Page 38

“Main vocalist, Aria.” The vampire idol’s bow was pure aristocratic grace, her midnight-blue bob catching starlight. Something about her reminded me of Alpha Blackthorn’s ancient power, though softer, more refined.

Each introduction carried the weight of ceremony, of power shifting and alliances forming. I watched, fascinated, as Alpha Kingston’s eyes lit up at Lily’s water magic display, while Alpha Bellini nodded approvingly at Nina’s leopard energy.

“Quite the collection of talents,” Alpha Erikson remarked, his bear shifter energy rumbling through the room. “Though I’m curious about the crystal formations during the third song?”

“Ah.” Aria’s voice carried that perfect idol blend of confidence and humility. “That would be my contribution. Though I believe the interruption came before the full effect?”

A pointed silence followed her words. Alpha Blackthorn merely sipped his blood wine, seemingly unperturbed by the reference to his earlier dramatic entrance.

“Perhaps”—Alpha Park’s smile held steel beneath the silk—”we might arrange a private showcase? To properly appreciate the full performance?”

“A private showcase would be delightful,” Alpha Kingston agreed, his silver eyes lingering on Lily’s water-shimmer effect. “Though I believe Whitlock Enterprise might have something in mind already?”

I startled at that, nearly spilling my blood champagne. Archer’s hand steadied me, his thumb still tracing those distracting circles on my shoulder.

“Actually…” I gathered my courage, looking at Aria. “I was hoping to discuss something about Beyond Beauty.” The vampire idol’s eyes lit up with interest. “We’re developing a campaign that showcases how supernatural essence enhances natural beauty, and your crystal formations during performances…”

“That would be a complex negotiation,” Manager Kim cut in smoothly. “As they’ve just debuted, we’re still assessing market reception and…”

“I’d love to,” Aria said simply.

Manager Kim looked like he might faint. “Miss Aria, we should discuss the scheduling and contract terms…”

“I believe”—Alpha Park’s voice held an unusual note of… amusement?—”we can make an exception in this case.” He turned to me with that same strange expression. “What did you have in mind, Prince?”

The room went oddly still. Even Alpha Erikson’s bear energy paused its usual rumble. I could feel Archer’s energy brightening behind me, practically radiating smugness. Across the room, Alpha Blackthorn and Alpha Kingston exchanged knowing looks that I couldn’t quite interpret.

“Your idea has merit,” Alpha Cheng spoke up, his dragon energy swirling like ancient mist. “Beauty enhanced by natural power rather than suppressed by artificial products.” He shared a meaningful look with Alpha Sato, whose fox magic created subtle patterns in the air.

“The timing is perfect,” Alpha Hawkins drawled, his bear shifter energy surprisingly gentle despite his imposing presence. “Market’s been waiting for something authentic.”

I outlined my concept, trying not to let my voice shake as thirteen of the most powerful beings in New Vale watched me.

“Each supernatural species has unique characteristics that make them beautiful. Like how Aria’s crystal formations aren’t just performance effects—they’re pure vampire essence made visible. ”

“Interesting,” Alpha O’Brien said thoughtfully. “Using idol influence to promote natural power expression rather than suppression.”

“Bold move,” Alpha MacKenzie said. “Most beauty campaigns do the opposite.”

From his shadowed corner, Alpha Shadowmere’s dark wings shifted, drawing all eyes. “The young prince speaks truth. Our natural powers should be celebrated, not hidden.”

The way they all referred to me as ‘prince’ still felt strange, especially with how their ancient powers seemed to… defer?

The rest of the night passed in a blur of crystalline glasses and supernatural grace.

ECLIPSE returned to the main ballroom, though I wasn’t allowed to follow—something about “security concerns” that made all three of my brothers look particularly smug.

I tried pointing out that the only security concern had been thoroughly handled by Alpha Blackthorn’s darkness display, but apparently alpha protective instincts didn’t respond well to logic.

“You’re pouting, little bat,” Archer murmured against my ear, his citrus-sunshine scent making my fangs ache. “It’s adorable.”

“I’m not pouting,” I muttered, definitely pouting. “I just think it’s excessive to keep me trapped in the VIP lounge when there’s a perfectly good idol performance happening downstairs.”

