Beneath the Alpha's Moon

LUCIAN’S P.O.V.

Teresa’s scream tore through me like a serrated blade. I stood frozen, my massive paws rooted to the ground, claws glinting under the silver glow of the moon. My mate—my Teresa—looked at me as though I were a nightmare come to life. And maybe, in her eyes, I was.

Ares, whimpered like a wounded pup. The sound echoed in my mind, raw and keening. "She’s afraid of us, Lucian. Of me." His voice cracked. "Our mate doesn’t trust us."

"No," I tried to soothe him, though the tightness in my chest made it hard to think straight. "She just needs time. She’ll understand—she has to."

I tried to take a step closer, my massive wolf form lowering to the ground in what I hoped was a non-threatening gesture. But the moment I moved, she flinched back, clutching Ollie so tightly that the baby began to cry. My heart cracked open further at the sound.

Teresa’s wild eyes darted to the tree line, as if gauging how quickly she could run. Her voice trembled, sharp with terror. "Stay back! Don’t come near me or my baby!"

Her words cut deeper than silver.

Teresa’s rejection—her fear—was unbearable. I felt Ares crumble under the weight of it, his anguish flooding me in waves. His howls filled my mind, a mournful, keening sound that matched the tears streaming down her face.

Then came the laughter. A deep, mocking chuckle that slithered through my thoughts like poison.