Beneath the Alpha's Moon
Chapter 57: Fake it

Chapter 57: Fake it

TERESA’S P.O.V.

I woke up slowly from a deep, hazy fog, every nerve in my body was alive with a dull, throbbing pain. It was as if I’d been crushed beneath a weight too heavy to lift, my muscles weary and unmoving. Even the light around me, bright and piercing, was enough to make my head pound, blinding me for a few moments as I struggled to open my eyes. But as my vision cleared, I saw him—Adrian—sitting at my bedside, cradling two tiny bundles against his chest, his posture was protective, almost tender. My heart stuttered, a fierce beat of recognition and fear, as fragments of last night tore through my mind.

Giving birth—it was a swirl of chaotic images and sensations, half-lost in a haze of pain and exhaustion. I remembered flashes: my own cries filling the room, the fierce desperation in every breath, every scream. Adrian’s hand was there, steady and cool, anchoring me in the storm. His voice—low, calm, soothing—had cut through the haze, steadying me as I felt my body shatter under the force of labor. I’d clung to him, felt his presence like a shield amid the agony, until I’d finally collapsed, drained and trembling, with only a glimpse of his face—a handsome, pale silhouette—lingering in my mind as I drifted into a deep sleep.

But now, as I lay here watching him, a darker memory surfaced, sharp and vivid against the warmth of those fleeting moments. I remembered Adrian at his mansion, a predator wrapped in elegance. His teeth, long and sharp, glinted like daggers as he bent over a woman, his eyes alive with a dark, hungry gleam. His fingers had curled like claws, digging into her skin as he drank her blood, his expression both ruthless and serene. The memory made my blood run cold; it was a part of him that terrified me, the part I wanted to believe wasn’t real. But it was real, and it haunted me even now.

And yet, there he was, sitting so peacefully, holding my newborns with a gentleness that seemed at odds with everything I’d seen last night. But I couldn’t shake the fear that clawed at my throat, a primal instinct screaming at me to keep my children safe, to pull them from his grasp. My chest tightened, panic rising like a tide as I imagined those sharp fangs, those cold eyes. What if he turned that same hunger on them—or on me?

The room felt thick with my unspoken fear, but then, as if sensing my unease, Adrian looked up. His expression was calm, unreadable, his eyes sweeping over me with a steady gaze that seemed to pierce right through me. And when he spoke, his voice was soft and smooth, carrying none of the darkness that lingered in my memories, as if he were merely asking a simple question over morning tea.

"Teresa... are you awake?"

His voice snapped me out of my spiraling thoughts, grounding me in the moment.

I froze, my eyes snapping shut again. How had he known I was awake? My mind scrambled. Calm down, Teresa. Think.

I swallowed, opened my eyes, and tried to sit up—only to be rewarded with a sharp, tearing pain that had me falling back against the pillows, hissing. Instantly, Adrian’s face softened, and he moved quickly to place the babies in their small bassinets beside me before reaching to support me.

"Oh, careful now," he murmured, his hand cool and steady against my arm. I fought not to recoil as he, helped prop me up.

"You’re still in pain?" he asked, eyes narrowing. "Here, lean back. I can—"

I forced a smile, even as every fiber of me wanted to bolt. "I’m okay," I lied, my voice trembling as I avoided his piercing gaze. "What...what happened?"

Adrian’s brow furrowed slightly, "You don’t remember?" He looked genuinely surprised, almost hurt.

I bit my lip, pretending to search my mind, finally widening my eyes as if a memory had just clicked. "I remember...pain—intense pain—and then..." I gasped, clutching my chest. "My babies!"

At that, Adrian’s face broke into a warm, almost smug smile. "Oh, Teresa," he said, his voice gentler than ever. "You’ve given the world two beautiful souls." He went to retrieve the babies from the bassinets, gently placing them in my arms. My heart melted immediately. A tiny, chubby boy, fast asleep, with a dark shock of hair. And my little girl—eyes a beautiful, familiar green, just like...

