Beneath the Alpha's Moon
Chapter 122: Back in Time

Chapter 122: Back in Time

TERESA’S P.O.V.

One evening, as I sat in the grand library, it was quiet, the kind of silence I’d craved all day. The golden glow of the chandelier above softened the shadows cast by towering bookshelves. I had just begun to lose myself in the pages of a novel when Leonard appeared in the doorway. For once, he was in his human form, his usual playfulness absent as he leaned casually against the frame with his arms crossed.

"Teresa," he began, his tone uncharacteristically serious. "Why are you always avoiding Wolf Boy."

I froze, fingers tightening around the book. "That’s none of your business," I replied, keeping my eyes on the page even though I hadn’t read a word.

Leonard took a step closer, his brows lifting in mock offense. "It’s everyone’s business. The tension between you two? So thick, I’m surprised it hasn’t swallowed the rest of us whole."

My glare snapped to him. "Leonard, I am not in the mood for your antics right now."

He raised his hands in mock surrender, a grin breaking through his attempt at seriousness. "Relax, I’m just here to help. Trust me."

I scoffed, returning my focus to the book. "I don’t trust you."

"Not yet," he said with a sly wink, whistling a carefree tune as he strolled away, leaving an unsettling weight in the air. In the three weeks I’d come to know Leonard, he almost never had a plan—but when he did, it was the kind of plan that dragged chaos in its wake.

The next morning, the castle was too quiet—an ominous stillness that made me suspicious. Frowning, I wandered into the dining hall, expecting to find the usual morning bustle. Instead, I found Lucian sitting alone at the long table, his expression unreadable. The sight of him caught me off guard. Gone was the stormy, brooding presence he usually exuded. He looked... vulnerable.

"What’s going on?" I asked warily, lingering by the door.

Lucian turned his head slightly, his unseeing eyes somehow locking onto me. A faint, almost wistful smile tugged at his lips. "Sit with me?"

I hesitated, my instincts screaming that something was off. "Where is everyone?"

"They’re locked in the west wing." His tone was calm, too calm.

"What?!"

"Leonard’s idea." His smile widened slightly, a flicker of amusement lighting his face. "He thought we needed some... space."

I groaned, rubbing my temples. So, that’s what he meant. "That man is a menace."

"Agreed," Lucian replied, his tone light but edged with something deeper. "Still, he may have a point."

I frowned, unsure of his meaning. He gestured to the chair across from him, and after a moment’s hesitation, I moved to sit down.

"Teresa," he said softly, his voice dipping into a raw vulnerability I wasn’t prepared for. "I know the whole Ares situation has you tangled up. I know you’ve been avoiding me because of it, and I don’t blame you. But I need you to understand—it’s not as messy as it seems."

I blinked, stunned by his sudden bluntness.

He continued, leaning forward slightly, his expression earnest. "If you never want to hear about it again, I’ll bury it. I swear. Just... don’t shut me out. Please. You’ve been doing it for two month now and its giving me sleepless nights. I need you. I’m trying—trying to be better. For you. For our kids. For us."

His words came over me like a tidal wave. The sincerity in his tone left no room for doubt. And yet, the weight of it all felt crushing. How was I supposed to navigate a world where nothing made sense? Where the man sitting before me wasn’t just Lucian but also Ares—a being of unimaginable complexity?

"I don’t understand your world," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "The more I try to, the more confused and scare I become."

Sadness flashed across his face, but he nodded, resolute. "Then I’ll wait. As long as it takes. You don’t have to be scared. One thing I want you to be sure of is that I will never hurt you neither will I let anyone else do so."

Before I could respond, the sound of distant laughter and shouting echoed through the hallways.

Lucian’s lips twitched into a faint smile. "Looks like Leonard’s been caught."

I sighed, standing up. "We’re not done talking about this."

"I’ll be here," he said softly, his tone filled with quiet determination. And for the first time in a long while, I believed him.

The sincerity in Lucian’s words lingered with me, even as I headed down the hall toward the commotion.

**********

Later that day, Juliette stormed into my room like a hurricane, her determined expression giving me no room for argument. She thrust a stunning gown into my arms, the silky fabric cascading like liquid silver.

"You’re going," she said firmly, her tone leaving no room for debate.

"Going where?" I frowned, staring at her.

"To dinner," she replied with a mischievous smirk. "Don’t ask questions. Just go."

And Just like that, Juliette made me get dressed and even had me wear makeup before she practically dragged me out of the house and towards the beautiful grand garden of Adrian’s castle. Juliette left me at the entrance and disappeared, leaving me confused.

