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

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I was bummed to hear that Marius will not be around for this event.

To be honest, I have no idea why that man is still on my mind. Other than a few mysterious gazes and smirks that were between enchanting and mocking, he never showed any reaction toward me no matter how much I used my feminine charms.

So, why am I still infatuated with him? Maybe it's one of those cases of forbidden fruit and I want to seduce him only to prove my point.

Irresistible darkness surrounds that man, pulling me closer and muddling my mind. I'm probably going crazy. Maybe it's madness that comes with age.

In any case, I should focus on all the delectable men I have around. The ones that are willing. There are plenty of those.

Julian is a fine eye candy, and he was just the right amount of flirty and handsome. The fact that he kept the variety of delicious cocktails coming my way worked in his favor. I estimated that I should keep him for the second day. We will have the scavenger hunt and I will invite him to be my partner. We can get lost in the woods, or maybe between my bedsheets.

When Drago arrived, I went after Serina sneakily, just to make sure I didn't mess up by telling him when and where to come. The guy is absolutely crazy about her, and based on what Serina told me, it's mutual.

It took me only two seconds to feel a pang of jealousy when I saw the way Drago was looking at Serina. There was inexplicable longing and desire like he was facing a precious treasure that can disappear if he breathes the wrong way. Will anyone ever look at me that way?

Serina was frozen for a moment, staring a Drago and I feared that I will get a scolding. But then she got lost in his embrace, and I knew I got it right. She owes me one.

It's not that I'm trying to meddle in her life, but I am her familiar and she told me that familiars help their masters. Other than planning Luca's birthday party, I didn't really do anything for Serina, so I thought that she will appreciate Drago's presence. I was not wrong.

Only when Serina and Drago joined us at the pool I remembered the look Lazarus gave Serina and I realized that having Drago and Lazarus together with Serina might be a problem.

Drago showed amazing resolve in pursuing Serina, and even with his low profile, he is known in London as a guy who doesn't take anyone's nonsense and shouldn't be provoked.

I met Lazarus only today, but he looks like a prideful guy, and I had a feeling that sparks will fly when Lazarus and Drago meet.

Luckily, Serina handled the situation somehow, but my instinct told me that it's not over.

That evening, I saw a bunch of teens and Lazarus shifting into their wolf forms. I'm not sure what got my attention more, eight massive wolves surrounding me or the mental image of naked Lazarus flashing in my mind. His body is perfect, and I wished to touch him, but I held back. There were minors around.

Lazarus's wolf was much larger than the others and I don't think it's just the age. That dark gray wolf emitted domineering aura that made me hold my breath.

Cristina, Violet, and Chiara allowed me to touch their wolves, and only then I realized that Zoe was standing next to me, in her clothes.

"You are not shifting?", I asked Zoe.

She shook her head. "I can't."

I saw that she was troubled. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Zoe shrugged. "There is nothing to talk about. Some of us can shift earlier, some later. I can feel my wolf, so things are fine. I'm just a late bloomer."

"Oh…", I nodded and didn't ask more questions even though I knew there was more to it.

Eight wolves dashed into the forest, and Zoe and I headed to the villa. We went to the kitchen and decided to dive into a bucket of ice cream while waiting for others to return.

"How did you become friends with Serina?", Zoe asked.

I enjoyed hearing that Serina introduced me as her friend. Technically, I am something like her servant or a slave, but she always treated me as a friend. She saved my business and gave me eternal life without asking much in return. I wondered if I will ever get a chance to repay her for everything she did for me.

"We were neighbors about eleven years ago.", I responded.

"Did you go to the same school with Serina and Drago?"

"No. I met her before high school and by the time school started I moved away."

Zoe processed my words for a moment before asking, "How was she as a teenager?"

"Kindhearted.", was the first that came to my mind.

Zoe smiled proudly. "She still is."

We chatted about some random things before the group returned from the forest. They were in their human forms, slightly winded, and fully dressed. Teens were crowding Lazarus and talking over each other, so I didn't understand much of what they said, but I got the parts that they were praising his wolf.

The next morning, other than Serina and Drago going to town, things went per plan. The birthday cake was delivered from the bakery just before we headed to the beach and the staff kept it in the fridge.

On the beach, kids got busy with volleyball and badminton.

Once they were settled with activities, I asked Lazarus, Zoe, and Cristina to help me set up things for the scavenger hunt tonight. I gave them objects and locations where they should be hidden, and it was all done in no time.

Christina and Zoe joined the ongoing badminton tournament, and I took a chance to relax in the sun while Lazarus went for a swim.

It was close to lunch when we returned to the villa, and I noticed all teens halting their steps and exchanging looks that I didn't understand.

"Do we have an Alpha visiting?", Emilio asked me to what I shrugged.

I had no idea what an Alpha is, but no one should be here other than us, Lazarus, Serina, Drago, and the staff.

Serina and Drago went to town, but where was Lazarus?

Kids dashed down the hallway, and I rushed after them only to find myself in the gym and to witness a scene of Drago and Lazarus eyeing each other like they are about to fight.

I wanted to get closer and ask Serina what's going on, guessing that she is the cause of that friction, but Zoe held my hand and gestured to stay put.

My jaw fell on the floor when Drago's and Lazarus's limbs turned into blurs.

Their movements were so quick that I had difficulty following what's going on, and every punch that landed made sounds that gave me goosebumps.

Serina told me that werewolves are stronger and faster than others, but what about Drago? Isn't he human? How can he move like that?

Any of Lazarus's punches should send him to hospital or morgue, yet he just kept going.

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