I pressed them close to my chest, fighting back tears. They were perfect. They were completely real.

I barely noticed Adrian shifting beside me until he offered, "Would you like me to hold one? It might be easier."

"No! Don’t touch them!" The word shot out of my mouth before I could stop it, sharp and full of panic. Both of us froze.

Adrian blinked, his dark eyebrows rising, and I felt my face heat up. Oh no. Oh no, I’d snapped at him. Think, Teresa. Fast!

I softened my voice and looked down, pretending to be embarrassed. "I—I’m sorry, Adrian. I didn’t mean... I don’t know what came over me. I’m just a bit... emotional, I suppose."

He arched a skeptical brow, but after a long moment, he sighed, nodding. "Understandable. Childbirth does odd things to the mind, I hear." Still, his fingers lingered on my daughter’s tiny hand, his expression softening as he studied her. "They’re beautiful, Teresa."

A pit formed in my stomach. I knew he wasn’t just saying it. Adrian was staring at them like they were precious, even sacred. But that only made my anxiety spike—what did that mean for us? For them?

I swallowed and, trying to calm myself, I handed him one of the babies, forcing myself to let go and allow him to hold her. He relaxed immediately, looking down at her like she was a priceless artifact, a softness I’d never seen crossing his face.

"Do you...do you remember anything else?" he asked, a bit too casually.

My heart pounded. "Yesterday feels like...like a blur, honestly," I murmured, hoping he wouldn’t notice my hands trembling. "Why? Did something...happen?"

Adrian stilled, then quickly shook his head, too quickly, I noticed. "Oh, nothing important. Just...you went into labor, and I got you here. All is well now." He smiled, but there was something guarded in his eyes. "I’m just relieved you’re alright."

I nodded, pretending to be reassured, but inside, my mind was racing. How much did he suspect? Could he tell I was afraid of him?

Adrian’s voice broke into my thoughts. "You don’t need to worry, Teresa," he said, smoothing a hand over my baby’s soft curls. "I’ll take care of you. And them. Whatever you need." His voice was calm, almost too calm, like a lullaby with a hidden edge.

I plastered on a grateful smile, feeling like my nerves were about to snap. "Thank you, Adrian. Really, I...don’t know what I would have done without you."

He gave me a knowing smile, like he saw right through me. "You’re very welcome." Then he glanced down at the baby boy, the tiniest hint of a smile on his face. "They’re lucky to have a mother as strong as you. You were a warrior yesterday."

I let out a nervous laugh, hoping he didn’t notice my pulse jumping. "Well, I think it’s more that they’re lucky to have someone as helpful as you around. I...can’t imagine I was very composed last night."

Adrian chuckled, low and smooth, his old-world charm slipping into his words. "On the contrary, Teresa. I’ve seen all kinds of labor reactions over the years, and you were—well, let’s just say, less dramatic than some."

I managed a shaky laugh, pretending his little joke hadn’t just reminded me of how many centuries he’d lived. He once told me he was a vampire. I should have believed him then, when I had the chance to run. "Good to know I’m not the most dramatic person you’ve ever dealt with."

"Far from it." He smiled, setting the baby girl down gently beside me. Then, leaning closer, he brushed a strand of hair off my face. "And I meant what I said about taking care of you all. Anything you need, Teresa."

I forced a grateful nod, but every instinct was screaming at me to find a way out. "I...I appreciate that, Adrian. Really." Trying to sound casual, I added, "You’re so generous, I...honestly don’t know why you’d bother helping me like this."

A shadow flickered in his gaze, but he kept his smile. "Let’s just say," he replied softly, "you and I...have a connection."

The words made my skin prickle, but I managed another nod, my mind already spinning with ideas of how to leave this town, far away from Adrian.

As he settled back, I knew he could sense something. But for now, at least, he seemed content to play along.

And for as long as I had to, I would fake it too.

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