Beneath the Alpha's Moon
Chapter 74: Strategy Planning

Chapter 74: Strategy Planning

LUCIAN’S P.O.V.

Dinner was both a blessing and a test of my patience. The sight of humans—fragile, unaware, and entirely out of place—mingling with my pack churned my insides. It wasn’t their fault; they were ignorant of the delicate balance they were intruding upon. Still, I had invited them here and some, I even forced to stay, so I couldn’t exactly complain. But the frustration of their presence paled in comparison to the torment of having Teresa seated beside me at the table.

She sat there, stiff and distant, avoiding my gaze as if I were some disease she feared catching. The way she refused to acknowledge me was a sharp blade to the chest. She was close enough for me to feel the heat of her presence, to smell the faint trace of lavender and wild honey that clung to her skin, but she remained untouchable. Every accidental meeting of our eyes felt like a silent war—hers filled with defiance, mine with longing. And each time, she would look away as though I were some curse she couldn’t shake.

It was maddening. And yet, there was something endearing about her resistance. She was fighting me—fighting us—with everything she had. But I wasn’t about to let her win so easily.

Mai and Ollie, were the only bridge between us, the unspoken bond that tethered her to me despite her attempts to distance herself. They were perfect, miniature angels with my piercing eyes and Teresa’s softer features. Every time I cradled them, I felt her gaze on me, even though she tried to mask it. She couldn’t help but watch. That was my opening, my leverage.

"Our leverage," Ares, growled in agreement, his voice a low rumble in my mind.

After dinner, I found her standing near the corridor that led to her room. She was holding Mai, gently rocking her as if to soothe herself as much as the baby. The sight of her like this, so maternal yet so distant from me, sent a pang through my chest. Ollie was fast asleep in my arms, his tiny fists curled against my chest. I approached quietly, not wanting to scare her off. She had a way of fleeing whenever I got too close.

"Let me walk you to your room," I said softly, keeping my tone as gentle as I could manage.

Her head turned, and her eyes narrowed, her defenses rising instantly. "That’s not necessary, Lucian. I can handle it."

"But why should you?" I countered, allowing a teasing smirk to tug at my lips. "You’re the mother of my children. Let me be useful for once."

Her lips pressed into a thin line, but she didn’t argue. It wasn’t agreement, not yet, but it was progress. Without another word, we began walking. The corridor was quiet, our footsteps echoing in unison. She kept her gaze forward, but I caught the subtle glances she stole at me when she thought I wouldn’t notice. Her guard was high, but I could feel the cracks forming. She wasn’t as invincible as she wanted me to believe.

"You were quiet during dinner," I said, breaking the silence. My voice was calm, conversational, but with just enough edge to hint at the ache behind the words. "I missed hearing your voice."

Her head snapped up, her eyes blazing. "Don’t start, Lucian. I’m only civil because of the babies. Don’t read into it."

"Ah, there it is," I said, letting a grin spread across my face. "That fiery temper you’ve picked up; I must confess, I love it. I was starting to think you were going to go soft on me."

Her cheeks flushed, a mix of anger and embarrassment painting her face. "Soft?" she hissed, her voice low but cutting. "You’re insufferable."

I chuckled, shifting Ollie slightly in my arms as he stirred. "Maybe. But you used to like that about me."

She opened her mouth to retort, but we’d reached her door. Her steps faltered, and she turned to face me, her expression carefully composed. It was clear she was ready to shut this conversation down, but I wasn’t ready to let her go just yet. I stepped closer, deliberately closing the space between us.

Her breath hitched, and for a moment, her walls wavered. "I meant it, Teresa," I said, my tone softer now, almost a whisper. "I miss you. I miss us. And I’m going to fix this. I swear it."

Her lips parted as if to respond, but before she could, a sharp voice echoed through my mind.

"Lucian, the Alphas have arrived. We’re in the meeting hall now."

Rylan’s timing was, as usual, impeccable. I clenched my jaw, biting back a curse. With a sigh, I looked back at Teresa. "I have to go," I said, leaning down to press a kiss to Ollie’s forehead. I lingered, brushing my thumb gently over his cheek before transferring him into Teresa’s arms. Then, I kissed Mai’s tiny face, letting the warmth of her innocence steady me. "Goodnight, little warriors."

