Beneath the Alpha's Moon
Chapter 107: Training Session with Mates

Chapter 107: Training Session with Mates

TERESA’S P.O.V.

The fading sunlight bathed the clearing in golden hues, and I felt Lucian’s hand brush against mine. The warmth of his touch made my pulse quicken.

"I wish I could see you right now," he murmured, his voice low and raw, catching me off guard. "I know it’s just been a few days, but I miss your face, Teresa."

My breath hitched, the sincerity in his voice throwing me into a whirlpool of emotions. For a moment, I forgot the pain, the anger, the humiliation and the ache in my chest that he’d caused. But just as quickly, those memories rushed back like a slap to my face.

"You always know what to say, don’t you?" I tried to sound unaffected, but my voice wavered slightly.

He tilted his head, his blank eyes seeming to pierce through my defenses. "It’s not about knowing what to say, Teresa. It’s about speaking the truth."

Before I could respond, Adrian’s smooth voice floated over, a mixture of amusement and irritation. "Lucian, stop flirting with your mate and come start your training."

"Your mate." I tested the words on my lips, my heart skipping a beat. The word ’mate,’ felt heavy, strange, and almost magical.

Lucian let out a low, wicked chuckle. "Adrian’s just bitter because my mate is utterly stunning." He leaned in, his voice dipping to a tone meant only for me. "I pray to the goddess that one day you’ll feel what I do—the sheer bliss that comes with hearing people speak of you that way. Teresa, every time I think of you, it’s like the world fades away, and all I can feel is the euphoria of knowing you’re mine."

My heart raced at his words, but my mind pushed back. Soulmates? Destined love? How could someone who was meant for me cause so much pain? Was it even possible for a soulmate to shatter the other? Why had he done what he did? I couldn’t look past the agony of being discarded like some fleeting fling—of being cut out of his life and treated as if I didn’t matter.

Now, it all made sense—why Juliette and the others had kept their distance after he ordered them to. But why? Why would he do all that? And now, here he was, weaving promises of love that sounded as sweet as honey. Was it genuine, or was he pulling me back into his orbit only to leave me stranded again?

There was no denying his love for his children; he had shown that in ways no one could question. But how could I be sure that the depth of that love extended to me too?

Before I could dwell further down the hole of uncertainties, Lucian kissed the back of my hand, the gesture sending an involuntary shiver down my spine. "I’ll show you something cool later," he promised with a smirk. Then, he turned and called out, "I’m coming, Adrian. Mind your own mate."

Adrian’s laughter was low and unhurried, like he could deal with Lucian’s antics all day long.

As Lucian walked toward Adrian, his steps cautious but steady, I found myself watching him. The way his muscles moved beneath his shirt, his commanding aura even in blindness—it was infuriatingly captivating.

"Lucian," Adrian drawled, his voice as smooth as silk, "if you’re done pretending to be charming, let’s get started. You need all the help you can get."

"Don’t hold your breath, vampire," Lucian shot back. "I’m already perfect."

Adrian smirked. "Yes, well, let’s see if perfection can dodge a punch while blind."

Their banter drew a smile from me, even as my thoughts swirled with chaos. Lucian had a knack for getting under people’s skin, and Adrian was a master of keeping his cool no matter how hard Lucian tried to rile him up.

Not long after, the training session began. Adrian stepped forward, his calm and authoritative presence setting the tone. "Your heightened senses—hearing, smell, and touch—will compensate for your lack of sight," he explained to Lucian, his voice steady and precise. "For example, you can identify people by their scent, the rhythm of their footsteps, or even the cadence of their heartbeat."

Lucian, never one to resist a chance to needle Adrian, sniffed the air dramatically. "I can already smell your arrogance from here."

Without missing a beat, Adrian smirked. "And I can hear your insecurities loud and clear. Shall we continue?"

Juliette and I exchanged knowing looks, stifling laughter as Adrian began leading Lucian through a series of exercises. It was mesmerizing to watch Adrian’s methods—teaching Lucian to rely on sound as his guide, almost like a form of echolocation. He clapped his hands, tapped objects in rhythmic patterns, and even tossed small stones for Lucian to locate and track by sound alone.

