ex hadn't been home in three months and she wasn't exactly anticipating the confrontation she knew was coming. She paused just outside the door, trying to steel her nerves for Alek's upset, though a part of her was almost certain he'd already heard her or caught her scent - if one of the other pups hadn't told him she were coming.
She was honestly surprised he hadn't come for her before now, this being the longest they'd been separated since Lex was in school. She loved her brother. She didn't like being away from him - much. She did enjoy the freedom and the social interaction that was limited at the compound and by limited Lex meant lacking in the male department.
That wasn't entirely true, there were plenty of males within the compound, but none were so bold as to even glance Lex's way and risk Alek's censure. As for the women, there wasn't a bitch that wasn't in heat whenever he tossed a smile their way.
It was stifling.
Lex never expected to leave. Eirik had only consented to Durmstrang due to her mother's influence and his belief that she should be skilled in witchcraft for healing purposes. Neither Adelina nor Lex cared to disillusion Eirik about the darker arts that were taught at Durmstrang - Lex also needed to protect herself, even if her father or brother thought it unnecessary with them by her side. That was part of the problem, Lex didn't want to be just a daughter or a sister, she wanted to be Lex. She wanted to be her own person. And maybe she wanted to be someone else's person too - if she could convince Alek not to kill them.
But then, Eirik disappeared. The twins were hesitant to trust it, but as months passed without word it was only expected that Alek would take over the pack, and the weight the twins wore over their father's abuse was suddenly lifted. Lex stayed on for a little while, but soon she itched for the freedom that had been denied her previously. She loved her brother, and maybe even had a healthy fear of him sometimes, but he loved her more than he wanted to own her, and he understood her in a way no one else could. The day he agreed to let her leave - though he hadn't enjoyed it Lex was sure - was one of the tenderest memories she ever had of her twin. Though she imagined when he agreed to let her go that he hadn't expected her to stay gone, but Lex had a new mission one she was very close to succeeding in.
Dorian Humbert.
Her deepest, darkest, secret. Her brother.
Adelina had revealed on her death bed, not only was their half brother alive, but he was serving the British Ministry and was an auror by the name of Dorian Humbert. Adelina entrusted the information to Lex so she could continue to watch over Alek, and Lex had kept the secret from their father. She couldn't hide much from her twin and soon revealed the truth, part of it anyway. She never told him the name or occupation or location, just that Eirik (as all first born from the Eiriksen clan were called) was alive, and their father must never know.
But he was gone now, and Alek was alpha, and Lex was free. Free to find her half brother, for which her curiosity had grown so strong. What kind of man was he? Did he take after their father? What would he look like? What might it have been like had Eirik or Dorian's mother hadn't been cast out? The questions haunted her until she had to know the truth.
Upon Alek's consent for Lex's departure, Lex had a singular goal in mind - to find Dorian. And she had. After long arduous hours of training and pushing herself, she succeeded through the academy in only two years as opposed to the customary three. Her superiors were impressed, and as a female she held the record, but to her surprise (and secret pride) it was her very own brother who held the record in the department over all. Dorian Humbert had completed training in only a year! And the way the rest of the department talked about him was nothing short of the highest praise.
Dorian was known for his honor and intelligence. He was on a straight track for Head Auror, and after that? Who knew? It was so unfortunate that his partner - Jasper - had died not too long ago. Jasper was far more easygoing than Dorian to the point of lazy brilliance, but he hid a lethal grace in all his nonchalance.
Lex learned all of this from her temporary partner and superior Kate Donaghy. Kate was in charge of Lex as she grew accustomed to procedure and policy, then Lex would be given a new assignment and a new partner once her probationary period was over in two weeks time.
They had given her, her new partner's name just the day before and Lex's heart stopped. Dorian Humbert.
Her surprise had been tangible, but Kate only smiled at her, all the cards fit into place. Dorian was without a partner and Lex had shown so much promise - first within the academy and even more during her probationary period. Kate's recommendation had pushed the decision in Lex's favor, she believed that Dorian would be good for Lex. He would help Lex fill the role and challenge her to be the best auror she could be, and Lex was one of the few in the department that Kate honestly believed could keep up with Dorian. Lex had tough skin - from handling her father and her twin - Dorian's polite but stern demeanor wouldn't phase the blonde, and she could be just as driven. On the other hand, Lex could be relaxed and approachable which weren't exactly Dorian's strongest points.
Kate had no idea how much the partnership meant to Lex, other than the assumed joy of being partnered with one of the best, but getting to know her brother was the sole reason she had joined the department, at least at first. Now she loved her job and her purpose as protector rather than protected. A part of her yearned for the power she needed to defend the helpless - if she were interested in the psychoanalysis of such a desire, she wouldn't have to look far to find the reason why.
Ordinarily they arrange a meet between new partners, however Dorian was on special assignment in Egypt. Therefore, Lex would be working with Kate until Dorian returned. For now though, she had some down time. Leading up to and the primary cause of Lex's advantageous partnership (other than Kate's recommendation) was the capture of a dark wizard - Konstantine. Lex had been crucial in the apprehension and tracking of the dangerous criminal, and they were able to close a seven month long case-file. Not only had Lex earned her new partner, she'd earned a vacation.
Without work to occupy her however, Lex knew there was only one place to go, and she both dreaded and yearned to return. Swallowing down any last hesitation Lex strode boldly into her childhood home.
"Alek! Where the bloody hell are you? Come and give your sister a hug." she called out, the smile in her voice, the preemptive tone of fondness and innocence meant to lull her brother into joy at seeing her, rather than anger for her prolonged absence.