Beneath the Alpha's Moon
Chapter 69: Search for Privacy

Chapter 69: Search for Privacy

TERESA’S P.O.V.

"Bring the car around," Lucian commanded into the phone, his tone icy enough to freeze hell over. His voice carried that same don’t-you-dare-argue-with-me edge, making even the poor soul on the other end sound terrified. "We’re going back to the estate."

I crossed my arms and glared at him. "Lucian," I began, my voice deceptively calm while anger simmered just beneath the surface. "What do you think you’re doing? We can talk here. This is a company, why can’t we continue our discussion here?"

He turned to face me, and for a split second, I thought I saw a crack in his cold, marble exterior. His eyes softened, but his jaw remained clenched like he was fighting off a migraine. "This isn’t something we can discuss in the office, Teresa," he replied, his voice low but firm. "It’s... sensitive."

The thought of going back to his estate where I was humiliated, made my heart hurt. I raised an eyebrow, my arms tightening across my chest like I was preparing for battle. "Oh, so now I’m supposed to just drop everything and follow you like a little puppy? Let me make one thing clear, Lucian: I’m not one of your employees, and I definitely don’t have a contract tying me to you. I don’t take orders like some obedient robot anymore."

His façade cracked further—was that actual desperation flickering in his eyes? He exhaled heavily and rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly looking more human than usual. "Teresa, please," he said, his tone taking a sharp dive into almost apologetic. "Whatever grudge you have against me, can we put it aside for a few hours? I’m not trying to boss you around, I swear. I just need to talk. Alone. Somewhere private."

I blinked at him, half expecting him to pull out a white flag and wave it. "And your estate is the perfect place for this discussion?"

"It’s secure," he continued, ignoring my sarcasm. "I’ve spent a ridiculous amount of money making sure it’s soundproof. You’ll be comfortable. I promise I won’t do anything to make you uneasy."

The words hung in the air like an awkward silence at a family dinner. I wanted to tell him to take his estate and shove it, but the thought of the babies stopped me. Their safety mattered more than my pride or my intense desire to smack him upside the head.

"Fine," I snapped, my tone laced with reluctant defeat. "But Luke comes with me. Non-negotiable."

For the first time ever, Lucian smiled—or, well, almost smiled. His lips twitched, and his eyes glimmered with relief. "Deal," he said quickly, as if I’d just agreed to a million-dollar contract. Without waiting for further protest, he reached out and took one of the babies from my arms, cradling her like she was made of glass.

Then he had the audacity to grin—a full, proud dad grin—as he reached for the other baby. "Let’s go," he announced, his voice brimming with an eagerness I’d never seen from him before.

I rolled my eyes, grabbed the stroller, and opened the door. "Don’t let your newfound parenting glow blind you," I muttered as he stepped out.

We made it outside Kenneth’s office just in time to witness Luke and Jennifer having what could only be described as a soap opera-worthy argument.

"Why do you always defend her, Luke?" Jennifer’s sharp voice cut through the air like a chainsaw. "She’s not some innocent angel you think she is!"

But the second Jennifer spotted Lucian holding the babies, her expression did a complete 180. The shock on her face quickly morphed into a smile so fake it could’ve been bought at a discount store.

"Lucian," she cooed, sashaying over like a predator stalking prey. "Why are you holding Teresa’s babies? You really shouldn’t trust her so easily. She’s not as innocent as she looks. Have you even considered getting a DNA test? You should—"

"Shut up, Jennifer," Lucian growled, his voice like an approaching thunderstorm. His glare could’ve melted steel. "Don’t you dare speak about Teresa like that again. I don’t need a DNA test—I know they’re mine. Now get lost before I do something we’ll both regret."

Jennifer’s face turned redder than a firetruck, her mouth opening and closing like a fish gasping for air. "You’ll regret this, Lucian," she sputtered. "Mark my words!"

"Yeah, yeah," Lucian muttered, waving her off like a fly. "Go stomp off in your heels and file a complaint or something."

Jennifer stormed away, her heels clicking dramatically against the floor, each step screaming, You’ll be sorry!

I stood there, stunned, staring at Lucian like he’d just grown a second head. Had he... just defended me? The same Lucian who normally acted like he was carved out of ice? And he didn’t even question the babies’ paternity? Why?

"Sorry about that," he said, turning to me with an expression that was almost... gentle? "Jennifer has no right to talk to you that way."

I shook my head, letting out a dry laugh. "Don’t bother apologizing. She’s my sister. Trust me—I’ve heard worse from her."

Lucian looked like he was about to say something else, but I cut him off. "Let’s just get this over with. And for the record, you better get me snacks. Good snacks once we get there."

