Beneath the Alpha's Moon
Chapter 104: Whispers in the Night

Chapter 104: Whispers in the Night

TERESA’S P.O.V.

The air in the room felt heavy, like it was brimming with secrets waiting to be spilled. I lay on the bed, with my twins nestled between me and Lucian. It was supposed to be comforting, but all I could focus on was the man lying beside me—Lucian. The man I loved, the man who hurt me in ways I never thought possible, and the man who I ran away from physically but couldn’t escape emotionally. The man I thought was a monster when I saw him change to a massive terrifying dog but turned out to have the kindest heart I had ever seen. I would never forget not in a thousand years how he had inexplicably sacrificed something as precious as his sight just to save his daughter’s.

I had sworn on the day he humiliated me and chased me out of his life that I’d never step foot in his house again—let alone in this room. But fate has a twisted sense of humor, doesn’t it? Not only did it drag me back to his doorstep, but it also pulled me straight into the one place I swore I’d never see again.

When I saw him trip over that table, the sight hit me harder than I expected. The man who once seemed unshakable—strong, dominant, untouchable—was now brought low, made fragile by forces even he couldn’t control. And damn it, I couldn’t stop my heart from breaking at the sight.

My eyes studied him on the bed. Lucian’s blank green eyes held an odd softness as he smiled at me, his voice was calm and steady as he spoke. "I know you asked what the term ’Luna’ means. But to explain that, I need to start with what a ’Mate’ is."

I gave a silent nod, catching myself just in time to add a soft "yes," though I fought to keep the flutter in my chest from betraying me. I wasn’t prepared for this charged intimacy crackling between us, but my curiosity burned too brightly to pull away.

Lucian’s tone turned gentle, almost reverent. "To a werewolf, a mate is... everything. We call it a ’fated mate’. The moon goddess herself chooses this person—a soulmate who is perfect in every way. The bond is instant, unbreakable, and..." He paused, smirking slightly, "...inescapable."

My brows furrowed, my confusion growing. "So... wait. Let me get this straight. You’re saying the moon goddess just... hands you someone and says, ’Here you go, this is your person. No take-backs? No dating, no heartbreaks, just instant ’happily ever after’?"

Lucian chuckled, the sound deep and rich; and for a moment, I hated how much I still found him devastatingly handsome.

"Something like that. When we meet them, it’s game over. We’re bonded for life."

I blinked, feeling a rush of emotions I couldn’t quite place. Jealousy, curiosity, and a strange sense of... loss? Did that mean he already had someone? Someone the goddess chose for him? My stomach twisted painfully at the thought.

"Wait..." I swallowed hard, forcing the words past the lump in my throat. "Does that mean... you already have a mate? How do you even know? Like, the moment you meet them, how can you be sure they’re the one?"

His smirk widened, infuriatingly cryptic. "We’ll get to the first question in due time."

My temper flared despite myself. "Lucian Blackwood, if you don’t start giving me straight answers, I swear I’ll—"

"Patience, Teresa," he said, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down my spine. "Let me finish."

I folded my arms, glaring at him even though he couldn’t see it. "Fine. Go on."

"Werewolves know their mates because our wolves tells us," he explained, his tone growing serious.

I blinked again, caught off guard. "Your wolf? You mean that... thing you turn into?"

Lucian tilted his head, amused. "Ares is not a ’thing,’ Teresa. He’s as much a part of me as I am of him. He’s a conscious, intelligent being just like you and I."

I sat up abruptly, staring at him like he’d sprouted a second head. "You’re telling me that giant, terrifying creature has... thoughts? Opinions?"

"Yes," he replied smoothly, sitting up as well. "Ares is smart, sarcastic, and far too nosy for his own good."

From out of nowhere, a low growl came out of him and echoed in the room. Lucian chuckled. "He’s listening right now, and he’s not thrilled with the way you’re describing him."

I pressed a hand to my forehead, trying to process this. "So you’re basically sharing your body with... with a whole other person?"

"Precisely."

I stared at him, utterly flabbergasted. "Lucian, this is insane. You’re insane."

"Possibly," he admitted with a grin. "But you’re the one lying in bed with me, so what does that make you?"

Despite myself, a laugh bubbled out of me. "An idiot, clearly."

"Clearly," he agreed, his tone teasing.

"Can we put a pin in this Ares thing?" I asked, rubbing my temples. "I need time to process all this... a whole person living inside you, nonsense."

"Of course," Lucian said, his tone light. "We can talk about him another time."

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "Okay, back to the Luna thing. Why does your pack call me that?"

Lucian’s smile softened. "Do you remember what I told you an Alpha is?"

I nodded. "The leader and protector of a werewolf pack."

"Correct. And the Luna," he continued, his voice dropping to an almost reverent whisper, "is the Alpha’s mate. She’s the queen of the pack, the mother to its children, and its protector as well. She is the Alpha’s equal, in every way that matters."

My heart stuttered in my chest. "So... why me?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "Why would they think I’m the Luna?"

Lucian tilted his head, his expression unreadable. "Because you are."

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. My head spun, my thoughts racing. "That doesn’t make any sense," I said, my voice shaking. "You said a mate is chosen by the moon goddess. If that’s true, then where’s your real mate? Did you—" My throat tightened as a wave of jealousy crashed over me. "Did you not like her?"

Lucian’s laugh was rich and warm, cutting through my spiraling thoughts. "Teresa, you’re many things—intelligent, stubborn, infuriating, beautiful—but tonight, you’re being surprisingly dense."

I glared at him, my cheeks burning. "Excuse me?"

"You’re my mate," he said simply, his voice tinged with amusement and something deeper—something that made my breath catch.

The room fell silent as his words sank in. I stared at him, my mind reeling. "What?! That’s... not possible."

"It’s not just possible," he said, reaching out as if he could see exactly where my hand rested on the blanket "It’s fact. You’re my mate, Teresa. My Luna. The mother of my children. The love of my life. And nothing—nothing—will ever change that."

I yanked my hand away, my heart pounding. "That doesn’t make sense! You—why didn’t you tell me this before? You just said a mate is your perfect match; if that’s all true, why did you hurt me? Why—"

He sat up straighter, cutting me off with a calm yet commanding tone. "Because I’m an idiot. Because I thought I could protect myself and you by pushing you away. And because I was too blind—figuratively and now literally—to see what I was losing."

His words hit me like a punch to the gut. I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.

Lucian’s blank eyes stared in my direction, he face held the look of fear, a tender, almost boyish expression that made my heart ache. "Teresa," he called, "I’m telling you the truth. The Moon Goddess doesn’t make mistakes. You’re my soulmate, Teresa. My everything."

I wanted to argue, to tell him he was wrong, but the sincerity in his voice and the vulnerability on his face made it impossible to speak. What in God’s name was happening to me right now?!