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They fled like the café was on fire, nearly bowling over a waiter in their haste to escape.

The moment they were gone, Hunter finally rolled over from where he’d been sprawled in the next booth, his noise-canceling headphones askew and a thick smear of chocolate on his chin. “Did I miss something?”

“Only Luca completely destroying Isabella’s social life.” Sylvie grinned, pushing her half-eaten eclair toward her brother as he flopped into a chair at our table. “While simultaneously marking his territory.”

“I was not marking territory!” I protested, even as that possessive feeling purred in satisfaction at Isabella’s retreat. “I was just… expressing concerns about her personal space management.”

“Is that what we’re calling wanting to rip her hands off me?” Archer’s eyes danced with mischief and something else that made my inner vampire stand at attention.

Hunter looked between us, shrugged, and went back to his game. “Cool. As long as I don’t have to attend another clan council meeting about ‘proper social conduct’ like after Sylvie’s last throwdown with the Kingston crew.”

“I still maintain that was justified,” Sylvie sniffed. “Nobody insults my anime collection and lives to tell about it.”

“Speaking of justified.” Archer’s grin turned wicked as he leaned closer to me. “Want to explain that ‘rip her hands off’ comment? Not that I’m complaining about being defended so… passionately.”

His citrus and sunshine scent wrapped around me, making my fangs tingle. That possessive feeling stretched like a cat in sunlight, and I had to physically stop myself from actuallygrowlingat the memory of Isabella’s hands on him.

“I just… I mean…” I stuttered, suddenly very interested in my empty latte cup. “She was being presumptuous?”

“Mm-hmm,” Sylvie’s knowing smile should have been illegal. “Nothing to do with territorial vampire prince instincts at all, right?”

“I’m not territorial!” But even as I said it, I knew I was lying. Something about watching Isabella fawn over Archerhad triggered a response that felt deeper than simple sibling protection. Which was… concerning. Very concerning.

“Sure, you’re not,” Hunter mumbled around a mouthful of eclair, eyes still glued to his game. “Just like Sylvie’s not obsessed with that K-pop idol from the Park Clan.”

“That’s different!” Sylvie protested, her cheeks pink. “Jin-ho is an artist!”

“And Isabella’s hands weren’t art on my arm?” Archer teased, but his eyes when they met mine held a heat that made my breath catch.

“Can we go home now?” I pleaded, desperate to escape this conversation and these confusing feelings. “Before I actually have to examine why I wanted to commit socially acceptable murder over hand placement?”

Archer’s laugh was warm honey and dangerous promises. “Whatever you say, Prince. Though I have to admit,” he added as we gathered our shopping bags, “watching you bare your fangs at New Vale’s social climbers might be my new favorite thing.”

That possessive feeling practically glowed with pride, and I decided right then that some things—like why I suddenly wanted to maim anyone who touched mynot really brother—were better left unexamined. At least for now.

Besides, I had bigger problems. Like figuring out why Archer’s scent was becoming more intoxicating by the minute, and why part of me was already craving another taste of brother-flavored blood.

Chapter 11

WHITLOCK BROTHERS

Archer couldn’t stop grinning as he watched Luca lovingly arrange his new purchases across his lap, Archer’s wolf practically preening at the memory of Luca’s earlier possessiveness. The way Luca’s eyes had flashed when Isabella dared touch Archer, that barely contained growl when the prince had threatened to rip the socialite’s hands off…delicious.

Archer lounged against the leather seat, one leg crossed over the other, his arm stretched casually along the back. If that position happened to bring him closer to Luca, well, that was purely coincidental. Just like the way Archer kept leaning in to examine each item Luca showed off, breathing in the young man’s sweet scent of vanilla and cherry blossoms.

“And this one changes color based on your mood!” Sylvie exclaimed, holding up some crystal contraption that had Luca cooing in appreciation.

“Check out this limited edition controller skin,” Hunter chimed in from across the car, waving his new gaming gear. “It’s got actual dragon scales embedded in it!”

But Archer was more interested in how Luca’s shoulder kept brushing against Archer’s chest every time the prince reached for another shopping bag. How Luca seemed completely unaware of his own territorial display back at the café, even as Archer’s wolf basked in the aftermath of the boy’s fierce protectiveness.

Stop feeling so damn pleased with yourself,Zane’s growl thundered through their pack bond, making Archer’s grin widen.

Can’t help it,Archer sent back, letting his brothers feel his smug satisfaction.You should have seen him, ready to throw down with Isabella over touching me.

What exactly happened?Ryker’s calmer presence filtered through, though Archer could feel his brother’s interest spike.

Our little vampire prince got jealous,Archer projected, along with the memory of Luca’s flashing eyes and sharp words.Apparently, he doesn’t appreciate other women pawing at his brother.