>>Azef

So, this was the surprise. It was quite unexpected. But I guess I did underestimate my pack members, they're all quite intuitive.

I smirked

We hand-picked them ourselves, I shouldn't be surprised. But it's just that I didn't want to get caught this fast. I was planning on telling him soon anyway. I've already told Matt.

I linked my mind to the pack members.

None of them received it.

What the hell!

I tried again, this time forcing myself in

'Are you guys having fun, making a fool out of your Beta?'

'Beta,' It was Ben, 'We're not making a fool out of you'

'That's right,' Hoor said, 'We're giving you an opportunity.'

'What opportunity?' I asked

'You like Miss Sera, don't you?' Runy replied, 'We all noticed it, especially me since I was there in the city with you too.'

'Yea, Runy already told us how much you're caring for this human.'

'Look, we got nothing against it. We support you,'

'So, don't lose this chance!'

'Alright,' I nodded, 'Why take out the door though?' I asked

'...'

'...'

'...'

None of them answered me.

I placed my hand on my head in frustration.

They sure take after me.

I smirked,

This is why I like them

>>Seraphina

"It's okay," He murmured, his hand gently stroking my hair. "You're safe here."

I clung to him, my fear slowly beginning to subside in the comfort of his presence. The steady beat of his heart against my ear was a grounding rhythm,

"Come on," He said softly, guiding me toward his bed. "You need to rest. You can stay here tonight."

I looked up at him, my eyes wide with gratitude and a hint of embarrassment. "Are you sure?"

He nodded, his expression resolute. "Yes. I can't really send you back when your room doesn't even have a door."

I hesitated for a moment, the idea of sharing his bed both comforting and intimidating. But the fear of the storm and the mysterious disappearance of my door outweighed my uncertainty. I trusted Azef, and right now, I needed that trust more than ever.

"Okay," I whispered, allowing him to lead me to the bed.

He pulled back the covers, and I slid in, the warmth of the blankets a welcome contrast to the chill that had settled in my bones. Azef tucked the covers around me, his movements gentle and caring. "Try to get some sleep," he said, his voice soothing. "I'll be right here if you need anything." His words made me melt.

He's so sweet. And so so caring!

It made me wonder if he would do this for anyone else. If there was someone else who came to him, would he offer his bed to her too?

He sat down on the edge of the bed. I reached out, taking his hand in mine, needing that connection to feel truly safe. When my skin met with his, it made him look at me, "Thank you, Azef," I murmured, my eyes full of love for him.

He squeezed my hand gently, making it feel warmer than it should be.

"No problem," He smiled, making my heart skip a beat. The storm outside acted as a background sound while I stared at him. "We'll see what happened to the door in the morning,"

"Someone's messing with me, right?" I was still scared about that.

Please say that it is!

Please tell me there is nothing like a banshee that actually exists!!!

"Mmm," He didn't answer me right away, "We'll get to the depth of it in the morning."

I shriveled up more. Why isn't saying anything! Is it because he himself isn't sure? If he doesn't know anything either, then I can't bother him... But it's just so odd! Why would my door suddenly be gone?

That doesn't make any sense! No one said anything about the door suddenly going missing.

I'm pretty positive someone's trying to prank me-but, I glanced at Azef. Thanks to that, I got some alone time with him. And I got that in his room, at that.

I pulled the cover up to my nose as I looked at him, my heart rate rising again but not out of fear this time. He was looking out the window but he didn't let go of my hand. He kept mine in his, just so that I could calm down. My heart swelled with a mixture of warmth and longing.

I gulped, my chest felt tight as I stared at his handsome figure. His side profile, his hair, his jawline, his shoulders, his chest, his waist. Everything was so perfect!!

There was an inexplicable tenderness in my chest, a gentle ache that spread with each passing second. I watched the way his eyes softened as he looked out, the faintest hint of a smile playing at the corners of his lips. I wondered what he was thinking about, if his thoughts ever wandered to me as mine did to him.

I like him

I like him a lot

I like him so much it's making my feeling mush up!

"Aren't you going to lay down?" I asked softly and he turned his head towards me again, "You can't just sit there the whole night," I said softly.

"Yea," He nodded, "I can't, but are you fine with being in the same bed as me?"

I offered him a shy smile, feeling a blush creep up my cheeks. His eyes held mine, and for a brief, wondrous moment, I felt as though he could see straight into my soul.

"Yes," I replied

"Alright then," He got up from there and moved, his hand softly leaving mine which I didn't want but couldn't help. He went to the other side and slipped under the covers of the bed and came to lay next to me.

It was an exciting moment, but at the same time it was scary.

I watched him settle in, each of his movements making my heart tremble. Here I am, on the same bed with the guy I've fallen for, but also with no experience about how to approach him.

'Be assertive' The words came to me again and again. But I can't just be assertive. I want to be a little sure too.

"Azef?" I called his name

"Hmm?" He turned his head to my side slightly while the rest of his body lay straight.

"I heard about your mate," I said and he paused. I might be wrong, but for a moment it looked like he was shocked.

"What did you hear?" He asked.

"I heard she died when you were young." I'm asking such private things. Will he give me proper answers for them?

His gaze softened, "Yes..." The look in his eyes stung me, "I didn't even know what a mate was then..."

"You didn't?"

"I grew up with my human mother." He looked at the ceiling, "I had no idea what being a werewolf was then..."

"I see..." I stared at him, "So, how did you know she was your mate?"

"I realized it a lot later... When my brother came and took me." He let out a soft sigh, "Something in me had already died by that time- no, not dead, just gone." He kept his eyes on the ceiling, "Perhaps because it happened because I was so young that I was able to retain my wolf attributes even though my wolf rarely ever interacted with me." He shrugged, "Not sure, but it might be because my wolf was always there, he was just too heartbroken."

"How did you learn she was your mate then?" I'm not crossing the line, asking him this stuff, am I?

"There was a voice in my head when I first met her. 'Mate' it said," He paused, "And there was this strong feeling of wanting to be with her too." There was a distant look in his eyes, and I couldn't stop looking at him, I just couldn't tear my gaze away, "When she died, I felt something so shattering, like something inside me had broken. Of course, it was easy to understand what had happened after I learned what being a werewolf meant."

"How did she die?" I asked

"A truck hit her when she was crossing the road. She died on the spot."

"... I heard you visit her grave,"

A sad smile appeared on his face, "I do," He turned his face to look at me, "Although it's not her official grave."

"Not her official grave?" I whispered, "Then, what is it?"

"I never knew where her family actually buried her." He looked into my eyes, "I just made a grave for her myself. It only consists of her blood filled shoe and two of her fingers that were severed during the accident." He paused again, his eyes seemed distant, "I never knew her family, so I never found out where she's actually buried." He smiled, "But I am looking for her now,"

Something about his story was bothering me. It sounded familiar

"You're looking for her grave now?" I asked, "Why?"

"Just so I can visit her, and not just her remains." He answered, breaking my heart.

But,

"So, will there ever be a chance you'll move on from her?" I asked, "It's been so long since she died." I know this is so rude of me. But I can't help myself!

I want to know

His gaze came onto me, "I used to think that wouldn't be possible,"

"Used to?"

He smiled, "Yes, used to," We stared into each other's eyes, "But, I can."

"You can?" A hope lit up in my heart, "That means you're ready to have another romantic partner in your life?"

"Yes," He nodded, and I felt a surge of emotions inside of me.

"Then," My feelings acted up, "Are you ready for one, right now?"