The Supreme Alpha

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

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Waking up in Duke's embrace and greeted by the morning sun that was peeking through the sheer curtains, stirred many happy memories.

It seemed like forever since we experienced this intimacy of holding each other after a night filled with carnal pleasures.

I missed him immensely. 

Entangling my body with Duke's was much more than just a physical contact that led to ecstasy. His every word, sigh, and groan stirred something deep inside me and made me love him more. And then there was the way he looked at me, like he can see my soul directly with no secret left hidden, and he was accepting me completely, flaws and all.

Last night was fantastic and it came with a sense of belonging that can't be replicated. Everything was perfect, except for a small voice in my head that reminded me we need to make this work with Duke's wolf.

Locking Nox out was not an option. He is a sentient creature, stuck in the situation he didn't ask for, and trying to find his place.

I was determined to help him find his purpose because helping Nox was helping Duke and I would do anything for Duke.

My heart ached for Nox. He was not malicious, and his every action screamed for help, even though he never voiced that outright.

I had no choice but to wish to help him.

I knew very well how it feels when one is unwanted. For two decades, I lived in a reality where even my so-called parents scowled when I entered the room, and the only person who brought light into my life was Duke, during the four years we were desk mates.

Duke was an irreplaceable existence in my life, and when we parted ways after high school, I found myself in even bigger darkness because I knew that life could be wonderful if Duke was by my side, but he was nowhere to be found.

My gloomy life changed when I woke up as Seraphina Amara Mezzanotte, daughter of Aldus Mezzanotte, a vampire of royal lineage who accepted me as his family. Aldus introduced me to a world I didn't see before, and he opened numerous doors for me.

Duke made my days bearable, but Aldus was the one who turned my life around for the better and taught me skills so that I can stand firmly on my own.

I hope I can be that person for Nox, the one who will turn things around, make him feel welcome and accepted, and maybe teach him that life is not only about struggle.

Duke's hold on me tightened and he groaned drowsily before pressing a long lingering kiss on my temple. I love his good morning kisses. I love everything about Duke.

"Thinking about the day ahead?", Duke's deep voice from sleeping shook my insides.

I glanced up to meet his endlessly blue eyes. "Not really."

He cocked his handsome eyebrow, indicating that he didn't believe me, and I explained, "I expect that Vesper won't contact me for at least a few hours, and until I hear from her, it's useless to imagine a variety of scenarios that probably won't come true. I was thinking about you."

Duke's delicious lips curved into a smile. "What about me?"

"You and Nox.", I admitted, and his smile faltered. Why did he react like I said something nasty? "One day, you will realize how your behavior was foolish."

"I will?", Duke grumbled.

"You should stop thinking about Nox as your rival. The two of you are one and the same."

Duke let out a long breath. "WHEN that day comes, I will be happy that he is not my rival who got a kiss from you."

I couldn't believe him. "Are you serious? It was just a peck on the cheek. YOUR cheek."

Duke pouted. "But you gave it to Nox, not me."

I poked his chest with my finger. "Nox is a wolf, not human. Besides, I gave Nox a peck on the cheek, and you got much more than that."

Duke's expression lit up immediately. "I did."

I stared at the man who was experiencing mood swings like a woman on a period.

One minute he was cuddly, then sulking, then gloating, and now his heated gaze told me he was horny.

Duke's hands moved over my back lower, and then he squeezed my ass harshly.

"I want more, Serina.", he murmured close to my ear, making my hairs stand on ends.

I pretended that I didn't understand. "More?"

"Mhm…", he hummed while pushing me on my back and getting on top of me. "Now that my wolf was sensible enough to give us privacy, we need to use this time wisely and make up for what we lost. It's never enough, Serina… when it comes to you, it's never enough…"

…

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Shortly after lunch, Treva and I found ourselves back in Vesper's apartment.

Duke wanted to join us, but I told him to wait for us at my place. After short persuasion, he agreed and said that he will keep busy by working from home, and waiting for me to return.

Duke knew that it's risky for him to meet with Vesper. Who knows what Vesper might do if she figures out his real identity? But Nox still didn't show up and Duke was craving for every minute we had without Nox's presence, even if that included visiting a witch.

Silly man.

Vesper showed us into her living room and offered beverages.

"No thank you.", I rejected right away. "Did you find a solution to Treva's problem?" I didn't want this to drag more than necessary.

"Maybe.", Vesper said.

I was alerted. Was she trying to negotiate for more benefits, or was she after something else?

"Maybe? Explain.", I demanded.

Vesper raised her hand, indicating to me to calm down. "I think I found something that might work, but without knowing what exactly was in the potion they gave Treva, I can only give it my best shot and then carefully monitor Treva's response and make adjustments as needed."

"How long will that take?"

Vesper shrugged. "Days, weeks. It will depend on the progress."

I scrutinized Vesper. Was she trying to get Treva to stay with her? That's not happening.

"Here is something that might work.", I said. "You will prepare the antidote and I want to know exactly what went inside. It would be best if I can watch you make it. You will tell me how to observe Treva's response and I will notify you when I have results. At that time, we will discuss if I will adjust the antidote, or if you will."

Vesper frowned. "That shows a lack of trust."

"Did I ever say I trust you?"

Vesper made a face. She was visibly displeased by my blatant response.

To be honest, I was extremely uncomfortable talking like this, but Aldus told me that with Vesper I must set boundaries clearly, otherwise, she will take advantage of me.

I thought that Vesper will agree, but she was persisting.

"Are you expecting me to take responsibility if something goes wrong and I'm not there to fix it?"

"That's why you will give me the full list of ingredients you used in your potion.", I responded flatly. "We will discuss the procedure in detail before you do anything. I want all of us to be aware of the risks." I glanced at Treva. "Treva will have the final say if we will proceed with this or not. I don't want her to drink a concoction that might cripple her, not without knowing fully what she is getting into."

Vesper gave in. "Fine. But the potion…"

"What about it?", I was getting impatient.

"Some of the ingredients are difficult to find."

I had a feeling she will try to extort something. "What do you need?"

Vesper reached into her pocket from where she produced a piece of paper with a list of ingredients. Some were in green, some in blue, and some in red color. She was prepared for this.

"The green ones I have.", Vesper said. "The blue ones, I know where to find. As for the red ones…", her voice trailed, and she looked at me expectantly.

My brows furrowed as I went through the list. Luckily, my years of working on Alchemy enabled me to recognize the names.

Of course, the green ones were common herbs. The fact that she put expensive ones in blue, means that she expects me to pay for them, and the red ones were super-rare.

Was Vesper thinking that I will go into the Gouffre Mirolda caves in search of emerald luminous mushrooms?

But I had another concern. Was Vesper trying to swindle me to get her hands on some rare herbs? "Do you really need all these?"

Vesper was quick to give me another piece of paper. "Based on the scent, color, and consistency, I deduced that these are ingredients in the concoction that Treva drank. The ones on the first list are countering them."

I pressed my lips into a line while taking in the words from the first list.

Vesper was correct. The herbs from the second list will counter the ones from the first one, assuming that Vesper gets it right in terms of quantity, the order in which they are added to the mixture, and way of tempering.

However, I had no way of determining if the first list was genuine or I was being swindled. Damn it!

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