Chapter 158
TERESA’S P.O.V.
Lucian was grinning like a two-year-old about to pull off the prank of the century. His hands rested on his massive oak desk, but his fingers twitched with excitement. I leaned against the office doorframe, watching him with an amused smirk as our children Mai and Ollie, raced around the room, shrieking and giggling as if they were in a playground.
“You’re going to burst if you keep holding it in,” I teased, crossing my arms over my chest.
“I’m not holding anything in,” he replied, the corner of his lips twitching as though he were fighting a losing battle against his grin.
“Lucian Blackwood,” I said, stepping closer and lowering my voice conspiratorially. “If you smile any wider, you’ll scare Rylan right back out of this office p>
He tilted his head in my direction, the grin refusing to budge. “Let him be scared. He deserves it for calling me an ’old man’ last week, all because I asked for his opinion on how to propose p>
I snorted. “And your revenge is to blindside him with the fact that you can see again p>
Lucian’s grin widened further—if that was even possible. “Exactly p>
Before I could continue teasing him, a soft knock came at the door. Lucian’s grin turned triumphant. “Come in, Rylan!” he called out.
The door creaked open, and Rylan stepped inside, looking like he’d just crawled out of a battle. His hair was disheveled, he was wearing a tie and it was undone. The faint shadows under his eyes made him look like he hadn’t slept in days.
“What’s the emergency?” he asked, collapsing onto the nearest couch like a man who’d just run a marathon.
“Uncle Ryyyy!” Ollie and Mai interrupted in unison, their tiny arms outstretched as they bolted toward Rylan.
Rylan groaned dramatically, but his tired eyes softened when the twins clambered up his knees. “Alright, alright, come here, you little monsters. You’re lucky I love you.” He hoisted both of them onto his lap, even as they giggled and tugged at his tie.
Lucian leaned against his desk, arms crossed, a smirk playing on his lips. “Why do you look like you’ve been hit by a truck, Rylan?” he asked. “I can see the eye bags forming as we speak p>
“Because, Lucian, I was in charge of almost everything at your wedding yesterday and—wait, what?” Rylan froze, his eyes narrowing in confusion. “What did you just say? How do you know I look tired p>
“I said I can see the eye bags. I know you look tired because I can see it on you.” Lucian replied, his tone casual as if he hadn’t just dropped a bombshell.
Rylan’s jaw dropped. “You can see my eye bags p>
“Yes,” Lucian replied, looking thoroughly amused.
Rylan gently set the twins back on their feet and stood so quickly he nearly tripped over himself. He stared at Lucian like he’d just announced he could fly. “Wait—are you saying you can see again p>
Lucian nodded, his smirk widening.
The silence stretched for a beat, then exploded as Rylan practically launched himself across the room. “YOU CAN SEE?! FOR REAL p>
Lucian leaned back, laughing as Rylan grabbed his shoulders and shook him. “Yes, for real. Calm down before you give yourself a heart attack p>
But Rylan was having none of it. He pointed a finger at Lucian and narrowed his eyes. “Prove it. What color is my shirt p>
Lucian tilted his head, his smirk turning smug. “It’s blue. And wrinkled. Did you sleep in it p>
Rylan gasped as if Lucian had insulted his honor. “What’s on my wrist p>
“A watch,” Lucian said dryly. “And it’s upside down, genius p>
Rylan looked at his wrist and cursed under his breath, flipping the watch around. “Okay, fine, but p>
“You’re wearing mismatched socks,” Lucian added, cutting him off.
Rylan froze, then lifted his pant leg to confirm. “Well, damn,” he muttered, before grinning like a madman. “This is incredible p>
The twins, not wanting to be left out, began their own interrogation. “Daddy, what color are my shoes?” Mai asked, holding up a tiny foot.
“Pink,” Lucian replied instantly.
Ollie piped up, “And mine p>
“Blue p>
They squealed with delight, clapping their hands.
I was laughing so hard my sides hurt. Lucian and Rylan’s back-and-forth was comedy gold, and the twins’ enthusiasm only made it better.
“No way!” Rylan yelled. “You can see all that p>
Lucian smirked, enjoying himself far too much. “Clear as day, my friend p>
“Oh my god,” Rylan whispered dramatically. Then he spun to me, his eyes wide. “Teresa, did you know about this p>
I was laughing too hard to answer properly, so I just nodded.
“This is insane!” Rylan shouted, running a hand through his hair. “The blind Alpha can see again! This is… this is the best day of my life p>
Lucian and I burst into more laughter.
As we calmed down, my phone started buzzing in my pocket. Still giggling, I held up a hand. “Excuse me, boys. Duty calls.” I said and stepped into the corridor to answer it.
The number was unrecognizable. My smile faltered, a sinking feeling settling in my stomach. Could it be him again? I hesitated, torn between ignoring it and answering it. It could be from work, I reasoned, reluctantly swiping to answer.
“Hello p>
“Teresa,” came the cold, condescending voice I hated more than anything.
I gritted my teeth. “Didn’t I tell you yesterday not to call me again? What do you want p>
“Didn’t I make myself clear yesterday?” he replied, his tone infuriatingly calm. “I’m calling to let you know I’m burning your mother’s things as we speak p>
Rage shot through me like a lightning bolt. “Go to hell,” I snapped, hanging up before he could say another word. When did this old man become so childish p>
I took a moment to steady myself, breathing deeply to tamp down the fury bubbling inside me. When I re-entered the office, Rylan was still jumping around like a kid on a sugar high.
“So, when are you telling the pack?” Rylan asked, bouncing on the balls of his feet like an overexcited puppy.
Lucian rolled his eyes. “Tomorrow. At the meeting hall. I’ll need you to help me organize it p>
Rylan saluted him with exaggerated seriousness. “Consider it done, boss.” I smiled, watching them.
But as Lucian started giving Rylan more instructions, a sudden headache began to creep into my temples. At first, it was a dull ache, but it quickly grew sharper, like a blade pressing into my skull.
“Lucian I murmured, clutching my head.
He turned to me immediately, concern etching his features. “What’s wrong p>
The pain intensified, spreading like wildfire. It felt as if my head was being torn apart from the inside. I screamed, collapsing onto my knees.
“Teresa!” Lucian was by my side in an instant, his hands steadying me. “What’s happening p>
I couldn’t answer. The pain was too overwhelming, like molten lava spreading through my brain.
My children began to cry, their small voices trembling with fear. “Mommy p>
Rylan scooped them up, his face pale as he looked at me. “Teresa, what’s going on p>
“I—I don’t know,” I managed to gasp before another wave of pain crashed over me.
Lucian’s arms tightened around me, his voice desperate. “Teresa, stay with me p>
But I couldn’t. The pain was too much. Darkness crept in at the edges of my vision, and I felt myself slipping away.
The last thing I heard before everything went black was Lucian’s voice, filled with fear and determination. “Don’t you dare leave me, Teresa p>