Obsession and Mercy

Chapter 38

Blaine De Lombardi's POV

Three years prior

My hands were dripping blood as I looked at the man I just killed. I have no regrets. It was a bad idea for him to wander into my pack.

Since Lucia left, life has taken precedence over restlessness. I'm already losing it after just three months. Women are good at numbing pain. What calms me down after good sex is that fleeting feeling of ecstasy. Unfortunately, when I come, the only face that comes to mind is the one I'm frantically trying to forget.

"Alphas are disciplined."

I want to yell at my dad because I can't stop hearing his voice. To keep myself in check, I kill, I fuck. I fucking murder my body in intense workouts to distract myself from the goddess-assigned woman.

It isn't just. I'm not one to complain about the hand I was dealt with, but I am positive that Lucia experiences a portion of my emotions. She finds it simpler to be angry with me than to be sad about me. Regretfully, I do not enjoy the same comfort. For what reason am I supposed to detest the woman?

I pour a glass of Bourbon for myself and thumb through the pictures Greg sent me. I instructed him to watch her and get back to me. As I look at Lucia's expression, I almost regret giving my cousin the duty because he was trustworthy but also endearing. She appears to be happy. Since learning that we were friends, she hasn't looked that way. My body is overcome with jealousy as I watch her laugh with Greg. A small part of me was grateful that he had done what I couldn't, but a larger part of me wanted to punch him. I want her to be happy and laugh just for me.

I set my phone down on my desk and reclined in my seat. I nodded off to sleep, convinced that sending her to Italy was the right choice, and I forgot everything about the dead man lying on my floor, surrounded by his blood.

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The wolf's poison that the handcuffs are drenched in brushes my flesh as I tug on them and bite my tongue. My breathing is irregular, and my dogs won't stop stretching out and then pulling back.

Before Lucia knew it, I could smell her heat. I went crazy from the lovely smell. I was just planning to give her one or two orgasms, not put her to sleep. When I smelled her heat, it was like her natural perfume multiplied by ten, and all of that went to hell.

Johnson told me, "Calm down, Blaine; we are almost home."

When I realized what had happened, I gave him a call. He arrived fast because he was in town spying on the Dicksons anyway. While we waited for the other one to arrive in Manhattan, I placed Lucia on the jet that Johnson brought here, and he stayed with me. To make sure I didn't kill him for preventing me from seeing my partner, he had handcuffed me.

Separate jets were required since I could not survive on an aircraft with Lucia in her heat. I was informed by the attendant on her flight that she hadn't woken up.

Clara did mention that she would find it difficult to get her heat back on because it has been off for so long, but I did not anticipate her passing out.

"Johnson, my mate needs me," I said. I hoped she was still asleep since I knew she would be in a lot of pain when she woke up.

I almost pass out as the pilot announces that we are landing.

"Hold your horses. I'll get the key alright," Johnson responds.

I hiss as the wolf's bane burns my skin as he returns carrying a little key. I'm thankful for it for a little moment, as it diverts my attention from Lucia. My entire body was tingling with nerves. Her wolf called out to me, and I felt it.

It was so bizarre. She was all I could think about, and the thought of her suffering hurt me.

As soon as Johnson released the handcuffs, I jumped out of my seat and headed for my house. I had told her friends and relatives to put her in the room that was the farthest away from mine. I knew it was a pointless endeavor, but I intended to keep us far apart.

I transform into my wolf and move in the direction of my home. The trees become blurry, and I spot pack members pausing in their tasks to observe my sprint in the direction of Luna. Almost immediately, I realize that very few of the spectators are men.

Bitch.

My legs start to pump more quickly after realizing this, all the way to my lakeside home. There, a large group of young men were clamoring to be allowed inside the werewolf-fertile home. This happens all the time on pack ground. The scent of a lady in heat attracts the attention of any single male. This is the point at which our animalistic nature as wolves takes over. It's not a conscious choice. Either way, it's almost too much to resist the desire to choke every man waiting to claim my mate. I'm aware that I need to reach Lucia, or else I risk killing some of my soldiers.

I kind of notice that Cyril chases the former beta and Lucia's father away. A portion of them, I'm sure, want to treat me the same way. I stagger inside my house's doorway and transform back into a human. I cover myself with the blanket hanging off the couch and march up the stairs. All I can see or think about is Lucia's delicious scent.

