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

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At the sight of the brunette that came out of the helicopter, Otto and I started our usual spat on who will make his move first. She was undeniably attractive, and I will be damned if I allow Otto to get to her first.

Fynn was unusually quiet. He would usually join in our banter.

His growling was a sign that we should give up, and I couldn't believe that he went to meet them, leaving us behind.

Me fighting with Otto is one thing, but I would be a fool to challenge Fynn.

"What's up with Fynn?", Otto asked.

"He lost his mind over a skirt.", Ari spat.

"You will lose your tongue if you don't control yourself, Ari…", I warned her. "Spreading your legs for Fynn a few times doesn't give you a privileged treatment."

Ari narrowed her eyes at me. "You think he will punish me because of a random woman?"

I shook my head. "Stop pretending that you didn't hear Fynn's warning. This is not about that woman, but about challenging Fynn's authority."

Ari snorted but didn't comment. I hoped that she will behave because we don't want more trouble.

Why was Ari so spiteful? It's understandable that she will stick to a powerful werewolf like Fynn, but he doesn't belong to her. Fynn played with most of the unmated she-wolves in our group, but somehow Ari wants more.

"Why are you here?", I asked Ari. "Did you set up rooms for the pups?"

Ari rolled her eyes and went inside. I couldn't believe that she didn't complete her duties and was idling. Does Ari want Fynn to punish her?

Otto snickered. "I never saw Fynn being so gentlemanly. He kissed her hand!"

I agreed with Otto on this one, Fynn was making an effort. But the woman kept her cool, staying above the situation, like a royal. I would call her snobby if she is not so hot.

The three pups stood between Fynn and the woman, physically separating them, and I wondered how far will Fynn's patience stretch.

"Hello, everyone…", the woman's melodious voice greeted us when they reached us. "My name is Seraphina, and these are Zoe, Luca, and Ash…", she introduced herself and the pups, and I was slightly dazed by her smile. "I hope that you will take good care of them."

"Bert, Otto!", Fynn called. "In my office!"

I walked next to Otto whose eyes didn't leave Seraphina. In moments like these, I missed our mind-link because I would ask him if he was feeling the same thing I did. What was I feeling? I had no idea, but I knew that I wanted to be close to her.

'Trion, are you up?', I called my wolf.

'I'm watching her…', he responded lazily.

'What is she? I don't sense her wolf.'

'She doesn't have one.', Trion responded.

'Then… what is this?'

Trion exhaled in frustration. 'I am your wolf, not a seer. If you kept your mouth shut and open your eyes, maybe you would see beyond your lust.'

I couldn't believe this. Since when is Trion the virtuous one?

We entered Fynn's office (the only office in our dwelling) and I observed the three skinny pups who looked at Fynn, Otto, and me apprehensively. When I was fourteen, I had much more meat on my bones.

The pups sat in chairs with Aldus and Seraphina standing behind them, like guardians.

Fynn spoke to Aldus, "You asked us to provide a home for three pups. Can you give us more information?"

Aldus looked at Seraphina and gave her a small nod before he took a step back. It was obvious that Seraphina was behind these pups coming here.

Seraphina answered, "Zoe, Luca, and Ash are packless, in need of temporary placement. They didn't grow up in a supportive environment and I hope that you can teach them what a werewolf should know."

"Packless?", Fynn asked. "You mean, rogues?"

"We denounced our pack last night.", the pup named Zoe said with haste.

"What pack was that?"

"Dark Walkers.", Zoe said in a small voice, and Otto and I looked at Fynn, wondering if he will blow up.

Dark Walkers is led by so-called-Alpha Enric. Enric was an officer reporting to Fynn in the Bluemoon pack.

Knowing Fynn's explosive nature, I could imagine that this piece of information will get Fynn to reject hosting the pups. After all, when the chaos started eight years ago, Enric didn't help us fight off the rebels. He chose to flee and save his hide.

To my surprise, instead of refusing them, Fynn continued asking questions.

"Why did you denounce your pack?"

The pups were uncomfortable, but those were valid questions. If they committed some crime and their pack members or hunters are after them, they could bring trouble our way.

"Because we want to follow Serina.", Zoe responded.

"You want to follow her?" The surprise in Fynn's voice was obvious.

All three pups nodded, and Zoe said, "She is our Alpha."

Fynn chuckled and looked at Seraphina. "You want me to train them so that they can serve you? What's in it for me?"

Zoe bolted on her feet. "Seraphina doesn't want us to serve her. It is us who hope that you can teach us enough so that we can be useful to her."

