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

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I was on my way to the airport, to meet with Duke.

For the last four days, Duke was telling me to get ready while giving me bits and pieces of a three days-long vacation he was planning for us, and other than how we are going somewhere warm, with a beach, I didn't know more.

Duke was keeping the mystery alive, and his excitement was contagious.

Since our visit to Duke's old home (aka the packhouse of the Bluemoon pack), the engineers came up with an estimate of the necessary work to fix up the building.

Duke was pleased that only the third floor will need structural work due to poor roof and a few broken windows that allowed rain, wind, and some critters to get inside and cause damage, while the rest of the work on the mansion will be more-less cosmetic.

Luckily, the mansion was built with sturdy materials so it's not so bad and I'm confident that it will be ready for us to move in way before the Winter Solstice.

While engineers inspected the mansion, they noted that some walls are unusually thick, and the structural analysis showed that they are hollow. Those must be secret passages and I can't wait to explore them, the next time when we visit!

Duke was not sure what to do with suggestions related to the basement improvements, so he asked me to handle it, and I delegated that to my father. He loves dealing with underground stuff.

The engineers are working with Aldus as we are gearing up for the construction to officially start.

Duke requested for the heating, plumbing, and electricals to be modernized, and that gave another dose of complexity for engineers because I want to preserve the original charm of the mansion.

I didn't think about the heating, believing that fireplaces (or maybe a portable heater) would be just fine. However, considering how close to the Alps that mansion is, we will need it. Duke was always great at planning and prioritizing what's important, and I admire him for that.

Aldus was not surprised when I told him about Pio and the other werewolves we met. However, he advised us to be wary of them as there is no guarantee that they truly came from the Bluemoon pack (unless we get Fynn or Sergio or someone else who is credible to confirm). But even if we can confirm their origins, that won't prove they don't have hidden motives.

Of course, we will keep an eye on them, and if they are who they are, without malicious intentions, they can stay on the property. If they try something funny, we will deal with them, and if they are working for someone else, we can pretend that we don't notice anything fishy until we capture their employers.

If Pio and his associates don't disturb the construction, that will make them more credible, but it doesn't mean we will trust them.

After all, Damiano had the mind-link, and the power of the Supreme Alpha, yet he was still betrayed. Aldus believes that was the work of someone close to him, otherwise, it wouldn't work because Damiano was protective of Isabella and Mateo.

The more I find out about the world of creatures, the more I remember Aldus's words which sounded like paranoia: "Even if someone is loyal now, it doesn't mean he won't betray you if the conditions are right. Secrets keep us safe. Don't trust anyone."

At that time, I didn't believe him. But I changed my mind after I brushed shoulders with dangers several times; like harpies scheming to keep me, and Graike wanting to marry me, and three hooded guys trying to kidnap me.

Now I have people I cherish, and I want to keep them safe.

I can't be reckless. If anything happens to me, my loved ones will come to my rescue and put themselves in danger.

I can relax completely when I'm with Aldus, or with Duke. The two of them have my trust.

Calista is not in that trustworthy group. Since she used my secrets to blackmail me in front of Duke, she lost her privileges and I'm wary of her.

Actually, in terms of knowing my abilities, Aldus is at the top.

Without hesitation, I would put myself in danger in order to protect Duke, but there are a few things I'm keeping from him like my ability with pheromones and the werewolf-mate thing.

While on the topic of Aldus and Duke, the two of them worked behind my back related to this vacation.

Duke notified my father about our itinerary, and Aldus approved that we can go without escort.

I asked if we could have at least Krob with us, but Aldus refused.

Aldus reminded me that Krob is a ghoul, and he is suppressing his urge to go on a feeding rampage (aka sucking out souls) only because Aldus is keeping him in check.

"There is a reason why there are not many ghouls around.", Aldus said sternly. "They give in to their cravings and slaughter a town or two, but then creature hunters get to them..."

It's not that I don't believe Aldus, but Krob is sweet and caring, and… yeah, something is wrong with me if I think that ghoul with soul-sucking cravings is sweet and caring but I can't help it. I'm having fun with Krob, and he is a good listener. He likes soft and fluffy things and when he collects right plants for me from the garden swiftly, I let him touch my hair.

Back to the present…

I met with Duke in the private lounge at the airport and his big smile brightened my day.

He walked to me and greeted me with one of those move-like kisses while bending me backward.

He can be sweet to the point of cringing sometimes, but I don't hate it.

"When will I find out where you are taking me?", I asked breathily.

"When we reach there."

I puffed my cheeks in protest. How come Aldus knows where we are going, and I don't?

Aldus even arranged an untraceable private jet that will take us to our mysterious destination.

Duke and I spent most of the plane ride meditating.

Meditations are part of Duke's preparations for awakening his wolf, and I'm happy to guide him. It enables us to spend time together and I believe that it strengthens our relationship.

Sitting next to each other without touching is a new experience for both of us, but we are doing our best to not shed our clothes. It's hard.

If someone told me a few months ago that I will love Duke more with each passing day, I would say that's impossible, yet here I am, with Duke, loving him more than yesterday, and even though I believe that my love-meter is maxed out and it can't go higher, I know that I will love him more tomorrow. He is amazing like that.

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