When I stepped into the garden, I froze. My breath hitched as my eyes drank in the sight before me. Twinkling fairy lights adorned the trees, their golden glow weaving a magical canopy above a beautifully set table. A soft breeze carried the faint scent of flowers, and for a moment, I felt as if I’d stumbled into a fairytale. At the end of the candlelit path stood Lucian, his usually hard demeanor softened by the warm light.

"Lucian," I whispered, my voice barely audible over the thudding of my heart.

At the sound of my voice, he turned toward me, his eyes somehow finding me as though he could see. "Teresa." My name rolled off his tongue like a prayer, steady but heavy with emotion.

He stepped forward, offering his hand. "Come, sit with me."

I hesitated, but something about his presence—about this moment—pulled me toward him. I let him lead me to the table, my fingers brushing his briefly. The spark that followed lingered, sending warmth all the way up to my chest.

As I sat down, Lucian settled opposite me. The silence stretched for a beat before he spoke, his voice low and measured.

"These past two months, I’ve done everything I could to make things right. I’ve begged for your forgiveness, told you truths I never thought I’d share—secrets that I knew might push you further away." His jaw tightened slightly before he softened again. "But tonight... I don’t want to do any of that. Tonight, I want to start over."

I blinked, trying to process his words. "Start over?"

"Yes." He exhaled, his expression almost wistful. "I want to go back in time, to the first moment I met you—before I ruined everything. Before I failed you."

His words struck something deep within me, but I said nothing, letting him continue.

"If I could go back," Lucian began, his voice growing softer, "I would have done everything differently. I wouldn’t have been cold or guarded. I would have treated you like the treasure you are. The moment I saw you—my mate, the love of my life—I should have made you feel like the most cherished person in the world."

I felt my throat tighten as Lucian spoke with such raw honesty.

"I would’ve invited you to dinner just like this," he continued. "Somewhere beautiful. Somewhere where you could see just how much you mean to me. I’d have smiled when I met you, told you how stunning you were. How lucky I was to have you in my life."

As if on cue, Juliette and Leonard emerged from the shadows, both looking impossibly professional. Leonard placed a plate of food in front of me with a practiced sweep of his arm while Juliette poured wine with a flourish. Their straight faces would’ve fooled anyone into thinking they’d been lifelong servers, but the second Leonard winked at me and Juliette flashed a sly smile, I knew they were in on this whole thing.

"Enjoy," Juliette said playfully before both of them vanished as quickly as they appeared.

I stared at the perfectly plated food, then back at Lucian, my chest tight with emotions I couldn’t name. No one—not a single person I’d ever been with—had done anything like this for me. I felt the burn of tears prick my eyes, and I had to look down quickly.

Maybe I had been too hard on Lucian. Maybe there was more to his feelings for me—more to us—than I’d allowed myself to see.

I opened my mouth to say something, but Lucian suddenly pushed back his chair and stood. Before I could react, he lowered himself onto one knee. My heart stilled.

"Teresa," he said, his eyes fixed in my direction, as though he saw me clearer than anyone ever had. "You are my mate, but tonight, I want to ask you properly, as any man would ask the woman he loves... Will you be my girlfriend?"

I stared at him, my heart pounding so loud I thought it would burst. He held his hand out but didn’t rush me. "You don’t have to answer now," he added gently. "Take your time. I’ll wait for as long as you need."

I couldn’t stop the tears that slid down my cheeks, but they weren’t sad tears. Slowly, I stood and crossed to him, grabbing his hands and pulling him to his feet. Without hesitation, I wrapped my arms tightly around him.

"Thank you," I whispered into his chest, my voice thick with emotion. "For this... for everything. I might not give you an answer now, but I’ll give you an answer soon. I promise."

Lucian held me like I was something fragile and precious, his steady heartbeat thudding beneath my ear.

When we finally settled back into our seats, the tension from earlier had vanished. Lucian was charming, a teasing lilt in his tone as he flirted openly, making me laugh so hard my sides ached.

"You’re just now realizing how funny I am?" he quipped, smirking as he poured me more wine.

"You’re not funny," I teased back, rolling my eyes. "You’re just... surprising."

"Good," he replied smoothly, holding up his glass. "I aim to keep you on your toes."

As the evening wore on, I found myself truly happy—a feeling I hadn’t allowed myself to embrace in so long. The walls I’d built around my heart? They weren’t just cracked—they’d completely crumbled.

When dinner ended, Lucian walked me back to the castle. His hand hovered near mine, never quite touching, but his presence was enough to send warmth through me. I couldn’t remember the last time I felt so... seen. So cared for.

As we reached the doors, I paused, looking back at him. There was something in the air between us—something different. Something new.

I didn’t know what would happen next, but I could feel it: after tonight, everything between us was about to change.

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