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“I have it on good authority,” James added helpfully, “that three different research teams are petitioning to make Prince Luca’s smile an official subject of supernatural study.”

The heavy doors carved with ancient clan symbols swung open before Sebastian could defend his thoroughly besotted researchers. Inside, the private chamber breathed power and authority—all dark wood panels and crystalline fixtures, with ancient artifacts pulsing with magic along the walls.

The Council Elders sat in their usual seats of power, their presence charging the air with tension. Lady Wei Cheng’s dragon scales shimmered as she consulted a thick tome, while Lady Victoria Lionheart’s celestial light pulsed with barely contained excitement.

Along the walls, clan scholars huddled over ancient texts and power-infused tablets. Lady Helena’s team had claimed an entire corner, their crystal tablets forming a glowing fortress of academic enthusiasm. In the center, Alan sat with an ice pack pressed to his forehead, still smiling dreamily.

Dr. Stevens and Dr. Xu stood near a floating display of supernatural readings, arguing in heated whispers over what appeared to be a particularly luminescent blood analysis.

“But the crystalline formation clearly indicates—” Dr. Stevens jabbed at the display.

“The resonance patterns suggest—” Dr. Xu countered, her tablet chiming urgently.

“Gentlemen,” Lord Richard called to the brothers from his seat, interrupting what looked like an imminent academic throwdown. “Shall we begin? We have much to discuss about your brother’s… extraordinary situation.”

Zane’s wolf bristled at the hungry curiosity in the room. These were allies, he reminded himself. They were here to help. But as he took his seat, he couldn’t shake the feeling that they’d stepped into something bigger than they realized.

And somewhere in the back of his mind, those UTS tunnels kept calling, like his wolf knew something he didn’t.

“Be seated,” Lord Johnathan gestured to the three chairs directly facing the council triangle.

The Whitlock brothers exchanged glances before taking their places, Zane’s wolf unusually alert to every subtle shift of power in the room.

Sebastian and his commanders took their positions along the right wall.

Lady Victoria cleared her throat. “While this gathering isn’t officially sanctioned”—she paused, golden eyes sweeping the chamber—“we find ourselves facing what might be the most significant discovery since New Vale’s founding.” She let the words hang in the air, heavy with possibility.

“Our signs,” Lord Thanatos Shadowmere added, shadows curling around his wings, “suggest that Prince Luca Valentine may be…” Another dramatic pause. “Well, perhaps you recall our discussion about fated ones?”

Zane felt his brothers stiffen on either side of him. His own wolf surged forward, protective instincts warring with a sudden, terrifying hope.

“Impossible,” Archer whispered, but his usual playful tone had vanished. “Luca? Our little sugar fang?”

“The ancient blood’s reaction was unprecedented,” Lady Helena interjected eagerly, nearly knocking over her crystal tablet in her excitement. “Alan, show them the resonance patterns.”

Alan stumbled forward, still clutching his ice pack. “Of course, my lady. