LUCIAN’S P.O.V.
The next morning, I woke up feeling like soone had replaced my usual grumpy mood with an even grumpier version. The worst part? My room felt painfully empty. Teresa and my babies weren’t here. She’d insisted on sleeping alone last night, and since I didn’t have a good enough excuse to keep her with , I had no choice but to let her go. Ares wasn’t exactly thrilled either.
"Coward. You should’ve fought harder."
"What do you want to do? Tie her up?" I shot back at him ntally, rolling my eyes. Ares, of course, just growled, his version of sulking.
I got up, tugging on a shirt I didn’t bother matching with anything, and sniffed the air. Sothing... divine floated to . It slled warm and inviting—like pancakes or maybe waffles. My stomach growled, and I sighed. At least one thing was looking up this morning.
Ares perked up. "Follow it. You’re pathetic, but at least you can eat."
With no sight to guide , I let Ares lead. I took careful steps down the hall, following the sll like a blind bloodhound. The scent grew stronger until it stopped at what I guessed was the kitchen. I pushed the door open, and my senses flared.
The sound of a spatula scraping a pan and a faint, lodic hum confird it. Adrian. Of all people—or rather, vampires—I hadn’t pegged him as the cooking type.
"Adrian," I called, narrowing my eyes instinctively even though I couldn’t see him.
The smooth, asured voice I’d co to associate with the infuriatingly charming vampire responded. "Good morning, Lucian. Hungry, I assu?"
I stepped closer, sniffing. "What... are you doing?"
"Cooking."
I blinked—or at least I think I did. "Cooking? You don’t even eat food."
Adrian chuckled, the sound calm and unhurried, as if the universe could end tomorrow and he wouldn’t break a sweat. "Astute observation, my lupine friend. But I do many things I don’t require. I cook for the locals sotis, and I find it... therapeutic."
I couldn’t decide if I was impressed or annoyed. Probably both.
"Therapeutic, huh?" I asked with a smile.
"Indeed."
"Well, color impressed. Think you could teach a blind man how to cook?
Adrian’s laughter was soft but genuine. "Are you asking to teach you how to cook?"
"Yes," I said bluntly. "I want to make sothing for Teresa and my children. Soday."
Adrian went silent for a mont, but when he spoke again, his tone was unexpectedly kind. "Very well. Your first training begins now, Alpha. Let’s see if the great Lucian Blackwood can produce sothing edible."
I rolled up my sleeves. "Don’t say I didn’t warn you."
Adrian guided step by step, and despite his calm instructions, the whole ordeal felt like so twisted cooking competition.
"Careful, Lucian. That’s a knife, not a hamr," Adrian drawled as I fumbled.
"Thanks for the clarification, Gordon Ramsay," I muttered, earning a chuckle from him.
As Adrian guided through the delicate art of not burning the kitchen down, I couldn’t help but steer the conversation. "So, Juliette."
Adrian humd noncommittally, but I could sense his interest.
"She told you’re her mate," I said casually, cracking an egg into a bowl and missing entirely.
Adrian chuckled, his tone softening. "Did she now? Brave of her to admit it."
"She’s not ashad of it. And you’d better not give her a reason to be." My tone was sharper than I intended, but I couldn’t help it. Adrian might be older and wiser, but I was protective of my pack—especially soone as loyal as Juliette.
Adrian’s voice turned wistful. "I have no intention of hurting her. I know all too well what it feels like to lose soone you... care for deeply."
I paused, gripping the edge of the counter. "You too, huh?"
"I bet you know well enough, every immortal has their ghosts," he replied and I answered with a knowing sigh.
The sll of breakfast drew the others like moths to a fla. Teresa was the first to enter, her presence like a shot of adrenaline to my system. I couldn’t see her, but I could hear her soft intake of breath and sll the lavender perfu she always wore and her sweet honey natural scent.
Juliette, Andy, Paul, Katrina, Max, Adam, and Elizabeth followed, each exclaiming in surprise at the spread.
Then my enforcers made their way into the kitchen as well.
"Food? Here?" Adam’s voice carried disbelief. "I was about to organize a run for supplies. Who...?"
Adrian, ever dramatic, announced, "Lucian and I prepared this feast."
I groaned audibly, heat rising to my cheeks. "Adrian—"
"Lucian wanted to woo Teresa with his culinary prowess," Adrian continued, entirely unbothered.
The room erupted in laughter.
"Oh, is that so?" Teresa’s voice was laced with amusent.
"I... might have ntioned it," I mumbled.
"Alpha Lucian, cooking?" Max drawled. "The apocalypse must be near."
I heard Teresa laugh—a sound so beautiful it montarily dulled the sting of their teasing. If only I could see her face...
After breakfast, Adrian announced our next training. "Guided walks. You’ll rely solely on your senses."
Teresa’s skeptical tone cut through the air. "How exactly is this training?"
"Trust, my dear Teresa. Trust in your instincts, in your partner, and perhaps a little in ."
The babies stayed behind with Katrina, leaving Teresa, Adrian, Juliette, and to traverse the mountains.
The crisp air was filled with the sounds of rustling leaves and distant waterfalls. I focused on the rhythmic crunch of Teresa’s boots beside mine.
"You’re awfully quiet," I murmured, breaking the silence. "Are you mad at ?"
Her voice was hesitant. "No. I’m just... thinking."
"Thinking about how handso I am?" I teased lightly.
"Thinking about how annoying you are," she shot back, but I caught the faintest hint of amusent in her tone.
I grinned. "You love it."
She chuckled, "Just taking in the peace," she replied softly.
"Peaceful, huh? You know, I could make it quieter if I sent Adrian and Juliette ahead."
"Lucian!"
I grinned. "Just saying. You, , the mountains..."
"You’re impossible." But there was a hint of laughter in her voice.
I reached for her hand, and she didn’t pull away. "Teresa," I said, my voice low, "I know I’ve made mistakes. But every day, I’ll fight to earn your forgiveness. You and the twins an everything to ."
She didn’t respond imdiately, but her fingers tightened around mine.
Adrian’s voice cut through the mont. "Do keep up, lovebirds."
Teresa probably rolled her eyes, and I could feel the heat of her blush.
We reached a clearing just as the sun began to set, Teresa described to that the golden light was filtering through the trees. I turned toward her, my hand brushing hers.
"I wish I could see you right now," I admitted. "I know it’s just been a few days but I miss your face, Teresa."
Her breath hitched, and for a mont, it felt like the world held its breath with us.
Reviews
All reviews (0)