Chapter 57
Lucia Lorenzo's POV
A wave of nausea sweeps through me, making my mouth water.
I woke up two hours ago, covered in mud, and smelled like a pig on Blaine's chest. It's unbelievable that I wasted so much time when I should have been organizing and making sure everything was ready for today's celebration. "Party" may not be the best term after all. My pack will run today, with Blaine and I serving as their alphas.
This needs to go flawlessly, yet the idea of having to walk downstairs to say hello to everyone makes me feel sick.
I slump against the dresser and close my eyes. The balcony door draws my attention to the cool wood beneath my fingertips and the fresh breeze entering the room. I open my eyes and look at my reflection in the mirror above the dresser. I chose to wear my hair back in a low bun, allowing a few stray strands to frame my face. My earrings go well with the burgundy sundress I'm wearing.
A rich baritone voice can be heard after there is a knock on the door.
"Lucia?"
"Enter now," I said.
Clothed in black slacks and a black button-down shirt, Blaine enters through the door. His customary rings adorn his fingers, and a delicate chain bearing the pack's emblem hangs around his neck. He looks at me slowly, and then his eyes light up with want.
"You look gorgeous," he remarks as he approaches me.
Whispering "Thank you." I manage to contain my gag reflex.
When Blaine hugs me, I can almost smell the pine scent all over my body. Just breathing in his smell makes me feel better. I cling to his body and attempt to inhale deeply.
"I don't know why I'm so nervous," I said to Blaine, sounding a bit more confident than before.
It's acceptable to be anxious. He speaks softly, "I promise you that everything looks amazing for the party and everyone is so happy to spend an evening with their alphas.
I nod, not knowing how to say anything right now.
Blaine's hand slides into mine, his cool ring fingers against my perspiring palms. He lifts my hand gently and kisses every knuckle.
"We can go upstairs if it becomes too much. Remind yourself not to overwork yourself," he said.
I smiled at my mate. Having someone to lean on can sometimes make everything seem a little bit simpler.
We exited our bedroom and headed straight for the stair landing, me holding his hand still. As soon as I saw the faces of our pack, I got overwhelmed. Even though I've known these folks my entire life, it's not the same to be in charge of all of their safety and worries. At twenty, I never thought I would be leading this many people, yet even with the emotional upheaval, I still feel like there's nowhere else I'd rather be.
Together with Blaine and everyone else I genuinely care about, I belong here.
As Blaine and I descend the steps, cheers go up. A dazzling smile spreads across my face, a chorus of shouts breaks out, and I even catch a glimpse of Blaine's lips quivering slightly.
"For the very first time, I announce to you all, Blaine and Lucia De Lombardi, the leaders of our pack," Meghan shouted.
There was some more applause, and I waited for the commotion to stop before starting my little speech.
"It is a privilege to lead this pack alongside my mate Blaine." I continued, "I hope that one day all of our lofty goals for Blood Moon's future come true. We both have enormous ambitions for it."
"I am incredibly fortunate to have a wise woman as my partner, and I don't think there is anybody more qualified to lead Blood Moon. For a long time, our pack has been lacking a Luna, and I know my mother would have been overjoyed to have Lucia as her daughter as well as a Luna," Blaine remarked.
The thought of Luna Kharis makes my heart hurt, and based on their expressions, the pack feels the same way.
Blaine digs into his pocket and says, "So to celebrate this day, I'd like to give my mate something my mom would have liked her to have."
He holds a royal blue velvet box, and I know what's inside since I've seen it numerous times on Kharis' finger.
The most exquisite ring I have ever seen was inside the box when he opened it.
A platinum band encases a ring of tiny diamonds around the stone. The stone itself is called a L'unite, the origins of which, as far as we know, only the early Lycans knew. Only five of them are known to be alive, while the others are thought to be someplace in the paranormal world. While the other four wear the thrones of king and queen—not that anybody has seen the monarchy in the past century—one is a member of the Blood Moon Pack, which Monica De Lombardi acquired in her early years as the alpha.
The stone is a vivid violet that is so distinct that it cannot be compared to anything. Blaine puts the ring on my finger and raises my hand to plant a kiss, leaving my mouth gaping wide.
I mumble, "Blaine, this is too much."
"It's yours, and one day it will be our kids to give to their mate as well," Blaine responded.
I never expected this from him, so much so that I almost started crying with joy. Because of the ring's potency and advantage to the pack, it is uncommon for a De Lombardi to give it to their mate. Monica De Lombardi was the last alpha to do so before Gilbert.
Grasping my hands, Blaine whispers, "Do not doubt my faith in you; you are this pack's strength as well as my strength."
I lifted my hand and gave him a quick kiss on the lips.
"Thank you."
"Always, little wolf."
Blaine exclaimed, "Now let's start the celebrations."
Everyone cheers and yells, and for a split second I worry about what will happen to our house, but I quickly push that thought away and join in.