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

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Vesper closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths before taking Serina's hand between hers.

I observed that Vesper's eyebrows twitched slightly once, twice, and then her face scrunched into an unsightly grimace and tears started pouring from her eyes.

She was crying. And it was an ugly cry.

What kind of ability was that? It was disturbing.

With every passing minute, the witch's sobs were getting louder, and it turned into wails.

It was unpleasant to see and to hear.

Aldus was frowning with concern all over his face, but his eyes were glued to Serina like he was unphased by Vesper's behavior.

Graike was confused, just as I was.

After what seemed like forever, Vesper let go of Serina's hand and she clutched her chest while gasping for air.

"What is it?", Aldus asked impatiently.

Vesper looked at Aldus with an expression I could only describe as grief.

"Heartbreak. Agonizing heartbreak…", Vesper responded and turned to look at Serina. "I never felt anything like this, and I used to do this with people who were being tortured…"

Aldus leaned into his chair and placed a hand over his forehead, covering his eyes.

"What does that mean?", I asked, unable to read between the lines. Her behavior didn't make sense, and her words confused me.

Vesper wiped her wet cheeks with the back of her palm and looked at me. "I can feel other people's emotions."

I flinched. Did she feel my lustful thoughts while I was looking at Serina? I know it was inappropriate, but I couldn't help myself. Serina is absolutely breathtaking, even while lying still and just breathing.

"Even now?", I asked Vesper reluctantly.

"No. I need to physically touch a person and focus."

It was my turn to frown. "You are saying, Serina experienced a heartbreak and that is why she is in this state?"

Vesper nodded in confirmation. "I never felt this amount of grief. She is in a dark place." She turned to Aldus. "You told me that her physical condition is fine. I assume that she doesn't want to wake up. Her body is fine, but her mind shut down as a self-protecting mechanism because she can't handle it."

I refused to accept this. The idea that Serina ended up in this state over some random guy enraged me, and Alex agreed with me. Vesper must be wrong. She is making it up!

"I heard her talk about some guy and that he is about to get married. Why would she be so devastated if one guy is off the market? They were not in a relationship. It doesn't make sense."

"No, it doesn't.", Aldus echoed my words. "Yet here we are. They were not dating, but he was in her heart. The news that he moved on hit her hard."

How could Serina have such a deep connection with someone and stay away from him? She never mentioned any guy.

I hated him. I hated him for having this impact on Serina and for hurting her to this extent. How could anyone pick another woman over Serina? She is perfect. Absolutely perfect. And that man is a jackass and if I ever get my hands on him, I will make him wish he is dead.

'But thanks to him impregnating another woman and getting married, Serina is available…', Alex reminded me. 'This is our chance to be there for Serina and comfort her. Girls like that stuff and she will see that we have a soft side and by treating her well when she needs it the most, the likelihood of her falling for us will increase.'

'I know… but I want her to be ours because we won her over, and not because someone hurt her.'

Alex agreed with me, but… 'It's all fair in love and war. One man's trash will be our treasure.'

'And we will treasure her…', I said to Alex. 'And we will find that guy and make him suffer.'

How dares he treat Serina like trash?

'Drago Orsini. Serina called him Duke.', Alex growled in my head. He was ready to sink his teeth into that ignorant bastard who dared to make Serina cry and summon a tornado. It was a wonderful storm.

No matter what Alex and I plotted, I was still confused and I had to ask Aldus, "This strong reaction happens only with werewolves, when their mate rejects them. She is not a werewolf. Right?"

Aldus's complex expression was between yes and no. What is that supposed to mean?

Graike sneered at me. "Don't be so narrow-minded. There are other creatures that can have soulmates."

His condescending tone rubbed me the wrong way and it added to my irritation. "Yeah? Like who? You can't be talking about promiscuous dragons."

Graike's eyebrow arched. "Don't most shapeshifters have mates? Also, there are beavers, swans, prairie voles, French angelfish, penguins, black vultures, and even cockroaches. Do I need to continue? And besides, you don't need to have a soulmate in order to love with your whole heart. If that guy is her soulmate, he wouldn't be able to move on. Unless he is a complete asshole. She is a gorgeous woman."

I hated that Graike is a smartass, boasting with his knowledge. Does he live in a den full of treasures or in a den full of books?

But I had to agree with Graike. Serina is gorgeous and that guy must be stupid.

"Now what?", Vesper asked while looking at Aldus.

Why was Vesper looking at Aldus like he is the boss of everything? The last time I checked, witches and vampires didn't get along. Actually, witches don't get along with anyone, and Aldus is not getting along with anyone. How can Aldus allow Vesper to get close to Serina? And how did he manage to get Graike here?

I knew that Aldus has connections, but this is the Lord of dragons, for crying at loud!

Graike stood up and gestured toward Serina. "I will take her."

I was sure that my ears malfunctioned. "What?"

"She is beautiful. Just my type. I will take care of her until she wakes up and then I will shower her with gold and fine things. She will forget that guy and fall for me. Everyone wins." He glanced at Aldus. "I keep your daughter, and you can keep that favor I owe you, so you can summon me again."

Well, at least I knew that Graike is here because of some favor. But that was not important. Did he say that he will take Serina with him to the dragon realm?

As Graike was talking, I stood up in slow motion and got into his face. "You want to make her part of your harem?"

"Every woman under my care is special. Since this is Aldus's daughter, I will give her extra care."

"Over my dead body.", I growled.

He grinned. "That can be arranged."

"ENOUGH!", Aldus roared and looked at me and Graike like a parent scolding children. "Why can't you act your age? Serina is not going anywhere with anyone. Vesper, I will arrange a room for you. Graike, Lazarus, you are free to leave."

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