Chapter 74: Strategy Planning
LUCIAN’S P.O.V.
Dinner was both a blessing and a test of my patience. The sight of humans—fragile, unaware, and entirely out of place—mingling with my pack churned my insides. It wasn’t their fault; they were ignorant of the delicate balance they were intruding upon. Still, I had invited them here and some, I even forced to stay, so I couldn’t exactly complain. But the frustration of their presence paled in comparison to the torment of having Teresa seated beside me at the table.
She sat there, stiff and distant, avoiding my gaze as if I were some disease she feared catching. The way she refused to acknowledge me was a sharp blade to the chest. She was close enough for me to feel the heat of her presence, to smell the faint trace of lavender and wild honey that clung to her skin, but she remained untouchable. Every accidental meeting of our eyes felt like a silent war—hers filled with defiance, mine with longing. And each time, she would look away as though I were some curse she couldn’t shake.
It was maddening. And yet, there was something endearing about her resistance. She was fighting me—fighting us—with everything she had. But I wasn’t about to let her win so easily.
Mai and Ollie, were the only bridge between us, the unspoken bond that tethered her to me despite her attempts to distance herself. They were perfect, miniature angels with my piercing eyes and Teresa’s softer features. Every time I cradled them, I felt her gaze on me, even though she tried to mask it. She couldn’t help but watch. That was my opening, my leverage.
"Our leverage," Ares, growled in agreement, his voice a low rumble in my mind.
After dinner, I found her standing near the corridor that led to her room. She was holding Mai, gently rocking her as if to soothe herself as much as the baby. The sight of her like this, so maternal yet so distant from me, sent a pang through my chest. Ollie was fast asleep in my arms, his tiny fists curled against my chest. I approached quietly, not wanting to scare her off. She had a way of fleeing whenever I got too close.
"Let me walk you to your room," I said softly, keeping my tone as gentle as I could manage.
Her head turned, and her eyes narrowed, her defenses rising instantly. "That’s not necessary, Lucian. I can handle it."
"But why should you?" I countered, allowing a teasing smirk to tug at my lips. "You’re the mother of my children. Let me be useful for once."
Her lips pressed into a thin line, but she didn’t argue. It wasn’t agreement, not yet, but it was progress. Without another word, we began walking. The corridor was quiet, our footsteps echoing in unison. She kept her gaze forward, but I caught the subtle glances she stole at me when she thought I wouldn’t notice. Her guard was high, but I could feel the cracks forming. She wasn’t as invincible as she wanted me to believe.