LUCIAN’S P.O.V.
The warmth of Teresa’s body in my arms was more than comfort; it was salvation. Her soft breaths fanned against my chest, a quiet rhythm that anchored . For once, Ares was at peace, and I could feel his steady hum of satisfaction. I tightened my hold on her, careful not to wake her, and pressed my face to her hair, inhaling the faint scent of lavender and sothing uniquely hers.
"She’s ours now. Don’t ss it up again," Ares growled, his voice tinged with warning but also warmth.
"Believe , I won’t even dream of it," I replied silently, holding her closer.
She was here. She was mine, and I was going to keep it that way forever.
I traced her silhouette in my mind, imagining the curve of her lips, the way her lashes must rest against her cheeks. I wished—desperately—that I could see her again, just once. But all I had was the darkness. Still, the bond between us made feel her beauty in ways sight never could.
She stirred slightly, murmuring sothing in her sleep, and I smiled. A wave of gratitude washed over , and I held her closer, my chest tightening with the weight of everything I’d done to hurt her. I didn’t deserve this mont, but I would fight to keep it. I would fight to keep her.
Then, the frantic knock at the door shattered the peace.
I froze, instinctively pulling her tighter to before carefully disentangling myself. I swung my legs over the edge of the bed, running a hand through my hair as Ares growled.
"Trouble," he warned.
"I know," I muttered under my breath.
The knock ca again, urgent and sharp. I padded toward the door, my heightened senses guiding . When I opened it, one of my enforcers, Elias, a burly man with a gravelly voice, whispered, "Alpha, Leonard’s pixies are here. They have breached the periter. They’re at the edge of Elizabeth’s barrier, trying to get through."
My jaw tightened. "How?"
"We don’t know yet. But they’re persistent."
"Make sure the babies are safe," I ordered, my voice low but commanding. "I’ll be down soon."
"Yes, Alpha."
As I shut the door, I turned back to the bed. Teresa’s breathing sounded so sweet and peaceful that I hesitated, my chest aching. I didn’t want to wake her, but she needed to know.
I sat on the edge of the bed, brushing my fingers lightly over her shoulder. "Teresa," I murmured.
She stirred, grumbling sothing before I felt her gaze on my face. "Lucian?"
"There’s trouble," I said gently. "Pixies have found their way to the Valley. As we speak, they’re outside the barrier, trying to break through."
I heard her breath hitched before she bolted upright. "The babies—"
"They’re safe," I assured her, taking her hands in mine. "I won’t let anything happen to them—or to you."
I could feel her fear for their safety thrumming through the bond—it was intense and strong. It tore at . I despised the thought of her feeling anything even close to fear. All I wanted was for her to be safe, happy, and free from worry.
"I need you to stay with them," I said, my voice steady but laced with a softness ant only for her. "You’ll be safe there."
Teresa’s head dipped in a small nod, her forehead brushing my hands as she swallowed hard. "I’ll check on them, make sure they’re safe with Katrina and Max. Then, I’ll et you downstairs. It’s ti I put what I’ve learned here to use—to protect myself and my children." I felt her eyes locked on my face, unwavering. "Just...be careful."
Pride surged through . She wasn’t just fearless; she was extraordinary. My Luna—strong, determined, and undeniably made for .
I pressed a kiss to her forehead, lingering for a mont. "I will."
When I arrived downstairs and went out the castle doors, the air was filled with tension. Adrian stood at the center of the courtyard, his sharp commands cutting through the night as his coven moved into position. He was calm, as always, but there was an edge to his voice that made even pause.
"Lucian," he said smoothly as I approached. "You know the drill. Command your enforcers to secure the periter. The pixies won’t stop until they’re inside."
I nodded, barking orders to my n. They scattered, shifting to their wolf forms, and I turned back to Adrian. His presence was magnetic, a mix of authority and elegance that even I couldn’t deny.
I didn’t need sight to feel Juliette and Teresa move to my side. Their presences were distinct—Juliette’s sharp and confident, Teresa’s steady and determined. A tallic click followed as Juliette pressed a gun into Teresa’s hand.
"It’s loaded," Juliette said, her tone dripping with smug satisfaction. "Ti to put your training to use. Tiny moving targets this ti."
Teresa’s voice ca hard and sure. "Got it."
Pride swelled in my chest again, but it was laced with fear. Teresa was strong, but the thought of her facing danger made my pulse race. I clenched my fists, forcing myself to focus.
Elizabeth’s voice drifted over from nearby. I could hear the soft hum of her magic as she reinforced the barrier, her movents precise, each step deliberate, her murmured incantations laced with power. Then her tone shifted, sharp and sarcastic, as she turned her attention to Adrian.
"Why don’t we just hand Leonard over to the pixies? He’s the reason they’re here. And let’s face it, he’s useless."
A dramatic gasp shattered the tension, followed by the unmistakable swagger of Leonard’s footsteps. "Useless? ? Perish the thought," he said, his voice brimming with mock offense. The air around him practically crackled with mischief as he approached Elizabeth.
"Can’t you sll it?" he said with a smirk audible even to . "Lucian and Teresa are practically drowning in each other’s scent—all thanks to my cupid abilities. You’re all welco."
Heat flooded my face, and even though I couldn’t see her, I knew Teresa was just as embarrassed. The chuckles that rippled through the group were a welco, if brief, reprieve from the tension.
Adrian’s voice cut through the laughter, calm and steady. "Lucian, rember the training I gave you. The targets will be small, and your senses are your greatest weapon. Use them."
I nodded, clenching my fists. Adrian’s training had been brutal, but it had prepared for monts like this.
Then, I heard the barrier shatter.
A shrill, piercing wail cut through the night, followed by the unmistakable hum of wings. The pixies sward in, their movent was erratic, chaotic—a storm of fireflies with far more malice.
Above the din, Adrian’s voice rang out, sharp and steady, slicing through the chaos with the authority of a blade.
"Positions!"
We moved as one, each of us taking our place. My senses sharpened, every sound, every scent coming into focus.
"Be careful my love," I told Teresa, my voice firm.
She replied with a "you too." I heard her heart hamring in her chest but I will myself to stay focused. She was going to be fine, I had to trust her.
Ares growled in my mind, his bloodlust rising. "Let’s kill so fireflies."
With a loud growl, I shifted, the darkness around coming alive as the battle began.
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