Bonds Strengthened

Chapter 43

Lucia Lorenzo's POV

I have thigh soreness when I wake up. I love the feeling, but my werewolf healing will take care of it. I stretch, feeling the cool sheets across my body. I didn't anticipate Blaine to be in the room with me, and my senses had already warned me that he wasn't. Nightshades posed a major menace that required prompt attention.

For the first time, I can clearly see my mate's room. The furnishings are all black with gold accents, and the walls are grey. I can smell him throughout the room if I inhale. The room will eventually smell like us when the vanilla and pine blend.

I'm so tired that I think of ignoring my wolf, but it never works out well. I took a pair of running shorts and one of Blaine's shirts. My mother had delivered some of my clothing, and I was appreciative of the sports equipment.

The first thing I saw as I came downstairs was the enormous, broken window.

Whoa.

I walk outside and pick a tree to hang my things on, ignoring the monstrosity. Then my wolf takes off, and I transform. I'm too exhausted to handle anything at the moment, so I gave her the most authority.

She runs off, running after any small animal with fur that she spots and leaping over logs. My wolf ears prickle at the sound of rustling off to the side of us. She drops to the ground, poised to strike should the need arise. Then she acts most bizarrely.

She whimpers in a beseeching manner. She gets a lick on the snout from a big black wolf that emerges from the shadows. My wolf stands up, pressing her face against Henry's thick neck. They remain that way for a time, and while I watch them, I get a pang of guilt. Blaine and I were kept apart by the bond for the entire time we were avoiding it. That's easier for the wolves. Without exception, their partner is their partner. The complexity that accompanies being human is not something they deserve.

My wolf jumps and crouches low. Henry's body collides with hers, sending them both to the ground. Henry absorbs the brunt of the fall, causing dirt to spatter. Henry appears to like Ava's fun side, although wolves are often more domineering and less playful. They engage in a chase game as they both run around one another.

After some time spent playing their little game, Blaine transforms back into a human. Blaine seems angry, while Henry appears happy to see us.

It's not like he can talk to me if I continue in this manner.

As his icy voice enters my ears, "Shift, Lucia," he said.

His instructions may be effective for everyone else, but not for me. He gets even more enraged by my disobedience. I moved back because I can nearly feel his rage overwhelming me.

"Do you think this is a game Lucia? You've just been attacked by nightshades, and you're here playing in the woods?"

Even now, Blaine never raises his voice. He does not need to. His tone and words alone are enough to instill terror in one's life. Though I seldom ever get to meet the alpha everyone fears, I frequently hear the whispers that surround him. This is one of those infrequent occasions.

"Are you serious?"

"That Nightshade was murdered by me last night."

Grasping my arms, he draws me closer to him.

"Their scent does not appeal to our senses." "Lucia, if your wolf is playing, she won't be able to watch out for potential attacks," he utters. His face is too close to mine, and his voice is low. He's attempting to scare me.

As my wolf receives criticism from her partner, a melancholic sound escapes me.

My words, "I know how to take care of myself," came out emotionlessly.

His eyes softened as if he was aware of the tone of his words.

"I'm confident you can. Hell, you can do it; everyone knows. However, I need you to avoid any harm. If I'm preoccupied with caring about you, I can't defend this pack."

"Blaine, I understand. However, I refuse to be the kind of Luna who hides to keep herself safe while her pack engages in combat."

If someone needs help, I won't turn a blind eye.

"You belong to a pack. Because it's what they do, they will sacrifice their lives for you if needed," Blaine said.

"I'm their Luna, too. I shall thus fight with them if they are fighting."

Although he appears ready to quarrel, he chooses not to.

"Join me here. Let's take you home."

Before my protests can even register, he carries me in a bridal style. He takes us home, cutting the time in half with his werewolf speed while the world rushes around us. Upon arriving at our destination, he puts me up on my feet.

"I am capable of walking," I quip.

He smirked and said, "I bet it's much more fun when I carry you." I didn't tell him that since telling him would just make his already enormous ego grow even bigger.

After kissing me Blaine shows me inside. He enters our room and exits with his clothes on. I tried not to show off my pout because I was positive we would have sex when we got home. After experiencing the delights of sex, my heat has decreased, but I still find it hard to understand why people aren't doing this every single minute of every day.

"Don't give me that look, Lucia," he warns.

"Where are you going?"

"I have to go over the specifics for the pack meeting."

"Shouldn't I be there for that?"

"Yes, you are welcome to attend the upcoming meeting. This one is merely to set everything up."

I gave a nod. He kisses the top of my head and walks away.

It turns out that in the absence of her soul mate, my wolf becomes a fucking child. I texted Rose and Valerie to come over since I was so bored.

Rose exclaims, "This place is amazing." In answer, Valerie nods without making any unusual comments.

It should've been visible to you this morning. The window was damaged beyond repair." The moment my words left my mouth, I regretted them. Even though they are my pals, I now identify as Luna. I have to ensure that my pack feels secure.

Valerie remarks, "It's unbelievable that a nightshade was on our property." She seems to be thinking about something else because her eyes were glassy. Fear is in the air, and it has been since Blaine issued the warning this morning. The curfew is at 10:00 p.m, and none of the pack members are allowed to be alone.

"Ignore the nightshade plant! Rose said, "Lucia just moved in with her mate." I was eagerly anticipating the day my acquaintance, who possessed a romantic streak, would finally meet her partner.

"What's it like?" Rose queries. Her eyes are filled with desire.

It's like having a continuous sense of completion. There's no one else I would ever choose to commit my heart to, even if we quarrel and bicker."

Rose clings to everything I say as if I were a prophet. I'm astonished too, and Valerie seems to be. I had no idea I felt this way.

"Uh, how about we eat something?" I pivot and make my way to the refrigerator. I hope they forget I said anything at all.

There's no need for Blaine's fridge. A refrigerator with a touch screen and the ability to play any music ever made is not necessary. It only has to maintain the coldness of my food. The doors are remarkably light, so I open them. It opens with ease, and everything greets me.

Rose says, "Woah," in a whisper behind me. It appears as though the kitchen has become a supermarket store. The refrigerator is filled to the brim with everything. The first thing I think of is that Blaine had to be eating more than the normal wolf. However, my attention is drawn to something in the refrigerator's corner.

Beside a bottle of sparkling soda is a bottle of ruby-colored syrup. Lizzy Temple ingredients: grenadine and Sprite. My face lights up with a smile when I realize what this is. This food was all for me. I honestly can't remember when I last saw Blaine consume unhealthy food.

I make my way to the couch after grabbing some food. Rose and Valerie choose a movie, but I find it difficult to concentrate. I can't help but think about Blaine's thoughtful gesture for me.

To some, it would appear uncomplicated, but Blaine De Lombardi's selfless action was akin to a fish surviving on land. It was simply not feasible. Even with his alpha responsibilities, he was constantly considering methods to grow the pack, increase revenue, and secure his gain. Although they are normally viewed as negative traits, his strategy has helped the pack succeed.

Perhaps I'm more liked by my partner than I realize.