Lucian’s frustration was evident in the tight clench of his jaw and the muttered curses that escaped his lips. But Adrian remained unshaken, his patience unwavering as he guided Lucian step by step, offering encouragement when progress showed and sharp corrections when it didn’t.

"Teresa, get over here," Adrian called out suddenly, his voice breaking through my thoughts.

"Me?" I blinked, startled, hoping he’d meant someone else.

"Yes, you," he repeated, his tone laced with teasing amusement. "We can’t have you slacking off while the rest of us work, now can we?"

Before I could form a proper protest, Juliette grinned mischievously, grabbed my hand, and tugged me into the training circle.

"Don’t worry, Luna," she teased with a playful glint in her eye. "I’ll take it easy on you."

"I officially hate you," I muttered under my breath, but my complaint was drowned out by her laughter.

What followed was an hour of pure chaos—a whirlwind of reflex drills, dodging, and learning to predict movements before they even happened. My body screamed in protest with every move, but beneath the exhaustion, I felt an unfamiliar sense of pride. I had survived.

"You’re tougher than you look," Juliette said with a wink, her voice full of approval.

I rolled my eyes, fighting the urge to smile. "Gee, thanks. I’ll put that on my résumé."

**********

By the time we wrapped up, it was close to 7 p.m. Exhaustion clung to me like a second skin, and my heart ached to see my babies. Adrian casually mentioned an outdoor party in town at 9, his tone nonchalant, but I waved him off immediately.

"I’m too tired," I said, rubbing my temples. "And I haven’t seen the babies all day."

Lucian’s expression faltered for a brief moment before he quickly masked it with his usual charm, his tone turning velvety and persuasive. "Come on, Teresa. Just for an hour. It’ll be fun."

"Lucian, no," I said firmly, shaking my head. "I can’t—"

"I’ll make it worth your while," he interrupted smoothly, his voice dipping low, coaxing. "We’ll tuck the babies in first, and then we can go together. I’ll make sure you’re comfortable. Please?"

When I didn’t answer right away, he did the unthinkable—he pouted. Full-on, lip-jutting, puppy-dog-eyes pouted.

"Lucian," I groaned, exasperated. "Stop that. It’s not fair."

"I’m serious," he said, his voice a little too casual as he stepped back and—oh no—started pulling off his shirt.

"What are you doing?!" I shrieked, spinning around so fast I nearly tripped over my own feet.

Adrian and Juliette burst into laughter, their amusement echoing through the clearing. "You’ll have to get used to it, Teresa," Adrian said between chuckles. "Werewolves and nudity go hand in hand."

Before I could fully process his words, I heard the sound of bones shifting and clothes tearing. When I turned back, there he was—Lucian in his wolf form, towering and massive, his glossy black fur gleaming in the fading light with no red fur in sight. His sheer size made me instinctively take a step back, but then he nudged me gently with his enormous head, his golden eyes watching me patiently.

"It’s just Lucian," I murmured to myself, willing my racing heart to calm. "Just Lucian."

Before I could think of a clever way to refuse whatever madness was coming next, Juliette swept me off my feet—literally. She hoisted me like I weighed nothing and placed me squarely on Lucian’s broad back. Seriously how could a small woman like her be so strong?!

"Relax," she said with a grin, clearly enjoying my discomfort. "You’ll be fine."

I clung to Lucian’s thick, soft fur as he began to move, his steps deliberate and careful. At first, my grip was deathly tight, but as the rhythmic sway of his gait and the comforting warmth of his body worked their magic, I began to relax. Slowly but surely, I let my body lean into his, the steady sound of his breathing soothing my frayed nerves.

Against all logic, I felt... safe. Safer than I had in a long time. I closed my eyes, my exhaustion melting into the comfort of his silky fur, and before I knew it, I was drifting off, lulled by the gentle rhythm of his movements and the quiet reassurance of his presence. Everything felt perfectly okay.

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