Beneath the Alpha's Moon
Chapter 28: Unexpected change

Chapter 28: Unexpected change

TERESA’S POV

As I walked into the kitchen, I could already hear Max laughing about something, his booming voice carrying across the room, while Katrina and Melissa were helping Madi prepare dinner. The smell of roasting garlic filled the air, and the batter for a cake sat half-mixed on the counter. I reached for the whisk automatically, sliding in next to Madi, trying to blend in with the lively chatter around me.

After my visit to Luke, things settled back into their usual rhythm at the estate. Mornings meant work, afternoons were for lazy lunches, and evenings filled with laughter and chatter with my friends. Juliette, on the other hand, had become increasingly hard to pin down. She was always busy, but I couldn’t ignore the strange pattern I’d picked up on.

Every month, especially around the middle or end, the estate would turn into a flurry of activity. People rushed around, filling the hallways and gardens with purpose. Even Juliette, who usually had time for me, vanished during these times, and Lucian? He’d become like a ghost. The last time I saw him was nearly a week ago, he didn’t even acknowledge my arrival back from visiting Luke when he was the one that rushed me back. It was very frustrating. Whatever they were up to, no one would clue me in - not even my friends.

"Teresa, you’re zoning out again," Max teased, nudging me with his elbow. "Thinking about some prince charming?"

"Who knows?" Katrina quipped, her eyes darting over to me playfully. "Maybe she’s got her eye on someone."

I rolled my eyes, brushing off their teasing with a forced laugh, but inside I was grateful that they hadn’t caught on to my feelings for Lucian. Every time I thought about him-his calm, unreadable face, the way he moved with quiet authority-a warmth spread through me that I could barely hide.

"I’ve just...got a lot on my mind, I guess," I murmured, stirring the batter more aggressively than necessary.

Melissa raised a brow, her gaze sharp and curious. "Oh? Spill, Teresa. We’re all friends here, aren’t we?"

I bit my lip, glancing at the others. "I don’t know, it’s just... everyone seems so busy around here lately. It’s like... like there’s this whole secret world going on, and I’m on the outside."

The room went unusually quiet for a second. Madi continued chopping vegetables, her movements deliberate, but I could tell she was listening. Even the two bodyguards by the door shifted, as if on alert.

"Well, you know how it is," Max said, forcing a grin that didn’t quite reach his eyes. "Just...estate stuff. Nothing special."

I wasn’t convinced, but I didn’t push it. "Right...estate stuff."

"Hey, there’s this pretty dress I saw a week, ago and I know it was made for you. Will you come with me tomorrow so we can go try it on?" Katrina asked, changing the subject with a forced cheeriness. "We’ll make it a shopping spree to remember."

I tried to smile, but the thought of not knowing what everyone was hiding gnawed at me. And worse, the feelings be away from Lucian for even a few hours clawed at me.

Madi nudged me gently, pulling me from my thoughts. "Why don’t you go take a breather, Teresa? You’ve been distracted all evening."

I hesitated but nodded, setting the whisk down. "Yeah, maybe a quick walk will clear my head."

As I stepped outside, the cool evening air hit me, bringing a slight chill but also a much-needed calm. I took a deep breath and started down the path toward the gardens, hoping the walk would ease my mind.

But then, as I rounded the corner, I saw him. Lucian, walked toward the edge of the woods with that purposeful, steady stride. Without thinking, I found myself following him, a thrill of nerves and excitement pushing me forward. Part of me wanted to turn back-I knew I was being reckless-but the other part couldn’t resist.

******

"Are you following me?" Lucian’s voice, low and unwavering, broke through the silence. I froze, cheeks flushing as if I’d been caught red-handed doing something dangerous. How had he known?

"I-I...yes? No! I mean..." My words stumbled over each other as his intense gaze bore into me, sending a shiver down my spine. Lucian looked so irresistibly handsome tonight. His eyes, sharp and conflicted, hinted at an internal battle, as if he was restraining or something; I didn’t really understand it. His jaw tightened, and I noticed the way his fist clenched and unclenched.

Lucian took a step closer, slow and deliberate, his eyes never leaving mine. The way he looked at me made me feel like prey, yet I couldn’t move-I was rooted to the spot, held by something beyond my control. I wanted to be near him, to feel his breath close to mine, as if drawn by some magnetic pull.

"You don’t know, do you?" His voice slipped into a darker tone, the words laced with a low, seductive edge that sent another shiver up my spine.

I shook my head, gazing up at him, confused and nervous. "Know what?" My voice was barely a whisper, a mixture of fear and longing tangled in my throat.

Lucian’s lips curved into a faint, dangerous smile as he leaned in, his intense gaze burning through me. "You’re tempting fate, Teresa," he murmured softly, the words as sweet as they were ominous, making my heart skip a beat. Was this real? Or was I dreaming again?

His gaze softened, though his eyes never lost that fierce glow. "Why did you follow me?" His voice dropped, wrapping around me like a spell. There was a dark charm to it, magnetic and consuming, like nothing I’d ever heard from him before.

