Chapter 121
TERESA’S P.O.V.
I dragged my feet behind the group, utterly drained from the brutal training session Adrian had put us through. My muscles ached, my mind was fried, and I was silently cursing every last one of them for having so much energy. The dark forest around us was still and quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves underfoot. It might’ve been peaceful—if Leonard didn’t exist.
He sidled up next to me, far too chipper for someone who had an army of little people searching for him. He sniffed dramatically in my direction, squinting as if studying me under a microscope.
I narrowed my eyes. What did he want? I couldn’t believe I let him lick my face earlier. “Uh, Leonard? Do you mind p>
He ignored me, leaning closer with a devious grin. “Hmm… interesting p>
“What’s interesting?” I deadpanned, already regretting entertaining him.
He tapped his chin and tilted his head toward Lucian, who walked ahead of us like a storm cloud ready to burst. “You smell like him p>
I stopped mid-step, blinking like he’d grown two heads. “Excuse me p>
Leonard nodded solemnly, though his grin gave him away. “You smell like him. Tall, broody, blind guy up there. That’s his scent, all over you.” He gestured dramatically toward Lucian, who visibly tensed. “I mean, hey, no judgment. You’re a catch, Teresa. Makes sense he’d want to p>
“What the hell is wrong with you?” I hissed, cheeks burning as I shot a glance at Lucian. His steps faltered slightly, and I felt his attention shift toward me. My embarrassment doubled.
Leonard leaned in, completely unfazed. “I’m just saying, if he’s not doing his job as your mate, I’d be happy to step in. Candles, massages, breakfast in bed. I’d spoil you, darling.” He waggled his eyebrows, and I took a horrified step back.
“You’re disgusting,” I snapped, crossing my arms tightly.
“Leonard.” Adrian’s voice sliced through the air like ice, calm but heavy with authority. “Stop. Now p>
Leonard barely flinched, flashing Adrian a cheeky smile. “I’m just saying p>
Adrian sighed like a man who’d seen centuries of nonsense. “If Lucian kills you, I won’t stop him. In fact, I’ll help dig the grave p>
A low, unmistakable growl rumbled from Lucian ahead of us. “Keep your filthy nose and sticky hands off my mate, boy, or I’ll rip your throat out p>
Leonard grinned wider. I swear, the man lived for danger. “Ooh, possessive. I like it. But let’s be real, Lucian—if you keep screwing up, someone has to step in p>
Lucian’s jaw ticked, his hands twitching at his sides. “Adrian,” he ground out, his voice like gravel, “can I kill him now p>
Adrian didn’t bother turning around. “If you do, wait until he’s off my lands p>
Leonard threw Lucian a mock salute, still grinning like an idiot. “You’re too uptight, man. Lighten up a little. Wolf Boy p>
I groaned, rolling my eyes so hard it hurt. I stormed ahead, falling into step beside Juliette, who was watching the chaos with a smirk. “Men,” I muttered under my breath.
By the time we finally reached Adrian’s castle, I was two seconds away from locking myself in the deepest, most isolated room I could find and pretending the rest of the world didn’t exist. The castle itself rose like some sinister relic of a forgotten age, its gothic spires stretching toward the moon, bathed in a pale, silvery glow. It looked less like a home and more like a dark fairy tale brought to life—haunting, beautiful, and just a touch menacing. I can’t believe I was locked up here for almost two years. The memory was still fresh and bitter; and although I acted civil with Adrian now, for the sake of Lucian and my babies, I couldn’t see myself forgiving him for what he did to me.
Adrian wasted no time. He strode forward, his black coat billowing dramatically behind him, because of course it did. His voice cut through the cold night air as he barked orders to strengthen the castle’s wards in case of pixies attack. “Elizabeth, now p>
As if summoned from the shadows themselves, Elizabeth appeared in the courtyard. Her crimson hair was pulled back into a severe braid, her sharp eyes scanning the chaos with all the enthusiasm of someone being forced to clean up someone else’s mess. The second her gaze landed on Leonard—lounging lazily against a stone wall like he didn’t have a care in the world—her shoulders sagged.
“This has Leonard written all over it,” she muttered with a groan.
Leonard’s response was as predictable as it was irritating. He flashed her a grin, all teeth and mischief. “Relax, Lizzy. The pixies don’t even know I’m here p>
Her glare could’ve melted steel. “Don’t call me Lizzy.” With a flick of her fingers, the air around her buzzed with energy, a quiet hum of barely restrained magic. “And if they do show up, you’re dealing with them p>
“Deal.” Leonard’s grin widened, unbothered as usual. “But I’ll probably just charm them. Everyone loves me p>
Nobody even bothered responding to that nonsense. Adrian sighed like a man far too used to everyone’s antics, while Juliette muttered something to him that I couldn’t hear. The look on Adrian’s face said he was reconsidering every decision that had brought him to this moment.
The next few days could only be described as complete and utter mayhem. Leonard, being Leonard, was everywhere. If there was a corner to hide in, a conversation to interrupt, or a moment of peace to shatter, he found it.
During an important coven meeting in Adrian’s office, Leonard shapeshifted into a smug-looking cat and sprawled across the documents Adrian was reviewing. The room fell into stunned silence. Adrian, to his eternal credit, didn’t even flinch. He calmly lifted one hand and flicked Leonard off the table with a single finger.
Leonard yowled dramatically as he hit the floor, landing on all four paws before shifting back into a dog. He trotted to Adrian’s side, tongue lolling out of his mouth like some mangy mutt begging for forgiveness.
“Leonard,” Adrian said, his tone colder than a winter wind, “leave. Now p>
Leonard wagged his tail.
Dinner wasn’t any better. Leonard remained a dog, parking himself under the table and giving his best “starving puppy” impression. Katrina, the worst enabler in history, snuck him scraps while Adam tried (and failed) to suppress his laughter.
“You’re not supposed to encourage him,” I said, glaring as Katrina slid yet another piece of meat under the table.
“But he’s funny!” Adam argued, reaching down to pat Leonard’s furry head.
Funny? Funny wasn’t the word I’d use. Infuriating, exhausting, and possibly a walking disaster? Yes.
To my complete shock, Leonard somehow managed to win over Ollie and Mai. He shifted into an adorable golden retriever puppy for them, and the two kids chased him through the halls for hours. Their giggles echoed through the castle like chiming bells, while Leonard barked and wagged his tail like he wasn’t a fully grown menace in disguise.
Elizabeth, for her part, was ready to commit a felony. She threatened to hex him on a daily basis, and I believed her. Juliette, on the other hand, pretended not to notice him at all—though I did catch her smirking when Leonard accidentally turned himself into a chicken and flapped around hopelessly for two solid hours.
And Lucian? Lucian looked like he was one smart remark away from snapping Leonard in half. Normally, Lucian carried himself like a storm cloud—silent, brooding, deadly. But now? His patience had thinned to the point of being threadbare. His hands flexed every time Leonard so much as breathed.
Honestly? I couldn’t blame him. If I had the power to punt Leonard out a window, I might’ve already done it and accepted the consequences.
But beneath the chaos, I started noticing something unsettling.
Leonard was always watching me.
He never said anything—never made his usual snarky remarks or tried to get a rise out of me. But his eyes, sharp and golden even when he wasn’t shifting, tracked my movements more often than I liked.
Lucian’s too. I caught Leonard watching Lucian more than once, his expression dark and unreadable. It wasn’t my paranoia. Leonard wasn’t just causing trouble for the fun of it, he was always watching and observing.
He was up to something. And for the life of me, I couldn’t figure out what.