Unraveling the Future

Chapter 18

As her companion went into the pack house, Dorothy observed. He had a stain on his white shirt and a woman's odor all over him.

As Ronaldo climbed the stairs, a furious grimace pulled at his face.

A tear escaped Dorothy's right eye, and she felt her heart stop. How was he able to do this? They had mated right here, where she was standing, a day ago.

"The woman ought to be killed."

He can't keep it in his pants, and that's not her fault.

Wiping away her tears, Dorothy straightened up. She was determined to honor her resolve to never cry over a man again.

"So this is how it's going to be?" With a hostile tone, Dorothy questioned Ronaldo. His expression was startled to see her, but it soon turned stoic.

"I have needs like every other man."

"And because you are an alpha, you think you can go and lay in other women's beds while your mate is supposed to stay home like a good little bitch?"

"Dorothy, you can't expect me to be committed to just one woman, even though that's not what I meant to say. I've had no partners for almost ten decades."

"Two can play that game, Alpha."

Dorothy pivoted on her heel and proceeded to return to her room.

"Did he not sense her feelings during their passionate kiss?" Was there to be only one person in this relationship? Dorothy gave a shake of her head as she considered things.

"You will get back what you put forth."

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Three years later...

Blaine De Lombardi's POV

"Get out." I let out a sigh, leaned in my chair, let her pack her things, and headed out of my office. Over her shoulder, she gave me what I believe is meant to be a sexy smile. I can only respond with a wave of dismissal. She throws her dark hair over her shoulder and walks out of the door that we had just broken through. On her way out, she bumps into Johnson, who gives her a casual glance before shooting me a cold one.

"Oh, here he goes once more."

"Recall in seven days, you'll become an Alpha and designate Mirabel as your Luna."

I was allowing Frances to swindle me for precisely the reason he just mentioned. It gave me a way out of my everyday life. I would soon be in charge of almost a thousand werewolves. That doesn't bother me, though, because I've spent the last three years, more than any other, getting ready for this day. The cruel wench I have to share that duty with is my biggest issue.

Mirabel's transformation into an omega, regrettably, did not boost her ego. She still believes that she is a beta, and she still has that power-hungry look in her eye. I suppose it was a bad idea to inform her that she would one day be my Luna.

"There is no need to remind me of what the future holds."

"You have to stop with your juvenile acts now that you are to be…"

"You are the one person who knows just how hard I have worked these past three years to become the best alpha I can be!" I threw my fist on my desk and said that.

I gazed at Johnson, my nostrils flaring and my eyes flashing gold. I had hammered my fist so hard that the desk I'd been fucking Frances on was going to crack.

I've been exercising and straining my muscles to the limit, along with training tactically with Beta Steve and my father. The configuration of the pack in Italy and here in New York City is jam-packed into my consciousness. I am aware of the number of personnel in every branch of our armed forces. Since Johnson has been by my side the entire time, he has no justification for accusing me of being lazy.

"I apologize; I know. Simply put, I believe you are mishandling Mirabel."

Me too, and you too, my dear friend.

If anything, the last three years have shown me that Lucia and I were not meant to be. While Lucia has been on her side of the globe and I have been on mine, most wolves would have felt the impulse to flee and join their mate. In my opinion, we performed better apart from one another. I have only heard positive things about her from all the updates I have received.

I do get updates about her, yes. Cyril is even more protective of her than I am, so I don't have to worry about boys approaching her. It's all good too because I have my cousin Greg watching over her from Italy. I understand that which makes me a hypocrite. However, my wolf Henry is the one who thinks of murder when he imagines another male caressing Lucia, not me.

"Yes, please hold me responsible. It's accurate!"

Says the person who prevented Anthony from traveling to Italy to see Lucia when Rose and Valerie were there.

What now? I was doing him a favor, and he's an asshole.

What happened to the assassin you were on the verge of hiring when a guy asked her out?

