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

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I was genuinely surprised when Seraphina suggested that we go into the forest.

She didn't fall for Lazarus, did she? I mean… I would like that she did, but the experience of Aldus conducting experiments is still painfully etched into my body.

Also, going at it in the forest didn't seem like her style. I assessed her as a girl who needs wining and dining and slowly winning her over with patience, flowers, and sweet-talking. Something seemed off, and I couldn't put my paw on it.

Lazarus didn't imagine it. I also feel the immense pull toward the girl, but other than wishing she was mine, there were no sparks that would confirm she was our mate. It's not that I know how a mate should feel, but I remember stories that when it happens, you just know, and with Seraphina… I didn't.

Repeatedly, I warned Lazarus to stay away, reminding him that Aldus was serious enough to snap our head off, or at least to put us under another round of torture.

To make things worse, Seraphina is not a human girl who will forget (or die) soon, and she didn't look like the type who was into casual relationships.

If my enamored human half makes a move on her and succeeds, we are doomed. Yes, yes, it will be wonderful while it lasts, but I am not into relationships that will end with a vampire extinguishing my soul.

Sure, Seraphina smells nice, and I understand Lazarus's need to get closer, however… Aldus.

She has a nice figure and curves in all the right places, just how Lazarus likes it, but… Aldus.

If we hurt the girl, there will be no place on Earth we can hide because… Aldus.

I'm unable to enjoy thoughts about Seraphina when Aldus makes me shrink in fear. I am not a coward. I can take on a vampire. But Aldus is not just any vampire. He is unusually strong and other than blood-sucking, he has several other powers and many tricks up his sleeve that can make the rest of my existence agonizing and I don't want to go there.

Well, back to the present and our walk through the woods…

I was listening to Lazarus teasing Seraphina and I wanted to interject, but I was offended as Lazarus told me to stay quiet because the only thing I get is to watch. Part of me wanted him to embarrass himself.

'Wait! Wait! Did you just acknowledge that you like her!?', I screamed into Lazarus's mind, but he ignored me.

Actually, it's better this way. She will reject us and we can move on and save our hides.

'No, you didn't! How can you ignore her rejection? You have thick skin. Didn't you understand words that she is NOT interested in a relationship?'

Lazarus ignored me again.

I was about to bite him mentally when it happened… she asked him to shift!

WOOHOO! IT'S ME TIME!

"You want me to shift?", Lazarus asked Seraphina in disbelief.

'Why are you asking? Just shift!', I said impatiently, cursing the fact that Seraphina can't hear me.

'Shut it!', Lazarus spat back at me mentally.

Lazarus didn't want me to take over. He couldn't conceal his thoughts from me.

Lazarus feared that I will scare the girl. Any non-shifters freak out when they see me, but I had a feeling that Seraphina is different. She will accept me, and if she doesn't, it will be for the best because she will stay away from me (and Lazarus) and we get to live without enduring Aldus's punishment.

'Why are you so excited?', Lazarus asked me mentally.

'I'm not excited.', I lied, even though I knew that Lazarus can feel my emotions.

'Let's see how far she is willing to go…', Lazarus said to me teasingly.

'What? No! Don't ruin this for me!', I growled at him.

Uh, I was so close to getting control, and Lazarus shoved me to the side again.

"What's in it for me?", Lazarus asked Seraphina.

I couldn't believe it. 'Do you want her to change her mind?' It was a silly question. Of course, he wanted Seraphina to change her mind.

As I listened to their conversation, my disbelief grew. Wait, what? She agreed to a date!?

We should count our last hours because Aldus will kill us. Slowly.

My displeasure dispersed swiftly because it was ME time!

As Lazarus undressed, he was flaunting his physique. "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?"

'Pay attention to her discomfort, bozo…', I said to Lazarus derisively. 'I would bet my tail-fur that Seraphina never saw a naked man.'

Lazarus was stupefied. How long was it been since he met an unspoiled girl? "Eh? Don't tell me that you really…"

"Can you speak in wolf form?", she asked, and I was happy that the topic shifted to me.

