Beneath the Alpha's Moon
Chapter 73: Overwhelming encounters

Chapter 73: Overwhelming encounters

TERESA’S P.O.V.

The moment Lucian left the room again, it felt as though tension hung in the space, heavy and unavoidable. I tried to keep my emotions in check, but my heart ached as I glanced at Luke, who sat stiffly on the couch, his arms crossed and his expression furious.

I adjusted the blankets on the babies trying to avoid Luke’s furious gaze when Alex walked in moments later, accompanied by a young woman who had an air of nervous professionalism. He gestured to her with a calm smile. "Mr. Williams, this is Sofia and she will show you to your room. Please follow her."

Luke shot up from the couch, his movements sharp and agitated. "I’m not staying," he declared firmly. "This isn’t some five-star getaway, and I didn’t sign up for whatever this is."

Alex didn’t flinch; his face remained composed. "Sir, with all due respect, Mr. Blackwood has instructed security not to let anyone leave the estate. You’re stuck here for now. Perhaps it would be best to get some rest."

Luke’s nostrils flared. "If you think for one second I’m going to sit here and—" He pointed a finger toward the door. "I’ll make a scene. I’ll call the cops. I’ll—"

"Luke, stop!" My voice broke through the rising tension, startling even myself. I crossed the room and placed a trembling hand on his arm. His glare softened when he looked at me. "Please, just calm down. I know this is hard, but trust me—if this wasn’t important, I wouldn’t have stood with Lucian on it. You know I wouldn’t."

He studied my face for a long moment, and I could see the battle waging behind his eyes. His jaw clenched, but his shoulders relaxed slightly. "Fine," he muttered through gritted teeth. "I’ll stay. But this better not turn into a permanent vacation, or I swear—"

I hugged him tightly, relief washing over me like a wave. "Thank you. I promise it won’t be long."

The woman stepped forward hesitantly, and Luke allowed her to lead him toward the right wing of the mansion. As for me, Alex beckoned me toward the left, where my old room awaited. My Room, My Past

When Alex opened the door to the room, I froze in the doorway. Nothing had changed. The grand, luxurious space was just as I remembered it—like a fairytale fit for a queen. The pristine cream drapes, the plush, golden accents, and the ornate furniture glowed under the soft lighting. My walk-in wardrobe, once filled with clothes, bags, shoes, and jewelry Lucian had gifted me, still brimmed with treasures. If anything, it seemed fuller now, as though someone had added even more.

But the real shock was the addition of two beautiful baby beds near the bedside, crafted with intricate designs and adorned with soft linens. I blinked in disbelief. "When did...?"

Alex smiled knowingly. "The nursery will take a little more time because Mr. Blackwood insisted on decorating it himself. Until then, the babies will stay with you." His tone was laced with pride.

I blinked. "Lucian? Decorating?"

"Yes. He’s very excited about the babies."

A warmth spread through my chest at the image of Lucian personally decorating a nursery for our children. I found myself smiling, despite everything.

"He’s been very dedicated to you, Miss Teresa," Alex added, his expression brightening. "Oh, and someone will come shortly to provide everything you and the babies might need—diapers, clothes, formula, the works."

I nodded, overwhelmed but grateful. "Thank you, Alex."

He beamed. "You have no idea how pleased I am to serve you. Truly. We’ve all been eagerly awaiting your return."

I blinked, startled. "What do you mean?"

But Alex only bowed slightly, excusing himself without explanation. His words lingered, leaving me confused.

Not long after I’d begun settling in, a knock sounded at the door. "Come in," I called out, expecting Alex or one of the staff. Instead, Juliette walked in, looking small and remorseful.

My chest tightened. I hadn’t heard from her since I was asked to leave the estate. Not a call, not a text—nothing. The hurt I thought I’d buried resurfaced instantly. "What do you want?" I asked, my voice bitter.

She approached hesitantly, then to my utter shock, knelt before me just like Lucian had done this morning. "Teresa, please. I’m so sorry," she began, her voice trembling. "I—I never wanted to abandon you. None of us did."

I stared at her, dumbfounded. "Juliette, you hurt me. You abandoned me. I thought we were friends, but when I needed you the most, you were nowhere to be found."

Tears spilled down her cheeks as she clutched my hand. "Lucian forbade us from contacting you. He was so angry, and we couldn’t disobey him. When his anger cooled, we tried to find you, but it was like you vanished."

I yanked my hands away. "That’s no excuse!" My voice rose, and she flinched. "You’re a grown woman, not some child he can ground. You could have reached out if I truly mattered to you."

She sobbed harder, her body trembling as she shook her head vehemently. "Teresa, you don’t understand," she choked out, her voice raw with emotion. "I couldn’t disobey him. One day, you’ll understand why."

Her words sent a shiver down my spine. The cryptic confession wrapped itself around my thoughts like a dark cloud, making my stomach churn with unease. Was there more to her story than I knew? More than I could understand? Anger and hurt still simmered beneath the surface, but as I looked at her crumpled figure, a flicker of pity stirred within me. It was impossible not to feel it, no matter how deeply she’d hurt me.

Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to soften. "Juliette," I said quietly, "get up." My voice wavered as I crouched to her level. "I forgave you a long time ago. But forgiveness doesn’t erase the pain overnight."

