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

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I headed back to my room while remembering important points from my talk with Aldus.

"I have no intention of starting a pack.", I said this first. I was clueless about packs, and werewolves, and I didn't want to start something that will end in a disaster. "However, I don't want to leave them on their own either. Will you support me with this?"

To my relief, Aldus responded with a nod before asking, "Do you have a plan?"

"I was hoping to hear what they would like to do."

"Will you approve whatever they want? Or are there some limits?", he asked.

Part of me was ashamed to talk about this. Without Aldus's support, I don't have any money, and thinking of helping others is ridiculous but I knew that the first thing needed was to come up with a goal, and then figure out how to get there.

"I suggest that they focus on education first. I hope they can get their degrees and become self-sufficient…" My voice trailed off when I saw that Aldus was smirking at me. "Is that wrong?"

"No. There is nothing wrong with that. If you are human."

I frowned. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"Humans rush with their education to get a degree, a job, an income, offspring, so that they can enjoy their last few years of life in retirement, knowing that their bloodline is preserved. With us it's different." He gave me a few seconds to process that before continuing, "Those three kids are teenagers with abnormal strength and speed; they can shift into a wolf form, have heightened senses, and don't get sick easily. Another thing that sets them apart from humans is that they don't need to worry about dying in this century or the next one."

He was right. I remembered the confusion in the kid's faces at the mention of school. I exhaled in defeat as Aldus's words confirmed this was over my head. "What do you suggest?"

"I don't suggest anything but I hope that you will think of them as werewolves. Remember what you read about their nature. Loners like Lazarus are rare. Werewolves in general stay with the pack, abide by a strict hierarchy, and will do whatever is needed for the pack to prosper. They value strength and speed. Instead of spending time in the classroom, they will go for jobs that rely on their physical abilities. Degree for them is not worth more than any sheet of paper."

I didn't agree with Aldus on all those points. If Zoe, Luca, and Ash want to be part of a pack, they would not leave it so easily. "Those kids grew up in poor conditions, depending on others to survive, and they were not treated with kindness. I believe that they want to be independent. You said it, they don't need to worry about dying any time soon. Maybe it's not about standard education and a degree, but they should have the drive to become self-sufficient. You can't have fun when you don't know if your stomach will be full tomorrow."

Aldus raised his hands in surrender. "Alright. Let's talk to them in the morning…"

I left the study room after he said those words.

I hoped that my talk with Aldus will clarify things, but it only left me with more questions.

Was I too narrowminded? Everyone has their way of thinking and I don't want to pretend that I know what a teen werewolf might want to do with his (or her) life. The right thing to do is to listen to Aldus and wait until morning.

I was about five steps from the door of my room when I noticed Lazarus standing there.

"If I'm not mistaken, that's my room.", I said cautiously.

"Can we talk?"

He was not the most pleasant company, and I should probably refuse, but he looked at me apprehensively and there was some regret in his eyes, so I responded with a nod.

"Well?", I urged him to start talking. I hoped that he can say what's on his mind quickly and leave.

"How are you doing?"

Lazarus's question surprised me. Did he wait here to check on me?

"Fine, I guess." To be honest, I was not sure myself. Too many things happened, and I was still processing it, but Lazarus was not the person to whom I would open up.

"I hope you know that my intention was to keep you safe.", he said.

I was wondering if he was talking about him trying to prevent me from going to the forest, or Alex killing a young wolf, or Lazarus telling teenagers that I'm not their Luna. Probably all of it.

Was this his way of apologizing? Considering who Lazarus is, this is the closest thing to an apology I could expect. Not that I was expecting one, to begin with.

"Is this you or Alex talking?"

"Both of us.", Lazarus responded without missing a beat.

As much as the images of Alex tearing young werewolf were gruesome, if he didn't step in, I would be the victim. That boy was set on harming me, and Lazarus and Alex saved me. I knew that much.

"I am grateful. To both of you. The events from tonight were graphic and all of us are edgy. It will be better tomorrow."

Lazarus smiled a little and his shoulders relaxed. "What will you do with those kids?"

"I don't know. It doesn't sound right to leave them on their own. I believe they are good kids.", I responded honestly.

"If you need advice from a werewolf, I'm available."

I was not sure if Lazarus said that because he cared for the kids, or because he wanted to improve his image in my eyes. In any case, his offer sounded genuine.

"I will. Thanks."

He rocked on his heels a few times before speaking, "I will see you in the morning. Have a good night."

"Good night, Lazarus…"

..

After putting on my comfy two-piece pajama, I stood by the window and looked into the pitch-black sky.

The thick clouds covered the moon, and the restless wind was announcing the rain. Flash from lighting in the distance, confirmed that the storm was coming.

Frown settled on my face when I remembered that Zoe, Luca, and Ash were supposed to sleep outside tonight.

I pulled the drapes over the windows, hoping that it will block the storm from disturbing my sleep, assuming that I can get any tonight.

It took me some time to settle in the bed.

The room was too dark, the wind was too loud, the sheets were too crisp, the mattress was too soft, the pillows were too fluffy, and I was hot and cold at the same time, knowing that the source of my discomfort are gory images that flashed in front of my closed eyes.

Focusing on the sound of the harsh wind that was picking up didn't help.

I hugged a pillow while trying to suppress memories of our forest adventure.

My stomach churned.

So much blood… The young wolf on the ground with his neck torn… Hearts and livers glistening as they reflected the flames of the nearby fire… The heavy metallic scent… Growls and whimpers…

I clutched the pillow with all my might, wishing for mental relief. I wanted it to stop. I didn't want to think about it.

If only I could sleep off. I knew that things will be better in the morning. But how can I relax?

Unfortunately, the only person who could set my mind at ease was in London. Duke. No matter what happened and how upset I was, he always had the power to dispel my worries with only a few words.

Was he in London? Was I in his heart? Was I on his mind? I wanted to be with Duke. No matter where he was, I wanted to go there. If he could appear instead of this pillow that I was hugging tightly, my world would be at peace. I knew it.

I imagined Duke holding me, telling me that things will be alright, his warmth, his scent… and at some point, I drifted off to sleep.

I took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of pine trees mixed with the ocean.

I was holding onto a firm and warm body. What happened with the pillow?

My head snapped up to see who is the recipient of my hug, but the room was so dark, I could see only a shadow. However, somehow, I knew that was Duke.

Hehe… my dreams allowed me to experience my wish. I'm with Duke!

He gently stroked my cheek with his thumb.

"A rough day?"

My breath hitched at the sound of the same deep voice I heard on the terrace in Paris.

A small chill left behind his thumb told me that my cheek was wet. Was I crying? It seems so.

My lips lifted into a smile. This must be the best dream ever.

I rested my head on his firm chest that moved as he breathed.

His warmth was soothing, and I enjoyed the sound of his heartbeat that was louder than the storm outside.

"It's all fine now.", I responded.

"I am glad."

Duke's arms circled around me and he held me in silence with his nose resting at the top of my head. His hot breath traveled along my scalp, making my hairs stand on ends.

My heart pounded wildly and with every passing second, I was growing restless. I took a deep breath to calm down my nerves, but it didn't work as the scent of pine trees and the ocean entered my system and made me giddy on the inside.

Our position was not decent. My head was on his chest, my arms around him, my hips stuck onto his and my leg was over his thighs, but I didn't want to let go. I could wake up at any moment, and this will be gone.

Why am I still wearing my pajamas? The soft fabric under my palms told me that he is wearing a t-shirt.

Note to self: next time when I dream about Duke in bed with me, there should be less clothes.

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