Beneath the Alpha's Moon

TERESA’S P.OV.

I stood there, clutching my arms to my chest as the night seemed to close in around us. My heart was still racing from Adrian’s sudden disappearance. The way he simply vanished into the woods without a sound—it was unnatural, impossible. But then again, everything about this nightmare was impossible. Vampires, mentions of witches, huge wolves... and now Lucian, looking guilty as sin, standing in front of me like a man with a noose tightening around his neck.

"What did he mean, Lucian?" I asked, my voice trembling but resolute. "When Adrian said those wolves were yours, what was he talking about? Don’t you dare lie to me."

Lucian opened his mouth to speak but hesitated, his usual confidence wavering. His green eyes darted to the trees as if searching for an escape. "Teresa," he started, his tone low, almost pleading. "Let’s not have this conversation here. Please, let’s go back to the house. I’ll explain everything—"

"No!" I cut him off sharply, taking a step back. "We’re not going anywhere until you tell me the truth. Here. Now."

I reached out and took Ollie from his arms, cradling him protectively against me. The simple act seemed to gut him. His jaw tightened, and for a moment, he looked so devastated but I didn’t care. Not after everything. Not after losing one baby already. I clutched Ollie so tightly to my chest that I feared I might hurt him.

"Tell me, Lucian," I pressed, my voice softer now but no less firm. "What aren’t you telling me?"

He exhaled slowly, shoulders slumping as if the weight of the world had finally crushed him. "I was going to tell you everything after I dealt with Adrian," he admitted. "I never wanted it to happen like this."

"Tell me what?" My patience was razor-thin. "What is it, Lucian?"