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

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The fact that a werewolf is working for the man Serina calls Duke, reinforced my suspicion that Duke is not human.

I don't want to reveal that to Serina until I have evidence. It would be wrong to raise her hopes only to extinguish them if I was wrong.

If their relationship progresses, I will find a way to do some tests on the boy, and if they break up soon, then it doesn't matter who and what he is.

I can see that Serina is glowing and that's a reflection of her emotions. She is happy. In love.

I wish for her to have a nice and long relationship, but I can already see it turning into another problem. Why can't things be simple?

The problem with a werewolf working for Duke increased the chances of Duke being a werewolf or a shapeshifter.

Sure, Marius told me that the boy smells like a human, but Serina smells like a human also.

I'm not the one to discriminate against other species, but if the boy is a werewolf, I have a pretty good idea how Serina will react.

I remember clearly that she never gave Lazarus a chance because he is a werewolf, and she is not his mate. She was not willing to consider a relationship where her partner would leave her when 'the one' shows up.

In case that Duke is a werewolf (or a shapeshifter), the probability of Serina being his mate is close to nil. I can say this with confidence because he was able to stay away from her.

Werewolves find out who their mate is no later than the age of eighteen, and at that time both Serina and Duke were still in high school. The fact that Duke was in London and keeping his distance from Serina is telling me that she is not his mate. A werewolf is unable to stay away from his (or her) mate, because the pull of the mate bond is strong, and grows stronger in time, like their souls are entwined and getting entangled firmed with every interaction.

That's why many werewolves lose their minds when they are rejected or when they are separated from their mate in some other way.

Ah, what a headache!

I did my best to stop thinking about it until I have some proof one way or another.

I was surprised to hear about the possibility of Serina unlocking another ability. How many abilities can one have?

Glatellia said that Serina has the potential to become a guardian, and that means abilities and strength.

The photo of the whole trellis covered in purple and white blooms left me unsettled.

I told Serina that it could be time manipulation, and as much as messing with time is dangerous, I was more concerned due to the fact that it reminded me of what I can do, but the opposite.

I can take the vitality from creatures in order to feed, and if Serina can do the same in reverse, that would mean she is adding vitality to others, possibly at her own expense.

Nothing in the world is free, it's a constant exchange of matter and energy and if Serina invigorated the plant, it had to come from somewhere.

Serina might be immortal, but that doesn't mean she can't die.

The more I thought about this, the more I didn't like it.

"Serina…", I called when I saw her fidgeting and glancing at the door, a clear sign she was ready to leave. "I want you to promise you will not try to tap into that ability until I finish tests on the plant."

"Alright.", she agreed easily.

I wanted to do a few tests on Serina, but she looked fine, and I didn't want to spook her. She had too much stress lately, starting from the event with the Council and now with this reunion. A few days here or there shouldn't make a difference.

I can see that her aura changed.

Must be because of that brat Duke. He managed to win her over and it seems that Serina is not concerned about him being mortal.

Well, I'm confident she is aware that if being mortal is his only flaw, there are many ways to fix it.

"Is there anything else you wish to share with me before you leave?", I asked.

Serina started shaking her head and then paused. "There is one thing… Two actually."

"Yes?"

"When Marius told me that a werewolf is watching us in the restaurant, at that time I didn't know it was Duke's assistant and I assumed that Duke is in danger so I decided to leave, thinking that the werewolf will follow me. I was in the car, unable to focus on anything in particular and my head was buzzing and then I heard a voice in my head telling me to look the right…"

It was obvious that Serina was concerned about the strange voice. I waited for Serina to finish her story before asking, "If you didn't hear that voice, what would happen?"

Serina shrugged. "I wouldn't see Duke, and we would drive away." Serina's eyes widened when she realized, "Are you telling me that someone sent me a telepathic message?"

It was my turn to shrug. "It sounds like it. To successfully send a message telepathically, other interruptions need to be reduced and that might explain the mental haze you described just before you heard the voice."

Serina's brows were furrowed in concern. "Who would do such a thing?"

"Someone who wanted you to see Duke."

"So… you don't know.", Serina said dejectedly.

I looked at the silly girl. "Serina, I am powerful but not omnipotent. The only things I can guarantee is that I will do my best to keep you safe, and if you go missing I will not stop searching for you. That's why if you plan on eloping, make sure to leave me a note so I know where you are, otherwise, I will be concerned about your safety, and I might flip the world to find you."

Serina smiled at my words.

"While on the topic of safety, that is the second thing I wanted to talk about…" Serina told me about Magdalena Thompson and how she is using her father's connections to chase away girls from Duke. "… Duke knows that Magda is the one who ordered those three to drug me and set me up with that werewolf in Venice… She is the reason why Duke stayed away from me after high school. She threatened him with my scholarship fund…"

This Magdalena sounded like a big pain in the butt.

If it's up to me, I would eliminate the insignificant mortal. An accident is very easy to stage, and no one would know what happened. But this was Serina's fight and me solving her problems wouldn't help her grow.

"What do you want to do about her?", I asked.

"To be honest, I don't care about Magda.", Serina said flatly. "If she doesn't get in my way, I will leave her be, and if she comes after me, I will handle her. However, it's only a matter of time before the news spreads how Seraphina Mezzanotte was seen in the company of Drago Orsini, and based on Magda's history, she will try to eliminate competition. I am concerned that Magda will use her connections to make the Gianshade Industries act against Notte Pharmaceuticals."

I was surprised by her response. The timid Serina would choose to stay lowkey or maybe seek my protection, but she said that she will handle Magda, and she was concerned about the company.

"Don't worry about Notte Pharmaceuticals.", I assured her. "If the Giantshade Industries makes a move to suppress us, they won't be the first ones and definitely not the last. There is a reason why our competitors come and go while Notte Pharmaceuticals stays strong after all this time."

Serina nodded in understanding. "Father, I want to be part of any interaction with the Giantshade industries."

I met Serina's determined gaze and I realized that she bloomed into a splendid woman overnight.

That snotty boy managed to stimulate Serina within twenty-four hours more than I did in three years.

Maybe I'm losing my touch, or maybe she needed the love of a man in order to awaken.

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