Her head shot up, tears streaking her face as she lunged forward and wrapped her arms around me. The force of her embrace nearly knocked me back, and I felt her sobs wrack her body. "I’m so sorry, Teresa," she cried. "I promise I’ll mend everything—I’ll make it right. Just give me a chance."

I stiffened for a moment, unsure of how to respond. Her words were frantic, almost desperate, spilling from her lips in a flood of remorse. I hesitated, torn between skepticism and hope, before hesitantly patting her back.

Juliette’s sobs eventually softened, but then her eyes wandered across the room. When they landed on the two baby beds in the corner, her breath caught. Her tear-streaked face lit up with shock and curiosity. "Oh my God!" she gasped, pushing herself to her feet. She rushed toward the cribs, her wide eyes searching for a glimpse inside.

"Shh!" I hissed, bolting upright and motioning for her to lower her voice. "You’ll wake them!"

But Mai and Ollie, mercifully, stayed sound asleep, their tiny chests rising and falling in perfect rhythm. Juliette clapped a hand over her mouth, nodding in acknowledgment before crouching closer to the cribs. Awe filled her expression as she peered at them.

"Lucian’s babies! She whispered, spinning around to face me with wonder in her eyes.

I sighed and crossed my arms, already exhausted by the energy she seemed to bring into every room. "Yes," I replied with a nod. "Mai and Ollie."

Her lips quivered as fresh tears pooled in her eyes. "They’re beautiful," she murmured, glancing back at them. "I’m so sorry I wasn’t there for you during all of this. I should’ve been by your side."

Her remorse felt genuine, and though part of me wanted to stay guarded, I allowed myself a small, tentative smile. "It’s okay," I said softly, resting a hand on her shoulder. "You’re here now."

But just as I began to think the tension had eased, Juliette turned back toward the babies, her eyes narrowing as if something new had caught her attention. She leaned closer, inhaling deeply, and a strange grin spread across her face.

"They smell like Lucian," she said, almost dreamily.

I froze, staring at her. "...What kind of weird talk is that?" I asked, incredulous.

She laughed lightly, wiping her face with the sleeve of her shirt. "I’m serious! They do. It’s—it’s hard to explain. But they carry his scent, his energy. It’s unmistakable."

I blinked, speechless. Of all the things Juliette could’ve said, that was nowhere near what I’d expected. Her cryptic tendencies were exhausting, but I didn’t press her further. For now, I simply shook my head and let the moment pass, deciding it was better to pick my battles carefully with Juliette.

Later, Alex came and informed me that my father, stepmother, and stepsisters had arrived. My stomach sank, knowing they’d seize every opportunity to belittle me. But Juliette hugged me fiercely. "No one will bully you ever again," she promised. But I just couldn’t let myself believe her.

*******

By the time dinner time rolled around, I was ready to collapse from sheer emotional exhaustion. Juliette and Katrina–who had also done her own round of apologies –had graciously taken over baby duty, urging me to take a moment for myself. Reluctantly, I agreed, hoping for a quiet reprieve. But as I stepped into the dining hall, any hope for peace vanished, and the world seemed to turn upside down.

Gasps echoed across the room, a ripple of sound that drew every eye toward me. The hum of conversation ceased, replaced by murmurs and frantic whispers. People rushed forward, their faces painted with expressions of reverence and awe.

"Welcome back, Luna," a man said, bowing so deeply I thought he might kiss the floor.

Luna? The name caught me off guard, and my confusion only deepened as more people crowded around me. Their gestures were warm, almost worshipful, and completely overwhelming. Some clasped their hands together, others offered shy smiles or words of gratitude, but all seemed united in their peculiar adoration.

My eyes darted across the room, searching for something familiar, anything that could anchor me. But I saw them instead—my father, stepmother, and stepsisters sitting at a distant table, their faces frozen in shock. My stepmother’s jaw slackened as she stared, while my stepsisters exchanged wide-eyed glances. Even Luke, usually so composed, looked stunned, his gaze flitting between me and the strangers fawning over me.

Before I could process the chaos, a voice sliced through the air with precision and authority.

"That’s enough," Lucian commanded, his tone calm yet firm. The crowd froze as though spellbound, then parted as he strode toward me. His presence was magnetic, his movements deliberate, and I felt the tension ease as his hand slipped into mine. Without a word, he guided me toward the head table, his grip steadying my trembling fingers.

As we reached the table, Lucian turned to face the room, his tall frame exuding confidence and control. His voice rang out, clear and unyielding. "Tonight, I am a happy man," he began, and the room seemed to hold its breath. "Teresa has returned to us. And with her, she has brought two precious gifts—Mai and Ollie, my children."

A wave of cheers erupted, filling the hall with thunderous applause and jubilant shouts. Faces that had once seemed strangers now radiated unfiltered joy.

I sat stiffly at the table, my cheeks burning under the weight of their enthusiasm. The applause felt surreal, like I had stumbled into someone else’s life. I forced a smile, but inwardly, questions swirled in my mind like a tempest. What had changed in my absence? Why did these people treat me as though I were royalty? And most pressing of all, what crucial piece of the puzzle was I missing?