Strength and Secrets

Chapter 53

Lucia Lorenzo's POV

I was six years old the first time I saw Blaine De Lombardi. He was eight years old. He walked with a swagger only an alpha could have, even at such a young age. We exchanged a glance before moving on past one another.

I kept seeing him since my dad was a beta. He was always content. I was envious of his radiant smiles and the sparkle in his eyes as if he were ready for anything.

Then I saw his smile go away when I was nine years old. He died a sad end, leaving his face permanently plastered with a grim grimace. Even though I wasn't close to the boy, I missed the smiles he gave me, so occasionally I would pray to the goddess to bring his smile back.

His eyes had a glitter that I missed. Blaine De Lombardi, a youngster I knew, moved like the world was at his feet, so I guess I admired his swagger, but at least I knew it was achievable. Up until his entire universe caught fire.

That's why it brings me joy to see him grinning and laughing wildly with my brother. While Cyril was trying to cook something on the stove, he was seated on one of the four barstools that surround the kitchen island.

"I hope you aren't going to burn my house down, Cyril," I said to him.

"I'm not sure if your brain is working right now Lucia, but I'm the best cook out of the Lorenzo siblings."

Although it sounds like a success, it's not really. Mirabel and I had quite a low bar.

"I just have other talents that do not involve cooking."

He and Blaine exchange glances.

"Like that ugly contraption on your couch?"

I turn to face the grey couch and notice my brightly colored blanket draped over the armrest.

It's not unsightly. It's something I made myself, and it resembles the image I was aiming for."

Although it doesn't resemble the photo at all, I won't be giving that to my older brother.

He whispers into his coffee mug, "You should do everyone a favor and throw it in the dumpster."

"Pardon me? I had that reserved for Grandma.

His brows seem to pierce his scalp.

He spoke like a child when he said "Lucia, you are better off giving her a dead squirrel; that thing is horrendous."

"Don't talk to me like that! Blaine compliments him on the lovely blanket.

Blaine utters the words "The blanket is nice" without much conviction.

I scowl at each of them.

"Whatever, Grandma will like it," I said. I beat Cyril to it as he opened his mouth to disparage my blanket once more.

I won't be visiting the pack house today, Blaine. You must take a nap."

"I'm okay," he replies.

"Not at all. You should take a little break and recharge at home. I'm capable of handling it."

"It's too much."

When it came to packing work, Blaine and I were clicking. I persisted in implementing safety protocols, creating training schedules, and maintaining good ties with other packs. Blaine was more focused on the money side of things and punishments. Even though I have a lot of work ahead of me, I can't let Blaine put himself under too much stress.

"I'm going to head over to the pack house right now, and Cyril is going to stay here to make sure you don't follow me," I informed him.

I wanted to give him a quick peck on the cheek, but he grabbed my wrist and put one on my lips instead.

He said, "My Luna," and started to move away from me.

Since Monica De Lombardi, the Blood Moon Pack has been prosperous, but I never imagined we would rise to such heights. Blaine has made our companies a ton of money in the brief period he's been Alpha. Never before have the books looked better.

Running a pack is not an easy task. Money is always tight, there's usually some type of threat, and people don't agree with the leadership. For us, though, this is not the case. Our primary concern is the Nightshades; business is prospering, and the pack has remained devoted to the De Lombardi family as the alpha family.

It still seemed surreal to be sitting at my workstation in the pack house. The space was magnificent, with a lot of mahogany furniture. It appears to be the property of a bygone aristocracy from the nineteenth rather than the twentieth century.

I made an effort to maintain its original roots when I first began to make it my own. Since Kharis De Lombardi's passing, this room has been locked, but when it was delivered to me, everything was immaculately cleaned, and a large desk was topped with a vase of white roses. My heart clenched when I saw that Blaine had cleaned the room. I knew how difficult it must have been for him to clean a place that had formerly been under his mother's control.

It was starting to resemble me a little more. Above the fireplace, I had a portrait of Blaine and myself hung by someone. Though ours is happier, it's comparable to Ronaldo and Dorothy's from Italy. Ours is impassioned, while theirs was just a picture of them looking straight ahead. That's precisely when Blaine and I started marking each other. I'm tilting my neck back to see his gaze as his hand draws me in closer. It's fantastic, and I'm happy that an artist in the audience was able to memorize the image and paint it on a canvas.

I now have a bay window next to the fireplace, and the books I'm reading are scattered there. My office's wide door is right across from where my desk is located. Although most of the photos of my friends and family are hidden by paperwork, I do have some lying about.

It's time for the pack meeting by the time I've gone through all of the stacks and taken care of anything necessary. To be honest, I could have completed it sooner, but I've been wondering about a few things for a while.

Now and then, when I wake up, Blaine hugs me close to his chest. It always happens after a nightmare, but he has never explained to me what exactly happens in these dreams. Though I think it's time to address him, I've waited patiently.

And there's still the other query.

If he wanted to, why wouldn't he accept me as his mate? He said our relationship was nothing like what he felt for my sister, but if that's the case, then why did he send me away?

I'm thinking about these things as I make my way to the meeting place. The pack captains have already calmed the mob down by the time I get there. Although some of them still have strained expressions that fit the mood, the goal of this gathering is to perhaps allay their fears.

I step out onto the somewhat raised platform. My hands felt chilly against the smooth wood, which helped me to center myself.

I Inhale deeply and then exhale.

I cough to clear my throat and make my declaration.

"As you all know, Alpha Blaine was attacked by a Nightshade yesterday," I said.

"I'm here to inform you that he is healing from his injuries and will make a full recovery."

The wonderful news about their alpha's health was announced, and the throng let out a cheer.

"I'm here to reassure you that the Blood Moon Pack will not bow down to these beasts as your Alpha Female. We're going to battle and prevail."

I hear more applause.

"We have strengthened our patrol protocols for your protection. Travel between packs in New York City has been suspended as a result."

I heard a few noises of dissatisfaction.

"While the Nightshades remain a threat, your alpha and I have planned a pack run and barbecue in celebration of our union."

"It will happen in a monitored setting with our security personnel on duty. It will occur during the day because nightshades are only active at night."

Technically, this was unusual. Under a full moon, the alphas usually hosted pack runs, but Blaine and I were not willing to take any chances.

I can take my leave and go home to my mate with just a few more sentences. My thoughts keep returning to the questions I asked before, and I know I'll have to ask Blaine some questions that I might not like the answers to.