Author's note: this is from Seraphina's point of view

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"I believe that we should head back."

Lazarus's words pulled me out of my thoughts, and I realized that we reached the end of the vineyard.

"Actually, I was hoping that we can continue.", I said and gestured toward the grove.

His eyebrows shoot up as he looked at me doubtfully.

"If I'm not mistaken, you are a werewolf. Are you afraid of a little forest?"

He stifled a laugh and shook his head. "Lead the way, princess."

"Why are you calling me, princess?", I asked as we passed the first row of trees, following a small unkempt trail.

It's not that the word bothered me, but he said it like he is addressing a child and nicknames should be reserved for people who are close. And we are not close.

"You remind me of one.", he responded with a smile and for the first time, his eyes softened, and his usual edge was off.

"Do you know many princesses?", I asked while imagining grand balls and puffy dresses.

Was Lazarus attending those events in a sharp suit? Dancing? Charming the ladies? He is an attractive man with an aura of danger, and I can imagine young ladies swooning over him.

"I've met a few.", he responded ambiguously, and his sly smile told me that his 'met' was more than just shaking hands.

"What are their characteristics that match mine?" I had to ask while wondering what his answer will be. Beautiful? Enchanting? Smart? Courageous? Kind? Righteous?

"Sheltered.", he deadpanned.

My face probably showed shock mixed with outrage because he chuckled.

With every passing step deeper into the woods, my irritation was increasing.

It was not just what he said, but also how Vesper looked down on me, and Aldus always telling me to learn because no matter how much I know, it's never enough… and this 'sheltered' attribute fell in an already full glass of grievances that overspilled. Why is everyone treating me like I am ignorant? Lazarus talks to me like I'm a kid. Why is he trying to win me over if I'm no more than Aldus's adopted daughter, a sheltered princess, someone to make fun of?

I couldn't stop myself from blurting out, "Is that why you brought me chocolates and flowers? Are you attracted to sheltered women, Mr. Lupo?"

We both halted our steps and stared at each other, and I could see the whirlwind of emotions in his dark brown eyes.

"Quite the opposite. I like my women to be more… aware of the reality."

"Are you saying that I'm living in an illusion?"

"No. But there is a certain air of naivety around you, almost like an innocent child who is learning about the world and believes that everyone is good."

I was flabbergasted by his response. Is it written on my forehead that I am clueless? Maybe Aldus was right and I'm not ready to step into the world.

After a brief pause, he added, "That is extremely attractive. The idea of being the one who will show you how the world is like and that people don't have pure intentions... peeling off the innocence while winning your heart... What got my attention first was your sweet scent, and your external features are…"

I raised my hand, to stop him from talking. I've heard enough. More than enough.

My plan was to come to this grove which provides privacy, away from prying eyes, and to lead him on with the hope of him doing something that might scare me, but seeing that Lazarus started listing things he likes about me, I had to stop this charade before it becomes an avalanche I can't escape from.

"Mr. Lupo, I apologize for the misunderstanding, but I am not interested in a romantic relationship."

He smiled a little. "Alright."

His calm response surprised me. "You are not upset?"

He shrugged. "Why would I be? I am glad that we cleared the air between us. You are aware that I am attracted to you, and I am ready to wait for you to change your mind."

My eyes flashed in shock. "What? That's not what I meant."

He leaned closer and craned his neck while looking down at me.

"What did you mean, princess? You said that you are not interested now, but things change given enough time and we have a lot of it. I'm not known for my patience, but you are an extraordinary woman, and I will make an exception."

Alarm bells rang in my mind. Why did my rejection end up like encouragement? Is it already too late to stop the avalanche?

Before I could say anything, he spoke again, "Now that we got that out of the way, are you going to tell me why we are here?"

I took a step back away from Lazarus and swallowed softly. I thought that I had things figured out, but the last few minutes threw me off track.

'Think, Serina. Think!'

