The Game

Chapter 37

Lucia Lorenzo's POV

I will always remember this evening. That's the one thing I know for sure.

The moon appears radiant, as though she is aware that today is a celebration of her. There's a thin mist of white that almost seems translucent, covering the Lunas and me. My heart quickens with excitement as I consider what is ahead.

The door creaked open, and I saw the alphas standing there with their eyes blindfolded. The same set of women who gave us our veils were guiding them. Felix Dickson and his two kids were behind them.

Felix picks up a microphone and steps onto a platform just above the ostentatious swimming pool.

"I'm sure some of you are wondering why we brought you here," he continues.

"A mate hunt is the Lunar Glow's event this year. The males must find their partners while wearing blindfolds. Every one of you has one hour. The greatest rooms in our house will be awarded to the winners tonight."

The Crescent Pack alpha said, "Please, this is too easy; I can smell out Nora in an instant."

"It is, indeed, too simple. Fortunately for you, the Lunas' veils mask their odors, making it more difficult for you to locate them," snarky replies Felix.

Another young alpha asked, "Then how are we supposed to find them?"

"Lean on your emotions," Felix responded.

After the women took us away, we were each given a place to hide. In the background, I hear Felix shout that the game is about to start. I'm certain Blaine won't locate me. Although we are not very close, I desire to stay overnight in one of the Dickson suites. Please understand that although my current room is wonderful, the suites include a skylight that lets you see the stars. Manhattan makes it practically impossible to view the stars, but magic exists for just that reason.

Through the veil, I observe a group of alphas clumsily making their way around. One of them grabs hold of my arm and doesn't let go as soon as he touches me. If you have been married for a long time, it is easy to identify your partner by touch.

"I apologize," he replies and turns to leave.

I hope Blaine doesn't accidentally grab a woman who thinks she's me. Everyone will believe there is major turmoil in paradise, but I know it will be harder for him to determine if it is me or not.

It takes at least thirty minutes for a loud trumpet to sound.

"Lucan Nora has been located by Alpha Tim! There will only be two more winners selected, Kyle Dickson announces over a loudspeaker.

It takes a minute before the deafening trumpet reverberates throughout the woodland. Kyle says what he just said, substituting a different set of alphas.

My heart stops. Although I didn't think Blaine would find me, I secretly hoped he would. We won't likely take the final slot. I'm too preoccupied with brooding to see that someone is following me. A hand encircles my wrist and then spins me till I'm up against a solid chest.

Through the veil, I see Blaine smiling up at me, his eyes gleaming with triumph. Before dropping the veil to the ground, he yanks it off. I see something I haven't seen in a long time as his face sparkles in the moonlight. His grin. The genuine smile he would bestow upon his mother.

His face is buried in my neck.

He says, "Vanilla," and then lightly plants a kiss on my mark.

I told him, "I didn't think you would find me."

"I found you in two lifetimes; you think I can't find you in some game?"

Felix Dickson interrupts us with his voice.

Luna Lucia has been located by Alpha Blaine! The game is over.

Blaine took hold of my hand and said, "Let's go check out our room."

We stroll hand in hand in the direction of the enormous gold doors with our names.

"Lucia and Blaine De Lombardi"

The term "beautiful" does not adequately describe it. The grey marble floor of the room is lit by the moon. I can see the stars in the sky and sense their brightness in my spirit, thanks to a massive skylight.

I feel a chill go up my spine as Blaine puts his hands on my shoulders.

He said, "We should talk."

"About what?"

"The bond is only going to get stronger over time," he states.

"Okay?" I am uncertain of the direction the conversation was taking.

"I was thinking that once we get back home, we can put some distance between us so it does not continue to grow; my house is big enough."

"Are you fucking kidding me?" I interrupted him to say this.

"Look, Lucia, we both know we will not work; it's easier this way," he replies.

"You won't even give us a shot," I responded.

Are you kidding me at this moment? We were screwed from the beginning; I sent you away, dated your sister, and tortured you when we were young. How do you expect us to recover from that?"

