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

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The setup at the pool was party-ready.

There were various snacks and fruits, and the staff moved stealthily while ensuring that the serving trays never go empty and all beverages were iced.

Mona hired a local bartender, Julien, to prepare cocktails per order.

Normally, sixteen and seventeen year-olds shouldn't drink alcohol, but these are werewolves, and their metabolism burns alcohol before it impacts their behavior, so it was fine. They are drinking at Fynn's place and in their packs anyway, so it would be ridiculous to ban them alcohol now that they came for a party.

As part of the job, Julien would come in the afternoon and stay until evening in the cabana next to the pool, wearing only his swimming trunks as a uniform. Mona said that his beverage-mixing skills are amazing, but the moment he showed up, Mona mostly spoke about his chocolate-colored skin, so I suspected that she hired him for his abs and that would explain her ridiculous demand that he wears swimming trunks while working.

Ah, Mona.

I had to ask, "Aren't you interested in Marius?"

"Absolutely!", she responded without missing a beat. "But I'm not going to stay thirsty just because my preferred oasis is three days away."

I was flabbergasted by her response.

Again, my inexperience was showing. I couldn't help but wonder if my lack of interest in other men is because I didn't go with a guy all the way, so I don't know how good it feels, or because of Duke. Since I met him, none of the guys compares.

Lazarus was stealing glances at me not-so-secretively and I became aware that I'm wearing a green string bikini and a sheer cover that doesn't hide anything. Luckily, Mona's presence and the lively mood at the pool helped as a distraction.

Boys were competing in the most creative ways to jump into the water, while girls cheered and gave them scores. They even dragged Lazarus to compete with them.

Mona gawked at Lazarus's chiseled body for some time.

"And you said 'no' to that?", Mona asked me in a whisper, and I knew that she was talking about Lazarus.

I really-really hoped his werewolf hearing didn't pick that up.

I rolled my eyes, without an intention to talk about Lazarus's body. Yes, he is handsome and hot, but… he is not Duke.

"What happened with the hot bartender?", I asked in an attempt to divert the topic.

Mona grimaced mockingly. "What would you like to drink? I will get it for you."

I laughed.

I closed my eyes and smiled while listening to the clamor of kids having fun.

After two weeks of torturous practicing with Aldus, doing nothing in the sun was just what I needed.

I peeked occasionally to see if Luca is participating because this was all for him and it would suck if he was not enjoying, but it seems that the overall mood rubbed on him as well because he was competing with Ash who can swim faster.

Zoe was in her element. She is a bubbly girl and I can't imagine her not getting along with anyone.

Out of the three werewolves who are under my care, Zoe is the most talkative one and we are quite close. I remember her being vexed that she can't talk to her wolf yet. Now that I look at her, I would never think that she has a care in the world.

Ash is a typical teenager, enjoying life and not missing any fun, just like now. He is quite competitive and makes a point when he wins.

Luca is the quiet one. He doesn't share what's on his mind, but I know that he is a kindhearted boy who puts his sister first, always.

All three of them are exceptional and I hope that my presence in their lives is not dragging them down. After all, I have no idea about werewolves, and we have different standards of what's acceptable.

At their age, I was in high school. It made me wonder how my life would turn out if I had such friends and parties.

Seventeen years old. I remember that birthday. It was on a Sunday. I was at home, in my room, alone. There were no cakes, no treats, no guests, no wishes… I went down for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and my parents either forgot that it was my birthday or didn't care about it.

The next day, Duke came to class with a cupcake and a dazzling smile on his face.

"Happy birthday, Sanya."

I looked at him like he was speaking in a foreign language and then I stared at the cupcake like I never saw one before. But then I remembered that he did the same thing the previous year also. Somehow, Duke knew that it was my birthday, and he made sure I know that he always thought about me.

How come I didn't see it then? How is it possible that I believed we are just friends and he never thought of me otherwise? I was such a fool.

"I've got you a margarita. This one is with lime…", Mona's words pulled me out of my thoughts. "What's with the sulky face. You don't like lime? Should I get you another one?"

Mona was looking for every opportunity to go to the cabana and get more drinks so that she has a reason to talk to Julian and based on Mona's red cheeks I could see that the alcohol was getting to her.

"Sure. Get me a cocktail that gets served inside a coconut. I always wanted one of those. And leave that margarita here.", I said, and Mona gave me a thumbs up before sauntering toward the cabana with an exaggerated sway in her hips. She is a hopeless case, but I like her cheeky attitude.

It took a while for that coconut drink to arrive.

I was contemplating going to my room and practicing my ability, but I decided against it. These are a few days of rest and resting I shall do.

Lazarus joined on the lounging chair next to me, but it was only for two minutes before kids called him to be the referee as they set up a net to play water volleyball in a game of guys vs gals. Normally, a referee isn't needed in a friendly game, but these are werewolves, and their tempers flare easily, so yes… a referee that can subdue them IS necessary.

Without me noticing, the sun was dipping lower.

Mona glanced at her phone and turned to me. "Someone is at the door. You should get it."

I narrowed my eyes at her and saw her tilting her head toward the villa, urging me to go.

"Why can't the maids get it? Did you order another present? Is it a cake? Or is it one of those sound machines I didn't approve of?", I started guessing.

Mona rolled her eyes. "Go and see."

I groaned in frustration, stood up, and wrapped a sheer scarf around my waist, pretending that it can hide my body in a false sense of modesty.

Mona picked swimwear for everyone, different for each day. She really took care of all details.

Just as Mona said, there was someone at the door.

I opened the door and paused at the sight of an unsuspected figure in front of me.

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