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I startled at that, nearly spilling my blood champagne. Archer’s hand steadied me, his thumb still tracing those distracting circles on my shoulder.

“Actually…” I gathered my courage, looking at Aria. “I was hoping to discuss something about Beyond Beauty.” The vampire idol’s eyes lit up with interest. “We’re developing a campaign that showcases how supernatural essence enhances natural beauty, and your crystal formations during performances…”

“That would be a complex negotiation,” Manager Kim cut in smoothly. “As they’ve just debuted, we’re still assessing market reception and…”

“I’d love to,” Aria said simply.

Manager Kim looked like he might faint. “Miss Aria, we should discuss the scheduling and contract terms…”

“I believe”—Alpha Park’s voice held an unusual note of… amusement?—”we can make an exception in this case.” He turned to me with that same strange expression. “What did you have in mind, Prince?”

The room went oddly still. Even Alpha Erikson’s bear energy paused its usual rumble. I could feel Archer’s energy brightening behind me, practically radiating smugness. Across the room, Alpha Blackthorn and Alpha Kingston exchanged knowing looks that I couldn’t quite interpret.

“Your idea has merit,” Alpha Cheng spoke up, his dragon energy swirling like ancient mist. “Beauty enhanced by natural power rather than suppressed by artificial products.” He shared a meaningful look with Alpha Sato, whose fox magic created subtle patterns in the air.

“The timing is perfect,” Alpha Hawkins drawled, his bear shifter energy surprisingly gentle despite his imposing presence. “Market’s been waiting for something authentic.”

I outlined my concept, trying not to let my voice shake as thirteen of the most powerful beings in New Vale watched me. “Each supernatural species has unique characteristics that make them beautiful. Like how Aria’s crystal formations aren’t just performance effects—they’re pure vampire essence made visible.”

“Interesting,” Alpha O’Brien said thoughtfully. “Using idol influence to promote natural power expression rather than suppression.”

“Bold move,” Alpha MacKenzie said. “Most beauty campaigns do the opposite.”

From his shadowed corner, Alpha Shadowmere’s dark wings shifted, drawing all eyes. “The young prince speaks truth. Our natural powers should be celebrated, not hidden.”

The way they all referred to me as ‘prince’ still felt strange, especially with how their ancient powers seemed to… defer?

The rest of the night passed in a blur of crystalline glasses and supernatural grace. ECLIPSE returned to the main ballroom, though I wasn’t allowed to follow—something about “security concerns” that made all three of my brothers lookparticularly smug. I tried pointing out that the only security concern had been thoroughly handled by Alpha Blackthorn’s darkness display, but apparently alpha protective instincts didn’t respond well to logic.

“You’re pouting, little bat,” Archer murmured against my ear, his citrus-sunshine scent making my fangs ache. “It’s adorable.”

“I’m not pouting,” I muttered, definitely pouting. “I just think it’s excessive to keep me trapped in the VIP lounge when there’s a perfectly good idol performance happening downstairs.”

“Trapped?” Ryker’s lightning-storm scent intensified with amusement. “You’ve had three glasses of blood champagne and spent an hour discussing marketing strategies with some of the most powerful beings in New Vale.”

“While floating,” Zane added helpfully from where he lounged beside me, close enough that his midnight-starlight presence made my skin tingle. “Twice.”

I hadn’t even noticed the floating. Which probably proved their point about watching me, but still.

The night eventually wound down, and I found myself being expertly maneuvered away from Aunt Senna and Sylvie. One moment I was following them, the next I was somehow sliding into the back seat of a sleek sports car, Archer right beside me.

“Wait, how did—” I blinked at Ryker settling into the driver’s seat, Zane claiming the passenger side. “When did we?—”

“Shhh.” Archer pulled me closer, his warmth seeping through the silk of my suit. “Don’t think too hard about it, little bat.”

“You all just… alpha-ed your way into kidnapping me from my actual escort home?”

“Borrowed,” Ryker corrected, the engine purring to life. “We borrowed you.”

“That’s not better!” But I couldn’t help laughing, especially when Zane turned to give me one of his rare smiles, the one that made his steel-gray eyes sparkle like starlight.

“We’ll have you home before midnight,” Archer promised, his fingers tracing patterns on my shoulder that made it very hard to remember why I should protest.

“It’s already past midnight,” I pointed out, trying to ignore how their combined scents in the enclosed space made me want to bite… everything.

“So we’re already late.” Zane’s voice held a dangerous edge of heat. “Might as well take the scenic route.”

Oh, for the love of all things nocturnal, I was in trouble.