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WHITLOCK brOTHERS

A rcher couldn’t stop grinning as he watched Luca lovingly arrange his new purchases across his lap, Archer’s wolf practically preening at the memory of Luca’s earlier possessiveness.

The way Luca’s eyes had flashed when Isabella dared touch Archer, that barely contained growl when the prince had threatened to rip the socialite’s hands off… delicious .

Archer lounged against the leather seat, one leg crossed over the other, his arm stretched casually along the back.

If that position happened to bring him closer to Luca, well, that was purely coincidental.

Just like the way Archer kept leaning in to examine each item Luca showed off, breathing in the young man’s sweet scent of vanilla and cherry blossoms.

“And this one changes color based on your mood!” Sylvie exclaimed, holding up some crystal contraption that had Luca cooing in appreciation.

“Check out this limited edition controller skin,” Hunter chimed in from across the car, waving his new gaming gear. “It’s got actual dragon scales embedded in it!”

But Archer was more interested in how Luca’s shoulder kept brushing against Archer’s chest every time the prince reached for another shopping bag.

How Luca seemed completely unaware of his own territorial display back at the café, even as Archer’s wolf basked in the aftermath of the boy’s fierce protectiveness.

Stop feeling so damn pleased with yourself, Zane’s growl thundered through their pack bond, making Archer’s grin widen.

Can’t help it, Archer sent back, letting his brothers feel his smug satisfaction. You should have seen him, ready to throw down with Isabella over touching me.

What exactly happened? Ryker’s calmer presence filtered through, though Archer could feel his brother’s interest spike.

Our little vampire prince got jealous, Archer projected, along with the memory of Luca’s flashing eyes and sharp words. Apparently, he doesn’t appreciate other women pawing at his brother.

Another warning growl from Zane. He’s not supposed to be appreciating or misappreciating anything about us in that way.

Tell that to his vampire instincts, Archer shot back, watching Luca inspect a floating charm. Because they seemed pretty clear about ownership rights today.

Archer… Ryker’s mental tone held equal parts amusement and warning.

What? I’m just enjoying our brother’s protective nature. Nothing wrong with that. But even as he thought it, Archer knew he was lying. The way his wolf purred at Luca’s possessiveness had nothing brotherly about it.

We’ll discuss this tonight. After dinner. Zane’s alpha authority rang through their bond, leaving no room for argument.

Looking forward to it, Archer sent back cheerfully, projecting another image of Luca’s radiant smile. I have so many interesting observations to share.

The answering growl from both his brothers only widened Archer’s grin. Beside him, Luca was completely oblivious to the mental exchange as the young man carefully arranged his shopping bags, occasionally brushing against Archer’s side in a way that made Archer’s wolf rumble with satisfaction.

Thomas guided the car smoothly into Whitlock Tower’s private entrance. A team of security personnel efficiently unloaded their shopping bags while Thomas opened the door for them.

The private elevator whisked them up to the penthouse foyer, where Harrison and several staff awaited their arrival.

The head butler’s expression remained perfectly neutral as he directed the staff to handle the impressive collection of shopping bags, though Archer caught the slight twitch of amusement at Harrison’s lips.

“Welcome home, young masters,” Harrison greeted them formally. “I trust you had an enjoyable afternoon?”

“Yes!” Luca’s enthusiasm had Archer’s wolf preening again. “The new boutique wing is amazing, and Archer got me the most?—”

“Perhaps we should save the full review for the living room?” Sylvie suggested with a knowing grin. “I’m pretty sure Mom is dying to see our haul.”

Sure enough, as Harrison led them into the main living room, they found Zane and Ryker sharing what appeared to be a pre-dinner whiskey while Aunt Senna lounged elegantly on one of the cream leather sofas, a glass of red wine in hand.

“There’s my shopping warriors!” Aunt Senna’s warm welcome did nothing to hide the keen interest in her eyes. “Come, show me what treasures you found.”

Archer settled into an armchair, deliberately catching Zane’s eye as Luca began enthusiastically displaying his purchases. Zane’s expression remained carefully neutral, but the slight tightening of the alpha’s jaw when Luca gushed about “Archer’s incredible generosity” was deeply satisfying.

“And look at these necklaces,” Luca was saying, holding them up. “Aren’t they perfect? Archer said they matched my eyes…”

Ryker’s glass creaked dangerously in his grip.

“Oh, and this one!” Luca pulled out the floating bat charm, his eyes sparkling as it danced in his palm. “I just mentioned how cute it was, and Archer insisted on getting it right away. He wouldn’t even let me see the price!”

