LUCIAN'S POV
I clenched my jaw as I paced around the library for what felt like the hundredth time. It was the second day since Teresa had gone to visit her brother, and if Ares, didn't stop whining, I'd go mad.
"You could call her," Ares suggested, his voice dripping with irritation, as if I was personally torturing him by keeping us here.
"Or," I said aloud, "I could not. What part of 'no attachment' do you not understand?"
"She's our mate," he grumbled. "And we're going to die of longing if we don't see her soon."
That, unfortunately, was true. It felt like I'd been set on fire from the inside out since she left, but there was no chance I'd let Ares have the satisfaction of hearing that.
Still, my fingers itched to reach for my phone. Just one quick text to Juliette, and I'd know Teresa was safe. Normally, I would've just used the mind link—it's way more convenient and faster—but I wasn't in the mood for Juliette's relentless teasing. She had a knack for getting under my skin, and I didn't want that right now. But as my thumb hovered over the keypad, I let out a snort. I couldn't just ask her to come back; that would make me sound desperate. Instead, I crafted a cooler, more dismissive message:
"It's been far too long, Juliette, bring her back."
It was simple, subtle—she'd know she was on my mind without me admitting a thing. I allowed myself a smug smirk as I put the phone down. Naturally, a reply came within minutes but it wasn't on the phone but through the mind link.
Juliette: "Since when did you start texting? Or did you text me on purpose so I'd show it to her and she'd instantly know you care? It's hilarious—she thought you wouldn't even notice she was gone."
I rolled my eyes and cut the link, groaning inwardly. Teresa would have to think that, wouldn't she? She probably thought I was some unfeeling, grumpy billionaire who didn't notice anything beyond his nose. And who could blame her?
Ares was scratching the back of my mind, as smug as a wolf could be. "See? You're slipping up. Just admit you're attached."
"That is categorically false, Ares. I'm just keeping an eye on her for safety purposes." But as I finished speaking, I realized Teresa had texted back directly.
Teresa: "Oh, I'm sorry Lucian. I'll be back soon." I don't know why her text sounded a bit concerning to me but I decided to just ignore it and take it as a win. That would be enough to calm Ares for now.
I smirked at my phone. At least she'll be back soon. Even though she didn't specify the day and time.
*******
On the third day of Teresa being gone, I couldn't just sit around anymore waiting for her to come back home; I was feeling far too antsy for that. So, I called Alex through the mind link and asked him to have my car ready. I needed to visit one of my companies and make sure everything was running as smoothly as I liked.
Big mistake.
I hadn't been at the company for five minutes when Kenneth informed me that Gregory Williams was here to see me.
Ah, Gregory. I'd been avoiding him ever since he brought Teresa to live with me. I'd blocked every possible way he could contact her or Luke. It hadn't been easy, but I got it done. I even had Juliette hack Teresa's phone, delete Gregory's number, and replace it with a different number that would always be switched off if she ever tried to reach him—not that I thought she'd want to.
We were nearing the end of our five-month agreement, and I'd done nothing to honor the benefits he was supposed to receive. I'd stalled him long enough, and now it was time to show him my claws. Gregory thought he was clever, but I was about to show him I was one step ahead.
I leaned back in my leather chair, fingers drumming against the polished oak of my desk as I waited for Kenneth to bring in Gregory Williams. The thought of him stepping into my territory amused me more than it annoyed me—though it was a close call.
"Let's see what the old fox has to say for himself," Ares rumbled impatiently.
I let out a low chuckle, knowing full well Gregory had no idea he was walking straight into the lion's—or rather, the wolf's—den. Just as I imagined, as soon as he entered my office, his face turned a deep, satisfying shade of red. The man looked as if he'd swallowed a lemon whole.
"Lucian!" Gregory barked, his voice tight with indignation. "What kind of game are you playing? I kept my end of the deal—I gave you my daughter Jennifer, as agreed, and yet here I am, still waiting for the investment you promised in my company. This isn't how you treat a business partner."
I raised a brow, letting his words settle in the silence that stretched between us. The old man was puffing up his chest like a rooster in a barnyard, but I wasn't here to humor him. I was here to remind him who held the reins in this little exchange. Slowly, I leaned forward, giving him a look that must have had the heat draining from his face because he took an involuntary step back.
"Gregory," I said, a faint smirk playing on my lips, "let's get one thing straight. You didn't give me Jennifer. You sent Teresa, and as far as I'm concerned, that little bait-and-switch nullifies the contract."
The shock that washed over his face was nothing short of glorious. His mouth hung open for a second before he tried to stammer out an excuse. "I–I… There must have been a mix-up, Lucian. I swear. I can fix this! I'll send Jennifer right away—"
"No." My voice was flat, final. "I don't need Jennifer anymore. In fact, I'm only keeping Teresa and Luke out of your reach because you've proven yourself to be a man I don't trust. And make no mistake, Gregory, you are never coming near them again."
The air thickened, tension crackling between us. He was visibly fuming now, eyes narrowing into slits as he processed my words. "You have no right, they're my children!" he spat, practically shaking with anger. "Why are you even doing this? What lies has Teresa been feeding you? She's just like her mother, manipulative and—"
The growl tore from me before I could hold it back. It was a low, dangerous sound that made Gregory's face blanch. Even Ares rumbled in approval, satisfaction flowing through me as I saw the old man's bravado crumble. "If you ever speak about Teresa like that again—if I even hear you think about it—I will tear down everything you hold dear. Your business, your assets, and even your life. Do I make myself clear?"
Gregory's face twisted in fury, but beneath it, I could see the fear etched in his wrinkles. He knew I was serious. He knew I could, and would, make good on every word I'd just promised.
"Get. Out," I snarled, barely containing the urge to lunge at him. For an old man, he moved surprisingly fast, practically scuttling out of my office like the rat he was.
As the door closed behind him, I took a deep breath, letting the tension slowly bleed out of my shoulders.
"That felt good." Ares' voice was smug, and I had to admit, the look on Gregory's face had been satisfying.
I pressed the button on my intercom, signaling Kenneth. "From now on, Gregory Williams is banned from every Blackwood property. Make sure security knows."
Kenneth's reply was immediate. "Understood, sir."
With a satisfied sigh, I leaned back in my chair, eyes drifting to the cityscape beyond my office window. I had no idea what lay ahead with Teresa, but one thing was certain: no one would harm her or Luke while I was around.