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

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Zoe and I left Fynn's office and exchanged troubled looks because Fynn just informed us that Serina will come to visit us.

We have a set schedule of visits, and she never comes outside of that schedule, which means that something happened.

Another unusual thing was that Serina announced her visit to Fynn, and she didn't contact me or Zoe... and Fynn said that Serina is coming to talk to us.

I shook those useless thoughts away. There was no point in overthinking things, but I knew that Zoe won't be able to let it go easily.

Zoe immediately texted Ash and checked to see how he was doing, and she relaxed a bit when he confirmed that he was fine. Busy, but fine.

"Do you think that the time has come?", Zoe asked me, and I could see her anxiousness.

Zoe was concerned about the possibility that Serina will ask us to decide on what we want to do with our lives.

Serina always said that we should take our time and not rush things, but what if she changed her mind? What if she wants to get rid of us?

Zoe and I spoke about this more than once, and we know that Fynn took us in only because of Serina, and if she stops sponsoring us, we will be on our own.

Zoe is still set on following Serina, but so far, Serina refuses to accept us, saying that we have many other options and that staying by her side won't be anything worth our time. And there was a point that Serina is not a werewolf, but Zoe didn't think that was a problem.

Zoe was in distress and my urge was to pacify her.

"No, Zoe. Your birthday is still four months away, and you are the oldest one among the three of us. Serina said that she will not separate us until we come of age. Maybe longer."

"But… Ash is not with us anymore. He left before his eighteenth birthday.", Zoe said.

"True. But he left because he wanted to, not because Serina made him."

"I guess we will need to wait for Serina to find out what this visit is about."

I agreed with that, but there were other options to find out what's going on. "You can always call or text her."

Zoe refused. "If she wanted to give us a heads-up, she would. If I reach out to her, I will only appear clingy and needy, and I don't want Serina to think that I'm insecure."

I shook my head at the silly girl. She IS insecure, but she wants Serina to see her as a capable and responsible young woman.

Physically, the three of us grew up, and we are not skinny teenagers anymore.

Zoe has all the curves in the right places, but under all that, she is still just a girl who craves Serina's approval.

"Why are you acting like you don't care what Serina wants?", Zoe asked while scrutinizing me.

"Me worrying won't change what will happen when Serina comes. Why would I ruin today because something bad MIGHT happen tomorrow? Maybe she takes us for a surprise shopping, or she brings a cake."

Zoe let out a long breath. "I wish that I'm so easygoing, like you."

I chuckled. The truth is that I didn't care what Serina wants.

The only thing that could shake me up would be if Serina separates me from Zoe. I knew that I have at least four months of this bliss, probably more, before I need to worry about that possibility.

Besides, Serina never forced anything on us. She always gave us a choice, so even if tomorrow she comes with something life-changing, I know that I will have an option to decide my path, and my choice will be to stick to Zoe.

"Why are you lingering in the hallway?", Ari asked teasingly. "If I don't know better, I would assume the two of you are secret lovers."

"Watch your mouth.", Zoe spat back.

Zoe was not in a good mood, and Ari knows how to stir the pot.

Ari made a mocking face. "Maybe you should watch your behavior. Between Ash and Luca, I'm not sure with whom you will end up. Or maybe you are hoping to get both of them. You look like a girl who is into threesome."

'Let me out!', my wolf growled at the provocation.

'Calm down, Shade. You know that she is only flapping her mouth.', I tried to pacify my wolf, Shadow.

I can talk to Shadow for almost two years now. He is a relatively calm existence, but Zoe is his bottom line. That's one thing we have in common, both Shadow and I are protective of Zoe.

"You are sick, Ari.", Zoe responded to Ari who was now only two steps away from us. "How can you say that when you know that Luca is my brother?"

Ari's eyebrows shoot up. "Brother or not, he is an attractive youngster. When teenage hormones start shaking you up, you won't be picky about who will scratch your itch. Now that Ash is away, it's only a matter of time until you find someone else. I don't care who that is, but if you give in to Fynn's advances, I won't like it."

Shadow scratched to get to the surface when Ari mentioned Fynn making his move on Zoe, and I had to fight him for control.

Zoe opened her mouth to respond, but then she closed it. She was visibly flustered with Ari mentioning Fynn. If Zoe doesn't retaliate, it will make her appear willing to be with Fynn, and if she dismisses it, she will insult our superior (aka Fynn). No matter what Zoe says, it will be bad for her, and Ari knew it.

Ari snickered at Zoe. "Why are you not saying anything? Did a cat get your tongue, or is that a silent agreement with what I said? What's with that outraged face? Fynn is not pursuing you only because you are not of age. I hear your eighteenth birthday is coming soon. You will see then." Ari narrowed her eyes at Zoe. "When that time comes, keep your legs crossed or I might break them for you."

I felt rage rippling through me, amplified by Shadow's, and I never wanted to punch a woman more in my life. Every time Ari opens that poisonous mouth of hers, I wonder how come no one strangled her so far.

"Enough of that!", Bia said while approaching us. "We all heard that your dear Seraphina is coming. You know what that means, right? Zoe, dust off the common room. Luca, grab the vacuum. Fynn doesn't want a single speck of dust visible. When you are done with that, talk to Tessa about helping in the kitchen, and it seems that Horace might be running behind at the training grounds and needs an extra set of hands."

Zoe was still glaring at Ari, and I put my hand on her shoulder, to get her attention.

"She is not worth it. Let's go.", I said to Zoe to what she nodded.

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