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

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As the car moved through the ghost town, mental images from the past overlapped with depressing reality and I saw the colorful facades, and the people who breathed life in this town, just as I remembered it.

At the end of the street on my right, was the building that used to be the heart of this town. It was actually several connected buildings where people would gather, a community center of some sort. There were a number of halls on the main floor that one could reserve for various events, and offices on the upper floor. In front of it is a big open square with a fountain in the middle, and in the back is an open area with benches and picnic areas that had a dedicated spot for a bonfire. We would gather there every evening on weekends, as long as the weather allowed.

There were so many memories in this place… forgotten memories that resurfaced as I saw places that were part of my daily life a long time ago.

I asked Sergio if some of my friends are alive, and he didn't have answers to those questions.

The war was brutal, and they are either dead or they joined one of the newly formed packs. Sergio scowled at the latter, saying that accepting the leadership of someone undeserving is below one's honor, and it counts as treason. I didn't know how to respond to that. Can you betray someone who is considered dead and without an heir?

But I understood that Sergio was close to my father, and I can imagine that Sergio's loyalty will not be common.

As we drove through the town, further, on my left, I caught a glimpse of the building I recognized as my old school. It had an extensive garden and students were responsible for maintaining the orchard full of apples and peaches, and there were vegetables as well. We would sell those on the open market that was held every Saturday in the largest hall of the community center and income was used for school improvements.

Well, it's painfully obvious that no improvements were made to anything in this town for the last decade.

Technically, all those rundown buildings are mine, and I should either figure out a way to revive the place or demolish it in order to remove this gloomy image.

Ah, maybe I was supposed to bring Serina here after fixing up this area, but I was eager to see it and I wanted her by my side. Well, it's too late for regrets now.

I noticed weeds and wildflowers that were growing in the cracks of the pavement. With no people to maintain it, nature was claiming this town for herself. Maybe that's for the best.

I gave Serina's hand a squeeze and the car moved faster, out of the town, and we were surrounded by the forest again.

I took a mental note of the bumps and potholes on the asphalt. This will need repairing unless we get a helicopter to fly in and out of this place. I should get flying lessons or maybe we hire a pilot, like Mitch, but I will prefer fewer staff members.

It didn't take more than a few minutes for us to reach our destination and I heard Serina gasp as the massive building emerged in front of us after a turn.

"This is your home…", Serina said in a small voice.

"It will be ours.", I said and hoped that she will not dismiss it.

She observed the building in front of us with curiosity.

The garden on the right was not a complete jungle. I could see topiary trees sticking among the weeds, and the building that used to impress everyone with its splendor, showed neglect.

I opened the door for Serina and helped her out of the car. We stood in silence for some time, and she patiently waited for me to collect myself and go inside.

I thought that photos prepared me for the desolation in the mansion, but I was wrong.

Whatever they could take, they did. It was completely empty.

Furniture, carpets, paintings, everything was gone, but the hollowest was the eerie silence.

When I thought of home and my childhood, I would imagine my mother and father, but the truth is that this place was always full of people.

We had servants (Sergio explained that those are called Omegas).

Another four families lived in the East Wing of the mansion. Those were Uncle Ricky, Uncle Bazz, cousin Gianni, and cousin Lorenzo. Sergio told me that it's Beta Ricky, Beta Bazz, Gamma Gianni, and Gamma Lorenzo.

Beta Ricky and Gamma Gianni had kids that were much older than I was, and Beta Bazz had a daughter that was five years younger. Due to age gaps, we didn't spend too much time together.

My father would frequently work from home, from the study, and his business associates (or should I call them other werewolves) would come and often stay for a meal as well.

Sergio would visit as well. He lived in one small villa North of here that was surrounded by a fragrant garden. Sergio was a private man, but he would always come when there was a party.

"Are you OK?"

Serina's sweet voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

"Yeah…", I said while shaking off the nostalgia.

"It must be hard to see this in such a dilapidated condition. I can imagine that it was a majestic place.", Serina said. "Don't worry, we will fix it up."

Of course, we will.

"Come on…", Serina urged me. "Show me the rest of this joint, so that we can start planning for renovations."

"What do you want to see first?"

"The important parts. The kitchen.", she said like it's a big deal.

Well, it was. There was always something cooking as the kitchen was never empty.

There was a newer exhaust system set up on the ceiling, and I believed that was part of the renovations the last owner started.

The two stoves with six burners each were just as I remembered them, in the middle of the kitchen, and there was a food prep area next to them.

Other furniture, cabinets, and appliances were missing. Someone did a thorough job in emptying this place.

"This is amazing. It's bigger than the one my father has in his lab.", Serina said while peering into a walk-in freezer that was technically another room but with a thermostat that can go sub-zero.

She looked around the kitchen while nodding. "The tiled floors are in a good condition and only need cleaning. We will refurbish the walls, replace doors and windows, get new cabinets and appliances, and this place will be ready to feed an army."

I was touched by her enthusiasm, and I decided to tease her a bit. "Do you plan to hire an army?"

She shook her head and smiled smugly. "I was only talking about you because you are eating like one."

Ah, I thought of teasing her, but it backfired!

I was dejected. Does she see me as a glutton?

"I didn't know my appetite is a problem."

"I never said it's a problem.", Serina was quick to respond, like she was ready for this. "You are lucky that I'm rich, so if the Eclipse goes under, I will support you and you won't go hungry." She ended with a playful wink.

I wanted to pretend that I'm angry, but I couldn't. When I see her in a good mood, my lips lift into a smile involuntarily.

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