Beneath the Alpha's Moon
Chapter 55: Confession

Chapter 55: Confession

TERESA’S P.O.V.

I sat there on the ground, watching the flames die down with a heavy heart, clutching my growing belly protectively. Adrian was right in the thick of it, helping our neighbors to put out the fire. My hands shook as I held my belly, guilt swelling in me like a wave. Mrs. Flora’s house... how could I have been so careless? What could I ever do to make up for this?

As the smoke finally cleared, I stood up shakily, trying to thank everyone. "Thank you all so much... I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to cause such trouble."

Adrian, brushing soot off his sleeves, gave me a calm, reassuring smile. "Teresa, please, there’s no need for apologies. Accidents happen."

Despite his kind words, my heart still raced. "But it was all my fault. I... I’ll find a way to repay Mrs. Flora."

Adrian shook his head and gently placed a hand on my shoulder. "Worry less about apologies and more about yourself." Then he looked toward the house. "Wait here," he said, his voice as calm as if he were announcing the weather. "I’ll see if there’s anything we can salvage."

Before I could protest, he had already disappeared into the charred remains of the house, leaving me to pace nervously outside. Moments later, he returned, holding a thin box I immediately recognized.

"Oh, my certificates!" I gasped, grabbing it with relief. "If... if I’d lost these, Luke would’ve been heartbroken. He worked so hard to help me get them."

Adrian raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Luke?"

I froze, instantly regretting mentioning his name. "Uh, I mean... he’s... my brother," I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper. "It’s a long story, really."

Adrian studied me for a moment, his gaze warm but curious, then nodded with a gentle smile. "I see. Well, I won’t pry. But let’s make sure you’re all right after that smoke. I’m taking you to the hospital."

"Oh, no, I’m fine, really!" I protested, feeling embarrassed. "It’s just a little smoke."

But Adrian was already leading me toward a neighbor’s truck. The man, eager to help Adrian, handed over the keys with a cheerful, "Anything for you, Mr. Daegon!"

I couldn’t help but feel grateful, even as my cheeks flushed from all the fussing. At the hospital, I went through a whirlwind of check-ups, Adrian by my side, his quiet presence steadying me. By the time we finished, the sun was dipping low, throwing warm hues across the sky.

Adrian glanced at his watch, then turned to me. "You’ll come stay with me tonight." He didn’t say it as a suggestion.

I shook my head quickly, feeling my cheeks heat up. "Oh, no. I’ve already been too much trouble for you. I’ll go to Mary or Susanne’s. Besides... you’re a man, Adrian! I... I can’t just... stay at your place."

Amusement flickered in his deep, enigmatic eyes, giving him an almost predatory air. "My dear Teresa," Adrian began, his voice smooth and laced with a quiet confidence, "my home is vast, with more empty rooms than you could ever imagine. And I’m far from alone; there are others who live with me, each one a part of this place in their own way."

The weight of his words hit me as my mind scrambled to process the idea. "I... I was told you were wealthy, but..." My voice trailed off, hesitant to sound rude or reveal my awe. I’d heard tales of his wealth, but I couldn’t help silently comparing him to Lucian, whose estate I still thought was unrivaled.

Something must have betrayed my thoughts because Adrian’s lips curved into a faint, knowing smile. "You’ll see soon enough," he said, a hint of mystery threading his words as though he were letting me in on a secret only the privileged could understand.

When we finally arrived, I was rendered speechless. My jaw dropped, and for a moment, I couldn’t find a single word to express my shock. Before me loomed an immense, sprawling estate—a castle in every sense of the word, with towering stone walls, ivy crawling along ancient bricks, and acres of pristine land stretching beyond what the eye could see. The moonlight bathed its gothic architecture, casting long, eerie shadows across the expansive grounds. It was ancient, timeless, and so breathtakingly beautiful that Lucian’s estate suddenly seemed small, almost insignificant.

"This... this is your home?" I finally managed, my voice barely more than a whisper.