With bags of ice all around her, Rose and Valerie were applying cold towels to her body while she lay on the ground. The moment Rose hears me walk in, her golden hair starts to swirl around.

"Alpha! She exclaims, "Oh, my goddess, it's bad; it's so bad," as tears well up in her eyes.

Valerie turns to face me, apparently more collected than her friend.

"She won't wake up; we've tried everything, and her temperature is getting too high," she says to me.

"Doesn't that happen in heat anyway?" I inquire.

"Yeah, but not to this extent; it's like she's on fire," she replied.

I told them, "Go get Clara; I'll stay here with her."

Rose said, "Lucia's mom went to get her."

Valerie said, "We'll go wait outside." After they both left my room, I sat down with Lucia on the floor. I can feel her skin getting hotter, even though the chilly floor should be lowering her body temperature. Her body trembles so badly that my heart is filled with anxiety. This is not typical.

"Lucia, come on, little wolf, open your eyes."

Nothing. Even though I can hear her heat, I put my palm over it to comfort myself, but it has the opposite effect. It moves too slowly. I have to get started right away, so I can't wait for Clara to arrive.

I suddenly got an idea and jumped up, encircling Lucia in my arms.

We were at the lake in a flash. There was no time for me to stop and tell her family or friends what was going on. Even though it's chilly outside, Lucia's sweaty skin still shines.

Fortunately, I had time before leaving to put on some pants, but I took them off. I removed the minimal apparel Lucia was wearing similarly. I encircle her body in mine. Her tummy is against mine, and her head is nestled in the cleft of my neck.

I turn to head towards the lake, but a high-pitched voice stops me.

"What are you doing? Are you deranged?" Claire yells. Although I sympathize with her worry for her daughter, there is nothing more I can do.

"It just snowed; the water will be freezing!" Rose continues.

I stroll into the water, ignoring them. I can practically feel my feet going numb from the cold water.

"You're going to kill her and yourself!" With a terrified voice, Claire yells. Claire exaggerates everything. In the worst situation, we become ill.

I kept going until everything was underwater, except for our heads. Her heart begins to beat faster, and even though I feel like my limbs are about to fall off, it's enough to make me think that this was worth it.

I held her body in my arms while I stood there. It feels right, like this is the only reason I'm here on earth when her bare flesh touches mine.

I implore her, "Come on, little wolf," thinking that my words will rouse her from slumber.

I wonder how much longer I can stay in the water as the cold water starts to feel like it's getting to my bones.

I think the goddess is feeling sorry for me because Lucia's eyes light up. I ignore the fact that she appears confused, as if she is high on something, though.

No, I choose to concentrate on the warm brown color of her eyes and treasure the sensation that they are not filled with hatred or disdain for me. I raise my hand to hold her face. With my thumb, I remove the water droplets from behind her eyes, leaving my other fingers entangled in her hair. I kept looking into the eyes, which I'm not sure I'll see again. I have had an obsession with her eyes since I was a young boy.

"Beauty," I murmur. Even though I know she is dazed and cannot hear, they nonetheless pass my lips.

For a split second, all is quiet. Valerie, Claire, and Rose no longer panic; instead, they prefer to watch. There's no movement at all in the surrounding forest, and the river is calm. Then, though, a rush of excitement hits that almost causes me a heart attack.

Now that she's completely awake, Lucia is staring at me as if I were dessert. I release her from my arms and plunge into the ocean. I have a minute to compose myself before I breach the surface and swim as quickly as I can in the direction of the land. Shifting into my wolf would be too dangerous, as the fucker has been attempting to entirely claim Lucia ever since her birthday. I plant my feet in the sand and start sprinting as quickly as I can.

The day I claim Lucia as my own, there will be no turning back; therefore, this is how I define mercy. Though she doesn't truly get it, she feels as though she wants it.

Because I don't show my emotions, people assume I'm emotionless. I do experience emotions. My folks are wonderful. I'm devoted to my pack. However, Lucia, I can't get enough of her. Perhaps I have been like this forever. She's not ready for it, and I know everything there is to know about that woman. Obsession ruins your spirit but love is shattering your heart.

Little wolf, hide because you'll be mine when I discover you.