“Trapped?” Ryker’s lightning-storm scent intensified with amusement. “You’ve had three glasses of blood champagne and spent an hour discussing marketing strategies with some of the most powerful beings in New Vale.”

“While floating,” Zane added helpfully from where he lounged beside me, close enough that his midnight-starlight presence made my skin tingle. “Twice.”

I hadn’t even noticed the floating. Which probably proved their point about watching me, but still.

The night eventually wound down, and I found myself being expertly maneuvered away from Aunt Senna and Sylvie. One moment I was following them, the next I was somehow sliding into the back seat of a sleek sports car, Archer right beside me.

“Wait, how did—” I blinked at Ryker settling into the driver’s seat, Zane claiming the passenger side. “When did we?—”

“Shhh.” Archer pulled me closer, his warmth seeping through the silk of my suit. “Don’t think too hard about it, little bat.”

“You all just… alpha-ed your way into kidnapping me from my actual escort home?”

“Borrowed,” Ryker corrected, the engine purring to life. “We borrowed you.”

“That’s not better!” But I couldn’t help laughing, especially when Zane turned to give me one of his rare smiles, the one that made his steel-gray eyes sparkle like starlight.

“We’ll have you home before midnight,” Archer promised, his fingers tracing patterns on my shoulder that made it very hard to remember why I should protest.

“It’s already past midnight,” I pointed out, trying to ignore how their combined scents in the enclosed space made me want to bite… everything.

“So we’re already late.” Zane’s voice held a dangerous edge of heat. “Might as well take the scenic route.”

Oh, for the love of all things nocturnal, I was in trouble.

The city lights painted liquid gold across the bay as Ryker took us along the coastal route.

I should have been admiring the view—it was the kind of night that made New Vale look like a supernatural fairy tale.

Instead, all I could focus on was Archer’s overwhelming presence beside me.

His scent filled the enclosed space of the car, making my fangs throb with every breath.

I leaned closer, drawn like a moth to flame.

My eyes traced the strong column of his throat, lingered on the tempting curve of his lips, then dropped to where my hand had somehow landed on his thigh.

The solid muscle beneath designer wool pants twitched under my touch.

“See something you like, little bat?” Archer’s voice held that dangerous edge of heat that made everything inside me melt. “You’re staring at me like I’m the last blood bag at a vampire convention.”

“I’m not—” My traitorous stomach chose that moment to growl. Loudly. Because apparently being a vampire prince didn’t save me from embarrassing bodily functions. “Vampires aren’t even supposed to have growling stomachs. This is clearly a design flaw.”

“Hungry?” His fingers traced up my arm, leaving trails of fire that had nothing to do with blood thirst. “Because I’m a five-star dining experience right here, complete with mood lighting and everything.”

Zane turned, steel-gray eyes flashing silver in the darkness. “Archer.” Just one word, but it carried enough alpha warning to make the air heavy.

“We can stop somewhere,” Ryker offered, though the crackle of electricity dancing across the dashboard suggested he wasn’t as composed as he sounded. “That café near the crystal fountains does excellent blood-infused drinks. Their hot chocolate is?—”

“Why settle for synthetic when you’ve got grade A, pure alpha blood right here?” Archer’s grin turned positively wicked as he tugged me closer. “I’m basically a gourmet food truck. Except, you know, classier. And better dressed.”

“You’re making it so much worse,” I groaned, pressing my face against his shoulder. His scent was devastating up close—citrus and sunshine wrapped around something darker that made me want to bite… everything. “This is cruel and unusual punishment.”

“If I were a vampire,” he murmured against my hair, voice dropping to a register that should be illegal, “I wouldn’t be able to keep my fangs off you. Fair’s fair, little bat.”

“You’re going to regret this level of temptation.”

“Sweetheart.” His laugh rumbled through me like warm honey. “I’ve never regretted anything less in my entire three centuries of existence.”

Fine. Challenge accepted.

I struck before I could overthink it, fangs sinking into the perfect spot where his neck met shoulder.

