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

- - -

I woke up with a familiar scent enveloping me and I smiled. It's been a while since I slept this well.

But the body I was hugging felt foreign.

My eyes snapped open, and I stared a Luca. "When did you bulk up like this?"

"What?", he asked drowsily.

I patted his firm pecs with my palm. "You are much bigger than I remember. And warmer also."

Luca chuckled. "You held me like this more than three years ago. Of course, I've grown. Silly. As you establish the connection with your wolf, your body temperature will rise. You will see."

I thought it made sense. "Is that why Fynn, Bert, and Otto mostly go around topless?"

Luca hummed in confirmation before asking, "What's the time?"

"It's still early.", I responded even though I didn't check. But I'm an early riser and the angle of the sun rays seeping into the room confirmed my statement.

"You should go to your room.", Luca grumbled. "Ari is already calling us a couple. What will she say if she sees us like this?"

I exhaled dejectedly. I knew he was right, but… "Don't mention that witch. I don't want her to ruin my morning. Besides, I know that you will never do anything inappropriate."

Luca grinned. "As long as you know."

I hugged him tightly and took a deep breath. "Thank you for letting me sleep here. If I stayed in my room, I would toss and turn through the night. But you are right, I should leave before we give them more gossip material. I want to shower and wear something nice because Serina is coming today."

"Wait!", Luca called. "Let me check the hallway first, to make sure you don't bump into someone."

I shifted to get out of the bed, and Luca moved as well and somehow my hand brushed over his crotch area and I froze.

What was that?

I mean… I know what that was. I saw werewolves shifting from the distance, and more than once, when Ash and I kissed, he would press his hard bulge on me; and in biology lessons, I learned about bodies but… did I just touch it? And not just touch, I think I even gave it a squeeze!

Oh, the Moon Goddess! I just groped my own brother and the fact that Luca was avoiding my gaze told me that he noticed!

What am I thinking? Of course, he noticed!

I felt heat seeping into my cheeks, and I nearly fell off the bed.

"Sorry… sorry… I didn't mean to.", I mumbled while backing away.

"Don't make this awkward. It was an accident.", Luca said, but he was staring at my feet and his red ears told me he was embarrassed.

"Not awkward. Accident.", I repeated robotically and grabbed the doorknob. "I will see you at breakfast."

I dashed out of his room and headed to mine like the Devil himself was chasing me.

In the safety of my room, I leaned on the closed door while patting my chest.

I went to the mirror and looked at my face which was red as a ripe tomato.

Did I just cheat on Ash? No. This was not cheating. How can I cheat with my own brother? And I didn't do it on purpose!

"Don't make this awkward, Zoe. It was an accident.", I repeated Luca's words to myself.

I really didn't want to make it awkward. After all, I grew up with Luca and I saw him naked many times when we went for a swim as kids. And this was my fault. I slept in his bed, and I even touched him… how embarrassing!

Next time, I will listen to Luca and sleep in Ash's bed.

- - -

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

- - -

~ Italy, Genoa ~

It feels like forever since I'm stuck in this study, going through emails.

Just when I think I'm seeing the end of it, more emails pour in. At this rate, I will not do anything more than responding to emails. How did Aldus do it? I really need assistants.

It would be for the best if Zoe and Luca accept my offer, as they can divide work and help each other (and me), but if they don't, I will hire a human.

If I end up with a human as my assistant, I will need to sift through my correspondence and ensure that she (or he) doesn't see things related to creatures, alchemy, or anything else humans shouldn't know about.

I have no idea bout hiring people. Who can help me with this?

A skilled human assistant can probably ease my workload related to Notte Pharmaceutical. That would be a clean-cut which will minimize undesired exposure.

I will prefer it if my future assistant is a creature, but other than Zoe and Luca, I don't have any other candidates.

Mona would do, but she is already managing her spa. Ah! Maybe Mona can help me with hiring people!

I would complete much more work if I'm not getting tired so easily. For the first time in three years, I actually need to sleep.

I suspect that this is a side-effect of me overusing my ability when Duke was shot, but shouldn't I get better by now?

I'm sleeping at least a few hours every night and eating my meals, and I should be fine. This is not normal.

Krob told me that Aldus sealed my ability, is it possible that he sealed more than just the ability?

I will need to check that, but later. I didn't want to try releasing my vitality, feeling that it might cause me more harm, but I confirmed that I can still control air and pheromones, so it's not like I regressed into a human.

I took a mental note to do a round of tests on myself and see what's going on.

I went to the guest bedroom where Duke is.

His condition was still the same and my heart ached. But his vitals were stable so he should wake up anytime now. Anytime. Why is he not waking up?

Maria was there, changing his IV fluids. I wanted to ask her about Duke's prognosis, but I asked her a million times already, and the answer was always the same: "He is stable, and he will wake up when he is ready."

What the hell was he waiting for? An invitation? Maybe I should make him one.

I shook my irritation away, knowing that I'm just mentally and physically exhausted and none of this was Duke's fault. It was mine, and I need to suck it up and fix things.

"I'm going downstairs and will be back on time for dinner, Maria. Don't prepare lunch for me."

"Yes, Miss."

I didn't plan to spend much time at Fynn's place, but after that, I would linger in the lab, and Maria didn't need to know the details.

"If there are any changes with Mr. Orsini's condition, give me a call."

"Of course, Miss."

It was difficult to leave, knowing that Duke is in this condition. I placed a small kiss on Duke's forehead and went to the basement level where the portal is.

Aldus always preferred 'regular' travel methods, but I didn't have the luxury of time on my hands.

There was so much to do, and I was overwhelmed.

---

If you are not reading this at 'W e b n o v e l . c o m', then the content you're reading is stolen! Please support the author by reading this novel from the original source.