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“No backing out now! Besides, the Crystal Palace is perfect for your first appearance. It’s neutral ground, technically, even if we own it. And the Bellini Clan is all about style and entertainment—they’re not going to let anything spoil the fun.”

“And their security rivals ours,” Ryker added, his scent carrying a hint of reassurance. “The mall has special VIP areas for supernatural families. Very discreet.”

“Plus.” Hunter grinned. “If anyone bothers you, I can always challenge them to a VR duel. I’m undefeated in Demon Lord’s Quest .”

“Yes, because virtual demon-slaying is exactly what we need for diplomatic relations.” Aunt Senna shook her head fondly.

“I’ll have Harrison prepare the penthouse car,” Zane said. “And I’ll call Dante myself to let him know you’re coming. He’ll make sure everything runs smoothly.”

“The car?” I squeaked. “Can’t we just, um, take a normal car? Something less… attention-grabbing?”

Three identical looks of horror met my suggestion.

“A normal car?” Archer clutched his chest dramatically. “For the Whitlock prince’s first public appearance? Dante would never forgive us. His clan practically invented supernatural glamour in New Vale.”

“He’s right.” Sylvie nodded sagely. “The Bellinis are all about making an entrance. Remember when they unveiled their summer collection? They had leopard shifters walking on water in the marina.”

I sank lower in my chair, wondering if it was too late to evolve into a throw pillow instead of a vampire prince.

“Don’t worry,” Sylvie said. “We’ll make sure you’re comfortable, Luca. And if it gets overwhelming…”

“We bail,” Archer finished. “No questions asked. Though maybe we should establish a code word? Something subtle, like Holy crow, I’m about to float into the chandelier! ”

“Archer.” Zane’s warning tone carried both exasperation and amusement.

“What? It could happen.”

“Time for school,” Sylvie announced, getting up and practically dragging Hunter with her. “Lots of homework to finish before shopping. Come on, Hunter.”

As the staff began clearing the breakfast table, Archer stretched lazily.

“Well, since I’m playing bodyguard for the shopping trip later, I should probably finish that marketing presentation first.” He turned to me with his signature playful grin.

“Want to come along to the office, sugar fang? See how the family business runs?”

My head snapped up. Marketing presentation? The words Beyond Beauty flashed through my mind—my last project before… everything. “I’d love to,” I said, perhaps too eagerly. “I mean, if that’s okay?”

“Of course it’s okay.” Archer’s eyes sparkled. “Maybe you can help me convince the board that memes are a valid advertising strategy.”

“Please don’t.” Zane pinched the bridge of his nose.

“What? The youngsters love them! Right, Luca?”

I bit my lip to hide a smile. “They can be effective when used properly…”

“See?” Archer beamed at Zane. “Our prince gets it! This is why he’s my new favorite sibling.”

“Your presentation was due yesterday,” Ryker reminded him, but his lips twitched with amusement.

“And now it’ll be even better with Luca’s help.” Archer stood, offering me his hand. “Shall we, Prince? Let me show you the wild world of marketing.”

T he private elevator was a sleek glass capsule that offered dizzying views of New Vale. I tried to focus on the cityscape instead of how Archer’s scent filled the enclosed space or how his shoulder occasionally brushed mine as the elevator descended.

“Nervous?” he asked, reaching out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind my ear. The casual touch sent tingles down my spine.

“N-no,” I lied, then squeaked as the elevator dropped another floor. “Maybe a little.”

Archer’s laugh was warm and rich. “Don’t worry. Marketing’s the fun department. We leave all the serious business stuff to Zane and Ryker.”

The elevator dinged, saving me from having to form a coherent response. Which was probably good, because my brain had short-circuited somewhere between his touch and that intense gaze.

The marketing floor buzzed to life as we stepped out of the elevator, like someone had kicked a creative beehive.

“Good morning, Mr. Whitlock!”

“Welcome back, sir!”

“Morning, Alpha!”

The greetings echoed across the floor, accompanied by heads bowing respectfully as we passed. I tried not to shrink under the attention that shifted to me almost immediately. Their whispers weren’t exactly subtle.

“The Valentine prince…”

“I heard he was the only survivor when his clan fell in Dark Haven…”

“They say he never leaves the penthouse…”

“Look at his skin—it’s like moonlight…”

Great. Just great. Apparently, I wasn’t just a vampire prince, I was gossip central. At least in my old life, office gossip had been about who stole whose lunch from the break room.