"I...I don’t know," I managed, my cheeks growing even warmer as my heartbeat pounded in the quiet night. Lucian tilted his head, studying me with that captivating smile, and I felt my body respond instinctively to his presence, a sensation that both thrilled and unsettled me.

"Liar," he whispered, leaning closer still. The warmth of his breath brushed against my skin, and every inch of me felt as if it were on fire. His gaze softened, but the intensity only deepened as his hand reached up, gently tucking a stray lock of hair behind my ear, his thumb grazing my cheek in a way that made my pulse race. The warmth of his touch, the roughness of his skin-each sensation ignited something within me, something fierce and wild that was impossible to ignore.

Acting purely on impulse, my hand reached up, trembling as I looked into his eyes with a longing that I couldn’t suppress, though it frightened me. "I don’t know what’s happening, Lucian," I whispered, my voice fragile in the stillness. "But I know you wouldn’t hurt me...right?"

He held my gaze, his expression unreadable, and for a moment, the world seemed to stand still, as though we were the only two people in existence.

"Come here, Teresa," he finally said, voice like smooth velvet with an edge of impatience, like I’d kept him waiting for ages. I was frozen for a second before I took a hesitant step closer, the closest I have been to him. Why did I feel like I was stepping into a trap... one I wanted to fall into?

He raised an eyebrow at my reluctance, his smirk half teasing, half predatory. "You’re acting like I bite." He paused, a glint in his eyes. "Often."

"Oh, um... I just wasn’t expecting..." I stumbled over my words as his gaze flicked over me, assessing, as if he could see right into my muddled thoughts. He was so calm, so composed, but his eyes held a spark of something else entirely. And he had that look on his face that always left me feeling like I was both the joke and the punchline.

"Not expecting what?" he asked, drawing closer. "This?" Before I could answer, he dipped his head toward mine, stopping just close enough that his breath warmed my cheek.

I inhaled sharply, but I didn’t pull away. I wasn’t even sure I wanted to. And Lucian, he noticed. Of course, he noticed. He noticed everything.

His voice dropped to a low murmur. "If you don’t want me to kiss you, Teresa... just say so."

But I didn’t say anything. I couldn’t. I was too caught up in that dark gaze, in the way his lips curved with the tiniest, knowing smile. When he finally closed the distance, his lips met mine with a surprising softness that contrasted with the intensity burning between us. It was tender, careful at first, but soon it was as if he couldn’t hold back anymore. His hands slid up to cradle my face, his thumbs brushing my cheeks. My heart thudded wildly as I found myself gripping onto his shirt for balance, feeling his warmth seep into me.

His lips were hot and demanding now, pulling me deeper, and his usual sarcasm and distance melted into something fierce, something I felt to my core. His kiss was a strange mix of restraint and barely-held-back passion, like he was giving me only a taste of what he wanted but wasn’t willing to reveal yet.

I don’t know how long we stood there, lost in each other, but eventually, he broke away, leaving me breathless and a little dazed. He looked down at me, his expression unreadable for a moment, and then his lips twitched into a smirk.

"You’re awfully red," he teased, voice laced with that dry humor of his. "Didn’t scare you too much, did I?"

I shook my head, cheeks still burning. "N-No... not at all," I managed to stammer, trying to find some semblance of composure, but my voice betrayed me.

"Good." He tilted his head toward the house. "Let’s go."

Lucian led the way, his long strides making me hurry to keep up. His hand was warm and strong, firm around mine. We passed through the woods, then into the house in silence, and I could feel my heart racing, not quite believing what had just happened, and somehow even more nervous about what was to come.

He led me up the sweeping staircase, his fingers still entwined with mine, and I couldn’t help but steal glances at him. The rare kindness he was showing made my heart flutter in a way I couldn’t explain, and a shy smile tugged at my lips.

"Do you like it here?" he asked, his voice softer than usual as we reached the landing.

"Yes... it’s beautiful," I admitted, feeling a little shy but happy. He wasn’t usually this... this nice.

He led me down a dimly lit hallway, his steps slow and measured, as if he was giving me time to soak everything in. "Well, you’ve never seen the best part."

With a light tug, he led me into his room. And I was stunned.

The room was grand, yet surprisingly cozy, with dark mahogany furniture and walls lined with bookshelves. It felt warm, private, and entirely his. His captivating scent was everywhere. My eyes wandered around the space, from the massive bed to the soft, flickering fire in the corner. The room felt... like him.

I turned to him, feeling my cheeks warm again. "It’s... wonderful, Lucian."

He just smirked, leaning casually against the doorframe, watching me with that same half-amused, half-intense gaze. "Glad you approve."

I didn’t know what to say, so I just smiled, feeling a little silly. But Lucian didn’t seem to mind. Instead, he stepped toward me, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering just a moment longer than necessary.

"You look happy," he noted, the edge of his sarcasm softened by something... almost gentle.

"I am," I whispered, feeling more than a little overwhelmed by everything.

"Good," he murmured, his voice dipping, that familiar mischievous glint in his eyes. "Because you’re not leaving anytime soon."