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WHITLOCK brOTHERS

“ T he veil grows thin,” Lord Thanatos Shadowmere intoned, his dark wings casting impossible shadows despite the morning light. “The signs are unmistakable.”

Lady Wei Cheng’s dragon magic crackled. “Three disturbances in the past month alone. The last one so powerful it shattered every mirror in my granddaughter’s wing.”

From somewhere in the back, Archer barely suppressed a snort. “Here we go again, another emergency council meeting about magical disturbances. Last month it was the alignment of stars, before that it was a suspicious cloud formation…”

“Show some respect,” Colt Hawkins drawled, though his eyes held a hint of amusement. “Even if the last ‘urgent matter’ turned out to be Lord Blackthorn’s cat knocking over a magical artifact.”

“That was a priceless ancestral urn,” Lord Blackthorn Senior sniffed.

“Dark Haven moves,” Lady Victoria Lionheart cut through the murmurs, her voice carrying the weight of celestial prophecy. “Their hunters cross our borders with increasing frequency. And Silver Crown…” She exchanged a look with Lord Blackthorn. “They’ve reopened their breeding programs.”

“And Storm Gate’s black market has tripled their bounties on unmarked supernatural beings,” Lord Thanatos added, shadows writhing around his wings. “Their traffickers grow bold.”

Lady Victoria’s celestial light flared. “They’re preparing. All of them. Dark Haven’s hunters, Silver Crown’s breeders, Storm Gate’s traffickers—they sense what’s coming.”

That silenced the snickers. Even Colt’s usual drawl carried an edge when he spoke. “Breeding programs? Supernatural trafficking? Those were outlawed millennia ago.”

“Laws mean little to those desperate for power,” Lord Blackthorn’s tone had turned sharp as winter frost. “The ancient texts speak of souls marked by fate, crossing worlds to bring great change.”

“Ancient texts?” Lei Cheng rolled his eyes. “With all due respect to our elders, we’re running a modern supernatural metropolis here. We can’t base policy on some dusty scrolls about magical soul mates.”

“Yeah,” Cameron Kingston chimed in. “Next you’ll tell us to check our horoscopes for potential threats.”

Lady Wei Cheng’s dragon magic crackled dangerously. “You younglings mock what you don’t understand. These aren’t fairy tales—they’re prophecies written in first blood, sealed with ancient magic.”

“When the fated heat comes,” Lord Thanatos added, making several alphas choke on their own spit, “you’ll wish you’d paid more attention to these… how did you put it? Dusty scrolls?”

“Fated… heat?” Akira Sato leaned forward, his nine tails twitching with sudden interest.

Lady Lucia Bellini snapped her fingers, and pamphlets materialized in front of each clan head. “Basic protocols,” she explained, ignoring the incredulous looks. “What to expect, how to handle the initial bonding phase, emergency contacts…”

“You made pamphlets ?” Isaiah Kingston’s voice cracked slightly.

“We’ve had centuries to prepare,” Lady Victoria said primly. “Though I do hope the Lionheart Clan finds their fated one first. Our bloodline could use some fresh power.”

“Nonsense,” Lord Blackthorn huffed. “Clearly, the vampiric nobility should?—”

“The dragon clan—” Lady Wei Cheng began.

“Now, now.” Lord Thanatos’s dark amusement cut through the budding argument. “Fate will choose as it will. Though obviously, death angels?—”

“If we could return to the matter at hand,” Zane interrupted, fighting back a smile despite the serious situation. “These fated ones—how are we to recognize them?”

The elders exchanged glances. “Well…” Lady Victoria hesitated. “The texts are… somewhat unclear on the specifics.”

“Somewhat unclear?” Gabriel Lionheart’s celestial light flickered with concern. “What exactly do we know?”

“They speak of bonds that transcend ordinary connections,” Lord Kenshin Sato began.

“Your alpha instincts will know,” Lady Wei Cheng added.

“There might be glowing,” Lady Freya Erikson offered.

“Or singing,” Lady Siobhan O’Brien suggested.

“Possibly floating,” Lady Aileen MacKenzie mused.

“ Floating ?” several young alphas echoed incredulously.

“The point is…” Lord Blackthorn cleared his throat. “These bonds, once formed, cannot be forced or broken. Any attempt results in both deaths. And the fated ones could be anyone, any social class.”

“Which makes them vulnerable,” Lord Thanatos added darkly. “To those who would destroy what they fear. Or worse, try to harness power they don’t understand.”

“So let me get this straight,” Connor MacKenzie said. “We’re looking for maybe-glowing, possibly floating people who could be anyone, anywhere, that other cities might want to kidnap or kill, and our only guide is…” He waved the pamphlet. “101 Signs Your Mate Might Be Fated: A Helpful Guide?”

“Page three has a checklist,” Lady Lucia said helpfully.

