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

- - -

When Serina informed me that she will spend the night in Paris with Treva, I nearly lost it. Doesn\'t she know that it\'s physically painful when we are apart?

It took me ten minutes to pack a few necessities and to set off to Paris.

\'This is all your fault!\', I shouted mentally at my wolf.

\'What did I do?\'

\'If not for your meddling, Serina would do anything in her power to be with me, but now she would rather spend her night on her own than…\'

\'If you accept me, we wouldn\'t argue.\', he interrupted me.

\'Damn you!\', I cursed.

Serina told me to figure out my relationship with my wolf, but there is nothing to figure out.

Related to everything, we either agree or I don\'t care so he can do whatever he wants, but there is one exception. Serina.

He wants her and I\'m not willing to compromise. Not when it comes to Serina.

Yes, technically, it\'s my body, but that\'s not me and just by thinking how he wants to kiss and touch her, my temper explodes. I would rather cut my hands off than let him touch her.

This is not how I imagined my life will turn out after my wolf awakens.

The bastard first took over my body, then harmed Serina, and now he wants her for himself.

Why did I think it would be a power-up where I will be able to suppress werewolves and shift into a wolf?

Sergio told me that it\'s a different personality, and I interpreted that like my personality will change. However, this is more like a second person, and impostor who is trying to take over my body and the woman I love. How can I allow that to happen?

I alighted from the cab and looked at the building in front of me. This is not the first time I came here, and it probably won\'t be the last one.

This place reminds me of Serina\'s status and how much above me she is.

Nearly four years ago I came here with Sergio, looking for Serina because of a daydream that felt so real, I had to pursue it. The housekeeper told me that there is no such a person as Sanya Bogdan here, treating me like I am a peasant who is trying to see the princess. He even pretended not to speak English.

Now that Serina gave me clearance, the old guy is bowing when he sees me and of course... he speaks English.

"Miss Mezzanotte is in the library, and Miss Treva is on the balcony.", Maria told me before asking, "Should I take the suitcase into the bedroom?"

"Yes, please. Thank you, Maria.", I said while giving her my carryon, and I made my way to the library on the second floor.

The apartment is decorated in Victorian style, full of elegant curves and warm red and brown tones that speak of luxury and wealth. Just by looking around, one could imagine that royalty lives here, and since Aldus is a vampire prince, this place suits him perfectly.

I found Serina sitting on the floor, surrounded by several layers of open books. She was completely immersed in whatever she was reading, jumping from one book to another and flipping pages while taking notes, so I leaned on the doorframe and observed her in silence.

\'Mate is beautiful\', my wolf said.

I agreed with him. \'Yes, she is.\'

He was enjoying the view without a word, and if he could be like that all the time, it would be perfect.

Eventually, Serina noticed me.

"Duke? Why are you here?"

If not for her smile, I would think that she doesn\'t approve of my presence.

"I missed you." That was the truth. Serina left that morning and I missed her before she disappeared from my sight and the thought of spending the night without her was agonizing.

She stood up and tiptoed around open books while making her way toward me.

I hummed in pleasure when she embraced me and she lifted her head toward me, silently asking for a kiss I was happy to give her.

One peck on the lips, two, three… and then I felt my wolf wagging his tail in excitement and I grimaced.

\'Why are you here? Do you need to spoil everything?\' I was not comfortable with him peeping on us.

\'Where should I go?\', he asked stupidly. He knew very well what I meant.

"I thought I told you to figure out things with your wolf.", Serina said with a small frown on her pretty face.

Crap. My expression betrayed me.

"He is not listening.", I said, and she rolled her eyes.

I didn\'t want to talk about my wolf, and I gestured toward open books on the floor. "What are you researching?"

"About runes, but most of the good books are in my library in Genoa. I\'m just scraping what I have here while waiting for tomorrow. Come, let me tell you in detail how it went with Vesper…"

Serina held my hand and led the way to the sofa, and then she told me how she negotiated conditions with the witch and the sense that included a crystal ball.

I was intrigued. "Are you saying that the witch can see the past?"

Serina confirmed. "As long as you know time and place, she can cast the spell and see the scene…" Serina\'s voice trailed when she saw that my mood fell. "You were hoping to find out who poisoned your wolf."

She is smart. "Yes. But if she needs to know when and where it happened, it\'s useless."

Serina bobbed her head. "I think it\'s safe to assume it happened in the packhouse, our current home. But let\'s not forget that Vesper shouldn\'t find out about your identity."

Right. That was one more problem.

"So, you are waiting for her call? Why couldn\'t you wait for it at home?", I asked.

"There is a high chance that Vesper will want to see us again. It would be silly to travel back and forth daily. Besides, I told you to take this time and figure out things with your wolf. Did you make any progress?"

I shook my head. "It\'s the same."

Serina looked at me sadly. "I am sorry, Duke. I really hoped that I will be something that connects you and your wolf, yet I ended up being the thing that keeps you at odds. That\'s why I thought it will be useful if we spend some time apart. Without me around, you can focus on your wolf and figure out things."

"Serina", I called seriously. "Without you around, my brain is not working. I need you more than air."

I pulled her into my embrace and relished the feeling of her body pressing against mine. I really miss our intimacy and for the millionth time, I regretted being selfish and power-hungry. If I didn\'t insist on doing the procedure, my wolf wouldn\'t be awake, and I would be able to enjoy my time with Serina.

I almost lost her when my wolf harmed her and she ended up in a coma, and I was devastated when she couldn\'t remember me.

What\'s the point of power if it\'s drawing a wedge between me and the only woman who matters? I would exchange a few days of bliss with Serina for eternity without her.

\'Sounds good to me\', my wolf spoke in a singing voice. \'I will give you a few days with her, and then you submit and let me suppress you.\'

\'Fuck you!\'

This wolf really knows how to get on my nerves.

…

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...

After dinner, Serina and I went to the balcony, to enjoy the view of the Eiffel Tower over a glass of wine.

"Come, join us.", Serina invited Treva.

"I don\'t want to impose and spoil your mood.", Treva responded while nervously glancing at me.

Serina rolled her eyes. "Don\'t worry about it. There is no mood to spoil."

Both ladies looked at me and I nodded in agreement. With my wolf around, there will be nothing that requires privacy.

I couldn\'t believe that Treva is a harpy. Actually, I was not sure what does that mean.

"As a harpy, do you change your shape into a bird?", I asked.

Treva shook her head. "We have wings, but they are made out of light. We are spirits of wind and light. Some high-ranking harpies can transform their legs into talons, but not me."

I saw that she was chatty, so I continued probing. "You have wings?"

"I do. Or it\'s more accurate to say that I did. Without my magic, I can\'t summon them. That\'s why we are here, for Vesper to unlock my magic."

I nodded in understanding. "Can you tell me about the place from where you came?"

Treva glanced at Serina and only after Serina told her that it\'s OK, Treva started talking about portals, volcanoes, floating islands, and many other things I found difficult to imagine, but it was fun to listen, and it helped to pass time.

The best part of all was that Serina and I held hands under the table, with our fingers interlaced.

Every time Serina and I touch, no matter how innocent it is, it gave me hope that we will be alright, no matter what challenge we are facing. Even if that challenge is coming from within me.

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