Chapter 58
Blaine De Lombardi's POV
It would be an understatement to say that the celebration was a success. Everyone in the group was grinning, giggling, or catching up. Outside, the puppies are destroying the bouncy house that Lucia ordered, especially for this occasion.
My partner is ideal.
Yes, I am aware.
Silently scanning the room, I saw who was clearly missing from the group and who was progressively degenerating into a sloppy drunk—a difficult feat for a werewolf to accomplish.
Aurora and Anabel are gathered around Lucia, telling them stories about their partners. Mirabel appears in front of me before I can hear anything more of their talk.
"Blaine," she said.
"Alpha," I replied.
"Sorry, Alpha, I thought we would be past all the formalities now since we are family and all," she said with a grin.
"Let's not kid ourselves, Mirabel."
When I realize I've lost sight of Lucia, frustration rises to the surface of my voice.
"Is there something you want, or are you hell-bent on annoying me?"
She laughed.
"I thought I'd warn you, but I don't understand what my kind sister sees in a prick like you," she said absentmindedly as she fixed her gaze on her manicure.
"Spit it out, Mirabel."
"If you say so, Anthony is running his mouth off to his friends because he has had too much to drink, and I thought you might be interested in knowing," she continued.
"About what?"
She gave me an eye roll before responding.
"I'm talking about the romance between Lucia and Anthony. Did you forget that they spent a whole year together?"
"They were not in love," I growled.
"If you say so," she said with a smile before turning around.
I moved quickly through the throng, scanning for a head of curly hair that he overdoes the gel on and sniffing for Anthony's aroma. I kept getting stopped by people who wanted to congratulate me. I do my best to respond or grin firmly before moving on with my quest.
When there are a lot of people around, it is more difficult to locate scents. Unfortunately, Lucia gets in my way and keeps me from ever reaching Anthony.
"You're right there! With a broad smile spreading across her face, she said, "We have to head into the backyard for the pack run. I took her hand in mine and left the house since I knew how crucial it was for her for everything to go smoothly.
Later on, Anthony will be taken care of.
Many faces were peering up at Lucia and I as we stood atop a tree stump.
At times like these, I question how my father managed to manage so many people's responsibilities by himself. All it takes to calm me down is having Lucia by my side.
When people look at me, I know what some of them are thinking. A man-made man scarred by his history to the point of disassociation, or a youngster too young to lead? They see me as incompetent in any case.
When my mother was killed and I had to bury parts of her body, I ceased to be a boy.
I've grown from my experiences, and I now feel closer to Lucia than I ever have.
I'm going to change their perception of me, and I'm starting right now.
I move away from the stump and extend my hand to Lucia. I put my big hand around her little one.
"Transformation!" Both Lucia and I yell.
Our pack members started to undress, and before long, I spotted a smattering of dark snouts and gold eyes. Myself and Lucia were the last to change. She goes first, and I stand there in awe as she transforms from a woman into a wolf. Although my coat is pitch black, Lucia's is a stunning shade of grey.
After I've moved, I growl and stick my snout in the air. When Lucia follows suit, eventually the entire group is audible across Lake Tahoe.
We head for Blood Peak, a remote cliff where no one lives. One of the younger members is usually watching over my little plot of land. It provides a space where the pack may go around without fear of encountering people. It features Wolf's Trail and Ruby Falls, in addition to Blood Peak. Wolf's Trail is a lengthy route that leads from Blood Peak to the edge of Pack grounds.
I'm happy enough to be basking in the moonlight next to my partner, listening to the pattern of my pack members rushing beside me. If someone were to take this away from me, I would die sooner.
The air smells musky like we're back in my garden. A hint of perspiration is present, but the scent of passion is overpowering.
There was still fog in werewolf brains after a shift, especially a long one. Our animals continued to have some control over us. There was no denying how inextricably their needs were linked to ours.
Couples slowly start to withdraw from the group to spend time together. While some went inside, the others stayed out in the backyard. I look around for someone with long, dark hair, but none of them appear to be my partner.
I enter through my feet, and as I do, the crowd separating, I smell the aroma that makes me feel intoxicated in a manner that no drug could ever.
Her exquisite hairstyle accentuates her tiny neck, and I can't resist the urge to press my teeth into the indent I made on her skin. She slides out of my line of sight. I can quickly follow her movements.
Before she can get any farther, I pull her against me and bring us both into a closet.
"Blaine-"
I press my lips over hers. A slow kiss at first gives way to a heated, passionate collision.
I reach into her hair, yanking it out of the bun. I withdrew my lips from hers. She looks like a lioness, her lips swollen from my attack and her hair a tangle of curls, strong, exquisite, and brilliant.
"Lucia, you drive me crazy, fucking crazy," I mumble in her face.
I have no idea how I managed without her.
As I lick the skin from her neck, she gasps.
"This dress, goddess, this fucking dress," I exclaimed as I gather the burgundy material at her hips.
I said, "It's so easy to just flip it over and fuck your pussy," as my index finger follows her clitter to her opening.