章節 39: Determining rules

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

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The plan was that Serina and Sergio talk with Fynn and prepare him for my arrival, but only after a few minutes, I received a text from Serina to come out which told me that things didn't go as expected.

Sergio was a bloody mess and I wondered what happened. However, Serina, Sergio, and Fynn acted like everything was fine, so I decided not to bring it up.

Later, Serina told me that Fynn broke Sergio's nose while making sure he is not a ghost. That didn't make any sense. Who checks for ghosts by punching people?

In terms of appearance, Fynn didn't change at all in eleven years since I saw him the last time.

I remember calling him uncle Fynn. He was always the stern, grumpy type and I thought that was his personality, but after finding out the truth about his identity (and mine), I realized that he didn't like me. I confirmed the same during our chat in the living room. Fynn didn't hide disdain, and he cringed whenever I spoke, like the sound of my voice was unpleasant.

Fynn probably saw me as a defective son of his perfect Alpha. I was a liability, an unworthy one. I guess most of the werewolves thought of me as trash, but they sucked it up due to the respect and loyalty they had toward my father.

I should admire my father because he had so many creatures bowing to him. They treated him like a God, but to me, he was just a papa, far from perfect.

Whenever I think of my father, I remember that he was always busy with stuff. Now I understand that it was werewolf-related, but at that time I was a boy who missed his father, and I had difficulty accepting his absence.

I remember being dejected, why did he work so hard if we already had so much? And the secrets and events I was not allowed to attend, weighed on me.

After Serina told me the truth, many things fell into place, and I added to my list of grudges against my father the fact that he lied to me. Everything I knew while growing up was a lie, thanks to him. Did he really think that ignorance will keep me safe?

It didn't show much when I was small, but as I entered my teens, I noticed dirty looks and some filled with pity, from my peers and grownups, and they didn't make sense. I was the young master, handsome, smart, healthy, popular, friendly, and I believed that everyone liked me. However, it was all a sham because, for them, I was a human among werewolves, a disabled person, dead weight.

I can imagine that some of them believed how my mother gave birth to me only to tie the powerful Damiano Testa to herself and that if I disappear, my father will leave her (aka the mere human) and be free to find someone more suitable to be his Luna (a she-wolf).

My mother… Did they treat her badly? Those women who gathered in our garden for tea parties on every sunny weekend afternoon, were they really her friends or backstabbers who coveted her position?

My mother knew about werewolves and other creatures, but that didn't change the fact that she was not one of them. I can't imagine what she endured while being the wife to the Supreme Alpha and a Luna to creatures who looked down on her. But even with all that mess, she always had a smile ready for me… a smile that completely fooled me.

I really have no idea how my mother managed to pull it off, but I know that I will not allow Serina to experience something like that. No one will look down on her. No one.

That's why I'm not interested in all that Alpha, king-of-the-werewolves nonsense.

I wanted power to protect myself and Serina, but there was a small voice in the back of my head whispering how I should take everything that comes with the power and I should become the Supreme Alpha.

I admit; I am tempted by the idea of having all those who once looked down on me and my mother, bow in submission.

The more we spoke, the more I realized that Fynn is coveting Seraphina. Really? He must be on drugs or something because he can get to her only over my dead body!

I stuck close to Serina, with my hand on her waist. I made sure to lean closer to her when she spoke and I loved that every time she smiled at me, Fynn frowned.

And then Serina insinuated how Fynn is not strong enough and he took it out on me. Seriously?

What did he think will happen? That I will hide in the corner with tail between my legs, and he can take my spot by Serina's side?

That old fart insulted me in front of Serina and I definitely saw the way he was looking at her.

I stood up to show Fynn his place and the scent of Serina's arousal reached me. Damn it!

It's not that I hated it. The scent of her arousal is the best thing ever, but I was getting hard, and the timing was off.

I was caught in a dilemma. Should I punch Fynn or take Serina to the bedroom?

But he insulted her and spoke like I was not there. I can't let it pass.

My fists were itching for a fight, and I was excited at the thought that I can go all out.