Adrian chuckled, clearly entertained by my reaction. "Yes," he said with a touch of pride. "It’s been in the family for generations. An inheritance, you could say."

I glanced up at him, feeling a mix of awe and a twinge of envy I hadn’t expected. "Some people really do get everything," I muttered, mostly to myself, my mind wandering to my father and the inheritance I’d likely never see.

As we stepped inside, the grandeur of the castle took my breath away all over again. The interior was majestic, with high-vaulted ceilings, sweeping staircases, and hallways that seemed to go on forever. Every corner, every column seemed to whisper tales of bygone eras, steeped in centuries of history and secrets. Just as I was drinking in the atmosphere, Adrian called out softly. Moments later, a stunningly beautiful young woman appeared. Her face was striking, almost ethereal, with delicate, flawless features. Adrian leaned in close, whispering something to her. She nodded, casting a quick, almost hostile glance in my direction—a look so brief, I wondered if I’d imagined it.

"Who... who was that?" I asked, still unnerved by her icy gaze as she vanished down one of the shadowed hallways.

Adrian’s tone was light, though a hint of mystery lingered in his eyes. "Just one of the many who call this place home," he replied, leaving me with more questions than answers.

He led me to a room that looked as though it had been plucked from the pages of a fairy tale. Lavish, with elegant drapes of silk framing tall windows, a grand canopy bed adorned in muted shades of cream and gold, and a soft glow from a nearby hearth casting a warm light over the intricate furnishings. The room’s warmth enveloped me, catching me off guard, and suddenly, a rush of emotions surged over me. This room, it was almost like the one at Lucian’s. I blinked, trying to hold back tears, but they slipped free anyway.

"Teresa," Adrian murmured gently, moving closer. His hand brushed my shoulder, his touch soft and reassuring. Without another word, he wrapped his arms around me, holding me close as I cried, his steady presence a quiet comfort in the wealth surrounding us.

When my tears finally subsided, I pulled back, embarrassed. "I’m... I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me."

Adrian’s face softened, and he looked at me with a gentle understanding. "There’s nothing to apologize for."

"It’s just... this room reminded me of... of something I’ve been trying hard to forget," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

"If it brings you pain, I can find you another room," he offered, his gaze tender.

I shook my head quickly, managing a small smile. "No, it’s all right. I... I’ll be fine."

He nodded slightly, his eyes lingering on mine for a moment longer, as though making sure I truly meant it. With a final comforting glance, he left, leaving me alone in that grand, beautiful room, surrounded by memories both haunting and strange.

The next morning, still drowsy and adjusting to my surroundings, I was startled by the sight of Adrian entering with a tray in his hands, filled with breakfast. I blinked up at him, surprise coloring my cheeks. "Adrian... you didn’t have to do this."

He set the tray down with a gentle smile, his voice warm but firm. "Of course I did. Please, indulge me."

I sat up, feeling my face flush further. "Thank you, really. But... why are you being so kind to me?"

His expression grew serious as he took my hand, his gaze meeting mine with a sudden intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. "I know you carry secrets, Teresa. Secrets you’re not yet ready to share. But please... lean on me. I’m here to take care of you, and I’ll look after you and your babies."

My heart skipped a beat, and I stared at him, the weight of his words hitting me harder than I’d expected. "Why... why are you doing this? Is it... pity?"

His face softened, and for a fleeting moment, I saw a vulnerability there, something raw and genuine. "No, Teresa," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "It’s because... I love you. I can’t hide it anymore. I know you don’t feel the same, and that’s all right. Don’t feel burdened by my confession. I won’t push you."

I opened my mouth, trying to respond, but the words tangled in my throat. He simply smiled, releasing my hand as he rose to his feet.

"Make yourself at home. And don’t even think of leaving," he added, his voice laced with that gentle authority that was uniquely his. With one last, smile, he turned and left, leaving me alone in his beautiful, mysterious castle, wondering what had just shifted between us and where this path might lead.

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