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

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Fynn led the way and showed Serina common areas in the packhouse. Otto and Bert were two steps behind them, followed by Zoe, Ash, and Luca. I was at the back.

I observed Fynn fawning over Serina and the way Otto and Bert looked at her and I occasionally checked the gauge for Serina's pheromones. They were normal. What's going on?

Objectively speaking, Serina is an attractive female. I would understand if they want to leave a good impression, or invite her for a drink, but this was... strange.

Fynn and I are not friends. Our relationship is based on mutual benefits.

The werewolves secure lands around Notte Pharmaceuticals and I give them a place to live. We agreed to this because both of us have respect for Damiano, otherwise it would not happen.

Werewolves are territorial and they need ample space to function properly, as they love to run and hunt. My kind doesn't care much about territory, so in exchange for them acting as my security, I let them stay here. Considering what all is made in my lab under the main building, various creatures would be interested in trespassing. Fynn claiming my land as his territory acts as a double deterrent against anyone who would think about attacking Fynn and his crew or intruding into Notte Pharmaceuticals.

I never spent too much time with Fynn, but I'm quite confident that this cordial behavior is not his usual. Confused gazes by several other werewolves we passed by, confirmed that.

At a certain point, I realized that Serina is surrounded by werewolves, yet she was completely calm. I was proud of her.

Serina walked in confident strides, extruding an aura of elegance, and her fluid movements were perfectly matched with her sophisticated demeanor and I could see that her tutors did an amazing job. Signora Durand will get a raise. Etiquette lessons are definitely showing results, and dancing lessons as well.

After lunch, I asked Serina to join me in the lab.

"Zoe, Ash, and Luca will start with their duties.", I reminded Serina. "If we linger, we will be a distraction. We need to let them see this place on their own."

Serina agreed.

"You are leaving?", Zoe asked, and she relaxed when Serina promised that we will return for dinner.

Ash and Luca were not so clingy. Probably because they were used to harsh treatment in their old pack, and here no one gave them a hard time (so far).

Fynn was visibly displeased that Serina was leaving, but he didn't say anything. I'm sure he heard that Serina will return later. I can only imagine the distasteful talks the guys will have in Serina's absence. Werewolves are disgusting.

"Their cell phones will be here in two hours.", I told Serina while we walked toward the main building of Notte Pharmaceuticals. "How long do you plan to stay here?"

"I don't know.", Serina admitted. "I would prefer if I could get a confirmation that Zoe, Ash, and Luca will be treated well."

"Fynn will not break his word." I was confident in this.

"What about others?"

Serina's question surprised me. "What do you mean?"

"During lunch, I noticed some curious gazes and at least one made me uneasy. They might behave in front of us or Fynn, but what will happen when Zoe, Ash, and Luca are on their own?"

I admired her observation skills, and I understood her point, but… "They are not little, and they are not fragile either. By getting part of the work assigned to them, Zoe, Ash, and Luca became members of that community and will be treated as equals. It will be up to them if they will deal with their problems, shrink under them, or ask for help."

Serina was not happy with my response, so I added, "But we can stay longer until you get your answers."

"Thank you. I want them to get phones and I hope to gain their trust enough so that if anyone is mistreating them, they tell me."

I knew that this came from Serina's heart. For many years she suffered in silence by people she recognized as her parents. She didn't have friends or anyone else to turn to as everyone treated her as unworthy… everyone other than the boy she calls Duke. Serina knows what it means to be alone, surrounded by darkness, and she wants to be the light for those three kids. How can I deny her that?

"We will stay as long as you want. Don't worry about it.", I promised.

"Are you sure? Won't you be bored?"

"I will leave the kids to you, and I can keep busy. When you see, you will understand.", I said mysteriously, and I enjoyed the glimmer of curiosity in Serina's eyes. She is easily entertained.

We entered the elevator, and I placed my palm above the floor selection buttons.

