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

- - -

I was relieved that Duke didn't probe further into where Aldus was and why I'm taking over the tests related to his wolf.

I decided to tell Duke that Aldus is in eternal sleep, but I needed to figure out the right way to say it. I didn't want to have secrets from Duke, but I didn't want to make him feel guilty about it.

Ah, I also needed to figure out how to tell Duke about my newfound hunger for blood (aka vitality).

I was not sure about the rate at which I should dump all this on him.

As a stress-reliever, I gave Duke a tour of the mansion, and he was interested in the sunroom.

"You said that this is your favorite spot in the house, and now I know why.", Duke said while admiring the mosaics that were made by stained glass. The sun hit the glass panels, making the colors bounce on the floor and plants, and it made the place magical.

Duke turned to me and smiled. "We should have something like this in our house."

"Sure. It should face South so that it maximizes sun exposure.", I said. "We can tell this to the construction guys, and they will come up with something."

"I want the roof to be glass also, but to have the option to be covered. Something motorized...", Duke already had plans for it.

It was late morning when Duke and I stepped into the garden.

Zeiroi's head peeked above a rose bush, and he broke into a smile, obviously happy to see me.

"Miss!", he exclaimed and dashed toward me. He was three steps away from me when… "Ah!", Zeiroi screamed when Duke grabbed him by the back of his shirt and held him up like a chicken.

I had no idea if Zeiroi wanted to hug me, tackle me, or he planned to stop, and I will never find out because Duke mand-handled him.

Zeiroi's legs and arms were flailing in the air, as he was struggling to get out of Duke's grasp.

Duke's expression was getting darker by the second.

Normally, I would enjoy the protectiveness of my Alpha, but this was too much.

"Duke, Duke!", I called with urgency. "This is Zeiroi."

Somehow, Duke's frown deepened. He released Zeiroi who stumbled before getting his bearing.

He looked at Duke with disapproval. "Miss, who is this barbarian?"

I facepalmed. This didn't start well.

"There is no way this guy can live with us.", Duke grumbled with his eyes narrowed at Zeiroi.

"Both of you, stop.", I pleaded, wishing that we can start this over somehow.

"Zeiroi, this is Drago. He is my…", what the heck is Duke to me? "My boyfriend."

Zeiroi's eyebrows rose in slow motion. "I thought that a beautiful woman of your stature will find someone who is more cultured. Does your father approve of him?"

Oh, please, Zeiroi, shut your mouth.

He is always bluntly honest, saying what's on his mind, and normally I like that side of him, but this was not the time.

"Duke didn't know who you are. He thought that you are attacking me.", I said and looked at Duke, hoping that he will confirm my words.

Duke looked at me and cocked an eyebrow. "You said that he is an elf. I imagined a delicate creature with wings and not… this."

"Elves don't have wings.", Zeiroi said matter-of-factly and tilted his head to the side. "Other than our pointy ears, we look like humans."

"I can see that.", Duke grumbled and turned to me again. "He was going to attack you. I won't allow him to live with us."

"I was not going to attack Miss, I wanted to hug her.", Zeiroi deadpanned and I facepalmed again. It would be better if he said he was going to tackle me.

Duke's grim expression directed at Zeiroi told me that convincing Duke to let Zeiroi stay with us won't be easy. Luckily, the mansion is not complete yet, so there is time.

I released a sharp breath. "Alright. This started wrongly. Let's clarify a few points."

I turned to Zeiroi. "Drago is my boyfriend and soon-to-be husband. Only he gets to hug me."

With my peripheral vision, I saw Duke smugly lifting his chin. He likes when I make a point that he will be my husband. How childish. Adorably childish.

Zeiroi pouted. "I was going for a happy-to-see-you hug, there was nothing intimate about it, Miss. I would never cross the line."

"I know, Zeiroi. However, my man is protective of me, and he won't allow other men to get close enough to touch me. Drago was not hostile toward you. He was protecting me. Do you understand?", I spoke like I'm talking to a child. Most of the time, Zeiroi behaves like a child, and I have difficulty seeing him as a grown man.

Zeiroi nodded and I quickly turned to Duke, before Zeiroi blurts out something else that needs fixing.

"Dear, I didn't tell you that Zeiroi spent the last decade in seclusion. He was imprisoned and didn't interact with the outside world, so he is not well versed in what's acceptable among grownups."

Duke's frown eased up a bit and his shoulders relaxed. Good. Progress.

I clung onto Duke's arm and pulled him back toward the villa while telling Zeiroi, "We will talk more, but now we have things to do. I only wanted to check on you. We will see you soon."

I released a breath I was holding the moment Duke and I stepped inside.

Next destination, lab.

We didn't go to the main lab where Krob and my father were. That place was one of Aldus's biggest secrets, and even though I trusted Duke with my life, it was not my secret to share.

We went to the basement of the villa and I gestured to Duke to take a seat while I grabbed equipment for collecting samples.

This lab was full of modern machines, making it look like we stepped into a sci-fi movie.

Duke observed everything with curiosity. "How many labs does your father have?"

I smiled. "I'm not sure even he knows."

"Is this where you do alchemy?"

"No. There is a separate room for that."

"Will you show me your turquoise flames?", Duke continued probing.

For that, we didn't need to go anywhere.

I extended my arm, palm up, and Duke's eyes widened when the bracelet activated, and tiny runes started weaving their way around my wrist. A few seconds later, a fist-sized turquoise flame danced on my palm.

"Wow!", Duke exclaimed. "Just like that?"

I nodded smugly, happy that I impressed him. "Just. Like. That."

He put his hand next to the flame. "It's hot. How much control do you have over this?"

I balled my hand into a fist and the flame disappeared. "Father says that I learn quickly. He estimated that it will take me at least a decade to master the basics, but I did it in less than a year. Probably because the bracelet that was supposed to be a tool in aiding me to manipulate runes, ended up embedding itself into my flesh, so it's part of me and easier to use."

"Will you show me how you perform alchemy?"

"I can show you after I get the first round of samples to be processed. Now, which hand is better for drawing blood. Left or right? I will need a lot…"

He looked at me with a gaze that was full of admiration and approval, and I was happy that I've got to share all this with Duke.

I had no idea what was waiting for us in the future, but somehow I knew, that as long as the two of us are together, everything will be alright.

- - -

[End of Amara – Reunion]

- - -

Note from the author:

I want to thank everyone for sticking around and accompanying Seraphina and Duke on this journey.

Is their story over? Absolutely not!

Their story continues in my next novel: "The Supreme Alpha". Add it to your library today!

Seraphina will find out more about who she was and why she grew up with humans.

Will she find a way to wake up Aldus?

Will Duke awaken his wolf?

How will Seraphina's powers evolve?

You will get answers to all these and much more in "The Supreme Alpha".

Before closing "Amara - Reunion", if you didn't leave a review so far, please kindly do so.

Thank you very much!

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