Love's Snare

Chapter 48

Blaine De Lombardi's POV

All I see when I open my eyes is dark hair. I have it all over my face, and some of it is in my mouth.

"How the hell about it?"

My memory slowly begins to return, and I recall that I now have a partner who shares my bed and is very hairy. It's omnipresent, in my opinion. There are constantly hairballs on the bathroom counter, hairballs left behind in my car after we go out to dinner, and hairballs everywhere when I sweep the kitchen.

Right now, this mess culprit is dozing off on my chest. Her hair is covering my face, so when I take a deep breath, the vanilla scent that greets me every morning is even stronger. I brush the hair from my face with my hand from my side.

Lucia passed out yesterday night after another round. I got her dressed and carried her up to our room, where I fell asleep.

As I glance at the nightstand, I notice that the time has surpassed 11:00 am. I used to get up before six in the morning to start things before Lucia, but it seems like my partner is making me lethargic now. It's been difficult to get out of bed ever since she moved in, but it's even more difficult now that she's soundly asleep on my chest.

To spend a little more time with Lucia, I chose to mind-link one of my captains regarding the ongoing patrols.

"Have you seen anyone?"

Not at all, Alpha.

Things are starting to become worrying with the Nightshades. We require another sighting to locate their master, but none have been reported since the one that assaulted our home.

I exhale and devise a strategy to release Lucia from my mind without disturbing her sleep. I put my two hands on her back and squeezed her close to me. I move us over so her back is against the mattress as slowly and softly as I can. I waited for her to wake up while she moved, but she didn't. I can keep her asleep by getting off the bed and into a push-up position.

I exhale with relief as I carefully slip out of our room. I never imagined that I would have to leave my room covertly, yet here I am.

"Well, that's weird."

I turn my head to look at Johnson, who is standing there, grinning smugly.

"Going somewhere, Alpha?"

"What are you doing here?"

I maintained my composure, but on the inside, I was rattled. I've never allowed someone to enter my residence without my knowledge. I was losing my guard since Lucia was around.

"I thought we could go for a run, you know, like we used to before you became a one-pussy man," Johnson jokes.

I feel like rolling my eyes at him. Though Johnson is one of my best friends and I trust him implicitly, he has gradually changed into someone who no longer acts in his own best interests.

He used to be the one pushing me in the direction of Lucia, but these days he's a member of the I Hate Women Club.

The door creaks open behind me just as I'm about to tell him I'm willing to go for a run, as it will allow me to observe the pack perimeters for myself.

I saw Johnson's eyes enlarge, slowly scanning the woman behind me. I can't help but notice how attractive Lucia is from behind, so I follow my gut and give him a hard blow to the jaw.

He is flung back by my fist, and I hear Lucia chastise me. As I turn to face her, my words just fall flat from my mouth.

At times, I feel as though the goddess is punishing me since I will never be able to live my entire life without killing someone for having her erroneous perspective. I consider myself to be logical. My father has instilled in me the value of methodicalness. However, each time I see her, it's as if everything else is erased from my brain and she just remains.

"Stop giving me that kind of stare! You struck your friend without any justification. You are dead!"

I took my time watching her leave and walked angrily back into our room.

"Lucia, talk to me about how unfair it was for me to hit my friend unjustly!!" I yelled back at her.

Really? I'm simply doing my job, and she's calling me insane.

With a giggle, Johnson tosses me one of the countless ornamental pillows that Lucia has scattered over the house. I easily caught it.

"Let's go."

We circle the boundaries of the pack. Every guard I speak with assures me that there hasn't been any unusual activity. Even though their comments should reassure me, I can't help but feel like everything is about to get worse.

Johnson said in a whisper as we made a tight right toward the lake, "Things have been too quiet."

The Blood Moon Pack owns the majority of the businesses in Lake Tahoe, which is a popular tourist destination. My father, however, made sure that a certain area of the lake was still off-limits to strangers. Not only does it have the nicest view of the mountains, but it's also one of my favorite places because no one else can bother me there.

I took a step slower when we got to the rocks. Johnson and I stayed silent, just taking in the tranquility all around us.

"I'm glad for you," Johnson remarked. Sincerity permeates his speech, something that doesn't seem to happen very often these days.

"How come?"

His smile is melancholic.

"You adore her. I never imagined I would witness your day of love, but I can tell it has had a significant impact on you."

I furrow my brow and part my lips to object, but he finishes talking before I can say anything.

He murmurs, "Not all of us are as lucky."

"She'll come around, Johnson."

Reminding me of his current heartbreak makes me feel bad. It's not what he needs to hear right now, but I'm tempted to tell him that there's no purpose in lusting for a woman who isn't his match.

"I think I should go home," he said to me. He transforms into his brown wolf and bolts as I nod.

I make the same decision, but on the way home, I spot my father outside. He's attempting to control the jungle in his yard while sporting a straw hat.

"You need some help with that?" Leaning over the wooden fence, I said.

He answered, "You don't know anything about gardening, boy."

Yes, I do. After sowing some seeds, you remove some weeds. Simple enough."

He looks at me blankly and then gets back to work.

"Your mate is much more helpful than you are."

"She just pities you, old man."

"Who are you calling the old man?" I'm not even 90 years old."

He looked fifty for a ninety-year-old. If my mother were still here, he would most likely appear younger.

"How did your visit with the Lorenzos go?"

"All right, I suppose. Mirabel was acting like something crawled up her ass and died, and Steve was glaring at me," I told him.

"That is how she has always been." It certainly would have saved you the hassle today if you had seen it back then.

I feel fury flowing through me, primarily because he is correct. Still, I don't need my father to remind me of all the mistakes I've made.

"You've never liked her."

"You're right, damn it. It was so clear that you picked the wrong twin, that I still find it unbelievable."

I can't quite understand what he said. I straightened up and waited for him to continue.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

He let go of his cap and dropped his gardening equipment.

Tell me, my son. How often did you invite Mirabel to our home?"

"Twice," I responded, not sure I understand where he's getting at.

"And why was that?"

"I-uh," I stammer out a response, but to be honest, I have no idea. Now that I think about it, being at my place more might have made more sense. I always insisted on going to her house, even though my dad wasn't home often and we wouldn't be bothered.

"You're curious as to why? Perhaps it has to do with another individual present."

"No."

"Maybe your wolf was unconsciously leading you to your mate, and you were too blind to see it."

"That doesn't prove anything."

Does it not? Then what about the time you insisted that I order Lucia and Anthony to end their relationship without cause?"

Yes, it is what I do recall. I was just annoyed to see them together. Sue me for wishing to protect my eyes from that onslaught of images.

"I didn't-"

"When you first saw the twins, you begged your mother and I to bring her home when you were five years old. You almost had a tantrum for Lucia, even though you didn't ask for Mirabel."

I had no idea about this.

"So, Blaine, do you get it now? Mirabel wasn't what I thought was best for you; that's all I wanted."

A scream pierces the air, and I never get a chance to respond to him. I didn't even consider what I did because it was me to my core. I beseech the goddess that I arrive in time as I sprint, transforming into my wolf along the way.