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

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Days trickled into weeks and one day father called me to join him in the lab.

"We are ready to start.", he said while showing me series of graphs on the screen of his computer and I knew that he was talking about awakening Duke's wolf.

"What are the risks?"

I was familiar with the overall approach, but for the last few days Aldus closed himself up in order to focus and not be disturbed while figuring out the final details.

Aldus didn't respond right away, which told me I won't like his answer.

"There are a few things we can try.", he said eventually. "This cocktail…", Aldus showed me one file that had ingredients listed. "It definitely won't cause permanent damage to Mateo, but it has the smallest chances of success. I would say maybe 10%."

I let out a long breath. 10% was not optimistic and lack of permanent damage didn't mean that there will be no damage at all.

However, I knew that Duke wouldn't agree to a procedure just because it's safe. He was always a bold risk-taker.

"What about the strongest one?"

Aldus opened another file. "With this one, I could say that there are about 50% chances of success, however, some of the ingredients are toxic."

I frowned while suppressing my urge to reject. "How toxic are we talking about?"

"I will count on his Alpha healing to neutralize it and not make it deadly." He saw my disapproval and quickly added, "Of course, I won't just inject him with this. Awakening his wolf won't work if his body gives up. I want Mateo to come here so that we can do a series of tests and confirm that this will not outright kill him."

I liked this. A gradual approach is the best, and having Duke here is a big bonus. I really wanted to show him my room and where I spent the last three years. I can finally demonstrate how I do alchemy. I told him about it, but I had a feeling that Duke didn't believe me.

"He needs to come here?", I asked, unable to conceal my glee.

Aldus shook his head while rolling his eyes. "Yes. At least for a week, probably two. I want him here so that we can get samples as needed and gradually increase potency until it's not safe anymore…"

"I will tell him to prepare for two weeks." I was imagining that if this testing is done earlier, Duke and I can sneak in a vacation. "Is there anything else?"

Aldus saw that I was ready to bolt out and waved at me that I can leave.

I ran into my room and immediately made a call.

He picked up after the first ring.

"Hi, love…", he said with a big smile on his face.

It was a video call, so I saw that the background was not his office, but it was a business setting. "Are you in a meeting? Should I call later?"

"No, no… it's fine. We just finished.", Duke said shamelessly.

"But we just…", the man's voice was cut off abruptly when Duke glared at him.

"Give me just a minute and we can talk in private…", Duke said as he stood up. "Considering that you are calling now, it must be important."

"Mhm…", I hummed smugly. "But you didn't need to end the meeting for this."

"Whatever they have to say, it can wait. You are my priority, love."

I giggled at his words.

"What's up?", he asked when he closed the door of his office.

"We are ready to start the final round of testing.", I said, and his expression turned solemn.

"What do I need to do?"

"You will need to come here. Prepare yourself that for two weeks you will not be available. Father wants to test the effect some ingredients have on you, and we are not sure how your abilities will interact with it. It's deadly for humans, but you have Alpha healing that will interfere with the effects and there is a chance that they will be ineffective…"

Duke listened without interrupting before agreeing. "I will need a few days to settle things here."

I couldn't believe that this was happening. Duke was coming, and we were about to start final tests before we attempt to awaken his wolf. It was surreal.

Father also said that for the procedure itself we will need a few strong werewolves handy, in case Duke's wolf is amok.

We don't know what to expect, from behavior to Duke's abilities, but we can assume that Duke's strength will not be diminished.

My father already knows that Damiano was immune to silver, which is toxic for werewolves, and previous tests showed that Duke is not reacting to silver either.

Aldus has a variety of tranquilizers ready, but we can't be confident that they will be effective, so the safest thing is to have a few strong bodies to physically subdue Duke. I really hope it doesn't come to that point.

Out of available candidates, Aldus suggested Sergio (who is not physically strong by werewolf standards but is familiar with the situation), Lazarus (who knows Duke), and Fynn.

Lazarus and Fynn will need to find out about Duke's background and the whole procedure. Aldus said that we will talk with them last, once we are confident that we are ready to go.

When I asked my father why not Marius (or some other vampire), or Graike, they are strong, Aldus responded that dragons are not to be trusted, and vampires are made to kill, not to subdue, so if Duke harms Marius, Aldus can't guarantee that Marius won't retaliate in search for blood.

I let my father handle these details. He knows best who is trustworthy because this is not just about awakening Duke's wolf. This is about bringing back Mateo Testa, the son of the Supreme Alpha, and probably the next Supreme Alpha who will shake up the current order among werewolves and other creatures overall.

It's a big deal and we need to minimize Duke's exposure until he gets used to his wolf.

Sergio has already kept Mateo's secret for more than a decade, so he passes.

Lazarus is a loner who does his own thing, but he is the only one who won't submit to the pressure of the Supreme Alpha and Aldus said that he will make a deal with Lazarus so that he cooperates.

Fynn was picked because of his strength and because of his loyalty to Damiano.

Duke said that he is not interested in being the king of werewolves, but he is a natural leader and the incident at Luca's birthday party proved that he can't conceal his aura which will surge once his wolf awakens.

Other werewolves will feel it as an impulse to submit to Duke and it's only a matter of time before they connect the dots and realize who Duke truly is.

The fact that we will be living in the old packhouse of the Bluemoon pack will probably serve as another hint.

As much as Drago Orsini was able to stay lowkey in London, Mateo Testa will attract attention, just by existing.

I was nervous, but mostly excited.

I had confidence that my father will awaken Duke's wolf, and I knew that Duke will do great.

Duke and Aldus are the two most reliable people I've met, and I was convinced that wonderful things are ahead of us.

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