The taste… oh, sweet midnight fangs. His blood exploded across my tongue like liquid summer—bright citrus and golden honey wrapped around pure, raw power.

Each mouthful was a revelation. I could taste his playfulness, his fierce protectiveness, the molten heat building between us.

Notes of ancient forest and wild magic danced beneath it all, making me dizzy with need.

Archer’s arms locked around me like steel bands, a groan rumbling through his chest that I felt in my bones. “Fuck, little bat. That’s—you can’t just—gods.”

I should stop. I really, really should stop. But his blood was addictive, better than any carefully crafted blood-wine or designer plasma blend. Each pull made him shudder, his hands gripping me harder, until I wasn’t sure if he was trying to push me away or pull me closer.

When I finally forced myself to pull back, dazed and definitely aroused, Archer’s eyes had gone molten gold, pupils blown wide with desire. For a heartbeat that felt like eternity, we just stared at each other, the air crackling with enough tension to power a small city.

Then his mouth crashed into mine.

The kiss was pure fire, desperate and consuming.

His lips claimed mine with hungry possession, tasting his own blood on my tongue in a way that should have been weird but was just scorching hot.

I melted into it completely, surrendering to the onslaught as he devoured my mouth.

My fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him closer as embarrassingly needy sounds escaped my throat.

Twin growls from the front seat ratcheted the temperature even higher.

I could smell Zane’s midnight-starlight scent turning dark and dangerous with desire, feel Ryker’s lightning-storm energy crackling through the car like a brewing tempest. Archer’s kiss turned deeper, more possessive, his hands sliding down to brand my waist through the thin silk of my shirt.

“Archer.” Zane’s voice was pure alpha command, though the roughened edges betrayed his own control wasn’t perfect. “We’re almost home.”

Home. Right. That was… probably important? Though I couldn’t quite remember why when Archer was kissing me like he wanted to devour my soul, his citrus-sunshine scent wrapped around me like a heated blanket.

“Five more minutes,” Archer murmured against my lips, stealing another kiss that made my toes curl and my fangs ache. “Maybe ten. Hour tops.”

Ryker’s laugh held the dangerous edge of an approaching storm. “We’re either going straight home, or I’m pulling over and joining you. Choose wisely, brother.”

That… that really shouldn’t sound as tempting as it did. At all.

“What do you think, little bat?” Archer’s voice was pure sin against my lips. “Your choice. Home or…” He trailed off meaningfully, pressing another scorching kiss to the corner of my mouth.

I should say home. I really should. But after two weeks of empty breakfast tables and lonely nights, having them here, being in Archer’s arms, tasting his blood on my tongue…

it felt right in a way nothing else ever had.

Like puzzle pieces clicking into place. Like coming home to a place I didn’t even know I was missing.

“I…” My voice came out embarrassingly breathy. “Maybe somewhere with a view?”

The energy in the car shifted instantly, becoming heavier, more charged. Ryker’s lightning crackled across the leather seats while Zane’s midnight-starlight scent darkened to something that made my whole body tingle.

“I know just the place.” Ryker’s voice held dangerous promise. “Private overlook, perfect view of the bay.”

“Ryker.” Zane’s growl was pure alpha warning, but I could smell the conflict in his scent—duty warring with desire. His steel-gray eyes met mine in the rearview mirror, burning with barely contained heat. “Luca, sweetheart, we should?—”

“Please?” I didn’t recognize my own voice, soft and wanting. “I’ve missed you. All of you. So much.”

Archer’s arms tightened possessively. “Good choice, little bat.” His lips found that sensitive spot below my ear. “Such a good choice.”

The car accelerated smoothly as Ryker took a different turn, electricity dancing across the dashboard. Zane made another sound, half growl, half groan, his knuckles white on the armrest.

“The things you do to us, little bat,” Archer murmured against my skin. “Two weeks of trying to stay away, and all it takes is one bite, one kiss…”

My fangs ached at the memory of his blood, at the promise of more. “Whose fault was that? You’re the ones who disappeared.”

“Never again,” Ryker’s voice was storm-rough. “We’re done fighting this.”

Zane remained silent, but his scent… oh, his scent told me everything his alpha control wouldn’t let him say. Yet.