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Technology allowed people to work however they wanted these days. On the other hand, it made things more difficult for vampires trying to hide in plain sight.

A camera catching one of them teleporting or moving at superhuman (in their mind) speed is hard to explain. But vampires had the ability to manipulate the human mind. So, in the past, they’d been able to wipe tapes and memories.

Now, the speed at which information was transmitted—often live—meant that they couldn’t keep up with it.

Wiping a few dozen memories was a huge job.

Trying to do that with hundreds or millions? Impossible.

Hence the situation they found themselves in today because Brooklyn had talked to a journalist and it’d been broadcast around the world.

Ari had finally stopped talking about other males and Ella.

“Not fucking happening.” Mack growled before he could stop himself.

Ari didn’t seem to mind. The ancient vampire laughed, then stood and slapped him on the shoulder.

“Tell you what, I haven’t laughed all week, so for that I’ll train you. Set up a session for later tonight.”

“Seriously?”

Ari walked him to the door and opened it.

“Two hours. After that, you join Marcus’s sessions. He’s an excellent trainer.”

“Done.”

“Do you want to become an SLC?” Ari asked, referring to the Senior Lieutenant Commanders—the highest-ranking warriors in the king’s army.

He hadn’t thought that far ahead.

Maybe.

Mack stepped out into the hallway and crossed his arms, feeling his muscles bunch. He had the physical strength and build for it. He wasn’t the biggest vampire. Hell, Craig was a brick shithouse. But Mack stood on his own as a tall, broad male, and his wolf was very strong.

“Yeah, I might.” He nodded. “If there’s an army when all this is over.”

Ari leaned his side against the doorjamb. “I’ve lived for this long, Mack. I’m not going to let the race be destroyed, enslaved, or become extinct.”

Mack nodded.

He hadn’t realized how much he’d needed to hear that.

“My brother—King Gio—sired this race, but my blood also runs through all your veins. That weighs heavily on my shoulders. As it does the king’s and Brayden’s.”

They heard boots.

“Did I hear my name?” Brayden walked toward them with Princess Isabella holding his hand. They both walked at a snail’s pace as she almost toppled over with every step. “Look baby, there’s Uncle Ari.”

Mack smiled at the huge vampire being a daddy.

He’d heard many of the females in the castle letting out the most ridiculous romantic type sighs.

Isabella was very cute. She looked like Willow with all her dark hair and had Brayden’s silver eyes.

“Waawee!” She giggled with her whole body, so much so that her legs gave out from under her. Which made her laugh even more.

Brayden scooped her up into his arms.