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

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Aldus and I also believe that behind the fall of the Supreme Alpha are many forces.

There is no proof, but there is no way that the Bluemoon pack was destroyed without the involvement of the Council.

Of course, the official story from the Council is that they didn't want to interfere in the internal strife among werewolves. Aldus told me that there were signs of witches, vampires, and several other creatures acting, but the Council classified them as individual cases, and not an organized movement that would entail the Council to act.

Hypocritical.

Officially, the Council exists to preserve the balance between creatures and to protect the weak ones from extinction.

Due to the number of werewolves, they were the predominant creatures, capable of taking over others, and they were never weak. The Council used this as an excuse to remain passive.

As a result, when the war broke, the Council watched as the mighty society of werewolves crumbled into negligible pieces.

Duke's interest in the matter was obvious. However, I didn't like the idea of Duke poking that hornet's nest.

I knew that if I just tell him to back off, he will think I'm looking down on him.

I asked cautiously, "You plan to investigate who worked against your father?"

"Absolutely.", Duke said confidently. "We can assume that whoever attacked my father, is still out there. When they discover I'm alive, they will come after me and maybe you as well."

He was right. "That's why my father suggested that we keep a low profile for now."

"I don't disagree with that, and I'm aware that your father is working on making me stronger. However, we don't know how long that will last." Duke paused and looked at me seriously. "Serina, I'm keeping a low profile for the last eleven years. No matter how long I stay hidden, they will not disappear, and I don't plan to spend the rest of my life looking over my shoulder. Now that I know what happened, I'm motivated to deal with people who took away my parents from me."

For a moment, I was speechless. I looked at this as a power struggle, a war to topple the Supreme Alpha. I totally neglected the fact that for Duke, this was about him losing his family. It was that simple.

Telling him not to pursue this matter would be heartless.

I couldn't imagine the whirlwind of emotions he was enduring, but I hoped he knew he was not alone.

"As long as you promise to be careful and not do anything reckless, I will help you."

Duke smiled. "And I will help you, Serina. We are together in everything."

The sincerity in his words hit me hard. We had many enemies, known and unknown, and I wished to tie up some loose ends.

"Will you help me?"

"You know I will.", Duke responded without missing a beat. "It seems you have something on your mind. What are we doing?"

"Any problem left unattended can fester and grow. There are a few people who wronged me, and I let them be, thinking that I will deal with them later, or maybe forget about them. The truth is that I can't forget, and postponing my confrontation didn't make anything better."

Duke nodded, understanding where I'm going with this. "Magda is in Sweden, but those three backstabbers who went with you to Venice are in the area."

"There are also my so-called parents.", I said. "But to be honest, I have no idea how to deal with them. They lied to me and treated me poorly in order to have access to my money. They lost those privileges, but that doesn't change the fact they enjoyed two decades on my account."

"If you don't know how to deal with them, leave them for later. Considering their history, if they find out you are back, they will try to latch onto you for money again. Once you find out what you want to do, it will happen.", Duke assured me. "As for Ruby, Adele, and Willow, do you have an idea?"

I had more than just an idea. I wanted them to go to Hell they made me walk through and I wanted them to know that it was me who set them up. "Those three drugged me and left me in the hands of a stranger, knowing that I was in trouble. I want them to know how that feels."

"Alright!", Duke exclaimed enthusiastically. "It seems that today we will do more than just shopping for clothes." He glanced at the plates that still had some food on them. "Let's not waste this."

I was amazed by Duke's unconditional support. He made everything sound easy.

I watched him put a piece of omelet on the fork and just as it was about to reach my lips, the fork flipped, and the food ended in my cleavage.

I had a feeling he did it on purpose.

"What happened with not wasting food?", I asked while reaching to get the mess before it goes deeper. I just showered!

Duke grabbed my hand and looked at me with mischief in his eyes. "Who said it will be wasted?"

He leaned lower and I felt his tongue against my skin as he picked up the omelet.

I thought that he would move away, but he kept on lapping at me as he pushed his face between my breasts.

"I will have you for dessert…", he said cheekily and lifted me up with ease.

My legs automatically wrapped around him.

I love how he can carry me around like I weigh nothing. That's my Duke.

I thought we were heading to the bedroom, but he placed me to sit on the kitchen counter.

Duke's kisses melted my reasoning into mush, and I felt the chilly air on my skin when he undid the bathrobe.

I tugged his sweatpants down with fervent urgency, leaving the t-shirt on because it was not in the way of what I desperately needed.

I couldn't believe that just a minute ago I was thinking about my revenge against Adele, Ruby, and Willow, yet now the only thing on my mind was Duke being sheathed deep inside me.

I shuddered when his erection touched my wet entrance.

He was grinding himself and prodding slightly, without going in, frustrating me to no end.

Yes, yes. Kisses and touches were great, but I needed more.

"Please…", I said breathily while pushing myself further into him.

My butt was on the edge of the counter, and any further I would plop down. That would be an instant mood killer.

Duke smirked. "Please, what?"

I was irritated. He definitely knew what I wanted. Did he want me to talk naughty?

I laced my fingers in his hair and yanked him closer for a kiss which ended with me biting his lower lip.

"Make love to me.", I demanded.

There, I said it.

"How do you want me, Serina?", he continued teasing me.

How do I want him?

'Ride me wildly until I become cross-eyed!', but there was no way I would say that aloud.

"I want you…", my breath hitched. "Any way is fine...", I said and before he could put any more ridiculous demands, I called his name, "Mateo".

I could see his eyes shake for a moment as that word undid him.

A moment later, I felt the pressure and the stretch, and we became one.

The rhythmic movements of his hips were driving me into sweet madness as I clung to him for my dear life.

"Sing for me, love. Let me hear all of your sounds…", Duke murmured close to my ear and I responded with a hearty moan that made him smile against my skin.

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