149. HOME AFTER CHAOS
Shadowline City — Courtyard of Marcelline's Mansion
Golden light shimmered beneath her boots as Marcelline appeared in the middle of the courtyard — safely, accurately, finally without landing in someone's bedroom, bathroom, or personal space.
A soft sigh escaped her lips.
She was home.
The moment the teleportation seal burned out—
THUMP—THUMP—THUMP—
Two enormous forms bolted from opposite ends of the estate, power shaking the ground.
A towering snow-white werewolf Alpha, fur shimmering with divine runes.
And a graceful, obsidian panther with silver eyes — Paradus.
Both roared in unison the second they recognized her.
"ELLI!"
Marcelline barely had time to inhale.
WHAM!
They tackled her in a crushing, bone-rattling embrace.
Alpha nuzzled into her hair like an overgrown wolf dog who hadn't seen his favorite person in decades.
Paradus wrapped his arms around her waist, scenting her clothes, confirming it was really her.
"You're back," Alpha rumbled, voice shaky with relief.
"After so many days…" Paradus added softly.
Marcelline laughed breathlessly, patting their heads.
"I told you I was going to Hollowmist City for a mission, not to marry a dragon or elope with trouble."
"You attract trouble," Paradus replied instantly.
Alpha nodded. "Always."
Marcelline made an offended face.
"I see zero faith in this household."
---
"AUNTiiii ELLiii!!!"
A tiny voice shrieked from the front steps.
A small meteor made of ketchup and giggles ran full speed across the courtyard.
Marcelline opened her arms right in time—
PLOP!
Mia — Amara's 3-year-old daughter — launched into her like a sticky missile.
"Miaaa—!" Marcelline gasped, lifting her up. "Oh my god, what happened to your face—why is there ketchup on your eyebrows—your cheeks—your HAIR—"
Mia proudly lifted her hands.
"I eat tomato rice! Without spoon!!"
Paradus chuckled under his breath.
Alpha hid a smile behind his big claw.
---
"Look at this mess—MY MESS."
Amara marched out next — hair wild, apron stained with food, expression half-stressed and half-elated.
She didn't shout.
She didn't scold.
She stopped in front of Marcelline.
She stared at Marcelline for exactly two seconds.
Then:
Amara: "Well, well, look who survived the entity hunt. Shadowline's favorite trouble magnet."
Marcelline: "Please, trouble is my middle name."
Amara: "No, your middle name is 'Menace.' Mine is 'Worse Menace.'"
They high-fived like partners-in-crime reunited.
Alpha groaned.
Pardus muttered, "Great. The disaster duo is back."
Amara smirked: "Oh relax. The city survived us before."
Marcelline: "Barely."
Everyone laughed—warm, relieved, affectionate.
Then Alpha stepped closer.
Alpha: "You said your mission in Hollowmist City would take long. We didn't expect you for weeks."
Pardus: "What happened?"
Marcelline: "Things… got messy. Unexpected complications. But it's handled."
Amara raised a brow, instantly reading the hidden meaning.
Amara: "Complications or… men complications?"
Marcelline: smirks "Wouldn't you like to know."
Amara smirked back.
Sassy. Dangerous. Perfectly in sync.
Amara flicked her forehead. "Next time, teleport your updates too."
Paradus nodded. "We worried."
Alpha added, "I almost went searching."
Marcelline blinked rapidly — pretending she wasn't getting emotional.
---
Soft Footsteps. Familiar Warmth.
Sister Florence walked out of the mansion with careful steps — gentle, warm, her smile glowing like soft sunlight.
Marcelline instantly straightened.
"Maa…"
Florence reached her and cupped her cheeks tenderly, thumb brushing away a tiny scorch mark from spellwork.
"You came back safely," she whispered with deep relief.
Marcelline leaned into the touch.
"I promised you I would."
Florence's eyes softened further. "And you kept your word. That is all that matters to me."
Alpha cleared his throat. "We kept her safe in heart, Mother. Even when she was far."
Florence smoothed the werewolf's arm affectionately.
"I know, dear child."
Paradus stood straighter. "And we'll continue to."
Florence smiled up at him.
"You always do."
Marcelline's heart warmed at the sight — her adoptive mother loving all her chaotic family equally.
---
Chaos, Comfort, Teasing — Home.
The courtyard filled quickly:
Mia tugging Marcelline's hair.
Alpha sniffing her cloak to detect injuries.
Paradus lecturing her on safety.
Amara threatening to lock her in the kitchen next time.
Florence patting everyone with impossible patience.
Marcelline finally threw her hands up.
"EVERYONE, I AM ALIVE. IN ONE PIECE. CAN WE CALM DOWN?"
"No," Paradus answered immediately.
"Nope," Alpha said.
Mia shook her head aggressively. "NOOO!"
Amara crossed her arms. "Absolutely not."
Florence just smiled — quiet, loving, amused.
"I'm simply happy you're home, dear."
Marcelline sighed dramatically.
"…I missed this chaos."
Alpha pulled her into his side. "We missed you more."
Paradus hooked her other arm. "Don't vanish for days again."
Mia smacked her cheeks with ketchup hands. "AUNTiii ELLiii stay!"
Marcelline burst out laughing.
"Okay, okay—
I'm home now.
I promise."
And for a moment —
no missions, no entities, no secrets, no shadows —
Just family.
Her family.
Her heart.
Her place.
---