Beneath the Alpha's Moon
Chapter 164: Finding Solutions

Chapter 164: Finding Solutions

LUCIAN’S P.O.V.

The hospital room was silent except for the faint beeping of the heart monitors attached to Teresa. I sat slouched in one of the stiff hospital chairs, elbows on my knees, hands clasped together, my mind a whirlwind of frustration and helplessness. Ares was pacing in my head like a caged animal, snarling every few seconds.

"She’ll wake up,"I muttered, more to myself than to anyone else.

"She better, or someone will pay, Lucian." Ares growled.

Before I could respond, the door creaked open, and Adrian strode into the room, his gait as slow and deliberate as ever, carrying a small paper bag in his hand. His expression was a mix of triumph and barely concealed irritation. Typical Adrian — looking like he had just come from casually conquering kingdoms.

He set the bag down on the table with a measured thud, then folded his arms, his purple eyes sweeping over the room like we were his unruly coven.

"You look pleased," I said, leaning back in my chair. "But also... mildly annoyed. What did you do?"

Adrian’s lips curved into a lazy smile, the kind that made you wonder if he was plotting your demise or just amused by your existence. "I didn’t kill him, if that’s what you’re asking," he replied in his smooth, unhurried tone.

My eyebrows shot up. "You... didn’t kill him? Adrian Daegon, the man who doesn’t give second chances, left Gregory Williams alive? Did hell freeze over, or am I hallucinating?"

Adrian shrugged, his tone maddeningly nonchalant. "What can I say? I’m evolving."

Juliette snorted from her corner of the room where she was entertaining Eldur, her sharp laugh cutting through the room. "Oh, please. Don’t act like you’re turning over a new leaf, Adrian. We all know you’re just saving your energy for bigger prey."

Adrian smirked but ignored his mate’s teasing and sat down on a sofa. "I was tempted, believe me. That man is the epitome of filth. But I settled for something more... creative. Permanent hypnosis. He’ll live in a reality where every shadow is his worst nightmare."

Rylan let out a low whistle. "Remind me never to piss you off."

"Wise choice," Adrian replied, his voice like ice, his sharp gaze cutting to me. "The old man reeks of Teresa’s scent. So tell me—why did he say that Teresa and Luke weren’t his?"

I dragged a hand through my hair, frustration bubbling just beneath the surface. "Because Gregory’s a spiteful bastard who gets his kicks out of tormenting his kids. That’s all I’ve got."

"Lovely," Juliette muttered, her tone dripping with sarcasm as she rolled her eyes.

Just then, Elizabeth walked back into the room after coming back from checking on Luke.

Adrian picked up the bag again and handed it to her. Elizabeth walked up to the bed and stood poised near it. Her fiery red hair seemed to blaze under the sterile fluorescent lights, a stark contrast to the feeling in the room.

"Elizabeth," he said evenly, "see if you can find anything useful in there."

She nodded, her movements precise as her fingers sifted through the blackened remains. Fragments of rings, scorched photographs, and a small wooden box began to emerge. She hesitated, her warm eyes narrowing as she picked up the box.

"This," she murmured, running her fingers over the charred surface, "is what we’ve been looking for."

"What is it?" I asked, my voice sounding impatient.

Elizabeth opened the box with a flick of her wrist, revealing two small locks of hair inside. "These belong to Teresa and Luke," she said, her voice laced with an ominous edge. "And they’re bound by magic."

Before anyone could process her words, Elizabeth placed her hand over the box and began chanting an incantation. The air grew heavy, a strange hum filling the room. Then, without warning, she shrieked and stumbled back, her face pale as a ghost.

"What the hell?" Rylan exclaimed, leaping to his feet.

"Elizabeth?" Adrian’s voice was sharp, his calm veneer cracking slightly. "What’s wrong?"

Elizabeth clutched her chest, her eyes wide and unfocused. "If I break this spell completely and they wake up... everyone around them will be in danger."

"What do you mean, danger?" I demanded, my voice rising. "Teresa’s not dangerous. Luke’s not dangerous. What are you talking about?"

Elizabeth’s gaze shifted between us, her fear shining in her eyes. "We need to get them out of here. Somewhere remote—far enough that no one else is at risk."

Adrian’s usual calm façade wavered, his voice dropping into a dangerously cool tone. "And how exactly do you plan to move them without stirring up panic? Or do we expect the pack or Luke’s wife to just nod along and pretend everything’s fine?"

I stepped forward, my voice cutting through the worry. "It doesn’t matter how we do it. If it means Teresa wakes up, I’ll make it happen. Just tell me where we’re taking her."

Juliette, leaning casually against the wall, let out a low chuckle. "Easy there, Alpha. We all know how Ares gets when you’re stressed. Try not to unleash the beast on some poor nurse."

I shot her a glare. "Thank you for your overwhelming support, Juls. Truly inspiring."

She grinned, utterly unfazed. "You know I live to serve."

Elizabeth drew in a deep breath, visibly pulling herself together. "I’ll find a place—a secure, isolated spot. But we don’t have much time. The longer they stay here, the greater the risk."

Adrian nodded, his composure snapping back into place like a well-worn mask. "Lucian, you handle the arrangements to get them out of the hospital discreetly. Juliette and I will coordinate the rest. No mistakes."

I glanced at Teresa, lying motionless on the hospital bed, her face serene yet unnervingly still. The weight of the situation bore down on me, but I pushed the fear aside, letting determination fuel me instead.

"Consider it done," I said, my tone leaving no room for doubt.

The room shifted into organized chaos, each of us moving with a singular purpose. Beneath the urgency, there was an unspoken promise: no matter what it took, we would bring Teresa and Luke back. Failure wasn’t an option.