Tides of Change

Chapter 13

BLAINE DE LOMBARDI'S POV

The boys and girls were tied at the moment. Since I was the last man standing, I swam over to the platform and climbed on top of it. Lucia swimming over to the platform was something I did not anticipate seeing.

"Oh no."

I thought I had this victory under control. My perspective is shifting after seeing her. The bikini she's wearing is black. She has damp hair that clings to the side of her face. I'm sure someone neglected to inform her that this wasn't a perfume commercial because she looks so damn hot.

Tiny, delicate hands spread out on the platform. She straightens her back and flashes her brown skin. These days, Lucia trains most of the time with that jerk of a man named Anthony. I could tell by looking at her body. Her muscles and toned tummy are testaments to her strength. I trace the line her dark hair takes, starting from the top of her head and ending at her cleavage.

I can still clearly recall the moment I realized she had grown breasts. Mirabel had received hers earlier, but Lucia was not included. Then one day, as we were all swimming in the lake, a boy from the human race approached her. I lost my balance as he fixed his gaze on her breasts. I think his nose broke when I punched him. I wasn't sorry; it was well-earned, but Lucia felt like I was hurting her chances of finding love. Which, although I was, wasn't my goal. To be honest, I'm not sure what I was going for.

She's always had little breasts. She has a lot of bra sizes, but I'm not sure how they operate. I've never been distracted by them before, but at this moment, that's all I can concentrate on.

I'm a pervert, fuck that.

"Go!" Johnson screams. His booming voice draws me out of my reverie. Sadly, it takes me a little too long for my gaze to return to Lucia's face. She grins as she turns to face me. Both she and I are certain that she will prevail in this. When I'm finally brought to the floor, I'm still fixated on her.

God, this is becoming very awful.

I'm in serious trouble now if I was having problems when she was five feet away. I feel her body against mine. Her heartbeat is audible and palpable. I swear our breathing gets deeper as our eyes meet. She turns her attention back to the game when something changes. Mine stays on her face, on her mouth. I look at hers and lick my lips.

Then there's me in the water.

The lads seem shocked, but the girls start to applaud. I, their future alpha, was recently defeated by a female beta.

And I cherished every minute of it.

In Tahoe, the sun was sinking. The sky was an array of orange, purple, and pink hues. A picture-perfect scene resulted from the stunning sunset reflected in Lake Tahoe's crystal-pure water.

Painting this would have been Mom's dream.

Numerous people had the pleasure of getting to know Kharis De Lombardi.

The kind person in our family was my mother. My mother made us both good, even though my father and I were both very frigid.

The majority of parents would pick their child over their partner. If it had come down to it, my mom would have picked me over my dad, but my dad wouldn't. There was nothing in this world that he loved more than my mother, I'm positive of that. I am aware of his affection for me, but it pales in comparison to his feelings for my mother.

That's how my mom was different from us. She adored everyone, but my dad and I loved her even more. I'm furious since it was her large heart that ultimately led to her death. The cosmos took her from me even though she loved everyone and everything.

The good people are the ones that suffer the most.

She was not only a wonderful mother and Luna, but also a fantastic artist. On a canvas, she could bring anything to life.

Sunsets were her favorite subject matter to paint. She expressed her happiness at the light and her desire to paint it so that others could see it as she did. She might not have recognized the irony in that at all. She was light, so she didn't need to paint to show people that.

"Mom, I miss you."

"Hi! "I've been trying to find you," Mirabel remarked. Mirabel was grinning back at me. But it was obvious that she was straining too much. She's not saying sorry; this is her way of expressing she's sorry for cheating on me.

Mirabel, I know you will regret it.

There was undoubtedly a moment when I adored her. This is not the right time. Something about her makes me want to throw up.

She was never loved by you.

That is unknown to you.

I assure you.

Mirabel encircles me with her arms. In the past, the action could have made me happy, but just now, all I wanted was for her to leave.

After saying to her, "Come to my office in 15 minutes," I head back to the pack house.

The packed house was designed like a lodge. Except for those that are highly ranked or would like to reside in their own homes, it was home to the majority of our pack. Although each person had their own house, we wolves were gregarious animals and delighted in spending time as a pack.

I gazed at the clock on the wall of my workplace. The tick-tocks repeatedly. I'm going to banish my partner and give my ex-girlfriend what she truly deserves in the next few moments.

Was I acting appropriately? I was ignorant of the answer to that particular inquiry. But if I've learned anything over the years, it's that if an alpha believes anything, then everyone else will as well.

Johnson entered and told me that Lucia and Mirabel were present. With identical expressions, they step into the room together.

Though, to be honest, Lucia and Mirabel don't look alike at all, it was moments like this that brought their relationship to mind. I wonder whether they ever noticed how in sync they were; their facial expressions and gestures were the same.

"All right? What are your desires?" Lucia queries.

"We're here to discuss some things but I'm going to start with Mirabel," I responded. They exchange bewildered looks before turning back to face me. Mirabel begins stomping on the wooden floors.

"You cheated on me, Mirabel. Even though it's not illegal, it's still quite repulsive. You have been reduced to an omega as a form of retribution." When I finished speaking, her face turned white.

"What? That is not possible for you! You know it's my blood!" Mirabel growled. Her hands clenched and her cheeks reddened. I leaned in toward her, placing my hands face down on my desk.

"I'm an alpha babe, I can do whatever I want," I smirked and replied.

"I'm your girlfriend!"

"Not anymore."

She stomped out of the room, turning around as her eye twitched. My focus shifts to Lucia. Her expression is one of bewilderment with a hint of hope mixed in with her lack of words.

"Lucia, I want you to know that what I am about to say is selfish, but I'm doing it for the both of us," I say to her. Her expression remains unchanged. I meet Johnson's gaze as he stands at the back of the room, his eyes begging me to reconsider my choice.

Telling Lucia, "I'm sending her to Italy," I watch as tears well up in her eyes and her face breaks, but she doesn't fall.

I apologize, buddy. Perhaps we might meet again in another life; this one isn't meant to be.