Straightening, I met Teresa’s gaze one last time. "Goodnight, Teresa," I said, her name carrying more weight than I intended.

For a moment, she blinked, caught off guard. But then she turned and retreated into her room, the door closing softly behind her. I stood there for a moment, my heart heavy yet determined. This wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.

*********

The meeting hall was a maelstrom of tension, every Alpha and Beta present exuding an air of restrained anxiety. The table was surrounded by formidable figures, their gazes sharp and their postures rigid. Alpha Caleb of the Crescent Moon pack was the first to break the silence as I entered, his dark brows furrowed in clear displeasure.

"You’re late, Lucian," Caleb said curtly, his tone clipped and authoritative.

I met his gaze without hesitation, my voice calm but firm. "Not by choice. Let’s skip the pleasantries and get to the point. I called you all here because we’re facing a situation—one that could spiral out of control if we don’t act now."

Alpha Edmond of the Hidden Hill pack, the eldest among us and a man known for his unflinching wisdom, leaned forward. His silver hair gleamed in the dim light, and his piercing blue eyes locked onto mine. "Speak," he commanded, his gravelly voice cutting through the room like a blade.

I didn’t hesitate. "Adrian Daegon."

The effect was immediate. The room seemed to constrict under the weight of that name. Even the typically stoic Betas exchanged uneasy glances, their expressions betraying a flicker of fear.

"You can’t be serious," Alpha Darius of the Raven pack finally said, his voice a mix of disbelief and unease. "Adrian Daegon, here?"

I nodded grimly. "If we’re lucky, he arrives the day after tomorrow. If not, tomorrow night. And no, he’s not coming for diplomacy or peace. He’s coming for my mate and my children."

The ripple of unease turned into a wave of panic. Caleb leaned back in his chair, his hand raking through his dark hair. "Do you even understand what you’re saying, Lucian? Adrian Daegon doesn’t visit. He invades. If he’s coming here, it’s already too late."

"Adrian is a storm," Darius added, his tone low. "And no one survives his storms."

"Which is why we have to prepare," I cut in, my voice slicing through the growing murmurs. "Adrian isn’t coming to negotiate. He’s coming to take what he wants, and he doesn’t take no for an answer. He’s after Teresa and my children, and I swear on everything sacred, I’ll die before he lays a hand on them."

Alpha Manuel, a wiry yet imposing figure, narrowed his eyes at me. "I never knew you had children, congratulations by the way. Back to the topic, what could he possibly want with them? And what do you propose? Confronting Adrian Daegon directly? The man’s a vampire of the first bloodline. His power is unmatched and unpredictable."

I met his gaze steadily. "Thank you, I just found out today actually. To answer your question, that’s exactly why we can’t face him alone. If we’re to have any chance, we need alliances—even with those we’ve avoided or crossed in the past."

Caleb let out a derisive snort. "Witches? Rival packs? You want to open our gates to them and pray they don’t betray us in the process?"

"It’s not a matter of want, Caleb," I said sharply. "It’s necessity. Adrian is a threat to all of us. If he succeeds here, he’ll set his sights on the rest of us. This isn’t just my fight. It’s ours."

The room erupted into murmured debates, the Alphas and Betas weighing the risks and rewards. Darius leaned forward, his expression skeptical. "And what makes you think these groups will agree to an alliance? You’ve burned more than a few bridges, Lucian."

I allowed a humorless smirk to cross my face. "They’ll agree once they understand Adrian is involved. Old grudges pale in comparison to the devastation he brings. If he isn’t stopped here, his coven will march on from this city, burying more towns, more packs, and anyone foolish enough to stand in their way."

The gravity of my words settled over the room like a thick fog. Silence stretched as the Alphas considered their options. Finally, Alpha Edmond spoke, his voice measured but resolute. "I’ll reach out to my contacts, but understand this, Lucian—if this plan backfires, the consequences are on your head."

I met his gaze without flinching. "Understood. It’s a gamble, but it’s better than waiting to be annihilated."

One by one, the Alphas and Betas rose, their expressions heavy with the weight of the coming battle. As they dispersed, the tension in the room didn’t dissipate. It lingered, a reminder of the storm that loomed just beyond the horizon.

Adrian Daegon was coming. And we had less than 24 hours to prepare for his wrath.

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