Beneath the Alpha's Moon
Chapter 147: Cheer Up

Chapter 147: Cheer Up

TERESA’S P.O.V.

The drive back to Lucian’s mansion was silent, the air between us thick with the weight of my father’s venomous words. My mind was spinning, a whirlwind of confusion and disbelief. Could it be true? Could Gregory Williams not be my father? The possibility felt like a sharp dagger slicing through the fragile threads of my identity.

Lucian’s hand rested on mine, trying to calm me, but even his touch couldn’t stop the questions from flooding my mind.

"Teresa," Lucian’s deep voice broke through my chaotic thoughts. "Stop."

I blinked, realizing I’d been gnawing on my lower lip so hard it stung. "Stop what?"

"Overthinking," he said, his tone firm but laced with concern. "You’re going to drive yourself mad dissecting every word that man said. Let me handle it."

"Handle it how?" I asked, my voice sharper than I intended. "Lucian, this is my life—my family. I can’t just sit back and do nothing."

"And I’m not asking you to do nothing," he replied evenly. "I’m asking you to trust me. Williams has a twisted way of spinning the truth, and I will get to the bottom of it. But for now, you need to let it go. Don’t answer his calls, don’t think about him. Focus on you."

I sighed, rubbing my temples. "Easier said than done."

Lucian leaned closer, his unseeing eyes somehow reaching into my soul. "Teresa, listen to me. You are not alone in this. Not anymore. Let me carry this burden for you—just this once."

The sincerity in his voice made my chest ache. I nodded reluctantly, whispering, "Okay."

By the time we reached his mansion, my mood was as dark as the evening sky. The grandeur of the place, with its sprawling gardens and marble halls, usually felt like a fairytale escape. Tonight, it felt suffocating. I drifted through the hours like a ghost, my thoughts still tangled in the web my father had spun.

Lucian gave me space at first, sensing my need to process. But as dinner rolled around, I could tell his patience was wearing thin. He sat across from me at the table, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the wood. His expression was unreadable, but I caught the faintest twitch of his lips—a telltale sign of his irritation.

"You’re sulking," he finally said, breaking the silence.

"I’m not sulking," I retorted, though my tone betrayed me.

He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "You’ve barely touched your food, and I can literally feel you glaring at that plate like it personally offended you."

I shot him a glare. "Maybe I’m just not hungry."

"Or maybe you’re being stubborn," he countered, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Come on, Teresa. You’re letting him win by staying in this mood."

"And what do you suggest I do?" I snapped. "Start singing and dancing like nothing happened?"

"Not quite," he said, standing up abruptly. "But I do have an idea."

Before I could protest, he disappeared. Minutes later, he returned, taking my hand and pulling me out of my seat.

"Lucian, what—"

"Trust me," he interrupted, a rare softness in his tone. "You’ll thank me later."

Under the glow of the moon, Lucian led me to a clearing in the woods behind his mansion. It was breathtaking—tiny fairy lights hung between the trees, their golden glow reflecting off a small stream that meandered through the clearing. A cozy blanket was spread out on the ground, surrounded by candles and a basket of what looked like dessert.

I stared in disbelief. "Lucian... when did you... you did all this?"

"Don’t act so surprised," he said, a hint of mock offense in his voice. "I can be romantic when I want to be."

I couldn’t help but laugh, the sound breaking through the heaviness in my chest. "I’m impressed."

"You should be," he quipped, guiding me to sit down. "Now, let’s forget about everything for tonight. It’s just us."

We shared chocolate-dipped strawberries and sipped on champagne, our conversation shifting to lighter topics. Lucian was sarcastic and witty as always, his dry humor pulling laughter out of me despite myself.

"Feeling better?" he asked after a while, his hand brushing against mine.

"Better," I admitted, though a small part of me still clung to the earlier turmoil.

"Good," he said, standing up again. "Because the night’s not over yet."

I frowned. "What are you—"

Before I could finish, he shifted. One moment, he was standing there, tall and commanding, and the next, a massive black wolf stood in his place. Ares was always more majestic in person—his fur sleek and midnight-dark, his eyes glowing faintly in the moonlight.

Through our mind link, Lucian’s voice came, warm and teasing. "Hop on, Teresa. You need a proper distraction."

I hesitated for only a second before climbing onto his back, my hands gripping his fur. The next thing I knew, we were off.

Lucian ran like the wind, the world around us blurring into streaks of silver and green. The sensation was exhilarating—like flying without wings. I couldn’t stop the laughter that bubbled out of me, the sheer joy of the moment washing away every dark thought.

"You’re enjoying this," Lucian remarked through the link, his tone smug.

"Maybe a little," I admitted, tightening my grip as he leapt over a fallen tree. "You’re faster than I expected."

"Don’t sound so surprised," he replied. "I’m an Alpha, remember? Speed comes with the territory."

We continued like that, his playful teasing and my laughter echoing in the night. For the first time in what felt like forever, I felt free—unburdened by the past or the future.

Eventually, he slowed, bringing us to a stop near a massive tree. I slid off his back, my legs wobbly but my heart light. Lucian shifted back, his human form just as striking as his wolf.

"That was..." I searched for the right word. "Incredible."

"I aim to please," he said, sitting down and pulling me into his arms.

We leaned against the tree, the cool night air wrapping around us. For a while, neither of us spoke, content to simply be.

"Thank you," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "For everything."

His hand stroked my hair, his touch gentle. "You don’t have to thank me, Teresa. I’d do anything to see you smile."

I looked up at him, my heart swelling with emotion. "You’re not as tough as you pretend to be, are you?"

He smirked, his blind eyes somehow still full of mischief. "Don’t tell anyone. It’ll ruin my reputation."

I laughed softly, leaning into him. "Your secret’s safe with me."

We stayed like that for a while, wrapped in each other’s warmth, the world around us silent and peaceful. But just as I thought the night couldn’t get any better, a piercing cry shattered the tranquility.

Lucian stiffened, his entire body going rigid. "That came from the pack house."

My heart jumped. "What’s going on?"

"I don’t know," he said, his tone sharp and commanding. "But we’re about to find out."

And just like that, the peace of the night was gone, replaced by a sense of foreboding that sent chills down my spine.