Chapter 106
LUCIAN’S P.O.V.
The next morning, I woke up feeling like someone had replaced my usual grumpy mood with an even grumpier version. The worst part? My room felt painfully empty. Teresa and my babies weren’t here. She’d insisted on sleeping alone last night, and since I didn’t have a good enough excuse to keep her with me, I had no choice but to let her go. Ares wasn’t exactly thrilled either.
“Coward. You should’ve fought harder p>
“What do you want me to do? Tie her up?” I shot back at him mentally, rolling my eyes. Ares, of course, just growled, his version of sulking.
I got up, tugging on a shirt I didn’t bother matching with anything, and sniffed the air. Something… divine floated to me. It smelled warm and inviting—like pancakes or maybe waffles. My stomach growled, and I sighed. At least one thing was looking up this morning.
Ares perked up. “Follow it. You’re pathetic, but at least you can eat p>
With no sight to guide me, I let Ares lead. I took careful steps down the hall, following the smell like a blind bloodhound. The scent grew stronger until it stopped at what I guessed was the kitchen. I pushed the door open, and my senses flared.
The sound of a spatula scraping a pan and a faint, melodic hum confirmed it. Adrian. Of all people—or rather, vampires—I hadn’t pegged him as the cooking type.
“Adrian,” I called, narrowing my eyes instinctively even though I couldn’t see him.
The smooth, measured voice I’d come to associate with the infuriatingly charming vampire responded. “Good morning, Lucian. Hungry, I assume p>
I stepped closer, sniffing. “What… are you doing p>
“Cooking p>
I blinked—or at least I think I did. “Cooking? You don’t even eat food p>
Adrian chuckled, the sound calm and unhurried, as if the universe could end tomorrow and he wouldn’t break a sweat. “Astute observation, my lupine friend. But I do many things I don’t require. I cook for the locals sometimes, and I find it… therapeutic p>
I couldn’t decide if I was impressed or annoyed. Probably both.
“Therapeutic, huh?” I asked with a smile.
“Indeed p>
“Well, color me impressed. Think you could teach a blind man how to cook?
Adrian’s laughter was soft but genuine. “Are you asking me to teach you how to cook p>
“Yes,” I said bluntly. “I want to make something for Teresa and my children. Someday p>
Adrian went silent for a moment, but when he spoke again, his tone was unexpectedly kind. “Very well. Your first training begins now, Alpha. Let’s see if the great Lucian Blackwood can produce something edible p>
I rolled up my sleeves. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you p>
Adrian guided me step by step, and despite his calm instructions, the whole ordeal felt like some twisted cooking competition.
“Careful, Lucian. That’s a knife, not a hammer,” Adrian drawled as I fumbled.
“Thanks for the clarification, Gordon Ramsay,” I muttered, earning a chuckle from him.
As Adrian guided me through the delicate art of not burning the kitchen down, I couldn’t help but steer the conversation. “So, Juliette p>
Adrian hummed noncommittally, but I could sense his interest.
“She told me you’re her mate,” I said casually, cracking an egg into a bowl and missing entirely.
Adrian chuckled, his tone softening. “Did she now? Brave of her to admit it p>
“She’s not ashamed of it. And you’d better not give her a reason to be.” My tone was sharper than I intended, but I couldn’t help it. Adrian might be older and wiser, but I was protective of my pack—especially someone as loyal as Juliette.
Adrian’s voice turned wistful. “I have no intention of hurting her. I know all too well what it feels like to lose someone you… care for deeply p>
I paused, gripping the edge of the counter. “You too, huh p>
“I bet you know well enough, every immortal has their ghosts,” he replied and I answered with a knowing sigh.
The smell of breakfast drew the others like moths to a flame. Teresa was the first to enter, her presence like a shot of adrenaline to my system. I couldn’t see her, but I could hear her soft intake of breath and smell the lavender perfume she always wore and her sweet honey natural scent.
Juliette, Andy, Paul, Katrina, Max, Adam, and Elizabeth followed, each exclaiming in surprise at the spread.
Then my enforcers made their way into the kitchen as well.
“Food? Here?” Adam’s voice carried disbelief. “I was about to organize a run for supplies. Who p>
Adrian, ever dramatic, announced, “Lucian and I prepared this feast p>
I groaned audibly, heat rising to my cheeks. “Adrian p>
“Lucian wanted to woo Teresa with his culinary prowess,” Adrian continued, entirely unbothered.
The room erupted in laughter.
“Oh, is that so?” Teresa’s voice was laced with amusement.
“I… might have mentioned it,” I mumbled.
“Alpha Lucian, cooking?” Max drawled. “The apocalypse must be near p>
I heard Teresa laugh—a sound so beautiful it momentarily dulled the sting of their teasing. If only I could see her face p>
After breakfast, Adrian announced our next training. “Guided walks. You’ll rely solely on your senses p>
Teresa’s skeptical tone cut through the air. “How exactly is this training p>
“Trust, my dear Teresa. Trust in your instincts, in your partner, and perhaps a little in me p>
The babies stayed behind with Katrina, leaving Teresa, Adrian, Juliette, and me to traverse the mountains.
The crisp air was filled with the sounds of rustling leaves and distant waterfalls. I focused on the rhythmic crunch of Teresa’s boots beside mine.
“You’re awfully quiet,” I murmured, breaking the silence. “Are you mad at me p>
Her voice was hesitant. “No. I’m just… thinking p>
“Thinking about how handsome I am?” I teased lightly.
“Thinking about how annoying you are,” she shot back, but I caught the faintest hint of amusement in her tone.
I grinned. “You love it p>
She chuckled, “Just taking in the peace,” she replied softly.
“Peaceful, huh? You know, I could make it quieter if I sent Adrian and Juliette ahead p>
“Lucian p>
I grinned. “Just saying. You, me, the mountains p>
“You’re impossible.” But there was a hint of laughter in her voice.
I reached for her hand, and she didn’t pull away. “Teresa,” I said, my voice low, “I know I’ve made mistakes. But every day, I’ll fight to earn your forgiveness. You and the twins mean everything to me p>
She didn’t respond immediately, but her fingers tightened around mine.
Adrian’s voice cut through the moment. “Do keep up, lovebirds p>
Teresa probably rolled her eyes, and I could feel the heat of her blush.
We reached a clearing just as the sun began to set, Teresa described to me that the golden light was filtering through the trees. I turned toward her, my hand brushing hers.
“I wish I could see you right now,” I admitted. “I know it’s just been a few days but I miss your face, Teresa p>
Her breath hitched, and for a moment, it felt like the world held its breath with us.