Beneath the Alpha's Moon

LUCIAN’S P.O.V.

Three hours later, the clock ticked sluggishly as I waited in my office, the atmosphere as tense as a bowstring. Adrian, Juliette, Elizabeth, Teresa, and Luke were all seated around the room, each radiating a different kind of energy. Adrian sat on the leather couch like he owned the place, his every movement deliberate and timeless, as though he had stepped out of a Victorian novel. His cool demeanor was a stark contrast to Luke, who leaned against the wall, his arms crossed, a storm brewing behind his eyes. Teresa sat cross-legged on the armrest of a chair, looking as if this was just another Tuesday.

"Do you think Rylan’s dragging Gregory here by his ankles or his ears?" Juliette asked, her tone laced with amusement.

"I’m betting on both," Teresa quipped, earning a smirk from Juliette.

Elizabeth sat quietly, her fingers toying with the hem of her dress. She gave me a sympathetic look, which I appreciated, given the circus my life had become.

The door burst open, and in came Rylan, dragging Gregory Williams like a sack of potatoes. Gregory’s hair was disheveled, his shirt stained, and his eyes wide with terror. He stumbled into the room, looking around wildly, as if he wasn’t seeing us but some unspeakable horrors.

"Lucian," Rylan announced with a mock bow, "your esteemed guest has arrived."

Gregory flinched at the sound of Rylan’s voice, his gaze darting to the ceiling as if expecting a monster to drop from it.

"Rylan," I said dryly, "did you have to traumatize him further?"

Rylan shrugged. "I barely touched him. Blame Adrian’s little trick."

Adrian’s lips curved into a faint smile. "He needed... perspective."