Gone But Never Forgotten

Returning Home

**Lydia's POV**

The Gilbert house stood just as I remembered it, a beacon of warmth and comfort amidst the chaos of the past year. I had only been away for twelve months, but it felt like an eternity. Leaving Mystic Falls had been one of the hardest decisions of my life. After our parents' deaths, everything had become more than just complicated—it had become unbearable. Strange things started happening to me, things that no one could explain. The nightmares, the power surges, the strange transformations. I was changing, becoming something else. Something dangerous.

I still didn't know what I was or why it was happening to me. I hadn't found any answers during my time away, but I had learned enough to know that whatever this was, it wasn't normal. I'd come across old texts and ancient symbols, whispers of creatures that were both wolf and witch. How could that be possible? No one in my family was a witch, and the idea of being a werewolf was even more ridiculous. And yet, the signs were there. The dreams, the power surges, the restless energy beneath my skin. It all pointed to something supernatural.

Now, here I was, back at home, still without answers but too worried about my family to stay away. I just hoped that whatever was happening to me wouldn't hurt anyone else.

I took a deep breath as I stepped out of the car, my eyes sweeping over the house that held so many memories. The door opened, and I was immediately pulled into a tight hug.

"Lena!" I exclaimed, squeezing my sister. Her familiar scent, a mix of vanilla and something floral, filled my senses. "God, I've missed you."

"I've missed you too, Lyds," Elena said, her voice thick with emotion. "It's been too long. I'm so glad you're back."

"Where's Jeremy?" I asked, looking over Elena's shoulder into the house.

"Upstairs, I think," she replied with a shrug. She released me and stepped back, her eyes scanning my face. "Are you okay? How have you been?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," I lied, forcing a smile. "Just needed some time, you know?"

Before Elena could respond, Jenna's voice came from the living room. "Lydia? Is that you?"

I stepped inside, finding Jenna lying on the couch, a bandage visible on her side. Concern flooded me. "Jenna, what happened?"

She laughed lightly, waving a hand dismissively. "Oh, I kind of walked into a knife. Now I feel like an invalid."

Elena rolled her eyes. "That's because you are an invalid. Where's Jeremy? Isn't he hungry?"

Jenna shrugged. "He already left for the Lockwood party."

"He went to that?" I asked, surprised. Jeremy usually avoided social events.

"Yeah, I'm glad," Jenna said. "He needs to have more fun. Lose some of that emo thing."

I couldn't help but laugh. "Well, I'm here now, so we can have a family dinner. How about that?"

Elena smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Yeah, that sounds good. I'll get some napkins."

"I'll help you," I offered.

"No, I can get them," Elena said quickly, heading into the kitchen. Her behavior struck me as odd. She was acting like she had something to hide. I brushed off the feeling. Maybe I was just being paranoid.

"Lydia, I want you to meet someone," Jenna said, standing up carefully and walking over to a man who had been standing near the doorway, observing our reunion. I hadn't noticed him before, and he must have been trying to give us space.

"This is Alaric Saltzman," Jenna introduced, smiling at him warmly. "He's been helping out around here. And, well, he's my boyfriend."

"Boyfriend?" I repeated, raising an eyebrow. I couldn't help but grin a little at Jenna's blush. "Nice to meet you, Alaric."