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

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I was sad that Calista left because we were getting along fine. I knew she had her reasons and maybe this separation was needed for both of us to digest this sudden relationship that was forced on us due to the aunt-niece connection.

I was hoping to go to the lab and start practicing flame control for the alchemic cauldron, but Aldus told me he has some things to settle, and we will not work today.

"Lazarus will be here later, you should get ready and we can work tomorrow."

Get ready? I don't need hours to get ready! But I didn't want to complain. Aldus was busy and I could keep myself busy as well. Relaxing and reflecting on the past few days (or weeks) will do me good as too many things happened.

I decided to spend some time in the sunroom; it's my favorite spot in the villa.

I love how during the day sun hits the mosaic glass at different angles and colors in the space change and sneak between the leaves of plants that are filling the room. The whole sunroom looks like it came from a fairytale.

My mind raced while recollecting recent events.

The crazy rollercoaster started with me confirming that I got my pheromones under control by watching Lazarus shift, and I met Alex.

Next, there was a hike through the forest that was filled with blood and murder, and I met Zoe, Luca, and Ash who said that they want to follow me.

We went to Lazarus's house and I really liked the pergola covered in roses, and our chat made me relax and see him as more as a lustful guy, and then I met Fynn and Otto and Bert and a bunch of other werewolves, and I saw the main facility of Notte Pharmaceuticals and went to London where I attended meetings, an evening party, and I met Mona. And then we rushed home because Calista came for a visit, but she is gone already.

Really. So many things happened! I can't believe that this was only in the last two weeks! Ah, I have so much to tell Krob!

I remembered my chat with Mona. Why didn't she call me yet? Did she forget? Or did she not have an intention of helping me at all?

I met Mona two days ago, yet it seems like weeks passed.

Now that it was just me with plenty of time to think, I realized that I made a mistake. Maybe. What if Mona went to my parents and told them I'm back? Or what if she went to those three girls who left me in the alley after drugging me and taking photos? It's not that they can find me or harm me, but it could become inconvenient.

Ah, if I denied I'm Sanya and if I left, I wouldn't have this problem.

"Hi, Serina…", Lazarus greeted me from the door.

"Oh… Hi, Lazarus…" I was surprised to see him. How long was I lost in my thoughts? Not long, it was before lunchtime.

My eyes fell on the bouquet of red roses and a box of chocolates in his hands.

"These are for you."

"Thanks.", I responded clumsily while accepting his offerings. "I thought you will come in the afternoon."

He smiled awkwardly. "I was eager to see you. I hope it's not a problem."

Oh, God. The poor guy is eagerly waiting for this date, yet I hoped he will forget about it. But I told him that I'm not interested, and that should set things straight, right? Why did I feel guilty?

He was even wearing a stylish shirt and pants, he was definitely overdressed and trying to leave an impression.

"No, it's not a problem.", I responded and gestured for him to sit on the chaise that was next to mine.

He smiled brightly and that only made me feel more guilty.

"How are the kids? I hope Fynn is not giving them a hard time. How was your trip to London?", Lazarus asked, and I was surprised that he listened attentively. It was not just small talk, but he asked for clarifications and commented, and was genuinely interested.

Lazarus offered some insights into the behavior of the three teenage werewolves and answered questions I had. I wanted to talk to Fynn about this, but now that Lazarus clarified my doubts, there was no need for that call.

He explained that Zoe, Luca, and Ash need to go through harsh training in order to temper their bodies and form a solid bond with their wolves, and that keeping them busy with chores is a good way for kids to take it easy. To my surprise, Lazarus approved of the methods Fynn and the guys are using.

His words assured me that leaving Zoe, Luca, and Ash with Fynn was the right decision as I would never think of coming up with a boot-camp training schedule that leaves them only six hours a day to rest, while everything else is filled with activities.

Lazarus's eyes flashed in outrage when I mentioned Henry and Sebastian. I didn't say that they were hitting on me, but I told him that we danced and chatted, and he probably guessed what those guys were up to.

"You should have put those scrawny mortals into their place.", Lazarus said with a frown. "If I was there, I would do it for you."

I didn't get it. "Into their place? What is their place?"

"Way below you, my princess.", Lazarus responded. "They don't deserve to look at your footprints."

I shook my head. "I don't feel that I am above them or above anyone else."

Lazarus didn't approve. "Your lack of hostility is giving them hope that they have a chance."

"I believe that everyone should have a chance, as long as they are respectful. I don't think that relationships can be classified simply as enemies or foes. There are many flavors and if we focus on the positives, we can get along." I saw him frowning, so I quickly added, "If I think about our first interaction, without looking at the positives, we would not be here talking."

He smirked. "What would we be doing?"

I couldn't believe him! He definitely had naughty thoughts! "We? Nothing. You were intimidating and brute, and I would demand from my father to keep you away from me."

Lazarus's face fell. "You can't blame a guy for being attracted."

"No. But I can blame him for how he acts because of that attraction. Maybe those guys wanted to do to me more despicable things than you had on your mind, but they didn't hug me or sniff me or make me uncomfortable. I know that you are not human, but when you are attracted to someone, you should do what they want in order to get them to loosen up and accept you as you gradually reveal who you are."

Lazarus's smile was back on and he hummed in agreement. "That's why I'm taking you on a date."

I was speechless.

Well, I fell into a hole I dug myself.

Why am I forgetting that this guy wants more than just dinner? And why am I forgetting that he is a powerful creature that can transform into a wolf and kill without blinking? And why am I forgetting that he is backed up by centuries of experience?

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