TERESA’S P.O.V.
The heavy doors of the hall closed with a resounding thud, muffling the hushed murmurs of the departing pack mbers. I exhaled deeply, my chest still tight from the adrenaline coursing through . My hand, still entwined with Lucian’s, trembled slightly as I processed what had just happened.
Even though, I just made a light comnt about getting a massage from Lucian, my mind was a whirlwind.
I shot a man.
It wasn’t the act itself that shocked —thanks to Adrian and Juliette, I was now capable of defending myself and those I cared about—but the sheer instinct behind it. I didn’t think. I didn’t hesitate. The mont Maverick started running his mouth, belittling Lucian because of his blindness, it was as if sothing primal within took over. Fury, hot and unforgiving, burned through my veins, and before I knew it, my hand moved on its own.
The sound of the gunshot still echoed faintly in my mind.
"Teresa," Lucian’s voice was low, laced with amusent and sothing darker, more possessive. His fingers tightened around mine as he turned toward , his unseeing eyes sohow finding my face as if he could see clearer than anyone else ever had. "Don’t over think it. That was... incredibly hot."
I blinked at him, montarily stunned by his words. "What?"
"You heard ." A slow, wicked smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, making my stomach do a sorsault. "The way you stood up for —against Maverick, of all people—and didn’t even flinch. I don’t think I’ve ever been prouder of you, my Luna."
My cheeks burned, but before I could respond, Lucian’s free hand found my waist, pulling closer. The shift was so sudden I stumbled slightly, but he steadied with ease. He bent his head toward , his lips brushing my ear as he whispered, "Thank you."
And then his lips were on mine.
The kiss started soft, almost reverent, as if he were savoring the mont, but it didn’t stay that way. His grip on tightened, his other hand coming up to cup my cheek, and the kiss deepened, turning desperate and all-consuming.
I lted into him, my body pressing against his as heat surged through . His lips were demanding, his movents fueled by a raw need that left breathless. He lifted effortlessly, my feet leaving the ground as he held in his arms, his strength both thrilling and comforting.
His lips moved against mine with a hunger that left no room for doubt—I was his, just as he was mine. My fingers tangled in his hair, and a soft moan escaped as his teeth grazed my bottom lip, pulling even deeper into the haze of desire.
"Uh, I hate to interrupt..."
The sound of Rylan clearing his throat broke through the fog of passion, and I stiffened, my eyes flying open as reality crashed back in.
Lucian growled low in his throat, his lips leaving mine with visible reluctance. His expression was a mix of frustration and raw desire, his chest heaving as he turned toward the source of the interruption. "You’re still here?" he bit out, his voice a dangerous growl.
I pressed a quick kiss to his jaw, hoping to soothe him before things got too tense. "Calm down, Alpha," I teased, my voice soft but steady.
Lucian huffed but allowed to slip from his hold. I turned to Rylan, who stood a few feet away with an unrepentant grin on his face.
"You two just got back from a three-month trip, and this is how you greet ? No ’hi, Rylan,’ no ’how have you been?’ Nothing. I see where I stand." he said, feigning a wounded expression.
"Teresa is more important than you," Lucian shot back without missing a beat, his tone laced with mock seriousness.
I laughed, shaking my head as the tension eased. "He has a point, Rylan. You’ll have to fight for second place."
Rylan clutched his chest dramatically. "Betrayed by my own Alpha and Luna. I’ll never recover."
We all laughed, the sound filling the otherwise empty hall and montarily lightening the mood. But as the laughter faded, the air grew serious again. Rylan’s expression shifted, and his usual jovial deanor was replaced by a weighty concern.
"There’s sothing you need to know," he said, his tone grave.
Lucian straightened, his posture tense. "What is it?"
Rylan sighed, his gaze flicking between us. "Maverick’s been plotting ever since he found out you’d left. And he’s not the only one. The other families with alpha bloodlines... they’ve been preparing candidates to challenge you. Now that you’ve told everyone about your blindness, it’s only a matter of ti before they make their move."
My heart sank at his words, and I glanced at Lucian, whose expression remained impassive.
"Lucian," Rylan continued, his voice quieter now, "you need to prepare yourself. These challenges won’t be like the ones you’ve faced before. Moonpeak is the second-largest pack in the world. Alphas everywhere will see this as an opportunity to take what’s yours."
Lucian’s lips curved into a small, almost amused smile. "Let them try."
Rylan looked at him, clearly searching for any sign of doubt or fear, but there was none. Finally, he nodded, though he still seed uneasy. "I just hope you’re ready," he murmured.
The conversation shifted when Rylan suddenly asked, "Where’s Juliette? I haven’t seen her since you got back."
A shadow crossed Lucian’s face, and his voice softened with a hint of sadness. "She stayed with Adrian to help raise their child. The goddess blessed them with a baby, and she felt it was her place to stay by his side."
Rylan’s expression crumpled, a mix of happiness and heartbreak flashing across his features. "I’m happy for her," he said, his voice thick. "Really, I am. But..." He looked like he was about to cry.
I reached out, squeezing his arm gently. "She’ll always care about you, Rylan. You know that."
He nodded, swallowing hard before giving us a small, grateful smile.
Later, as Lucian and I returned to the house, I noticed Alex staring at Lucian with wide eyes. The news of his blindness had spread faster than wildfire, but Alex, ever the professional, said nothing.
Upstairs, as I moved toward my room, Lucian caught my hand, pulling toward his.
"You’re staying with tonight," he said, his tone leaving no room for argunt.
I raised an eyebrow, feigning indifference. "Oh? And why would I do that?"
He smirked, leaning in close, his voice dropping to a low, teasing murmur. "Because I’m irresistible, and you can’t say no to ."
I laughed, shaking my head. "You’ve got to work harder than that, Alpha."
"What do you want?" he asked, his tone playful. "I’ll do anything. Kiss your feet? Crawl if I have to?"
The ntal image made laugh so hard I had to clutch my sides.
Lucian grinned, his expression softening as he reached up to brush a strand of hair from my face. "I love that sound," he said quietly.
Before I could respond, his lips were on mine again, softer this ti, slower. The kiss was a promise, a reminder of everything we were and everything we could be. I lted into him, letting his strength surround as his tongue teased mine, exploring with a gentle hunger.
Just as the world began to blur again, a sharp knock interrupted us.
"Not again!" Lucian growled, his annoyance visible as I reluctantly pulled away. "Ignore it," he muttered, his lips brushing mine again.
The knock ca again, louder this ti.
With a frustrated sigh, Lucian detached himself and stalked toward the door. He flung it open with more force than necessary, his expression dark.
Alex stood on the other side, looking visibly shaken.
"What is it?" Lucian demanded, his voice low and dangerous.
"Maverick," Alex stamred, his voice trembling. "He’s outside. He’s not alone. He’s here to challenge you for the Alpha position."
At his words, the air around us suddenly grow thick like a fog surrounding us.
Lucian’s jaw tightened, and I could feel the shift in him—a calm before the storm.
"Let him try," he said, his voice a deadly whisper. "He’s going to regret it shortly."
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