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“Thank you,” I said.

I swiped through my presentation again, adding little refinements that probably only I would notice. A slightly darker shade of midnight blue that matched Zane’s tie. A font that reminded me of Ryker’s elegance. An animation that would make Archer laugh…

My fangs ached at just the thought of them. I pressed my forehead against the cool window glass, watching my breath fog the surface. In the reflection, I could see my carefully arranged marketing notes spread across my bed, color-coded and annotated and probably destined to gather dust.

The city lights blurred as night crept in. I finally gave up pretending to work and got ready for bed, going through my evening routine on autopilot.

“Your evening blood is getting cold, Prince,” Benedict reminded me gently as he turned down my bed.

I nodded, forcing myself to drink it even though it tasted like nothing. Everything tasted like nothing when all I could think about was starlight, lightning, and sunshine.

“Will you need anything else tonight?”

“No, thank you, Benedict.”

Sleep proved elusive. I tossed and turned, replaying every moment in the library. Had I imagined the hunger in their eyes? The way the air had crackled between us? The way Zane’s arms felt, how Ryker’s voice deepened, how Archer…

Morning came too soon, painting my lavender curtains with pale light. I dragged myself to breakfast, holding on to a fragile hope that maybe…

But the breakfast room held only Great Uncle Johnathan, Uncle Owen, and Aunt Senna, their conversation dying as I entered.

“Good morning, sweetheart,” Aunt Senna said too brightly. “Blood tea?”

Before I could answer, Great Uncle Johnathan cleared his throat. “Luca, dear. The boys have been called away on urgent business. Very urgent. All three of them.”

“All three?” Uncle Owen’s eyebrow shot up. “What’s so urgent they need to vanish like that?”

“Did they…” My voice sounded small. “Did they say when they’d be back?”

The silence that followed was answer enough.

“I see. Well, they are very important. Running an empire and all that.”

“I’m sure they’ll call once they’re settled,” Aunt Senna offered.

“Of course,” I said.

Stupid. Stupid. They were busy alphas with responsibilities. Not my fault they had to flee their own home just to escape their awkward brother who couldn’t control his fangs.

Back in my room after breakfast, my marketing presentation mocked me from my desk where I’d left it last night. All those careful notes, the little jokes only Archer would get, the precise data visualization Ryker would appreciate, the powerful statements that would make Zane proud…

A knock sounded at the door. “Yes?”

“Luca?” Sylvie’s voice. “Hunter and I are going to watch that new anime. Want to join?”

I glanced at my tablet, at the presentation that was probably destined to gather dust. No. I wouldn’t hide in here feeling sorry for myself. If certain alphas wanted to avoid their awkward vampire brother, fine. But I wouldn’t let it stop me from being part of this family.

“Actually, yes. Is it the one about the demon lord who opens a coffee shop?”

“That’s the one!” Hunter’s voice joined in.

Sylvie’s enthusiasm was contagious. “Come on, we’ve got the whole media room set up!”

I smiled. Maybe I couldn’t control whether three certain brothers wanted to be around me. But I could control how I handled it. And Luca Valentine didn’t hide from his problems.

Well, okay, maybe he did. But Luca Bennett? He faced things head-on. Usually. Sometimes. When properly motivated by anime.

“Prince?” Benedict’s voice pulled me from my brooding. “Your outfit has arrived from the atelier.”