Chapter 29
Lucia Lorenzo's POV
My eyelids snap open to reveal a patterned ceiling. Unlike the white one in my room, this one is black. I felt sick to my stomach and quickly got up. The sensation and pain from the previous crawls up my back were just getting worse.
"Ah!" I exclaimed.
I heard, "Stop!"
Blaine comes over to me, his expression troubled. I'm in a lying position when he pushes me back and raises a glass of water to my lips.
"You will be immobile for some time," he informs me.
"Why?"
"The herbs have to kick in to kill your pain."
"What happened?"
"You were attacked by the spirits of the people who Ronaldo Matteo killed."
"Why? I believed Dorothy had taken no action.
"She didn't, but the best way to get to a wolf is via their partner," I conclude. Blaine bows his head. I'm not sure if it's out of fury or embarrassment. We seemed to be having a moment, but it's been destroyed now, I believe. I sensed his retraction once more. The last three years appear to have thickened the darkness that seems to accompany him like a cloud.
"Would you like something to drink?"
I gave him a wide-eyed stare. He has never shown concern for me in the years that I have known him. He would be the one to take my drink out of my hands and put it down quickly. It's doubtful if he has ever extended an offer to me.
Telling him, "I'd like a Lizzy Temple," he gives me a cold look as his face contorts in disdain.
"Really? Do you still enjoy those?
"Of course I do."
He murmurs, "I guess some of us are stuck in preschool."
"Pardon me! Lizzy Temple is, incidentally the greatest cocktails around, I'll have you know," I pout.
"Ghosts attacked you not quite long ago! You want a LizzyTemple, and your heat is going to turn on? What about a glass of regular water?"
"What did you just say?"
His eyes are big as he looks at me.
"Claire!" He yells my mother's name and bolts through the door.
"Hi! " Where are you heading?"
The unbearably loud door slowly opens. My mother's head emerges from the tiny fissure. She's still dressed for the event, just like me, but I'm pretty sure I look worse.
"Aww, my darling! With tears in her eyes, she continues, "It's unbelievable that this is happening."
"Mom, are you going to tell me what's going on?"
"Lucia, your heat is about to begin."
"What? Not at all!
I don't even like Blaine. Mom, it's too early!"
Her sweet words, "Sweetheart, it's not nice to talk about your mate that way."
Even though I'm an adult now, she will always see me as the overweight child who threw fits when she didn't get chocolate. It's obnoxious as well as sweet.
"How should I proceed? Mom, I'm not having sex with him."
She glances at me before considering.
"Lucia, my child, I got nothing. She admits wistfully, "I leaped on your father the second it started.
"I didn't need to know that."
While I am aware that my parents are in love, nobody is interested in knowing such details.
"How do you think you and your siblings came about?"
"Okay, we are done with this conversation."
"Lucia, you should not do anything that you wouldn't do if you weren't in heat. I want you to know that. It will just make things more difficult for Blaine and you. The best course of action is to maintain your distance, okay?
I gave a nod.
"It will be challenging. Your body will beg you to give in, but you are stronger than that.
"Trust me, it won't be a problem."
"Lucia, just talk to him about it. It won't be an issue if the two of you are in agreement."
"Ok, thanks, Mom."
She gives me a back pat and an embrace.
She murmurs, "You're going to be a great Luna."
She might not realize how much those words mean to me. When we return home, I'll be in the role that I've always imagined my sister to be in. Everyone was prepared for her to take the lead, and that was her intention. How will they perceive me? Do I even have what it takes to be a pack leader?
Before leaving, my mother stood up and offered me one final comforting glance. She left, and Blaine walked in. The slight expression I had earlier noticed on his face has vanished. He is surrounded by darkness once more.
What's troubling you, friend?
Gilbert followed him inside. Although it's difficult to stop referring to him as Alpha, I suppose I'll have to get used to it.
"How are you doing, Lucia?" Gilbert queries.
"Much better," I remarked.
I'm glad to hear that. I realize this isn't the best time, but I need to talk to you and Blaine about something."
Blaine and I exchange bewildered glances with one another.
"The Dickson family is hosting their annual Lunar Glow next week, and you two must attend," he states.
"What? Blaine responds, "Dad, you don't even go to that anymore."
Yes, but the two of you have taken over as our pack's new leaders. The two of you have to show up. "It's already problematic that everyone is anticipating Mirabel," Gilbert remarks. The moment he realizes I'm in the room, he winces.
"I didn't mean it like that, Lucia; this is just a weird situation," he replies.
"It's okay, I get it," I answer. And I do mean it. It's an odd circumstance.
In addition, I don't mind. I've heard that the Lunar Glow is exquisite; therefore, I've always wanted to attend."
"Yes, it is ideal for partners," Gilbert replies. He speaks softly, almost as if he's speaking to himself, in his final few sentences. My heart hurts for the man all of a sudden. Being surrounded by individuals who are incessantly discussing the value of partners while your own is deceased is not easy.
Gilbert would be the first to know how important mates are. The most valuable item in the world was in his hands, but it left him too soon. I feel a surge of guilt. A man whose partner had passed away stood in front of me, and I refused to accept what it was.
But if love is motivated by duty, then what value does it have? When someone's heart is gone, what good is it to love them?
I know it's harsh, but I understand.
Mirabel never owned Blaine's heart, and I will never own it either. The lady who gave birth to him and showed him unwavering love had the right to own his heart. Regretfully, his heart passed away on the same day as hers.
What about me? That day by the lake, I shut my heart. When I was last at home.
"That's ideal! Gilbert responds, "I'll have someone put together your outfits." Blaine remains in the room as he exits. He stayed silent around me. He doesn't even glance at me. All he does is set down a big glass filled with grenadine and bubbles on the nightstand, and then he walks away. As I observe the cup, a tiny cherry rises to the top.
"Lizzy Temple!"