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

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I thought that Duke was taking me on some nature trip, hiking or skiing, but when we crossed the Alps and road signs turned to Italian, I started getting suspicious.

Isn't he supposed to stay outside of Italy's borders?

Well, Mateo Testa should stay away, but Drago Orsini can go anywhere.

The truth was that I didn't care where we went. I was relaxing in the car and holding Duke's hand in mine, and we chatted about anything and everything.

Duke wanted to know more about Zeiroi, and I thought that his jealousy was cute. I told him that Zeiroi is an elf and that I'm teaching him things, but Duke still asked if I think of Zeiroi as handsome.

Silly man. Doesn't he know that in my world, no one is more handsome than him?

The abandoned town was depressing, and I wondered what we were doing there.

I thought it was random, but Duke slowed down the car and I could see the sadness in his eyes as he observed dilapidated buildings.

This confirmed my suspicion that we are driving through the town of his childhood, but I stayed quiet and allowed him to take all this in. We can talk later.

I was not prepared for the sight of the mansion. I saw a few old photos of the Bluemoon pack's packhouse in its full glory, and this was a far cry from it.

Duke told me that someone bought it ten years ago and they started a remodel that was never finished, and the majestic building was abandoned since then.

I held his hand, hoping that it will help him soothe the heartache he felt as we walked through remnants of his old home.

Duke's various expressions spoke volumes about memories he was reliving, and I could imagine that they all came with a dose of sadness over a childhood forever gone that was amplified by the sorry state of everything around us.

I can assume that after Damiano's demise, looters invaded this place, and then the remodel came, and they stripped everything that could be taken away. If anything was left, hooligans finished it off over the years, and nature was making her way inside by wild vines taking over walls and I was confident that a family of rats (or some similar creatures) lives under the wooden floor in one of the bedrooms.

Such a pity.

I was disappointed that we couldn't go to the third floor. I really wanted to see Duke's old bedroom, no matter in what state it is, but I understood Duke's concern about safety.

I will ask Aldus if Krob can go and take some photos for me before construction work starts. Krob is also the perfect person to investigate if there are any secret passages. I hoped that my father will allow him to come out of the lab for this.

I was ecstatic when Duke told me how that old piano was his mother's. Yes, it was dusty and banged up, but it was still there by some miracle, and I wanted to preserve it.

I'm aware that Duke has mixed feelings toward his father, but the memory of his mother is pure and full of love. I hoped that if we can fix up that piano, maybe her spirit visits us while I play an affectionate melody for Duke because I'm confident that she played for him as well.

In my mind, I could see the fire flickering in the fireplace as the music fills the space and Duke's eyes full of love are directed at me. Perfect.

I really liked the idea of celebrating the Winter Solstice.

Holidays, birthdays, all those were things I saw on the television and something other people did, and I never celebrated any of those.

My so-called parents didn't care or were too stingy, and my current family has a different mindset.

Aldus doesn't believe that commemorating one year (or a decade) of anything is important, and Calista loves every holiday, but only because it gives her a reason to party.

However, this will be our beginning, mine and Duke's, and I wanted us to have a reason to celebrate, and adopting traditions Duke's family honored, sounded great.

What can go wrong with a weeklong party filled with food, music, and dancing while we are surrounded by friends and family?

Duke was concerned about the lack of people and the state of the mansion, and I thought that he was silly.

Since when was location important? We can do it at any place, even here.

As for the people, with only the two of us, I would be content, but I still reminded him that there are other people we both hold dear.

Of course, if Duke's wolf awakens, Fynn and his gang will come as well because they are waiting for their young Master to return for more than a decade.

I wanted to tell Duke about Fynn, but Aldus recommended that I don't. For now, at least.

They are all hoping for Mateo's return with the goal that he takes over as the Alpha and without his wolf, Duke can't take that place.

Ash knows not to talk about werewolves with Duke, and even if Ash talks about what's going on in London, he will talk about Drago Orsini, so Fynn and his group will never make the connection.

Fynn and his group would definitely rejoice to hear that Damiano's son is alive, however, no one can predict how they will react to the fact that Duke is still wolfless.

Well, if we don't awaken Duke's wolf, nothing changes. And if we do, Fynn and his group are going to get a wonderful surprise. I can't wait to see that.

Duke said that they went hunting on the morning of the Winter Solstice and I can imagine a hundred werewolves shifting into their wolf form and dashing into the woods in search of their prey.

I was not sure at what point I started thinking about the future that included Duke's wolf, but it happened, and my heart was gripped with the fear of the unknown. So many things could go wrong that I didn't want to think about it, but I had no right of denying Duke knowledge about his past or the possibility of unlocking his full potential.

I enjoyed profusely the wonder and admiration in Duke's expression when I created our personal snowfall.

It took me some time to condense cold enough air from high in the sky and pull it down, but it was all worth it.

Duke held me close and kissed me tenderly and I felt all the love and passion that he poured into every kiss, silently telling me that he was grateful I came here with him.

I really look forward to fixing up this mansion, making it into a home, and celebrating the Winter Solstice, and many other things.

After a long kissing session, I reminded Duke that we should check the dungeon.

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