Bittersweet Farewells and departure

Chapter 15

LUCIA LORENZO'S POV

I feel like I should be crying at this point. Maybe it's required of me to pout and swear off men.

That's not my style. I can express my emotions in better ways.

Hurry up, Lucia! It's not as hard as you can strike it!" Anthony yells. I pounded harder on the punching bag, setting my feet down for a stronger blow. I should probably be more angry about being sent away, but in reality, I'm the complete opposite.

It's no secret that I'd wanted to travel and study werewolf medicine for a while, away from the pack. I intended to explore a little, not to go rogue. The world is so vast that it would be unfair to not see it all.

I may not realize it, but Blaine is giving me the chance to pursue my lifelong dream. I also get to see and train with my brother on top of that. To me, it all sounds like a victory.

"Are you just going to walk away? This seems a bit abrupt," Anthony says to me. Valerie had previously been informed, and she had expressed support for my choices. Antony, though, has doubts.

"It's a great opportunity to train and see my brother," I inform him.

"However, why? Lucia, you're undoubtedly one of the strongest ladies in the pack, therefore you don't even need training."

"Exactly, one of, not the strongest." Our pack's strongest female, who is about 300 years old, is a formidable creature. Her name is Patricia. She serves as my inspiration, and I aspire to be just like her. The woman exudes a powerful, alpha-like strength.

He shoots me a glance that conveys his lack of conviction. He exhales and envelops me in his embrace.

"Please use caution. He said into my ears, "Always be alert and make sure your brother Cyril knows where you are." I put my arms around his back and gave him a firm squeeze. I take in his earthy aroma, which used to make me miss home. I now associate it with friendship and bygone eras.

"I will, I promise." He smiles at me as he pulls away.

"Don't get a new training buddy either, I don't want to be replaced," he says sternly, but I can tell he's kidding. I laughed aloud.

"Even if I did, F and F right?"

"F as well as F."Who would have thought our silly-forgive-and-forget tradition would still exist 10 years later?

"I have to convey the news to Rose, so please wish me luck." Since I didn't give Valerie and Anthony the whole truth, telling them wasn't all that difficult. Rose was a different story, as I intended to tell her everything.

I exit the gym and make my way to Rose's pack-house room.

When I go to her wooden door, I weigh my choices. Should I be honest with her? She would probably understand, and I need to tell someone before I lose my mind.

A choice was made.

I rap my fist on her door. Before she opens the door, I hear her shifting. Her blonde hair is pulled up in an untidy bun as she smiles and opens the door.

"Hi! Why are you in this place?"

"I have something to tell you."

"What?!" When I was done explaining why I was leaving, Rose yelled.

"I know it's-"

"Blaine De Lombardi? Are you friends with Blaine De Lombardi? Your partner is the boyfriend of your sister, out of all the people on this planet earth?"

"They broke up!"

"It makes no difference! She says, pacing the room, "Holy crap, I can't believe this. She is not taking this very well, but what is a person to do when they receive news like this?

She asks me, "You know it won't work right?"

"What won't work?"

"Leaving! It makes logic, I know, but I can't hold onto it forever. You will eventually have to submit to the bond."

"Well, I won't know unless I try right?"She gives me the impression that she doesn't trust me.

With a sigh, "I'll miss you, Lucia," she says.

"I'll miss you too." I encircle her in my arms and take in her aroma. Wolves have a strong sense of smell, therefore I know that when I'm homesick, I'll think back on this particular occasion.

"When do you leave?"

"Tomorrow."

The news surprises her. It's a little sudden, but the sooner I leave, the less time I have to change my mind.

As though I'd had a choice.

"Well, we better get going and start packing your things!" Rose says in her upbeat manner as usual. I grinned. Her big smile and her happy, brilliant blue eyes catch my attention. In case this is the last time, I want to keep her memory alive. I haven't seen her in a while. With Valerie, Anthony, and my parents, I followed suit.

"Yes, I must begin working on that right away. I just have a little task to complete before we meet at my house." As I leave her room, she responds with a nod.

After leaving the packhouse, I transform into my wolf.

"Ava, let's go."

I reach the water far too soon. My family and friends will be missed, but this? I'm going to miss this so much, damn it. Nothing is more peaceful than seeing the moon reflect on Lake Tahoe's crystal-clear water. Nothing gives me more peace than this; it's just magnificent.

Ava senses someone approaching, and her ears perk up. A black wolf, easily twice our size, is coming toward us.

"Blaine!"

He makes no mental connections with me. Rather, he lies over Ava and presses his head against hers. Ava settles her head on the rock that we are lying on, looking happy.

We lay there for what feels like hours, just observing the sea. He moves away from Ava after a while and gives her a nudging snout, which is his silent way of urging us to move.

He transforms into a person, and I follow suit. I'm nude in front of him. His light brown eyes meet my deep brown ones without ever leaving mine. His hands are twice as big as mine and he grabs my face. Our foreheads meet, and we pause to observe one other for a little minute.

He reaches to grab the back of my head with his right hand. He lifts my head, and we make eye contact. Grabbing the sides of his face with my hands is a difficult chore due to his height. Our lips gently brush against one another, moving softly and with tenderness. The kiss remains tender and gentle, never getting stronger. We exchange words with our lips that we are unable to express.

He backs away, meets my gaze, then fixes his gaze on the floor.

He murmurs, "Little wolf, take care of yourself." After saying his final goodbyes, he transforms into his dark wolf and vanishes into the darkness.

I had no idea that would be my final encounter with him for a very long time. We would be very different when we next met.