Chapter 116
LUCIAN’S P.O.V.
I led Teresa out of the clearing, each step heavier than the last. The quietness of the clearing faded behind us, replaced by the chaotic hum of the party. Music thumped like a second heartbeat, and the swell of voices made my heightened senses tangle into an incomprehensible mess.
I could feel Teresa’s anger radiating off her like a furnace. She walked ahead of me, her steps clipped and deliberate, her silence sharp enough to cut through the thick air. I couldn’t even bring myself to speak; the words I’d said earlier had already dug a grave I wasn’t sure I could climb out of. She deserved better than the mess I’d made of everything.
Ares grumbled in my head. “You’re handling this so well, Lucian. Truly. I don’t think I’ve seen a man grovel this efficiently since medieval times p>
“Shut it, Ares,” I snapped back internally.
I was newly blind, still struggling to navigate spaces like these. Without Adrian’s calm guidance or Juliette’s jabs to keep me grounded, the sea of bodies became an insurmountable storm. My newly heightened senses betrayed me, amplifying every sound and movement. Panic clawed at my chest as I tried to focus on Adrian’s earlier lessons: count steps, use touchpoints, keep calm. But none of it stuck.
I stumbled slightly, brushing against someone, and froze. The noise swirled around me, disorienting and unforgiving. The crowd closed in. My breathing hitched as a wave of disorientation slammed into me. My hands clenched at my sides, searching for an anchor in the chaos.
And then, I felt it—a warm hand slipping into mine. Teresa.
Her fingers wrapped firmly around mine, steadying me. I turned my head in her direction, my lips parting to thank her, but she spoke first. “Come on, Lucian,” she said, her voice softer than I expected. “It’s just a crowd. You can handle this p>
I gripped her hand as though it were the only thing keeping me afloat. “I—I’m fine,” I muttered, though my voice betrayed my unease.
“Sure you are,” she said dryly, though her tone softened. “You’re tense enough to snap in half. Come on, I’ll guide you p>
I nodded stiffly, letting her guide me. Her presence and voice felt like salvation, and as much as I hated that she was angry with me, I clung to the connection she offered.
To my surprise, she began to narrate the scene around us. “Alright, to your left, there’s a group of guys who’ve clearly had too much to drink. Avoid them unless you want to be drenched in beer. And ahead, there’s a couple dancing—well, if you can call it dancing. It’s more like flailing p>
Despite everything, a weak smile tugged at my lips. “Sounds like quality entertainment p>
“It’s more like a circus,” she replied with a hint of amusement, though her grip on my hand tightened, steadying me.
I chuckled. “Anyone tripping over their own feet yet p>
“Not yet. But give it time,” she replied dryly.
Her commentary continued as we wove through the party, her tone light enough to ease some of my tension. She described the ridiculous hairstyles, the questionable dance moves, and the absurd decorations someone had chosen for the party. I felt a flicker of warmth in my chest at her efforts to distract me, even if she was still furious.
By the time we reached the edge of the party, my panic had subsided. The absence of people and the cool night air brought an overwhelming sense of relief.
I stopped walking, hesitating letting go of her hand. “I can take it from here,” I murmured.
“What are you planning now, Lucian?” she asked, exasperated.
Instead of answering, with a deep breath, I called on Ares. My body shifted, bones cracking and muscles elongating as I transformed into my wolf form. A low growl escaped my throat as I shook off the remnants of the shift.
Teresa gasped, but I felt her eyes on me, watching as my fur settled into place. I lowered myself to the ground, motioning for her to climb onto my back.
Teresa let out an incredulous laugh. “Oh, so now you’re my personal giant wolf taxi p>
“It’s faster this way,” Ares said through our bond, though we knew she couldn’t hear us yet. We would link her up once Ares was able to explain our weird situation.
She muttered something under her breath about how absurd her life had become, but after a moment, she climbed onto my back, using my large wolf head as leverage. Her fingers curled into my fur.
I padded carefully through the forest, my paws silent against the ground. Ares guided us with ease, his instincts sharp. The rhythm of Teresa’s breathing on my back was steady, calming. For a moment, it felt like old times—like we weren’t two fractured souls trying to piece things back together.
By the time we reached Adrian’s estate, the large castle greeted us. Teresa slid off my back, brushing herself off before storming into the house without a word. Ares nudged at the edges of my consciousness. “Let me take over,” he said. “You’ve done enough damage for one night p>
I hesitated, but only for a moment. With a deep breath, I relinquished control. The shift was seamless, and suddenly Ares stood in the forefront, his confidence radiating through me.
ARES’ P.O.V.
It had been a while since I’d taken the forefront. The human body always felt strange—too vulnerable, too limited—The sensations were strange yet familiar, like stepping into a well-worn coat after years of neglect. But there was no time to dwell on it. Teresa’s anger was a storm I needed to weather. I shook off the discomfort as I followed Teresa into the house.
Adrian and Juliette were already back, their hushed conversation soft and intimate, filling the quiet space. Juliette seemed to be the first one to spot Teresa, with her voice filled with concern, she asked. “What’s wrong with you?” Her tone was curious.
“Ask Lucian,” Teresa snapped without breaking stride.
I winced. “Sweet pea,” I said, addressing Juliette. “Can you talk to her for me? Please p>
Juliette’s voice sharpened. “Ares?” she whispered, her voice tinged with disbelief.
Teresa stopped dead in her tracks, spinning on her heel to face us. “What now? Are you all in on this madness p>
Juliette’s voice sounded confused. “What madness? What’s going on p>
Teresa’s frustration bubbled over. “Lucian is trying to convince me that his wolf can… take over his body. And now he’s blaming some mythical other personality for his mistakes p>
Juliette stepped forward, her tone firm. “Teresa, it’s not madness. It’s the truth. Right now, you’re not talking to Lucian. You’re talking to Ares p>
Adrian joined us then, his calm presence like a shadow in the room. “Teresa,” he said in his smooth, measured voice. “Werewolves have this ability. It’s weird, but it’s real. Don’t let it scare you. Just listen to what Ares has to say p>
I could feel Teresa’s shock and disbelief. To prove the truth, I reached into the mind link for the first time, brushing against her consciousness. “Hello, Teresa p>
She gasped, clutching her head. “What… what is this p>
“It’s me, Ares. The other part of Lucian. And I need you to listen p>