course of my life, and as I crossed the threshold of the familiar front door, I couldn't help but wonder what other changes awaited me in the uncertain days ahead.

I woke up the next morning incredibly tired as the first light of dawn crept through my window. My alarm was blaring, reminding me that I needed to get up for school.

I groaned into my pillow.

The transition from the surreal world of royalty and magic to the mundane routine of school felt disorientating. How was I supposed to return back to school as if nothing had ever happened?

Dragging myself out of bed, I couldn't shake the lingering sense of unease that had settled over me since our return.

It was as if a part of me still remained lost in the realm of kings and portals, struggling to find its place in the ordinary world. Soon enough, I'd return, which didn't make matters any better.

I wasn't sure when exactly I would begin my training at the palace, or what it would entail.

I knew the Alpha King wouldn't request for me to be back at the palace since I had just left, but he could have Liam come get me at any moment, and that put me on edge.

I didn't like the unexpected. I wanted to know what was happening.

I got dressed and made my way out of my room when Lucas stopped me.

He smelled fresh and clean, and from the dampness of his hair, I could tell he had just taken a shower.

"Good morning." he murmured, his breath mingling with mine. He leaned into me and pressed a soft kiss to my lips.

I melted against him, wrapping my arms around him to solidify myself.

"Good morning," I mumbled into his shirt. "You smell nice."

"So do you." He cupped the back of my head, letting his fingers run through my hair. "Did you sleep well?"

"No." I shook my head. "Still tired."

"Well, the good news is we have some delicious breakfast waiting for us."

Lucas pulled away and grabbed my hand, leading me down the stairs to the kitchen.

Grandma Jo made her typical breakfast for us. The aroma of freshly baked muffins filled the air, and as I took a bite, it felt like a small piece of normalcy amidst the chaos of recent events.

Everything suddenly felt right again, only for a few seconds.

"Did they not feed you at the palace?" Grandma Jo asked me as I took a bite into my third muffin.

"They did," Lucas answered for me, slightly smiling when he saw how hungry I was. "Shana just has a big appetite."

"Nothing beats your baking," I told Grandma Jo, smacking my lips as I spoke. Noticing I was being a bit rude, I blushed. "Sorry for being so rude."

"Don't be sorry, dear. Eat as much as you'd like," Grandma Jo smiled at me.

As we made our down the school hallways, I was grateful that I had Lucas by my side. His presence offered a much needed comfort, but even his reassuring smile couldn't take away the gnawing feeling of displacement that formed at the edges of my mind.

I couldn't help but feel like a stranger in my own skin, the weight of everything we had experienced pressing down on me like a heavy burden.

The halls of the school seemed to echo with the chatter of students, but their voices sounded distant and muffled, as if I were underwater, struggling to make sense of the world around me.

Going through the first classes of the day felt like a dream.

Time seemed to pass too slowly as I waited for the day to end.

At lunch, I met Lucas who was waiting for me outside of my class. Once I saw him, it felt as if energy had been re-energized back into me.

"You okay?" Lucas asked as I wrapped a free arm around his torso, nestling closer to him.

"I missed you," I murmured softly, my voice barely above a whisper.

He chuckled, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of my head, his touch reassuring. "I missed you too. It's weird being back, isn't it?"

"Yeah," I sighed, feeling a heaviness settle over me. "I feel like a zombie. I don't feel like myself."

"Shana, if it's getting to be too much for you... you'd let me know, right?" Lucas looked down at me with concern.

"Yes, Lucas." I leaned up to give him a kiss on the lips. "I'd let you know. I think I'm just still trying to process everything and I feel out of place."

"That feeling is going to last for awhile," Lucas admitted. "Just don't let it sink you down. I don't want you to lose yourself in your worries and fears."

I squeezed him tighter as we walked, showing him that I was grateful for his reassurance.

We walked into the cafeteria and began heading toward our usual table. James was already sat there and seeing him brought a smile to my face.

His head was down, but when he saw us approaching out of the corner of his eye, he looked up.

His mouth dropped open in dramatic shock. "Well, well, well. Look who we have here."

"Hey, bro," Lucas smiled, taking the seat next to James.

James looked at him as if he was a stranger. "Hey, bro? That's all you have to say to me. Where the hell have you guys been?!"

"We brought you muffins as a peace offering," I said, raising a bag in front of James's face.