Archer’s hand settled protectively at the small of my back as he guided me through the maze of desks and creative spaces.

His corner office was what would happen if a corporate executive suite had a baby with an art studio.

Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a stunning view of New Vale.

The remaining walls showcased what I assumed were the clan’s most successful campaigns through the decades.

A massive digital screen dominated one wall, displaying project timelines in a riot of colors that made my inner organization nerd swoon.

His desk, a sleek glass monstrosity, was covered in sketches and mock-ups, yet somehow managed to look artistically messy rather than cluttered.

Note to self: even chaos looks expensive when you’re supernatural royalty.

“Good morning, Mr. Whitlock,” his PA stood from his desk in the anteroom, tablet already in hand.

“The Beyond Beauty team meeting is in an hour. Until then, you have the quarterly reports to review, three calls with potential clients, and the Park Clan’s entertainment division wants to discuss collaboration opportunities. ”

“Thanks, Marcus.” Archer grinned, then gestured to the younger assistant who was setting down a tray with coffee and what looked like blood-infused tea. “Luca, that’s Marcus who keeps me from causing corporate chaos, and his assistant Tae who makes sure I’m properly caffeinated.”

Both men’s eyes widened at my presence, Tae nearly dropping the tray in his excitement.

“Prince Valentine! We’ve heard so much about you!” Tae gushed, then immediately blushed at his own enthusiasm.

I wandered to the windows while Archer reviewed his schedule with Marcus, trying to distract myself from the way Tae kept sneaking glances at me like I was some rare creature he’d just discovered.

From this high up, New Vale looked almost magical, sunlight catching on glass towers and—was that someone flying between buildings?

Right. Supernatural city. Flying is probably as normal as taking the subway was in my old life.

“Admiring the view, sugar fang?” Archer appeared beside me, offering a delicate crystal glass filled with what smelled like AB negative with hints of… was that caramel?

“Your office is…” I gestured vaguely at the organized chaos around us. “Very you.”

He raised an eyebrow. “And what’s that supposed to mean?”

“Chaotic but somehow still charming?” Oh God, did I just call him charming?

His laugh echoed through the space, and I caught Marcus hiding a smile behind his tablet. Even Tae, arranging papers on Archer’s desk, looked delighted at our interaction. Great. More fuel for the office gossip mill.

“Come here, you have to see this,” Archer guided me to the wall of campaigns, his hand warm against my lower back. “This was our first major campaign after I took over the department. The board nearly had collective heart attacks when I pitched it.”

The image showed a wolf mid-transformation, caught in that breathtaking moment between forms. But instead of the usual fierce, aggressive portrayal, this one was… beautiful. Ethereal. Silver light wrapped around the figure like stardust.

“It changed how we approached marketing in New Vale,” Archer said softly. “Before this, everything was about showing power and dominance. This campaign showed that supernatural beauty could be just as compelling as supernatural strength.”

Marcus cleared his throat. “Mr. Whitlock? The team is ready for you in the main conference room.”

“Ready to make some marketing magic, Prince?” Archer’s eyes sparkled with mischief.

Oh God. I was about to attend my first supernatural marketing meeting. What if I said something stupid? What if I accidentally insulted some ancient clan tradition? What if ? —

“Stop overthinking.” Archer poked my forehead gently. “You’ll do fine. Besides…” His grin turned wicked. “You can’t possibly suggest anything worse than my wolf meme campaign pitch.”

“Do I want to know?”

“No,” Marcus said firmly from the doorway, making both of us laugh.

The main conference room buzzed with energy as we entered. A dozen or so people sat around a massive glass table, tablets and holographic displays ready. The chatter died instantly when they noticed me, replaced by wide eyes and respectful nods.

“Morning, everyone!” Archer’s voice filled the room. “I’m sure you’ve all heard the rumors about our prince, so let me make it official—this is Luca Valentine, and he’s going to help us make Beyond Beauty actually beautiful.”

Wait, what?

A man with striking silver hair tied in a complicated braid spoke first. “Welcome, Prince Valentine. I’m Jin-Ho, creative director. We’re honored to have you join us.” His smile turned playful. “Maybe you can help rein in Mr. Whitlock’s more… experimental ideas.”

“You loved the moonlight transformation concept,” Archer protested, pulling out a chair for me.

“The first one, yes. The one with the dancing wolves wearing sunglasses? Not so much.”