Chapter 14
Elena was standing before her fountain. The waters were displaying her offspring on the planet. She was seeing the Blood Moon pack's soon-to-be alpha shatter his mate's heart.
The goddess of the hunt, Orthia, observed, "You look disappointed."
"It's because I am," Elena spoke back. The wolves she had failed so many years ago were Henry and Ava. Even though it was their second chance, nothing was going right. This was meant to be their lifetime.
Henry and Ava were once the wolves of Ronaldo Matteo and Dorothy Betrano, but they were now the wolves of Bliane De Lombardi and Lucia Lorenzo. Their happily ever after was never realized. They received the opposite.
"Elena, it wasn't your fault," Orthia remarked.
But wasn't it?
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Alpha Ronaldo was standing in Elena's shrine. Marble made up the temple. On top of the temple was an inscription written in Hebrew. It was intended for the person who illuminated the night. To ensure that no one would find it, it was concealed in the forest. The temple was filled with the smell of life.
Ronaldo had a stern expression. His expression was expressionless as he gazed into Elena's statue's eyes. Her beauty was compared to that of the moon. It all sounded like nonsense to Alpha Ronalda.
He paced the temple, saying, "You know, we all worship you because you are like our mother."
"Well Elena let me tell you something, I'm going to drown this temple in blood."
Although Alpha Ronaldo was never very sentimental, the tiny portion of his heart that was capable of love had passed away the moment his partner did. Rage was all that was left. He would unleash his searing, red fury on the world.
"I'm going to drown this temple in the blood of your children until you bring back what belongs to me."
He cast a sinister glance at the statue, his eyes glowing gold.
"You took my child and the woman I loved so it's only fair I return the favor."
His eyes had completely become gold by then. "After all I promised."
The smell of life would soon give way to a metallic blood stench in the shrine.
All Elena had seen in it was a hollow threat. Every wolf's response to losing their partner was unique. When they were breaking inside, some would pretend as if nothing had happened, while others would sink into depression. Not many would get angry, but it was common.
She eventually found out that she ought to have paid attention as she failed thousands of wolves instead of only two.
*****
BLAINE LOMBARDI'S POV
Her displeasure was evident on her face. She was outraged, and she had every right to be, rather than depressed as most people would be.
"Are you for real this time? You are sending me away because you can't stand having me as your partner." Lucia screamed.
I gesture for Johnson to leave the room.
"Lucia, we are unable to contain ourselves around one another! How much time will pass before one of us identifies the other?"
Her smell was almost killing me even now. It was everything I could do not to go over there and bury my teeth in her thin neck.
"You're acting conceited! Simply put, you don't want to put up with me being your partner. You desire a queue of women at your disposal."
I chuckled. Is she serious at this moment?
"Hell no Lucia, if I wanted a line of women to fulfill my needs, I would have one!"
"Are you serious? Well, I'll have a line of men when I get to Italy.
I interrupted her before she could finish. My right hand was around her throat as I took it. I pivoted her, pushing her back till she pressed up against my desk. She wasn't protesting, so it was easy to push her down to the desk. Her heart was thumping quickly, and her breathing was becoming faster.
With my hand still around her neck, I bend down to listen to her.
"A man will cease to exist if he touches you. Do you wish to be responsible for someone else's death?
She bites her bottom lip and her eyes light up like gold. I sensed that my self-control was slipping.
"Lucia, don't do it. I'm trying to control myself, but I'm feasting on her neck before I can even think. I run my tongue along her jawline, from the base of her neck. She sighs and arches her back. My senses are overwhelmed by her aroma, and I can't stop staring at it. My hips brush into hers, and before we know it, a rhythm has formed between us.
"Oh my God, Lucia stop me," I commanded.
"I can't," she gasps. My dogs stretch out, and it feels like we're back in her room celebrating her birthday. I practically drool at the idea of her carrying my marks as I pull them down her neck.
"Blaine, stop yourself. Remember the blood."
My mind clears at that notion, and I utilize my wolf speed to cross the room. As I try to relax myself, my chest heaves.
"Oh shit," murmurs Lucia.
Are you getting the picture? We are incapable of self-control."
"I know, you're right."
"Don't you intend to leave the pack and go? You also desired to have your medical practice. Lucia, you can now accomplish it."
"However, wouldn't you at least like to attempt dating? There must be a reason the goddess brought us together, even though I know we despise one another and sometimes I can't bear you."
"Lucia, the tie binds us together; it does not, however, create love. That is within our purview. Do you believe that you can love me?"
Her feet caught her attention.
"I'm not able to concentrate on a partner at this time. I need to get trained because I'm going to be an alpha shortly."
"So who will be your Luna?"
"Mirabel."
"But you just broke up with her?"
"I am aware. I'll let everyone know when the time is right so they won't doubt my authority and I can have a moon."
"How are you so sure she will agree?"
"She's a power-hungry lady, and she's now an omega, I don't know whether you noticed. She'll seize the opportunity to be in charge once more."
"How about me? I can't remain in Italy indefinitely."
"You won't, you can return once I mark Mirabel, our bond will be broken by then."
"Why not just reject me right now?"
The thought makes my wolf snarl.
It hurts to be rejected, Lucia. We would have to go before the council about it, and I would much rather have no one find out that we were dating, as I'm sure you would too."
"You're right, I don't want anyone knowing."
When she realizes how serious the issue is, her face collapses. Saying farewell to someone who ought to have been yours forever is not an easy task.
"About what I said earlier, it's not fair for me to ask of you to be with no one when I am making another my Luna, I overreacted."
She smiles artificially at me and walks away. With a determined expression on his face, Johnson enters behind her.
"Blaine, you're doing something wrong," he says to me.
"I loved a woman for much of my life, but she cheated on me. Eventually, her fraternal twin sister became my partner. The same girl that I've detested from our early years."
"Bullshit, there has to be more to it."
"Well, it's not! There isn't a greater cause in my mind to reject someone. I was in love with her sister for years, and I already despised her. Is it not apparent to you how absurd that is?
"Whatever? You can work it out; love always finds a way."
"Stop portraying me as the bad guy here. She also doesn't want me."
"So you're going to let her go to Italy and with someone else?"
"She won't be with anyone else."
"You just told her she could!"
"Yes I told her she could, but do you think her overprotective brother will think the same?"
It dawns on him that this is the reason I am sending her to Italy in particular. My future beta, Cyril Lorenzo, is currently training at our original pack lands in Italy. Although he was always there to defend his sisters, he eventually came to accept Mirabel. However, Lucia will always be a baby to him; the same cannot be said about her.
"You're an asshole."
"Yes, a smart one."
Johnson turns away from me, shaking his head. I don't hold it against him for not getting it. Most wouldn't, in my opinion. We are taught as wolves that the mate bond is vital. It's a gift from Elena herself and the reason we live. But they are unaware of my circumstances.
"There was blood everywhere."