Beneath the Alpha's Moon
Chapter 72: Preparations

Chapter 72: Preparations

LUCIAN’S P.O.V.

Teresa’s big brown eyes darted between me and her overly loud, annoying brother. I could practically feel her guilt radiating off her like a scent trail in the wind.

Her lips parted, but no words came out. Her throat bobbed as she swallowed. "I... I don’t know. I don’t like them," she admitted, her voice low. "But I wouldn’t want them to die because of me."

I nodded once. "Good to know where you stand because Adrian would have killed them without batting an eyelash."

Luke, who had been pacing in his anger at being forced to stay, froze mid-step and whirled around to face us. His eyebrows shot up as if I’d just told him his favorite football team had lost. "Wait a second—what the hell are you talking about? Who’s this Adrian guy? And are you seriously saying he’s capable of... killing them?"

"Killing them would be a mercy compared to what Adrian is capable of," I said casually, my tone almost dismissive. "In fact, they probably wish they were dead rather than enduring the other things he has in store."

Luke’s eyes widened in horror, his mouth hanging open in stunned silence. "Teresa, we should really go to the police!" He said finally, now panicking.

Teresa glanced at him, guilt and uncertainty etched across her face. "Luke, it’s not that simple—"

"Not that simple?" he cut her off, throwing his hands in the air. "If someone’s life is at risk, then it is that simple! We need to call the police. Now."

I rolled my eyes so hard I was pretty sure Ares, chuckled in the back of my mind. "For the last time, Luke," I drawled, crossing my arms, "stop talking about the police. They’re not going to help. Not with this."

Luke glared at me, his jaw tightening, and for a brief second, I wondered if he was foolish enough to throw a punch. Then again, he had done it before but I deserved it that time. If he did now, I’d enjoy watching him crumble like a brittle leaf in autumn.

Teresa sighed, her shoulders slumping. "Please, can we not do this right now? We need to focus on the real problem."

"Finally, some sense," I muttered, turning my attention to the twins nestled in my arms as I handed them to their mother. Their tiny faces, so soft and serene, momentarily quieted the storm inside me. I leaned down and kissed each of them on the temple, inhaling their scent like it was the only thing tethering me to sanity.

Then, without overthinking it—because overthinking makes things awkward—I kissed Teresa on the cheek. Her skin was warm, her scent intoxicating.

"Lucian..." she whispered, blinking up at me with those big doe eyes, but I was already heading toward the stairs.

"I have work to do," I said over my shoulder.

"Going to kidnap our father and his family too?" Luke called after me, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Without missing a beat, I smirked and turned slightly. "You know me so well, Luke."

As I ascended the stairs, I reached out through the mind link, connecting with Rylan and Juliette simultaneously.

"Guess what, guys?" I began, keeping my tone light but laced with authority. "I’ve found Teresa—or better yet, she’s found me. She’s here with me now."

Juliette’s response was immediate. A shriek so loud I flinched. "What?! Are you serious? I’m coming back right now!"

Rylan was just as thrilled, though he showed it in a quieter way. "Finally! I’m on my way!" His excitement was infectious, and I couldn’t help but smile. Still, there was something I needed him to do before he came over.

Rylan had been on a mission to locate Teresa, but now that she’d been found, his task had shifted.

"Send a message to our allied packs," I instructed, my tone firm. "Let them know I need to meet with them immediately. It’s a matter of life and death."

Rylan’s voice turned serious in an instant. "I’ll contact Crescent Moon, Raven, and Hidden Hill right away. If it’s that urgent, they’ll be here by tonight."

"Good," I replied. "Don’t waste any time."

Once they disconnected, I reached out to Adam, my trusted tracker and enforcer.

"Adam," I said, my tone brooking no argument. "Take some men and go to Gregory Williams’ house. Invite him and his family over." I paused, letting the next part sink in. "If they refuse—which I doubt—bring them by force."

"Yes, Alpha," Adam replied without hesitation.

