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

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​​

I found Lazarus in his room.

He was surprised to see me.

"Do you need help tending to your injuries?", I asked while lifting my hand to point out the fact I'm carrying a box with supplies for first aid.

"No need, this is nothing." He brushed me off.

Lazarus had bruises and swelling, and even his lip was cut. But I saw that he was not bleeding and considering his werewolf healing, he will be fine in no time.

"I wish that you didn't fight with Drago. You didn't forget that he is a human, right? It's a miracle that he was not injured seriously."

Lazarus rubbed his chin. "He doesn't punch like a human. What's with that speed?"

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Drago was always faster and stronger than the others. On top of that, he trained a lot. If he didn't, we would have an ambulance here, or worse. What were you thinking?"

Lazarus wanted to say something, but I saw that he changed his mind and said instead, "I guess you want me to leave. Right?"

Do I want him to leave? That would probably be the best solution, but would it be the right one?

"No. I don't want you to leave."

Lazarus looked at me curiously. "You are not mad about what happened?"

"I am mad.", I responded even though my anger sizzled away while putting icepacks on Duke's bruises.

"I will not apologize."

"I don't expect you to apologize."

Both of them were fight-hungry blockheads and asking them to apologize would not produce any results other than maybe an insincere attempt for a truce. They are not children and I expect them to act like grownups.

Lazarus frowned in confusion. "Then, why are you here?"

"I can't force you to be friends with Drago. But I expect you to be civil. Can you do that?"

Lazarus pressed his lips into a line, and I couldn't believe that he didn't agree.

"Drago is part of my life, Laz. I fell for him on the day we met, eleven years ago. Many things happened between us, but now we have an opportunity to be together and I don't want to miss my chance for happiness because of my insecurities from a long time ago."

Lazarus looked at me intently, as if he was trying to read my mind. Eventually, he spoke, "Are you sure that he will make you happy?"

"I am not.", I responded to what Lazarus frowned. "But I know that if I don't give us a chance, I will regret it."

I didn't want to throw jabs at Lazarus, but I felt that this was overdue, so I continued talking.

"Laz, when we met, I thought that you are a despicable man. Over time, you showed me that I can rely on you. I appreciate everything you did for me and if you ever need help, I will be there in a heartbeat. However, my feelings don't go beyond gratitude and friendship. I can't force it just how I can't ignore the pull I feel toward Drago. I am sorry."

Lazarus's smile was crooked. Probably because of his busted lip.

"Don't be sorry, Serina. No matter what, I will be a man you can rely on. If Drago or anyone else ever bullies you, let me know and I will take care of them."

I regretted that I can't return his feelings, but I was glad that I finally said the words that were stuck in my throat a long time ago. And Lazarus seemed fine with it.

"Thanks, Laz." I meant it.

I pointed at his face. Other than a busted lip, he had a bluish circle around his right eye. "Are you sure you don't need some first aid for that?"

He touched his lips. "It's almost healed. You should worry about the other guy. I gave him quite a beating."

I rolled my eyes dramatically, but he was right.

"I will go and check on him."

"Serina…", Lazarus's call made me halt my steps. "Are you sure it's OK for me to stay?"

I nodded. "You were on this guestlist since I started planning this event and Drago's appearance didn't change that. Besides, we have a lot of meat for tonight. A werewolf's appetite is exactly what we need to finish it up. But no more fighting."

"Yes, ma'am.", Lazarus said jokingly.

…

I found Duke on the sofa, exactly how I left him, shirtless with ice packs on top of him.

Poor guy.

I really wanted to hug him and to kiss all of his aches away, but I had to keep a stern expression because this was serious, and I don't want him to end up in a fistfight with everyone who looks at me in a way he doesn't approve.

It was fine when we were cornered by the muggers, they were coming at us. But Lazarus is my friend, and he wouldn't do anything if Duke ignored him.

"How are you feeling?"

Duke smiled a little. "Better now that you are here. How is the other guy?"

I shook my head helplessly. Lazarus also addressed Duke as 'the other' guy. Why are they acting so childishly?

"The OTHER guy is in a better state than you are."

Duke cocked an eyebrow. "Are you sure?"

He moved his head and an ice pack from his forehead slid down, revealing a perfectly smooth skin without a hint of a bruise, or swelling.

I removed the ice pack from Duke's shoulder and abdomen, to confirm that there are no more bruises.

"You really heal fast."

He smiled smugly. "I told you. Of course, your care and icepacks helped also."

Actually, it made sense. The bruises only started forming and with prompt icing, we stopped them right in their tracks.

"That doesn't justify you jumping into fights carelessly. Laz is fast and strong, and you could end up in a hospital or worse. What if those guys from this morning had a gun?", I scolded him, and I saw that his mood fell. "Duke, I don't know what you do when I'm not around, but I need you to keep in mind that it's the two of us now. If you get hurt, who will take care of me?"

Duke smiled gently and extended his hand toward me. I put my hand in his naturally.

In an instant, his expression changed and he yanked me toward him.

"Ah!", I exclaimed and before I realized what was going on, I was on the sofa with Duke on top of me.

The scent of pine trees mixed with the ocean enveloped me, and his body pressed on mine exactly right, and his lips were only a fraction away from mine… and I was aroused just like someone flipped a switch. Damn!

"I will take care of you, Serina…", Duke murmured. "And I need you to take care of me in return."

I loved that he said it like we are equal.

"How?", I breathed.

He gave me a light kiss on the lips. "Let's start with this." And then he kissed me again.

I opened up to him and returned his kisses while my hands explored the landscape of his back fervently, completely forgetting that I was supposed to be angry at him for getting into a fight with Lazarus.

This incident confirmed that I can't be angry at Duke. No matter what happens, with a smile, a touch, or a kiss, all my defenses are disarmed, and I become clay for him to mold anyway he wants. I am doomed.

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