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“A prince,” Benedict sighed happily. “Just like in those manga you collect!”

I felt my cheeks warm slightly. “You’ve been looking at my manga collection?”

“I may have… borrowed a few volumes. The beautiful princes with their perfect styling…” He gestured at my reflection. “You could be right off the page!”

Something warm bloomed in my chest. Both Lucas had always felt like outsiders, but here was someone who not only accepted but celebrated our quirks.

“Thank you, Benedict.”

His answering smile could have powered the city. “Would you like to explore the penthouse? Everyone’s out until the evening meeting, so…”

Safe to wander, he meant.No pressure to socialize.

I stood, the soft fabric of my outfit feeling like a gentle hug around me. “Lead the way.”

Time to see what kind of world I’d inherited.

Just please, I thought as we headed for the door,don’t let me crash into any more walls.

The penthouse wasn’t just a penthouse—it was an entire floor of the Whitlock Tower, easily the size of a mansion. As I followed Benedict through crystal-lit hallways, memories surfaced like bubbles in champagne. The Whitlocks owned not just the building, but half of downtown New Vale.

New Vale, not New York. The name brought more memories flooding back. Thirteen major clans ruled different districts, their territories as distinct as their personalities.

The Whitlocks dominated Downtown and the Financial District, their silver wolf emblem on every gleaming skyscraper.Just like Wall Street, my human memories whispered. The Kingston ruled the Arts District, their influence flowing through every gallery and concert hall. The Hawkins Clan’s bear emblem marked the Industrial District, where oil refineries met cutting-edge tech. The Bellini brought elegance to the Coastal District, their golden leopard emblem marking luxury resorts and high-end entertainment venues.

The Chengs held Chinatown in their dragon claws, their young Duke’s temper as legendary as his parties. The Blackthorns ruled the Gothic Quarter, their ancient vampire lineage evident in their infamous blood galas. The Lionhearts maintained their celestial presence in their district, their golden lion emblem marking estates of divine protection and ancient wealth. The MacKenzies’ highland wolves claimed their territory with pride, their training grounds and whiskey distilleries legendary throughout the city. The O’Briens’ ancient druid magic flowed through the Emerald District, their wolfhound emblem marking mystical gardens and sacred circles.

The Eriksons’ Norse bears held their territory with Viking pride, their longhouses and feasting halls echoing with ancient traditions. The Satos’ fox magic turned the Entertainment District into a neon wonderland that reminded me of Akihabara, while the Parks brought sleek modernity to K-Town that could rival Seoul’s trendiest neighborhoods. And in the Death District, the Shadowmere Clan’s dark angels kept their own counsel, their black wing emblem a reminder of the balance between light and darkness.

Thirteen clans, I thought,thirteen territories, one city where supernatural beings ruled openly and humans were nothing but stories told to frighten young shifters.

I trailed my fingers along the marble walls, remembering clan lessons drilled into young vampires.Politics and power, little one, Grandfather Alexander’s voice echoed.Know your allies, know your enemies, and never forget you’re a Valentine.

“The residence is quiet today,” Benedict said, pulling me from my thoughts. He gestured to various doors as we passed.

I nodded, more memories clicking into place. Twenty residential suites, though only twelve currently occupied. The east wing belonged to my adopted brothers—Zane’s master suite all business elegance, Ryker’s space minimalist calm, andArcher’s… well, Archer’s room looked like an anime convention collided with a comedy club.

The west wing was family space—my lavender sanctuary, the twins’ adjacent rooms full of art and tech, Uncle Owen and Aunt Senna’s apartment always smelling of cookies and gunpowder—an odd combination that somehow worked.

A bell chimed somewhere. Benedict jumped. “Oh! That’s the staff meeting. Would you be okay exploring on your own, Prince?”

I nodded, secretly relieved. Even this gentle company felt overwhelming after years of self-imposed isolation.

I slipped into the library, immediately overwhelmed by the scent of old books. My heart—did vampires even have beating hearts?—fluttered as I took in the floor-to-ceiling shelves. Paradise.

Luca Valentine might have been a shut-in, but at least he had excellent taste in hideouts.

Memories filtered through. Years of sneaking in here at odd hours, avoiding family, treasuring these quiet moments alone. But now… now I could actually explore properly.

The manga section caught my eye, arranged by genre and protected behind climate-controlled glass.Of course vampire prince me would have a manga collection.I wandered closer, fingertips trailing along the cool glass, recognizing titles from my other life and discovering new ones that only existed here.

Even on my tiptoes—being shrunk down to five foot six in this new body was definitely going to take some getting used to—I couldn’t quite reach the latch to the case.

The library ladder looked sturdy enough. Probably. Maybe.

Don’t do it, the sensible part of me whispered. But there was a new volume ofMy Fated Alpha Princeup there, and both Lucas were weak for manga.

I climbed carefully, stretching for the glass case latch. Just a little farther…