The pup named Ash stood up as well. "We will not be a burden. We will do whatever you say, and we only ask that you teach us."

While Ash was talking, the third one stood up and now we were looking at three pups whose eyes were filled with determination.

Seraphina smiled while her gaze moved over the backs of three youngsters. "Zoe, Ash, Luca… can you wait outside, please?"

They turned to her.

"Did we do something wrong?", Zoe asked.

Seraphina smiled and placed her palm on Zoe's shoulder. "No, sweetie. But I want to talk to Mr. Fynn and his associates on a high level and see if this will work before we waste time on details. OK?"

The teenagers nodded reluctantly and walked outside.

Seraphina sat on the chair in the middle and looked Fynn directly in the eyes. "Mr. Fynn…"

"Only Fynn is fine…", he interrupted her.

I couldn't believe that Fynn was smiling when Seraphina was all business-serious.

"Fynn…", she corrected herself. "They are young and impulsive and need guidance. Aldus said that you can help and that is why I brought them here. I hope that you can teach them how to shift and communicate with their wolf. Zoe, Ash, and Luca found themselves in a difficult situation where their seniors are not supporting them, and I decided to help out."

Seraphina's expression became stern as she continued, "I will appreciate if you don't mock their story how I will be their Alpha because that is their way of expressing gratitude for my kindness. As you probably know, I am not a werewolf, and I can't be an Alpha, but I will use their sincerity as a motivation to steer their growth in the right direction. Once they master the skills necessary to survive, they will choose their paths, and that will not be to serve me."

Seraphina paused and her eyebrows shoot up and stayed there until Fynn nodded.

Her voice was so pleasing to my ears that I nodded as well. Honestly, I would nod no matter what she said.

She relaxed and continued talking, "Zoe, Ash, and Luca are malnourished but otherwise healthy. They can help you around this packhouse and I encourage you to keep them busy, as long as it's not something excessive. As for the cost of their keep and any services you provide, I will take care of it. You will not be at loss. Any questions?"

"How often will you come to check on them?", Fynn asked.

Seraphina was visibly confused by this question and I wondered if Fynn can be any more shameless.

After two seconds of silence, Seraphina turned to Aldus.

"We can come anytime you want, Serina.", Aldus responded dotingly and placed his hand on her shoulder.

A low growl escaped Fynn and now we were all looking at him.

Aldus narrowed his eyes at Fynn. "Do you have a problem with me talking to my daughter?"

"Daughter!?", Fynn, Otto, and I exclaimed in unison.

"Is it surprising that I have such an outstanding daughter?"

"I apologize…", Fynn said awkwardly. "It was Dash."

I couldn't believe that Fynn blamed his wolf for that growl.

'She is not a vampire…', Trion chimed into my mind.

'If Aldus says she is, then she is. We will not question it.', I responded.

'Well, at least we know she is not his lover.'

I glanced at Fynn who puffed his chest and his smile widened.

'Fynn didn't care if she was Aldus's lover before, and now it's like he got an invitation to make his move on her.'

'Not necessarily…', Trion shared his thought. 'Lovers come and go, family stays. Fathers are protective of their daughters. The fact that Aldus didn't reveal Seraphina is his daughter shows that he wanted her to handle this on her own. Only when she came to an agreement with Fynn did Aldus expose her identity. That should tell you he is supporting her, but he wants her to face her challenges. Aldus is a father who will protect his daughter.'

Trion's words made sense.

'Since when are you so wise?'

He didn't respond. Maybe I hit a nerve?

"I will keep an eye on Zoe, Luca, and Ash. At this point I can't tell you if that will be over the phone or if I will come in person and how often that will be.", Seraphina responded and turned to Aldus. "We should get them cell phones so that I can reach them anytime, and they can call when they need me."

Aldus agreed. "It will be done today."

Without asking any more questions, Fynn spoke to Otto, "Add the pups to the schedule. Start them with something easy."

I couldn't believe that this got settled already. I expected that Fynn will resist or at least exchange this for some benefits.

Otto already had a plan, "They can join Omegas in cleaning this afternoon. With that, they will familiarize themselves with this place…"

I felt like an extra, and I had to speak up. "Tomorrow morning, I will do drills with them and assess their physical condition."

"Thank you…" Seraphina smiled, and it felt like a spring breeze entered through the closed window.

Fynn stood up. "Lunch will be ready in half an hour, until then I can show you around…"

I couldn't believe how cheesy Fynn was. What's with that grin? But they were leaving the office and I swiftly followed. I don't want them to leave me behind.

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See Aloberto's photo in the comments.

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