My fight with Lazarus left a lasting impression and I regret that we had to cut it short. That bastard was also eyeing MY Serina, and he had a solid punch, yet I never got an answer which one of us is stronger.

Well, Serina is an amazing woman and it's normal that men will wish to win her over, but I will not tolerate them ignoring my existence. I am not a pushover.

I wanted to see how far I can go against Fynn.

Which one of us will be left standing?

The four of us went outside, to the clearing behind the garden.

Fynn was quick to remove his t-shirt and he flexed his arms while eyeing Seraphina to see if she is watching him. Bastard.

"Boy, if your performance is lacking, don't even think about me agreeing to help you.", Fynn said condescendingly.

I snorted and removed my shirt carefully. It was a gift from Serina, and I cherish everything she gave me, shirts included. I don't want to risk Fynn ruining it.

I turned to glare at Fynn.

"How noble of you, uncle Fynn." I emphasized the uncle part, pointing out how old he is. Based on age, calling him uncle is too kind.

"Before you start…", Sergio said while stepping between me and Fynn. "We should determine the rules."

Fynn frowned. "Rules?"

Sergio nodded and raised his index finger. "You will fight in human form. If the young master forces you to shift, that's the same as you lost."

I knew Sergio did that for me and I was grateful. It's not that Sergio was giving me slack, but I guess that this was his way of getting back at Fynn for breaking his nose earlier.

It's not that I feared Fynn as a wolf, but I wouldn't know where to hit an animal. I guess that's one of the things I should learn soon.

"Second", Sergio continued. "You will stop when one of you can't continue or admits defeat."

I agreed with this one. Unless he knocks me out, I won't give up.

Serina spoke next, "If Fynn loses, he will help us in the procedure we discussed previously, without questions asked. But what if he wins?"

I saw Fynn smirking at Serina, and I saw red.

"Don't you dare!", I snapped at Fynn. His nasty thoughts were obvious.

Serina put her perfect hand on my bare shoulder. "Let's hear him out."

"I want a dinner with you.", Fynn spoke to Serina and the only thing preventing me from jumping at him was Serina's touch.

Based on Serina's smirk, it seems she expected this.

"Dinner with me is expensive, Fynn. You should add conditions to your loss if you want to balance it out. How about we add that how you will agree to one of my requests?"

"What request?", Fynn grumbled.

"Do you need to hear in advance? Does that mean you fear Mateo will win?"

My insides shook. This was the first time Serina called my name in front of others, and it was like a spell that undid something inside me. I had to focus on the present and not push her down on the grass right there.

At Serina's provocation, Fynn agreed immediately. "Alright. If I lose, I will fulfill your request and serve the boy as my Alpha."

I frowned. Isn't this his ploy to get close to Serina regardless of if he wins or loses? "Why the hell would you think that I want you to serve me? And when I win, I will prove that I'm stronger. According to the werewolf ways, your life will be mine to command."

Fynn's eyes flashed with delight. "Oh, you know about our ways? Then, it's settled. If I win, I get a date with Serina, and if you win, I will obey you and fulfill her request."

I was raging at this point. From dinner, it progressed to date in less than a minute! Next thing you know, he will add sharing a room for the night. "Serina is not a token that can be used as part of a bet!"

Serina stood in front of me and smiled. "Don't think of me as a token. Use me as motivation, my love. I know you can take him down."

I had no idea from where Serina got the confidence that I can win in a fight against a werewolf general, but the way she looked at me made me feel like I'm at the top of the world.

Yes, this is why I want power. So that Serina can look at me, just like that, all the time.

Honestly, I thought that Serina will try to dissuade me from this fight, but here she was, encouraging me to take down a man who was deluding himself that he can win her over.

"I will do as you command, my Goddess…", I murmured and then I pulled her closer for a mind-spinning kiss.

I turned Serina so that her back is facing Fynn and based on Fynn's angry growl I knew that he saw me giving him a finger behind Serina's back. Eat that you old dog! Serina is MINE!

Right at that moment, Serina's flavors seeped into my system together with her intoxicating scent of jasmine and Japanese wisteria, and everything else faded.

I will fight with Fynn and beat him into a pulp, in a minute.

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