The chamber erupted in a mix of groans, laughs, and serious discussions. Zane caught sight of several alphas already flipping through their pamphlets with poorly concealed interest.

“Then we must protect them all,” Magnus Erikson declared over the chaos, voicing what every alpha in the room was thinking beneath their skepticism. “Any who might be chosen.”

“Agreed,” Zane said. “We cannot allow Dark Haven, Silver Crown, or Storm Gate to threaten potential fated ones in our territory.”

“And I suppose we should all start practicing our ‘protective alpha’ poses?” Lei Cheng muttered.

“Page seven,” Lady Victoria said serenely.

“Now,” Lady Wei Cheng continued, producing an alarmingly thick folder, “we’ve prepared additional materials on proper fated one courtship protocols?—”

“Of course you have,” Archer muttered from behind his brother. “Let me guess—there’s a PowerPoint presentation too?”

Lady Victoria brightened. “Actually?—”

“Please, no,” Isaiah Kingston groaned. “The last presentation on ‘Proper Supernatural Etiquette’ was three hours long.”

“With interpretive dance,” Andre Mitchell added, shuddering at the memory.

“The dance was essential to demonstrate proper greeting postures,” Lady Aileen sniffed.

“Speaking of postures.” Lady Wei Cheng waved her hand, and another set of papers appeared. “We’ve outlined the traditional protective stances that?—”

“Oh my God, there are diagrams ,” Archer wheezed, peeking over Zane’s shoulder. “Look, they even drew little hearts around the brooding alpha lean .”

“I helped with those,” Lord Thanatos said with deadly seriousness, making several younger alphas choke on their laughter.

Kai Park cleared his throat. “While the… er, diagrams are very helpful,” he said diplomatically, “perhaps we should discuss practical measures? Security protocols?”

“Yes!” Lady Victoria seized on this. “Any fated one must be brought immediately to the council for protection?—”

“And registration,” Lord Blackthorn added quickly.

“And proper clan introduction,” Lady Freya Erikson interjected.

“And power assessment,” Lord Thanatos smiled darkly.

Azrael Shadowmere’s wings rustled. “I’m sure this has nothing to do with wanting to be the first to influence any potential fated ones toward your respective clans?”

The elders managed to look simultaneously offended and guilty.

“We merely wish to ensure proper protection,” Lady Victoria sniffed, though her golden mane bristled slightly.

“Through immediate relocation to the Lionheart compound, no doubt,” Lord Blackthorn said dryly.

“Clearly, the dragon clan’s ancient wisdom would be most beneficial—” Lady Wei Cheng began.

“Oh please,” Archer interrupted. “You’re all just hoping your clan gets the first one so you can brag about it at the next supernatural society gala.”

“I would never—” several elders started simultaneously, then stopped, glaring at each other.

“The pamphlet actually has a section on clan competition,” Colt drawled, flipping pages. “ Please refrain from excessive power displays when attempting to impress potential fated ones . There’s a whole subsection on proper fireball etiquette.”

“And a strongly worded note about not using shadow portals to kidnap them,” Jin Lee added, squinting at his copy. “That’s… oddly specific.”

“That was added after the Great Courting Disaster of 1872,” Lord Thanatos said smoothly. “We don’t talk about it.”

“But the scorch marks are still visible in the old council chamber,” Archer stage-whispered.

“The point is,” Zane cut in before the elders could start another century-old argument, “we need to be vigilant. Politics aside, if Dark Haven, Storm Gate, or Silver Crown is moving?—”

“They’ll try to claim any fated ones for themselves,” Gabriel Lionheart finished, his celestial light dimming with concern.

“Or eliminate them entirely,” Azrael added, shadows curling around his wings. “Some fear what such bonds might mean for the old power structures.”

“Which is why,” Lady Wei Cheng said firmly, producing yet another stack of papers, “we’ve prepared a comprehensive training program?—”

The collective groan from the younger generation echoed off the chamber walls.

“With mandatory weekly sessions—” Lady Victoria added.

“And practical exercises—” Lord Blackthorn continued.

“And role-playing scenarios—” Lady Lucia beamed.

“Kill me now,” Archer moaned.

“That can be arranged,” Lord Thanatos offered helpfully.

“Focus,” Zane commanded, though his lips twitched. “Lives are at stake, even if the presentation methods are… enthusiastic.”

“Page nineteen covers proper focusing techniques,” Lady Victoria pointed out.

“This is going to be a long meeting, isn’t it?” Dante Bellini sighed.

The sound of multiple alphas banging their heads on the council table echoed through the chamber.

“These protocols,” Ming Cheng said carefully, “they’re the same ones you’ve had us studying for decades. And yet, no fated ones have appeared.”

Several young alphas nodded in agreement. Even Ryker, usually the most diplomatic of the Whitlock brothers, shifted uncomfortably.