章 30: A sucker for happy endings

Author's note: This is from Calista's point of view

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"If I asked you about the town, and you had answers, does that mean you are from this area?", I guessed.

Sergio confirmed. "This was my pack's territory."

Talking helped me stay focused on dressing up and not thinking about the opposite.

It was getting late and if we don't go to the main villa soon, they will start with lunch (aka the barbecue) and Serina will definitely figure out that I spent too much time with Sergio and she will start suspecting something.

"It was a big town, yet now it's reduced to ruins. What happened?", I asked.

"War.", Sergio said one word, and I could see that there were many more things he wanted to say, but he didn't.

"I assume this was your house?", I continued probing.

I was never the curious one, but I had to keep talking because if we stayed in silence, I would probably jump on him again.

"I lived here for more than two centuries. Of course, it changed from a cabin into what it is today over several remodels, but the location is the same."

"And you were a shaman?", I continued questioning Sergio.

"I still am."

"So, you are connected to spirits and energies and... stuff?"

"I like to think so, yes.", he responded with amusement in his voice.

"Do you believe in the Moon Goddess?", I had to ask.

I always thought that Gods and religions are for the weak and uneducated who need someone from above to lead the puny ones and tell them how to act, yet here was Sergio, smart, eloquent, strong, and a follower of the same mumbo-jumbo I ridicule.

"I believe there are things that can't be seen with the eyes or explained with reason, yet they still exist.", he said mysteriously.

"If it can't be seen or explained, how do you know it's real?"

His chocolate eyes smiled at me. "You are a hard skeptic if you doubt after everything we went through last night. The existential essence is all around us and as long as the conditions are met, you only need to let the instincts guide you and you will be able to harvest its powers. Some of the most potent things in life can only be sensed by the soul and the experience is magical."

Was he talking about the ceremony? Or about us shagging last night (and this morning)? Well, I must admit that all of those were kind of magical.

I didn't want to talk about it further. We can agree that we disagree about believing in existences such as Gods, and there was no way I will tell him how much I enjoyed rolling in the sheets with him.

"Do you have friends or family?" I have no idea why I asked this. Maybe because he spoke about death so easily and I tried to gauge his attachments. Will he think of me as nosy?

"No family, as for friends…", he paused, and his mind drifted away to unknown places. Eventually, he spoke, "If we exclude people in the main villa, my friends are dead, missing, and with the rest which is no more than a handful, I was not in touch for more than a decade."

There was inexplicable loneliness in his voice that washed over me, and my heart tightened.

Yes, he is alone, but why am I impacted by it? It didn't make any sense.

I exhaled sharply while trying to shake off the negativity. "I would never guess that you have such a pessimistic side."

He chuckled. "Pessimistic? I only answered your questions. Most of the time, I'm realistic, and when I look at you, I'm optimistic."

Well, maybe calling him 'pessimistic' was not the best choice of words, but I was intrigued by his response. "Really? What's optimistic when you look at me?"

Sergio stood and stalked to me.

He was one step away from me when I took a shaky breath filled with oak and cedarwood, and I realized that his eyes were moving over my body, making me feel naked.

His sight halted on my crotch area, and he licked his lips slowly. I couldn't believe him!

And I couldn't believe how that small action sent a pulse of need into my core.

I slapped his shoulder, and grumbled, "We need to go."

"That's what you said, but I can smell your arousal, Calista.", he said smugly and at that moment, I hated that he is a werewolf.

…

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

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When Duke and I came to the living room, we found Zoe, Ash, and Luca there.

Zoe was on the sofa chair, sitting sideways with her legs over the armrest and browsing on her tablet.

Ash and Luca were sitting on the sofa with game console controllers in their hands and nudging each other while racing in Forza Motorsport on the big TV screen that hung on the wall above the fireplace.

Duke gave me a smug smile and I knew it was about the TV. I didn't want one here, because it ruined the classical regal feel I was going for, but Duke said it will come in handy, and here it is… handy. There are even built-in enclosed shelves where the PlayStation and Xbox are well hidden.

I was determined to move the television (and game consoles) into the back room that is similar in size and currently without a purpose. That can be a game room and we can add a pool table and maybe pinball machines and a minibar. In that way, I can have my living room the way I imagined it, but I also feared that if I do that, this space will never be used unless we get some really fancy guests.

Well, this mansion will be a work in progress until we figure out what works.

I was aware that no matter how we organize space, there will be a lot of unused rooms in this mansion.

Maybe we could combine two or three rooms on the main floor (or build an addition) and have an indoor pool. Calista would approve.

Duke and I announced our presence and sat on the free sofa, waiting for teens to finish what they were doing, there was no need to interrupt them because lunch preparations were still one hour away.

Last night was eventful.

I found the ceremony to be mystical and the energy that surged through me at the end was an unexpected boon.

I felt something stirring inside me, but it was fleeting, and I regretted that it was over so quickly.

Of course, what came after was a wild night of lovemaking and Duke made sure both of us used all that extra energy and then some more. I was glad that we invested in soundproofing our master bedroom.

Duke is insatiable and I wouldn't want him any other way. That's my Alpha.

When Maria dropped off breakfast into the master bedroom, she told me that Calista's bed was unused and that Sergio requested a change of clothes for Calista to be sent into his villa.

I hoped that the two of them managed to work something out, but I can't ask about it because I shouldn't know that Calista is Sergio's mate or that there is anything going on between the two of them.

I wondered if Calista will say something. Probably not.

In the last three years, Calista verbally abused werewolves every time she got a chance, and I'm quite positive she won't dare say that she slept with one. Twice. If she does that, it will be equivalent to her eating her own foot and a prideful princess of the Mezzanotte family will never allow for such a thing to happen.

It's not that I wanted details, but I hoped to find out if they will give each other a chance.

Mate bond is sacred, and they shouldn't discard it easily.

Actually, the mate bond only confirms that they are soulmates, perfect for each other. Sergio, as a werewolf, can feel the bond, while Calista can't but if she gives him a chance, she will fall for him.

Unfortunately, there are many stigmas about werewolves and vampires being together in any form, especially romantic, and on top of that, Calista is a royal.

Assuming that both Calista and Sergio are open-minded and try their best, there will be numerous obstacles in front of them, and relationships are hard even without others meddling.

I know that I would never give up on my Duke no matter who or what he is, but my resolve is reinforced by the knowledge that he wouldn't give up on me.

After all, a healthy relationship needs to work both ways.

If Calista and Sergio decide to conquer challenges together, that will strengthen their bond.

I hope they will not give up.

I'm a sucker for happy endings.

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