"We are mates for a reason; the goddess does not make mistakes," I reminded him, growing enraged as he listed all of his transgressions. He chews his lip, then shoots me a sly smile. Blaine advances with deliberate strides. I recognize that this is the "alpha" that everyone talks about when his eyes darken. I have never really experienced Blood Moon's frigid alpha; I have just heard about it.

I continue to backtrack until I reach the chilly wall. He leans in until his lips touch my ear. As we breathe in the oxygen that appears to be vanishing by the second, our chests rub against one another.

"I fucked your sister Lucia," he claims. My heart feels icy. Although it's not breaking news, I don't want to hear it. He chooses to further twist the knife that is in my chest.

"Lucia, your twin sister, had my cock inside her. What emotions does that give you? Realizing that the one person created for you desired your sister over you?"

He was wicked. It was so damned nasty that I wanted to cry. But because that's what he wants, I wouldn't. I'm not somebody he expects me to cower like everyone else does when they're around him. I am Lucia Lorenzo, his equal and damn mate. I wasn't just a wolf pack member who would go above and beyond to please him.

"That's it, then? You only want to act as though we are friends while we are together, but when we are alone, we are strangers. With as much nonchalance as possible, I inquire.

"Precisely."

"Okay, Blaine, how about sex? When my heat arrives, what will you do?"

His jaw tightens to the point that I fear it may break.

What did you say, and are you just going to watch from the sidelines like a nice little dog? Yes, that fucks me," I reply.

His nose wrinkles. Could it be the low light levels, I swear his eyes get so dark that they almost seem black.

"Because, I'll tell you now, I'd rather have sex than put up with the discomfort of the heat, so who will do it if you won't? Tell me, Blaine, whose manhood will be inside of me. I responded, hurling back at him in his own words.

"I'm sure tons of wolves would be on board to take Luna’s virginity; maybe I should ask Johnson."

In an instant, I'm standing up, and in the next minute, Blaine's hand is holding me between my legs, so we're both at eye level. His thumb is in front of me, and I can feel his fingers pressing into my ass. It would be in the ideal location if he raised it slightly.

"Are you seriously turned on right now, Lucia?"

"No."

When his wolf is around, his eyes glow a golden color.

By the sound of his voice, I can tell that Blaine was speaking to Henry. "I would never hurt you, Beauty, but if you ever give what is mine to someone else, I will rip out their throat and make you watch," he said.

"Tell your human to stop being an idiot."

"I've made an effort," Henry says. Blaine's eyes went back to their typical shade of brown.

I truly attempt to contain my groan as his thumb slowly circles over my clitoral area, but it slips out.

He informs me, "I'm not a gentle lover." I become so excited that I practically shout. To get this man to take me, it took three years.

"I don't want a gentle lover." My voice gets hoarse. I can't stop being tortured by his fingertips on my clothing.

I ordered him to "take it off," and then I revealed the location of the dress' clasps on my back. His lips find my back, and his hands find the clasps. He unclasped my dress and pressed his lips against my flesh, so I arch my back and shove my ass into him. The chilly air tickles my nipples, causing my dress to drop to the floor.

He's fully clothed, and I'm left in my black pants. He ties my hair around his fist, so I miss my opportunity to object.

"Fuck, that's what I've wanted to do for forever," Blaine murmurs. A shriek escapes my throat as he tugs at my hair. I'm staring up at him because of how tightly he grips.

He said, "You're mine, Lucia," and then he put his lips to mine. I can't bring myself to care that my neck is virtually bent backward in this unnatural position. His bare hands took hold of my hip and moved slowly up to my breast. I sigh into his mouth as his grubby hand squeezes it so tightly. Blaine takes advantage of the situation to stick his tongue in my mouth.

But he retreats sharply.

"What's wrong?"

"Lucia," he said, terror gleaming in his eyes.

My head feels too heavy all of a sudden. I feel like I'm about to fall, but Blaine is there to grab me before I hit the floor. Before everything turns dark, I notice that his eyes are gold as everything swirls.