"You are a werewolf…", I said and felt like an idiot. We already established what he is. Get to the point, Serina, or he will call you much worse than a sheltered princess. "Will you show me your wolf?"

Lazarus blinked once, twice. "You want me to shift?"

"Yes."

He didn't seem excited about it.

"Why?"

"I never saw a werewolf, so…", I felt ridiculous. Didn't I just prove his point that I am a sheltered princess?

"What's in it for me?"

I thought that he will refuse, or make fun of me, but his question was unexpected, and it took me a moment to respond. "Excuse me?"

"Nothing is free, princess. You want me to do something for you, what will you do for me?"

I frowned. "What do you want?"

"A dinner.", he said without missing a beat, like he knew this was coming.

"Eh?", a silly sound escaped my lips.

He nodded earnestly. "I pick you up, we have a meal, dance and…"

"A date?", I interrupted him. I really didn't want to hear what comes after dancing because I had a feeling that it was not, 'I drop you off home'.

"You can call it as such.", he said and lifted his hands defensively. "I promise that I will not do anything against your will. If at any point you are uncomfortable, we will stop and I will return you home."

This was something I could work with. It's just a meal and I can avoid dancing. Maybe. Can I bring Aldus?

"OK."

My eyes bulged out when he started unbuttoning his shirt. "What are you doing?"

"You want me to shift. My clothes will be ruined, and you will return to the villa either with a large wolf or with a naked man. Your choice."

I exhaled in defeat and turned my back, only to hear him laugh.

"It's a sin not to admire my handsomeness. Look at all these muscles. Why are you acting like you never saw a naked man?", he asked me teasingly. A second later, he spoke again, "Eh? Don't tell me that you really…"

"Can you speak in wolf form?", I interrupted his teasing. Even if I saw hundreds of naked men, I had no interest in seeing Lazarus naked in the middle of the woods.

"Not to you.", he responded. "My wolf and I are like two creatures in one body. We share senses and communicate mentally."

"Even now?"

"Yes. I am in control of the body in human form, and my wolf takes over when I shift."

"So, he is aware of our conversation?"

"Yes."

"Is he telling you what to say?"

Lazarus exhaled heavily. "I wish that I can shut him up sometimes."

I couldn't imagine having a second voice in your head. I guess Lazarus is never lonely. "Does he have a name?"

"Who?"

"Your wolf."

There was a long pause before he answered, "Alex."

The shuffling stopped and I heard Lazarus say, "I'm ready."

I turned around and stared at the stark naked man in front of me. In an instant, my face was on fire and my hands darted to cover my eyes. Damn! That's a lot of muscles! Is my mouth open?

Lazarus burst into a hearty laugh.

"Why did you say that you are ready?", I asked in a squeaky voice.

"I am ready to shift…", he said while catching his breath. "Watch carefully, princess, so you don't miss a thing."

I spread my fingers in time to see Lazarus's dark brown eyes changing into golden. His expression shifted into a grimace as he fell on all four while bones cracked and moved under the skin that was getting covered in fur.

It lasted no more than a few seconds and I was facing a big dark gray wolf whose yellow eyes were directed at me.

He was huge! More than twice the size of Blackie. His head was above my waist level.

"Hi, Alex…", I said under my breath.

Slowly, I lifted my hand toward the big wolf. "Can I touch you?"

Alex lowered his head, silently giving me permission.

He didn't move as I approached him with small steps.

I touched the top of Alex's head, and my hand slipped over his back as my fingers disappeared in his soft dark gray fur that shimmered under golden sun rays which spilled on him through the canopy of trees. From this angle, I was able to notice two light gray patches on his back paws.

Under that layer of silky and rich fur was a powerful animal, packed with muscles that rippled under my touch.

"You are beautiful."

I think Alex liked the compliment because he moved his head and rubbed it against my waist.

I giggled when I saw that Alex's long furry tail was wagging wildly, and I gave him a hug around his neck, inhaling his earthy scent that had a hint of Lazarus's perfume.

Ah, I was missing Blackie, but Alex was adorable as well.

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