His lips twitched again, and for a moment, I thought he might laugh. But instead, he simply nodded. "Deal. But I’m holding the babies the entire ride."

"Fine," I replied, rolling my eyes. "Just don’t let them inherit your bossiness."

We stepped into the hallway, and it was as if we’d walked onto the set of a reality TV show, complete with gasps, stares, and whispers. Employees froze mid-task, their coffee cups suspended in midair, jaws hanging open at the sight of the Lucian Blackwood stepping out of his private elevator like some kind of brooding superhero—only this time, his accessories were two adorable babies in his arms, me walking awkwardly by his side, and poor Luke bringing up the rear like a forgotten sidekick.

The whispers spread like wildfire.

"Is that...?"

"Two babies?!"

"Who’s the woman?"

"Wait, is the boss married now?!"

Lucian, of course, strutted through the chaos like it was just another Tuesday, his head held high as if cradling twin bundles of joy was his everyday vibe. Meanwhile, I was actively trying to avoid eye contact with anyone, hoping the floor might suddenly develop a trapdoor to swallow me whole.

When we reached his sleek car—because of course, Lucian would only travel in something that looked like it was designed for a Bond villain—he turned to me and said, "Ride with me. I don’t want you to part with them." His tone was firm, but his gaze softened ever so slightly as he glanced at the babies.

I crossed my arms, resisting the urge to roll my eyes. "Fine, but Luke is driving his car and following us."

Lucian gave a curt nod. Luke, looking like he’d just been demoted from the main cast to "guy in the background," didn’t even protest. The driver, who must have seen everything in his time working for Lucian, opened the back door without missing a beat. Lucian motioned for me to get in first. Once I settled into the plush leather seat that probably cost more than anything I owned, he handed me one baby before climbing in with the other.

As soon as the door shut, he turned into a completely different person. Holding Mai close, his face lit up with an expression so unguarded, I almost felt like I was intruding. "Hi, princess," he cooed, his deep, intimidating voice suddenly soft and syrupy. "You’ve got my eyes, little one, you both do."

I blinked. Twice. Was this LucianBlackwood or some doppelgänger who had taken over his body? This man, who usually communicated in short, clipped commands, was now baby-talking like a pro.

The car ride was surreal. He chatted with the babies the entire way, telling them about his day as if they were capable of giving him a performance review. "I love you both so much," he said, his voice brimming with emotion. "Daddy’s going to fix everything, I promise."

Meanwhile, I just sat there, alternating between watching him and the road ahead, half-expecting the universe to announce that this was all a dream. The babies giggled and gurgled in response, clearly as charmed as I was bewildered.

Then came the kicker. Without looking up from the baby in his arms, he said, "I’ve missed you so much Teresa. I’m going to work hard to earn your forgiveness."

I nearly choked on my own disbelief. Who was this man, and what had he done with the Lucian I knew? I thought the forgiveness rant at the office was just for show but he was doing it again and I was beginning to doubt everything I thought I knew about him.

When we arrived at the estate, the gates swung open dramatically—because of course, Lucian’s gates wouldn’t just open, they had to announce his arrival. The driver spoke into his headset, informing security to let Luke’s car in as well.

Lucian climbed out first, cradling the babies like they were made of spun glass. I followed, half-expecting a red carpet to roll out. Instead, we were greeted by gasps from the staff, who seemed to appear out of nowhere like they’d been hiding in the walls.

"Miss Teresa! You’re back!" Alex, the butler, exclaimed, his usual cool demeanor crumbling as he practically sparkled with excitement. "You have no idea how much we’ve missed you!"

I blinked, stunned as other staff members echoed his sentiment, their joy so palpable it felt like I’d just returned from some epic quest.

"What is happening?" I hissed at Lucian, who was clearly enjoying the scene far too much.

"They missed you," he said simply, like this was the most normal thing in the world.

Lucian smirked, clearly relishing the chaos. "Alex, take care of Luke. Anything he needs, he gets. Teresa and I will be in my office—no interruptions."

The office was as grand and intimidating as the man himself. Lucian sat down, carefully arranging the babies in his lap as if they were the crown jewels. "Alright," he said, meeting my gaze with unsettling intensity. "I’m all ears."

I hesitated, my heart pounding. But then I took a deep breath, squared my shoulders, and plunged in. "Lucian... I met a man in the town I ran to. Because of him, I had to run away from the town. And I’m sure he’s coming after me, even as we speak."

Lucian’s expression darkened instantly, his jaw tightening. "We’ll see about that," he said, his voice low and dangerous.

And just like that, the soft, baby-cuddling Lucian was gone, replaced by the man who could probably intimidate a thunderstorm.