When I finally cut the mental link, Ares’ voice rumbled in my head. "Calm down, Lucian. Adrian won’t risk a rampage. If he attacks, the humans will notice, and he knows that; we still have a bit of time"

"I don’t care," I snapped internally. "I can’t lose her, Ares. I won’t survive it."

"We won’t lose her," Ares assured me, his voice a steady, comforting growl. "We’ll protect her and the pups. No one will harm them."

I closed my eyes briefly, centering myself. But the storm inside me didn’t subside. I couldn’t sit in my office and strategize when every fiber of my being screamed to be near Teresa and my children.

So, without a second thought, I left the office and went in search of them. She was mine, and the Moon Goddess had seen fit to bring her back to me. I wasn’t about to waste the blessing.

I found Teresa in the living room, cradling one of the babies while the other dozed peacefully in the stroller beside her. I needed to get their rooms ready immediately. Luke sat nearby, arms crossed, glaring at me like I’d just stolen his favorite toy. The tension in my body was maddening, but the moment I laid eyes on Teresa and the twins, it melted away.

Her soft laughter as she murmured to the baby was like a balm to my frayed nerves. She glanced up as I entered, her smile faltering slightly, but her eyes held a warmth that I wasn’t sure I deserved.

"Back already?" Luke drawled, his voice dripping with mockery. "Let me guess—you realized you forgot to kidnap someone else?"

I leaned against the doorway with a smug grin. "You got me," I said smoothly. "Actually, I’m here to commend you, Luke. You’ve been the perfect hostage—loud, irritating, and utterly useless."

Teresa let out a soft laugh before quickly stifling it, probably out of loyalty to her brother.

"Very funny," Luke shot back, his glare intensifying. "But seriously, what’s your plan here, Lucian? Are we just going to sit around waiting for this Adrian guy to show up and, what, play nice?"

I straightened, my expression turning serious. "The plan, Luke, is to make sure everyone is prepared. That includes your father and his family, whether you like it or not."

Teresa’s face softened, but Luke wasn’t done. "And what if they don’t want your so-called protection? You’re just going to force them to comply?"

"If I have to," I replied evenly, my tone leaving no room for argument.

Luke’s jaw dropped, and for a moment, I thought he might actually start yelling again, but Teresa cut him off.

"Luke, please," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "I don’t like them either, but I don’t want them to get hurt. This is bigger than us."

Luke turned to her, his expression a mix of disbelief and frustration. "Do you even hear yourself, Teresa? You’re acting like this Adrian guy is some kind of supervillain!"

"How many times do I have to tell you he’s worse," I muttered under my breath, earning a sharp look from Luke.

"Well, forgive me but I don’t believe anything coming out of your mouth. And if he’s as dangerous as you’re saying," Luke continued, ignoring me, "then shouldn’t we call—"

"If you say the police one more time," I interrupted, my patience wearing thin, "I’m going to personally escort you to the nearest station and let you explain to them why they’d be utterly useless against a monster such as Adrian. Sound good?"

Luke opened his mouth, probably to retort, but Teresa placed a hand on his arm. "Enough, both of you. Please."

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. Ares growled in the back of my mind, annoyed by the argument but proud of Teresa for stepping up.

"Fine," I muttered, walking over to the stroller and picking up the second baby. His tiny fingers curled around mine, and for a moment, the world didn’t feel quite so heavy. I kissed Ollie and Mai’s foreheads before handing them back to Teresa. "I’ve got things to handle. I will get Alex to see you both to your rooms so you can rest."

Teresa nodded, her eyes meeting mine. For a moment, it felt like we were the only two people in the room. I leaned in, brushing a kiss against her cheek. Her breath hitched, and I couldn’t help the smirk that tugged at my lips.

As I turned to leave, Luke’s voice stopped me again. "Hey, Lucian, don’t forget to add kidnapping to your list of talents."

I paused on the stairs, glancing back with a sly grin. "You really do know me too well, Luke."

Luke or even Adrian wasn’t my problem at the moment. My latest dilemma? Figuring out how to keep an entire pack of wolves hidden from the swarm of clueless humans I’d foolishly invited into my home. Talk about setting the stage for chaos.