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

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I was not sure why Serina picked this location for us to have a picnic. A neighborhood park would do just fine.

She told me that we need to talk, and her serious expression made me assume the worst. Is she going to dump me?

But then she spoke about magic and creatures and how I'm not really human because my father was a werewolf, and she stabbed herself (scaring the shit out of me), and she told me how during Luca's birthday party I was surrounded by werewolves, and I even fought against one.

It was difficult to swallow and if it came from anyone other than Serina, I would probably punch that person in the face.

No matter how crazy her story sounded, I believed her.

Serina looked at me with sincerity and her smile made all the heaviness of the new information much lighter than it should be.

Creatures live among humans, and I am one of them. Well, at least half of me.

In the last decade, I easily subdued all my sparring partners, with the exception of Sergio who could put up resistance, and Lazarus who gave me a decent fight. And when I heard that those two are werewolves, it redefined my understanding of normal.

I was vexed that Serina found out how naïve I was.

I was always either busy to care about all the oddities around me, or I bought half-baked explanations others gave me. I guess I'm the living proof that if a lie is repeated many times, you start believing it… and I believed them.

She challenged me for a race, and I accepted. Not because I wanted to see who is faster, but I welcomed the distraction.

I ran through the forest and Serina kept up with me easily, proving (again) that she is beyond amazing.

She didn't only keep up, but she took the lead, reaching the car first and she gave me a playful wink as she turned to go back to the spot where we set up our picnic. Temptress.

I felt the wind hit my face, and the freedom of not holding back invigorated me or maybe that was the freedom that I experienced after hearing the truth.

I increased my pace until my muscles ached in protest.

"You will need to go faster, my love, if you want to win.", I taunted Serina when I caught up with her.

Her eyes flashed with approval, and she ran faster, and so did I.

We reached the clearing at the same time, and I pulled her down on the blanket with me.

We laid side-by-side, both breathing heavily while laughing.

"It's a tie.", Serina said with glee, obviously pleased with herself. "What about the bet?"

"I will fulfill your wish, and you fulfill mine." I would make all her wishes come true, bet or not.

Serina agreed. "What's your wish?"

I propped myself on the elbow and looked into her enchanting gray eyes. I wondered what should I ask for from her. Nothing. I already have everything. "How about you tell me your wish first?"

"I want you to be mine forever."

Isn't she adorable? I couldn't stop myself, so I gave her a long gentle kiss. I loved that she laced her fingers into my hair.

"You just wasted your wish because you and I are stuck together forever.", I said, and then I kissed her again.

I thought that saying forever was just an expression, but after Serina told me I have at least a few centuries to live and that she is kind of immortal, that word 'forever' took on a more literal meaning.

"Duke…", she called. "Can you close your eyes?"

"Is that another wish?", I teased her, and she pouted in protest.

I closed my eyes.

I felt the wind increasing but I didn't think much about it until she told me to open my eyes.

I gaped in disbelief at the butterflies that swirled around us, like they were trapped in a gentle air-current, to give us a good show. It was magical.

I noticed Serina's smug smile.

"Is this your doing?"

She wiggled her eyebrows. "I can manipulate air."

"Is this draining your energy?"

"No. In this case, I'm not creating or giving anything. I could go for days and not break a sweat."

Her words put me at ease.

"You are amazing. Thank you for showing me all this. Aren't you worried that I would tell someone and jeopardize your safety?"

"I trust you, Duke.", she said without missing a beat. "If you betray me, nothing else would matter because I would lose my will to live."

"Don't say such things.", I reprimanded her as the gut-wrenching feeling of losing her consumed me. "I will never betray you. However, what if someone tricks you into thinking I did, and by the time I find you, it's too late? I just saw you summon all the butterflies from this meadow to dance for us, and before that, you showed me a nasty cut that healed within seconds without a scar. It's reasonable to believe that there are creatures capable of trickery. No matter what you see or hear, never hurt yourself. Promise me."

"Is that your wish?"

"Yes. Promise me.", I demanded.

"Alright. I promise."

I looked at her with worry and I hoped that she doesn't do anything reckless. I fought with Lazarus and I'm not sure if I would defeat him if I gave my best, but what if there are two or three guys like him after us?

If she gets harmed, or for some reason, we split up, I will lose my mind.

I realized one thing. Regardless of how many creatures are among humans and what powers they have, without my wolf, I am just a human and if I want to be by her side, I will need to be much more.

Serina worried if I will see her as unworthy because of who my father was. Silly girl. Who cares who my father was if I'm the unworthy one?

Serina is beautiful, and smart, and kind, and perfect in every way possible, and I'm the one who fears that she will see all my flaws and dump my sorry ass.

"You said that your father waited for me to grow up so that he can do tests.", I reminded her, and she nodded. "When can I get those tests done?"

"I will talk to my father and let you know.", she said, and I noticed that something was off about her mood.

"I thought you would be happy about this."

"I am. But there is a chance that it doesn't work, or maybe it's dangerous. Also, there are no ways to predict how you will change if your wolf awakens."

No matter how I change, I know that Serina will always be my most important person, or nothing will make sense.

"Let's try to think positively about this.", I tried to reassure her. "My first priority is to figure out what's going on with me. Second, to see if your father can fix me. Hopefully, we can reach there, and then we will see what to do next."

Serina responded with a hum and I observed her lack of enthusiasm.

I assumed that she was worried about me, and I was worried also.

In the last few hours, she told me a lot of information that will take some time to sink in.

My mind was a mess and I needed comfort. The sense of belonging that Serina provides me was exactly what my soul craved for.

"Thank you for being by my side.", I said and her expression softened. "At this moment, your presence keeps me sane."

I cradled her in my arms and kissed her gently, soaking in her warmth that came with the lovely scent of jasmine and Japanese wisteria.

Werewolf or not, there is only one Seraphina that took over my everything from the moment we met. Yes, I made a few mistakes along the way, but now we are together, and I will be damned if I ever let go of her.

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