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

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After Ash and Luca went to their rooms, Lazarus joined me in the study.

"What do you think I should do with Ash and Luca?", I asked.

Lazarus cocked an eyebrow. "Why don't you ask your finance wizard?"

I rolled my eyes at his childish behavior. "Because I'm asking you. They are werewolves and just like many times before, I thought that you might be the right person to give me insights into how to handle this but if you don't want to help, just say so instead of wasting my time."

"Fine, fine.", Lazarus said quickly. "Let them run ten laps or twenty in human form. Exercise kills the energy to fight."

"I don't think that just running will help here."

Lazarus looked at me questionably. I didn't want to reveal all the details of what Cristina told me, but he needed to know what the problem was. Besides, some things were obvious.

"Ash and Zoe are dating, and Luca doesn't approve."

Lazarus nodded, not surprised by what I said. "It's a love triangle."

I was not sure he got it, so I reminded him, "Luca and Zoe are half-siblings."

Lazarus shrugged. "That doesn't matter. Creatures like us are territorial. We like to claim things as ours and we tend to protect those things so that others can't touch them. It could be a piece of land, or a lover, or a sibling, or a friend."

He gave me a knowing look and I had a feeling that he was talking about me and him also. I didn't know if he put me in the lover or in the friend category, but I didn't want to ask for clarification.

"You are saying that Luca is territorial about Zoe.", I voiced my thoughts.

Lazarus confirmed.

"So, how do I deal with this?"

"You don't.", Lazarus said bluntly. "How much I know, Zoe wants to be with Ash. If Ash thinks that Zoe should be his, he will not give up, and if Luca is protective of his sister, he won't tolerate Ash or anyone else being with her."

Lazarus probably noticed my mood dropping, so he explained, "Don't worry. That's common for werewolves. Usually, when mates recognize each other, the girl moves in with the guy right away leaving her family behind, because the bond urges them to be together and to express themselves physically. As you might guess, the girl's family won't accept a new man in her life who is all over her. Of course, later, things will settle, and they can communicate without erupting into a fight."

"I see…", I mumbled. "But Zoe and Ash are not mates. I mean… none of them confirmed it."

"That doesn't mean there is no attraction between them. And regardless of if those two are mates or not, Luca will not accept Ash getting his hands on Zoe. This is not about Luca seeing Ash as unworthy, but about Zoe being too precious." Lazarus tilted his head and smirked. "You never saw freshly mated werewolves, right?"

I shook my head, indicating that I didn't.

Lazarus chuckled. "It's like a lecherous couple got a triple dose of aphrodisiac. Any touch, no matter how innocent, sends sparks through the bodies and gets them aroused if the scent alone is not enough. They can't get enough of each other and staying away is physically painful." He leaned closer and smirked. "The only thing worse than that is when a female goes into heat. The pheromones stimulate her arousal that spreads all over the place, indicating that she is ready for carnal pleasures and to have pups. Any wolf in the vicinity will go crazy with the desire to get deep inside her, sometimes even blood relatives are not spared. You know, that's why in ancient times only Alphas could have offspring; they would fight over the female in heat, and the last guy standing gets to spread his seed and since Alpha of the pack is the strongest one, he gets to do the honors while others can just watch." He chuckled while observing my face that was close to combusting. I thought that he was done talking, but he had to add, "The she-wolf in heat doesn't care if anyone is watching as long as she can get what her body needs."

I was irked that he was talking nonsense instead of focusing on my dilemma related to Ash and Luca. Was he trying to make me uncomfortable? Well, he succeeded.

"For a guy who never met his mate, you know a lot."

Lazarus's smirk stiffened. "I heard a thing or two."

I let out a long exhale. I'm not here to argue with him. "Are you sure there is nothing I can do about Luca and Ash? The three of them grew up together and they are close to finishing high school. It would be such a pity to mess this up because both of them are territorial about Zoe."

"Why do you want to do something about Luca and Ash? How I see it, Zoe is the problem. You can send her to another pack. You were planning to let them travel and familiarize themselves with the human world and other creatures. Once one of them is ready to set off, you can bring Zoe back to Fynn's place, if she is not the one leaving and if she wants to return."

He was right. If not for Zoe, Luca and Ash would not fight. But how can I send Zoe away? How can I send any of them away?

Over the last three years, Lazarus helped me understand various situations from the point of a werewolf. His insights were priceless for deciding what's the best thing to do. And he did it again.

"Thanks, Laz."

He smiled in response and didn't try to hold me back as I left the study. "Good night, Serina."

I made my way toward my bedroom, upset that I had no idea what to do about the incident.

Should I send them home? It didn't sound right. But staying here without disciplining the hot-blooded teenagers didn't sound right either and I had no idea how to punish them.

I wished that I was more attentive. How come I missed the signs? If I paid attention, I would notice Luca's protectiveness.

I don't have siblings, but I know the feeling of wanting to shield your loved ones from harm.

Ash and Zoe are dating for some time, and I saw them hold hands. I don't remember if Luca showed any reaction. He probably did. Based on what Cristina told me, Luca saw Ash and Zoe in a compromising situation that is beyond holding hands, and that made him explode into rage.

Maybe I should call Aldus and ask for advice. I find it funny how Aldus was against me taking in Zoe, Luca, and Ash, yet whenever I needed something, Aldus helped me without rubbing it in how I got in over my head. Aldus is a much better parent figure than I am.

It's late, and if I call Aldus now he will panic, so it's better to wait for the morning. I gave kids timeout until breakfast anyway.

I entered the bedroom and heard the sound of the shower.

Duke.

My cheeks heated in an instant while imagining his naked glory right behind that door, surrounded with steam... droplets of water sliding down his delicious body… I could offer to wash his back, and then his front.

God! Something is definitely wrong with me!

Why was I thinking about breaking into that bathroom and pouncing on Duke?

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