Zane’s whiskey sloshed dangerously close to the rim of his crystal tumbler as Luca continued his enthusiastic show-and-tell.

“Then we found this adorable boutique,” the prince explained, carefully laying out a collection of sleek accessories. “And Archer just… he kept adding things to the pile every time I smiled at something.” Luca’s cheeks flushed pink as he glanced at Archer. “You really shouldn’t spoil me so much.”

“Nonsense, Prince,” Archer drawled, enjoying how Ryker’s knuckles whitened around his glass. “What kind of brother would I be if I didn’t indulge your excellent taste?”

Luca ducked his head, but the boy’s pleased smile was worth every growl vibrating through the pack bond. The crack that appeared in Ryker’s tumbler had Aunt Senna hiding her smile behind her wineglass.

“I still can’t believe you got me the whole set,” Luca continued. “It’s too much, really, but Archer insisted it would be a crime to separate such perfect pieces.”

Zane’s jaw clenched so hard Archer could hear his teeth grinding. The alpha’s thoughts slammed against their pack bond —a jumble of possessiveness and frustration that had Archer’s wolf practically dancing with satisfaction.

“Show them the outfit,” Sylvie prompted. “The one Uncle Archer said matched your complexion perfectly.”

The sound of Ryker’s glass finally giving up the fight was largely drowned out by Luca’s delighted agreement. As the young man pulled out the flowing silk creation, holding it up with stars in his eyes, Archer caught both his brothers’ matching expressions of barely contained jealousy.

Having fun? Archer projected through their bond, not even trying to hide his smugness.

The dual growls he received in response only widened his grin.

“Speaking of outfits,” Luca was saying, “Archer helped me pick out?—”

“I see the shopping expedition was a success.” Great Uncle Johnathan’s amused voice cut through Luca’s enthusiastic review. The elder stood in the doorway, his distinguished presence commanding immediate attention despite his casual attire.

Uncle Owen followed close behind, raising an eyebrow at the array of shopping bags and the suspicious remains of Ryker’s glass. “Do I want to know what caused that?” he asked, nodding at the crystalline debris.

“Just a slight… grip malfunction,” Ryker muttered, while a staff smoothly appeared to clean up the evidence.

“Great Uncle Johnathan!” Luca brightened, his fangs peeking out adorably in his excitement. “You have to see what Archer found in this amazing little boutique. They had these traditional vampire ceremonial pieces but with a modern twist, and he said?—”

The eldest Whitlock’s knowing look swept over his three nephews—lingering particularly on Zane’s white-knuckled grip on his tumbler and Archer’s entirely too pleased expression.

“Perhaps we should save the rest of the fashion show for after dinner,” Aunt Senna suggested diplomatically, rising from her seat.

“Yes!” Luca’s enthusiasm shifted immediately to the promise of dinner, though he carefully gathered his purchases. “Sylvie, will you help me put these away first? I want to try on that crystal-embedded outfit later.”

“The one Uncle Archer said brought out your inner vampire prince?” Sylvie’s innocent tone was belied by her mischievous grin.

The wave of possessive irritation that rolled through the pack bond from Zane and Ryker had Archer struggling to contain his laughter.

The formal dining room gleamed under crystal chandeliers, the mahogany table set for an intimate family dinner. Luca settled into a chair between Sylvie and Hunter, while Archer deliberately chose the seat across from the prince—earning another warning growl from Zane through their bond.

“It’s wonderful having you join us for dinner again, Luca,” Great Uncle Johnathan remarked, his eyes twinkling.

Several staff glided into the dining room, carrying silver platters that had Luca’s eyes widening.

The aromas alone were torture—herb-crusted rack of lamb, butter-poached lobster tails, wild mushroom risotto that looked like creamy perfection.

Each dish was a masterpiece, arranged with the precision of fine art.

“Is that…” Luca leaned forward slightly, “truffle mac and cheese?”

“Chef Graham outdid himself tonight.” Aunt Senna nodded, watching as the staff served portions around the table. “Though I believe Benedict has something special for you, dear.”

Right on cue, Benedict approached with an elegant crystal goblet on a silver tray. “Your evening blood, Prince Luca. Though…” He paused with a small smile. “The kitchen has prepared something rather unique tonight.”

“Oh?” Luca tried—and failed—to hide his wistfulness as he watched Hunter dive into the mac and cheese.

“Indeed.” Aunt Senna’s eyes sparkled. “We’ve been working with some specialists on new blood-fusion recipes.”