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

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I guessed that Duke wouldn't bring up his werewolf-related talk with Ash and Sergio if it was not significant. "I assume that you found out something important."

Duke confirmed. "Wolf gives us sharpened senses, strength, and speed, but it's also like a second person, living in the same body. When in human form, human is in charge while wolf-part is like an advisor. When they change into wolf form, the animal comes to the forefront while human-part is observing what's going on and the level of how much human can impact wolf's behavior varies greatly from one werewolf to another. Ash and Sergio also told me that their wolves are intelligent, but mostly driven by instincts that sometimes can't be explained."

Duke licked his lips, and I knew that whatever he wanted to say, is coming, and I should brace myself.

"Wolf has senses which allow him to feel the energies that human is not aware of. And that is why when a werewolf meets his soulmate, the wolf is the one to call it out."

My heart dropped to the bottom of my stomach when I realized Duke was talking about mates, and I bolted into a seated position.

As much as I dreaded this, Duke looked at me lovingly, a gentle smile never disappearing from his face.

"You see, Serina, the wolf part of a werewolf is not responsible for the mate bond. The wolf only identifies who the mate is, before human can. The mate bond is determined long before the wolf's presence can be sensed and if one is in tune with himself, he could identify his mate without his wolf. Normally, when a werewolf reaches the age of eighteen years old, his wolf matures and that power amplifies senses of the human side as well, and that's how they can feel the effects of the bond."

I was processing Duke's words and my temples throbbed in anxiety. Nothing he said was false, but why did it sound like he figured something out and he was soothing me before delivering a fatal blow? Is this vacation a parting gift before he tells me that we should split up?

"What are you trying to say?" All strength left me, and my voice was barely a whisper.

"The thing about mates is that they are made for each other. Ash described it like opposite ends of a magnet that start working when mates meet for the first time after they came of age. They could feel each other's presence, scent, touch, everything about that other person is perfect. I didn't know about werewolves or mates eleven years ago, but if I did, I would know that you are my mate."

"What?", I asked breathily. My eyes were open wide to the point of hurting.

"I could smell you, Serina. The scent of jasmine hit me hard the moment I stepped into that classroom on the first day of high school, and no matter how many people were around me, I couldn't stop looking at you. My wolf was dormant, and I was still a kid, but I guess the Alpha gene I received from my father allowed me to sense you. We were young and it felt like a crush, but as the time passed, my attraction toward you grew to the point that even if I tried looking at any other girl, I couldn't. I craved to be with you, to touch you, only you, because no other girl compared to you, Serina. When we were apart, I was restless to the point of losing my mind. And I know you felt the same."

He was right. I did.

Only when I was with him, my mind was at peace, and holding his hand felt natural. I would go with Duke without any questions asked, because it was right and I didn't care where we went, as long as I was with him.

I saw him look at me, obviously expecting me to say something, but I didn't know what to say, so I nodded in agreement.

A dazzling smile bloomed on Duke's face.

"I don't need my wolf to tell me you are my mate, Serina.", he said with confidence, and even in the darkness, I could feel his intense gaze locked on me, not allowing me to look away as he spoke solemnly.

"From the moment we met, you are the only woman on my mind and in my heart. The thought of anyone else getting close to you throws me into rage and I want to rip him apart. Your scent, your touch, everything yours is addictive and I have no intention of sharing you with anyone. The two of us are meant for each other and that is why I don't want to see traces of sadness flashing across your face whenever we talk about our future. If my wolf doesn't wake up, nothing will change, and I will worship you forever. And if he wakes up, he will confirm what I already know, and as much as I don't want to share you, I will need to adjust to the fact that there will be one more presence inside me who adores you."

At this point, Duke was holding my face and he gently ran his thumbs over my cheeks.

"Don't cry, Serina."

Was I crying? It looks like it. But these were happy tears, the ones that came with relief and with a bit of guilt as well.

I avoided mentioning mates out of fear that it will come between us. I didn't want to risk anything cracking this wonderful happiness that I finally achieved when I was with Duke.

I was hiding from it, yet here was Duke… tackling the topic as soon as he found out about it. He explained all the signals to assure me that the two of us together is a sure thing, and he made me look at our current situation with optimism.

The confidence behind his words made me wonder, how could I ever think that we are not mates and that his wolf will keep us apart?

Duke always amazed me how easily he could read me. He saw that I was troubled no matter how much I tried to conceal it, and he connected the dots and promised me that things are going to be fine.

Duke didn't ask me to explain my feelings and my doubts. He didn't blame me for keeping this from him.

He arranged this romantic getaway, to assure me that things will be OK because he figured it out. He always does.

The lengths he is willing to go to make me happy always leaves me breathless and it makes me feel like I'm not reciprocating enough.

"Do you think that my kind also has mates?", I asked Duke.

"I am confident, love. And I am your mate. How else would you explain that you can smell me and not anyone else?"

It made sense. Everything he said made sense, and I chided myself for allowing my insecurities to take over and for not seeing all this myself.

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