Here's what I mean: We would never have gotten along because I would always be defending myself against men and would most likely face manslaughter charges. There are restrictions on how many times you can commit murder, even under wolf laws.

"Blaine?"

When I looked back, Mirabel was waiting for me in the doorway.

"We have to go see Clara today, remember?"

"Johnson, check how this week's patrols went."

Taking Mirabel's hand, I guided her past the pack house and out. As we pass, everyone nods respectfully. I've discovered that as I've been working harder on my upcoming alpha responsibilities, my pack's regard for me has increased over the past few years.

As we approach the front door, Mirabel removes her hand from mine.

"Holding my hand after you fucked a girl won't convince the pack that we are some happy couple."

"What we present is what they see."

Yes? What about what Blaine hears, though? Her groans were audible to all! Or did you not realize that our hearing has gotten better?"

I smile smugly and continue, "To begin with, no one needs sharpened hearing to hear what I did to her." She rolls her eyes in response, a jealousy-filled sparkle in her gaze.

"Alphas fuck about a lot, to start with. In any case, the majority of their unions are political."

"Blaine, this isn't political! They believe we are friends. Nobody betrays their partner.

"Whatever, I won't continue after we are marked."

I never made it clear that I only had things in between with all of the girls—I never had sex with any of them. It never seemed quite right—too close, even.

By the time our talk was over, Mirabel and I had arrived at Clara's cabin. Before we could even knock, she opened the door and let us in.

"What brings you by today?"

"We want to make sure everything is looking good for our marking ceremony in Italy."

Indeed, I have already verified, and there will be a full moon which is essential to the ceremony." Mirabel smiles at this, and my expression stays unchanged.

"Here, give me your hands; I'll try and see if there is anything else."

One hand is placed on Clara's by both of us. She took a moment to take a deep breath, and for a while, her eyes went white. Her body begins to tremble, and she begins to whisper something in Italian.

"Oh my God, is she okay?" Mirabel queries.

"I don't know."

Her body instantly becomes still, and she quickly opens her eyes. Her heart is racing, and I can hear her breathing heavily. Although I'm not too knowledgeable about oracles, this can't be a good omen.

"Sadness, I only saw blood." For a brief while, Mirabel appeared shocked, but she quickly composed herself.

"So is there anything you can do to improve his mood?"

She wants nothing to stand in the way of her ascent to power. Not my ill disposition, not Clara's prophecy.

"What do you mean, dear?"

"Blaine has been an asshole for the entire year, easily irritated by everything, and only seems to be at ease when he is having sex with other women."

Clara's smile falters, and I can't tell if she wants to laugh or grimace.

"Mirabel, go back to the pack house; I need to talk to Clara."

"Gladly!"

Before I ask Clara, I listen in to make sure she is not anywhere near the cabin as she huffs out of the cabin.

"What did you see, Clara?"

She scowls and inhales deeply.

To be honest, I'm not sure. I saw Lucia, all bloody, in your arms."

I flinch. That specific vision will always be vivid in my memory.

"Then I noticed you. You were standing in front of a pile of bodies, covered in blood."

"So I'm going to become a murderer?"

"Well, this might be a simile. It might just be an indication that Mirabel and your mating will have negative effects on this pack."

"What if it's another past thing, like the dream I had?"

"Blaine, I have no idea what to say to you. My sister would be a better fit for this, but she is currently in Italy."

I'm getting more and more frustrated. Clara is meant to give me glimpses into the future, but sometimes I feel like she just makes things worse for me. What kind of oracle sees glimpses into the past? That negates the intent.

"So how are you coping with not being with Lucia other than being an asshole like Mirabel said?"

"I've had a police station employee provide me with the offenders' files who wreaked havoc in New York City. Afterward, I track them down and murder them."

"Ah, so bloodlust is your choice of coping." She gives me a disapproving glance.

"It's the only way to distract Henry."

Additionally, I'm out of people to murder.