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

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~ London ~

At the Eclipse HQ building…

The last few days gave me a lot to think about. Mostly good things, related to my future with Serina, and a few uncertainties.

I knew that I wanted to finish remodel of my former home before we attempt to awaken my wolf. It's not that I plan to die, but just in case, IF something goes wrong, I don't want to leave Serina with an ongoing project. She already has a lot on her hands and if anything happens to me, that mansion will be a piece of me I left behind for her.

Aldus helped me find reliable engineers and they are currently inspecting the mansion. I expect a detailed report within a few days, and then we will see what all needs fixing. I'm already aware of the roof which gave in, but there is probably more.

These same engineers will suggest improvements.

Aldus assured me that they know what they are doing, and that discretion is guaranteed.

I can assume that the improvements he mentioned will be underground. Serina told me that under each of Aldus's properties is a maze of tunnels, laboratories, and many other things I will find out in time. I'm not sure I want to know.

Aldus will probably set up one of his portals. I never used one, but Serina told me that they provide instant travel. Sounds like it came out of a science fiction movie, but in the last few weeks I've heard and seen all kinds of stuff, so I will trust her on this one.

To be honest, my needs are simple. Other than the bedroom and a few necessities like the fast-speed internet, a dedicated office room, a gym, and a garage, they can do with the space whatever they want.

After must-have things are done, I will let Serina pick the materials and colors and we will tackle the renovation one room at a time.

I can see myself and Serina, both with rollers, painting the walls… I will tease her, and she will splash paint on me… I will pretend to be angry and chase her, and we will end up discarding our clothes and forget about painting for the rest of that day.

Pio and other werewolves didn't cause any problems so far, and they didn't report any intruders either.

Serina believes that if we play this right, we will get free werewolf-manned security. Serina told me that she will handle them and considering the high chances of some of them recognizing me, I decided to let her have that one.

I'm smiling like a fool while imagining us in the master bedroom that used to belong to my parents.

I want a massive bed, big enough to fit six people. That's where Serina and I will explore all positions described in the Kama Sutra, and probably invent some of our own as well.

I can see us having breakfast on the balcony that is facing North, overseeing the garden below, and the forest and the mountains in the distance. Serina will sip freshly brewed coffee while wearing nothing but a bathrobe, and her dainty feet will be up on the intricate metallic rail, high enough to expose her glorious legs for my visual pleasure.

I will definitely get the latest fixtures in the bathroom; a jacuzzi tub and an oversized shower with a sitting area that we will use in many ways which will utilize her flexible body.

The walk-in closet will have a chaise for us to sit while dressing up, and for Serina to bend over after I undress her.

And once we get dressed (eventually), I will go to my office to work. When Serina brings me coffee, later in the morning, we will end up making love on my desk. I will make sure it's a sturdy one so that it can handle all the positions that are on my mind.

Ah, I have so many plans!

I was surprised to see Sergio standing in front of me. Did he knock?

His presence pulled me out of my fantasies, and I realized that I'm in London, at work. Pity.

"You called me to come.", Sergio said, and I nodded when I remembered that he was right.

I observed Sergio as he plopped on the sofa. He looked… deflated.

Actually, as of recently, he is not in good spirits and it's getting worse by the day. "Are you OK, Serge?"

He shrugged like he has no idea what I'm talking about. "Yeah, why?"

"I know you since I was born, and in the last eleven years, we spent a lot of time together.", I reminded him. "I can see that something is off. You lost weight and recently you are not yourself. I don't want to pry, but I am worried. Are you sick or in some kind of trouble?"

Sergio rubbed his forehead forcibly and exhaled. "Thank you for your concern, but I will manage."

I was not so sure. For a guy who only thought about food and partying to neglect eating and stop going to nightclubs, it sounded serious.

Maybe this required a more direct approach.

"Serge, you look like shit."

He cocked an eyebrow at me. "And you look like a daisy. I will appreciate it if you don't poke your nose where it doesn't belong."

I decided to give up. Sergio is a grownup and if he doesn't want to talk about it, I can't force him.

"When you are ready to talk and maybe ask for help with whatever you got yourself into, I'm available." He might be an ass, but we are together for a long time, and I can't just watch him become a shadow of what he used to be.

"Is that why you called me here?", Sergio asked curtly.

"No.", I responded. "I want you to tell me about the relationship between you and your wolf."

Sergio glanced at the door, to ensure they are closed so that Greg doesn't overhear us. "I thought that we already spoke about how werewolves are different."

Yes, we did, but… "I need more details."

Sergio frowned. "What kind of details? Why? Is it related to those tests Aldus is doing?"

I didn't deny it. "He is doing tests and believes that we have a chance to awaken my wolf."

"What are the risks?"

I shrugged and hoped that he won't see through my lie. "I don't know."

Aldus told me that I might end up disabled or dead, but I didn't want to talk about it with Sergio. Not yet. "Aldus is doing research and my task is to get ready in case he finds a viable solution to my problem."

"And part of your preparations is to find out about my wolf?", Sergio asked with disapproval.

"Not your wolf. Any wolf, but it's not like I can go around and talk to just anyone.", I said while trying to control my temper.

I thought that after clarifying the big mystery of how my father was a werewolf, Sergio will be more open to discussing werewolf-related topics, but he still shows unreasonable resistance occasionally.

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