Serina's mouth was half-open as runes emerged from the elevator walls and she admired their intricate silvery-golden dance as we descended deeper underground. She was not expecting this. I enjoy surprising her.

The elevator door opened, and I gestured to Serina to get out first.

Serina looked around before asking, "How does this lab compare to the one at home?"

I like that she called it 'home'. "The garden and library are not here. Also, the stock of materials is minimal."

Serina nodded in understanding and then asked, "Can Krob be here?"

I pointed to her left.

"Krob!", Serina exclaimed happily at the sight of a ghoul who emerged from the shadows. I don't think that anyone was ever this happy to see him, and he even smiled a little.

"You won't believe this! There are three teenage werewolves who think I could be their leader!", Serina started chattering excitedly and Krob nodded while listening.

I powered up the computer and started checking my upcoming orders while Serina told Krob what he missed. They formed a habit of Serina telling him what happens during her day. They do that every time Serina comes to the lab to perform alchemy.

"I imagined that Notte Pharmaceuticals will have a massive high-tech laboratory for hundreds of employees.", Serina said when she ended updating Krob on the latest developments.

"That one is above us. This one is mine." I paused and added, "And yours."

"This one is fairly close to home…", Serina mused. "Why have another lab if you can use a portal to move between two locations?"

Her question was on point.

"This one is functional, but there is nothing of real value. You could call this lab a decoy."

"A decoy?", Serina echoed curiously.

"If someone decides to attack me and steal my secrets, they will aim at Notte Pharmaceuticals. In the main lab…", I gestured up, "We are mass-producing products that are diluted versions of what we can create. If someone wants to dig deeper, they will find this lab and believe that they found the real thing. Over the years, there were several attempts to breach in here, but none at our main lab."

Serina nodded in understanding. "So, this decoy is a security feature for the main lab."

I confirmed. "There are several other decoys across the globe which are functional laboratories, just like this one, but if someone gets in and ransacks them, other than being annoyed I will not suffer much. Soon, I will show you where others are and how to access them."

Serina was content with my explanation and didn't press the topic. She saw me looking at the orders and rubbed her hands. "Alright. What are we making now?"

"I want you to think about the moment you froze four werewolves.", I said, catching her by surprise. "How much I know, that was not the first time it happened."

Serina nodded faintly. "It was the second time. The first time was only Lazarus. He was dragging Maria down the hallway and I shouted at him to stop and he froze. At that time, I thought that he was surprised that I caught him, or that I yelled, but after last night I know that it was more than that."

Serina bit her lower lip and her eyes darted randomly, telling me that she was recollecting the events.

"I really don't know.", she said after some time. "There was no fluttering, no unusual energy. In both cases, I didn't like what I saw, and I wanted it to stop. That's it."

"The first time, it was not only Lazarus. Maria was also there.", I reminded her.

Serina nodded in confirmation. "Yes, but only Lazarus froze. Maria moved away from him immediately while he was in a daze."

I smiled a little. "And last night, only werewolves froze. I was able to move, and I didn't feel anything out of the ordinary."

"Did you ask Lazarus about that? I mean, it happened twice to him. Or maybe this power is something that he triggers."

Her ideas sounded silly, but then… freezing werewolves is silly as well.

"I didn't ask Lazarus because he is the last werewolf who would take kindly the fact that someone can control him.", I shared my thoughts with Serina.

Serina frowned. "Do you think he will harm me?"

"I don't know.", I admitted. "There is no such thing as eternal friends or eternal enemies. Keep in mind that werewolves are guided by instincts, and preservation instinct is among the strongest ones."

"What should I do? Should I shout at other werewolves to stop? There is plenty of them outside…", Serina's voice trailed.

I didn't think that's a good idea. If she ends up freezing Fynn and his gang, who knows how they will react once the effect wears off? Messing with Fynn is not wise, but there was another option... "Talk to the kids. We will join them for dinner. Try to stir conversation on that event and ask casually without invoking suspicion. Make sure you are not overheard…"

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