67. When The World Paused.

Adrian – POV

The car slowed down as we approached Matthew’s villa.

I stared out the window, my mind heavy. The ride had been quiet, except for the sound of the tires against the road. I didn’t know what I expected from coming here, but I knew I needed something. Anything.

The driver parked.

The door opened.

I stepped out.

The air felt calm here. Too calm. Like the land itself was trying to soothe me.

Caleb stepped out beside me. He didn’t say anything, but I could tell he felt it too. This place always did something to us.

Before we could take more than a few steps, the door of the villa opened.

Matthew stood there.

He looked the same. Calm. Grounded. Strong in a quiet way.

He walked toward us without saying a word.

Then suddenly, he pulled me into a hug.

I froze.

I hadn’t expected it.

His arms were firm around me, steady, like he was holding something fragile.

Before I could react, his other arm wrapped around Caleb too.

We were both pulled in.

For a moment, I didn’t know how to react.

No one except Caleb hugged me anymore.

People bowed. People feared. People obeyed.

But no one hugged.

My chest tightened.

Something inside me cracked just a little.

I leaned closer without realizing it.

I lowered my voice.

“I’ve accepted Lucy,” I whispered.

Matthew didn’t react.

He didn’t stiffen.

He didn’t speak.

He simply held us for another second.

Then he released us.

“Come inside,” he said calmly.

He turned and walked back into the villa.

Caleb and I followed.

Inside, the place smelled like food.

Real food.

Not ceremonial meals. Not rushed dinners.

Cooked food.

Matthew moved around the kitchen like it was natural to him. Like he wasn’t a powerful figure. Like he was just… Matthew.

He placed plates on the table.

“Sit,” he said.

We sat.

I stared at the plate.

This reminded me of the past. When Matthew used to cook for us. When we weren’t burdened by prophecy and power.

We ate in silence.

It wasn’t awkward.

It was peaceful.

Matthew broke the silence.

“You used to eat too fast,” he said, looking at me.

Caleb chuckled.

“And you always scolded him,” Caleb added.

Matthew smiled faintly.

“Someone had to.”

For a brief moment, I forgot everything.

Then Matthew put his fork down.

He looked at me.

“I know you’re struggling,” he said.

I didn’t deny it.

“I know you’re carrying the weight of the wolves,” he continued. “The council. The ritual. The vampires. Lucy.”

My jaw tightened.

“I will look into what Lucy and her father did,” Matthew said firmly. “Whatever it is… it’s not clean.”

I looked up.

“They’re plotting,” he added. “And not just against the council.”

Silence.

“Against you.”

My hands curled slowly.

Matthew turned to Caleb.

“You must stay united,” he said. “Both of you.”

Caleb nodded.

“Trust no one else,” Matthew continued. “Only each other.”

Then suddenly, his tone changed.

“That’s why,” he said, standing up, “I didn’t call you here for that.”

Caleb frowned.

I blinked.

Matthew clapped his hands.

“I called you here,” he said, smiling, “to play a video game.”

I stared at him.

Caleb stared at him.

Then we laughed.

Servants brought out the console.

Matthew tossed controllers to us.

“I’ll beat you both,” he said confidently.

I smirked.

“You wish.”

For the first time in a long time… I laughed.

Caleb – POV

Seeing Adrian laugh again felt strange.

Good.

But strange.

Matthew always knew how to pull us back from the edge.

When he hugged us earlier, I felt it too. That warmth. That reminder that we weren’t alone.

After the food, when Matthew spoke seriously, I listened carefully.

He was right.

Lucy was dangerous.

Not because of her power.

But because of what she was willing to do.

When Matthew said he would investigate, I felt some relief.

Then he shifted the mood completely.

A game.

I laughed harder than I expected.

We sat there, controllers in hand, trash-talking like old times.

Adrian was competitive.

Matthew was worse.

For those moments, the world stopped.

No council.

No ritual.

No Luna mark.

Just us.

And for once, Adrian didn’t look like he was about to break.

Matthew – POV

Watching them like this reminded me why I protected them.

They were strong.

But strength wears down when carried alone.

I saw the cracks in Adrian.

I saw the weight in Caleb.

Tonight wasn’t about answers.

It was about rest.

Even warriors need to breathe.

As their laughter filled the room, I allowed myself a small smile.

Tomorrow, I would dig deeper.

Tomorrow, I would uncover what Lucy and Rowan had done.

But tonight…

Let them remember they were human once.

Even monsters deserve a moment of peace.