Chapter 137: The Challenge
LUCIAN’S P.O.V.
The knock at the door still echoed in my mind as I left the room, Teresa trailing closely behind me. Her scent—honey and lavender—wrapped around me like armor, calming the fire that had ignited in my chest at Alex’s words. Maverick was here, and he wasn’t alone.
The wooden floor beneath my boots groaned with each step as I descended the grand staircase. The faint hum of murmured voices beyond the mansion’s double doors grew louder with each passing second. My heightened senses picked up every tremble of excitement, every whisper of doubt in the crowd. The air was thick with anticipation, the scent of damp earth mingling with sweat and fear.
Teresa’s hand brushed my arm, grounding me for a brief moment. "Lucian," she said softly, her voice steady despite the tension. "Are you sure about this?"
I turned my head slightly toward her, a small, sharp smile tugging at my lips. "This isn’t the first time someone’s underestimated me, Teresa. It won’t be the last."
Ares stirred in my mind, his growl vibrating through my chest. "Let’s make them remember who we are," he snarled, the primal hunger in his voice making my muscles tense.
I pushed open the double doors with deliberate force, the cool night air rushing to meet me. The murmurs ceased instantly, the crowd falling silent as I stepped into view. My boots crunched against the gravel, and I could feel the heat of dozens of gazes boring into me. The faint shuffle of feet and the erratic thump of heartbeats painted a vivid picture of the scene.
Maverick stood at the center of the crowd, his presence unmistakable. His breathing was steady, but his heart raced—a telltale sign of arrogance masking fear. The bastard smelled of rage and desperation, his aura tainted with the unmistakable stench of envy.
"Lucian Blackwood," Maverick called, his voice carrying a mocking edge. "Finally decided to grace us with your presence? Or did your little human have to guide you here like a child?"