A few questions later, she asked, "Does he have a name?"

"Who?", Lazarus asked obliviously.

"Your wolf.", she clarified.

I snorted. Lazarus always addresses me as 'wolf' and he doesn't bother to use my name. 'Did you forget my name, partner?'

It took him a moment to respond. "Alex."

At least he didn't forget.

'Sorry, Alex. I didn't realize that it was important.', Lazarus spoke to me mentally.

'Well, it is…'

The shifting went effortlessly, like numerous times before, but this time, I was nervous. 'What if she doesn't like me?'

Just as the shifting ended, I inhaled her sweet scent. 'By the Moon Goddess! Her scent is intoxicating!'

'I told you!', Lazarus said smugly.

It was not my first time inhaling it, as I get to feel everything Lazarus does, but my senses are sharper when I'm myself.

I stared at her and she returned my stare. She seemed anxious, like a string on a bow before the archer lets go and I hoped that she will not run away as I grew greedy for her proximity.

'Don't move. You might freak her out…', Lazarus advised me. 'Suppress your aura.'

"Hi, Alex…", Seraphina said breathily, and I was happy that she didn't run away.

She lifted her hand slowly. "Can I touch you?"

'What should I do?'

'Lower your head to indicate you will not attack. No sudden movements.', Lazarus said, and I followed.

It took everything in me to stay still as her fingers moved through my fur. It's been a long time since a human (or someone in human form) touched me.

Seraphina was gentle, yet her hold was firm. It reminded me of mom.

'Sissy! How dare you preach that I should man-up and avoid her? Look at you melting.', Lazarus taunted me because he could feel my emotions.

I snorted mentally. 'You are jealous because she doesn't want to touch you and look at this… ahhh… it feels great!'

"You are beautiful…"

'Did you hear that? Seraphina said I'm beautiful.', I taunted Lazarus back.

'But you can't move because you will scare her away…'

'Want to bet?', I asked smugly.

I rubbed my head against Seraphina's waist, and she giggled and hugged me!

'Eat mud, Lazarus! I got a hug!'

Lazarus didn't respond, but I could feel that he was dejected because I got what he dreamed of.

"Do you want to go for a walk?", Serina asked, pulling me out of my daze.

I opened my eyes and looked into her gray ones that smiled at me.

Close, close!

If this was Lazarus, he would kiss her, but I had a strong feeling that she would not get this close to him.

She is beautiful. Should I lick her? No. Not yet, it's too soon and I don't want to freak her out.

"There is a small meadow nearby. Come on…", she urged me, and I remembered that she wanted us to go for a walk.

I nodded and her smile widened.

'Do you need to rub yourself against her while walking? Give her some space!', Lazarus was sulking.

I snickered internally. He was jealous.

"I wonder what you usually do. Probably running and hunting…", Serina was thinking aloud, and I was content that her thoughts were about me.

She chattered and I enjoyed the sound of her voice.

"Considering your size and the lack of forests, you probably don't come out during the day…"

Her right hand never left the fur on my back. It was nice.

"Here we are…", Serina announced when we reached a small meadow.

The grass was full of wildflowers and it reached her knees.

Seraphina squatted and leveled her enchanting eyes with mine.

The stories say that the Moon Goddess is beautiful, and I wondered if she is prettier than Seraphina.

"How about we catch butterflies?", she asked, and my tail-wagging told her I'm up for the challenge.

"But there is a catch!", she warned. "If you harm a butterfly, you lose."

I tilted my head in confusion. How on Earth am I supposed to catch a butterfly without harming it? But she was already on the move, giggling while running after the white butterflies, and I pranced around her.

Lazarus was saying something about me being whipped, but I ignored him. It's been ages since I was out in daylight purely enjoying.

Other than sulking and taunting me, he couldn't do a thing.

Lazarus's plans for a date after lunch fell apart, while I got a hug and back rubs, and I was playing a game with Seraphina… and the day was still young.

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