Homecoming (Lex)

[Aleksander “Alek” Eiriksen]

He turned as the door opened and snickered at the vexed look on Lex's face. "That is what you get for insisting on helping everyone, sister dear."

[Christine Montgomery]

Lex glared at him, then moved toward the bed.

"How are you feeling?" it began which descended into small talk and vows of sisterhood. Lex cast a glance at her brother and laughed, "Well it's time I brought this one home. I'll be in to check on you from time to time."

[Aleksander “Alek” Eiriksen]

Alek sat back and tuned out the dribble of girl talk. He kept a neutral expression, not wanting to appear insensitive to his sister who had just gotten her first friend in a decade back from the gates of Hell. But when Lex referenced Alek he rolled his eyes. "What she means by that is she will be here every day until you leave. And twice on Sundays."

[Christine Montgomery]

"That shouldn't be long." Christine smiled, "Family is insisting on bringing me home. Private Doctor. Big Castle. Safe as...well castles."she joked. The mysterious M would have absolutely no luck in reaching Christine at the castle, and as far as prisons went Montgomery Manor was much larger than either the safe house or the Avalon.

"I may have to come by still, and uh, inspect the castle. Purely for safety reasons you understand." Lex said with a gleam in her eyes. Lex and Alek had a different upbringing, though they were both raised hard, their mother had raised Lex with an appreciation for the "finer" things. Montgomery Manor was "fine" indeed.

"You both are welcome anytime. I'm pretty sure there's a rule about people who save Montgomery's, A Montgomery always pays their debts...something or other. So naturally you'd be well received." Christine was referring to the ancient house rules of Montgomery Manor. In addition to the manor being larger than reasonable it was heavily steeped in magic.

[Aleksander “Alek” Eiriksen]

Alek quite enjoyed the thought of Christine being cared for at home, without the watchful eyes of the Ministry who had done nothing to stop her abduction in the first place. And he knew Lex would be pleased for other reasons. She was basically a princess already, being the daughter of the most ruthless leader of one of the largest wolf packs on this side of the Atlantic. Playing in a castle with her friend would fulfill Lex's childhood dream.

[Christine Montgomery]

Lex was practically salivating at the prospect. She adored ancient castles, though she wasn't too materialistic. Her mother had called her a princess for most of her life, particularly when she was younger. Part of that had stuck with Lex throughout the years. Her father had indulged her whenever it pleased him. Presents and monetary things were easy to come by and easy to part with for Eirik's daughter, but true affection and kindness were more difficult. Truthfully Eirik gave into Adelina's demands for the finer things mostly to keep the woman quiet.

The pack moved around too often to really have a 'home', but they did have land. While Lex liked to tease her brother about being a King, the truth wasn't too far off. The pack worked almost like a feudal system in which Alek owned much of the land both developed and undeveloped, he entrusted several leaders to take care of different areas but who swore loyalty to him, and so on and so forth down the line to the smallest family.

If any of the Eiriksen pack leaders had desired a castle, it wouldn't have been difficult to procure, but they had all been raised with different ideas of power and strength.

***

"I look forward to both of you visiting." Christine grinned, "Between the two of you I'm sure it won't seem so much like a tomb." both Alek and Lex had such huge personalities that even with the vastness of the castle they could fill it.

[Aleksander “Alek” Eiriksen]

"It would be our pleasure, although you may want to rethink permitting this one on the grounds," he referenced Lex. "She'll never leave. I've been trying to get rid of her for years and yet, here I am taking her home."

He turned his attention to his sister. "Are you ready?"

[Christine Montgomery]

"Please." she sniffed, "That's why you're so happy to have me come back home." Lex sighed dramatically, " He's practically lost without me."

Christine smiled at the interaction between the two siblings. The relationship she had with her own brother was a bit different, they rarely argued and always had one another's back. Something told her that Alek and Lex argued all the time, but were closer than anyone could really ever know. It made her miss her own family whom she had really regretted not spending more time with before she was taken. She was of course preoccupied with Dorian, but Christine needed her family.

"Well I've always wanted a sister."

[Aleksander “Alek” Eiriksen]

Alek was happy to have Lex coming home. He could watch her more closely and ensure she was safe. But he also missed having her around. He was surrounded by his wolves and counseled with his betas, but he still had felt very alone while Lex was in the hospital.

"They're rather annoying, I don't recommend it. Especially younger sisters." Alek looked direct at Lex as he spoke.

[Aleksandra "Lex" Eiriksen]

"Lost without me." she countered confidently with a smug smile. She took a deep breath and released it. She was wary of leaving Christine alone, still feeling responsible for her.

"We can work on spells." Lex told her happily. Before Lex had been overtaken and Christine had been captured, Lex had been working with Christine on advanced defense spells.

Christine grinned, "Can't wait." Christine glanced at the clock in the room. Dorian would be getting back soon. He was acting strangely, but Christine couldn't blame him, a lot had happened. She was hoping they could get to some kind of normal soon.

[Aleksander “Alek” Eiriksen]

Christine was not the only one eyeing the clock, though Alek had no idea when Dorian might be set to return. He had no intention of finding out and having to stand by while he watched his sister fawn over the man who had almost gotten her killed. Lex's obsession with their half-brother was maddening; they were perfectly fine without involving their father's first born.

"We should go," he said pointedly to Lex. "You can come back later and natter on all you want. But we've things to attend to at home."

[Aleksandra "Lex" Eiriksen]

Lex sighed. She didn't want to leave, but she needed to get home and take care of things. While Alek was indeed pack leader, she had her own role in the pack though she herself wasn't a wolf. Her mother had never taken on the responsibilities of 'queen' within the pack so it had fallen to Lex to see to her mother's duties when her father ruled, and she had continued that when Alek took over the pack. She didn't find it difficult to do both Auror work and be with the pack, but a part of her knew that Alek would one day select a real queen and she would make her own path. Perhaps her venture into finding their brother and starting a career as an auror was a part of pushing Alek, though it was an unconscious action. She wanted her brother to be happy.

"I'll see you both soon I hope." Christine said, at peace with her friend leaving. Mostly she understood that the type of girl talk they'd indulge in could take hours.

[Aleksander “Alek” Eiriksen]

Alek nodded to Christine as he guided Lex out the door, afraid she'd stay longer if not for his physical support. As they left Alek gave Christine a charming smile over his shoulder. He liked Christine, and he had plans for her that would be beneficial on multiple fronts.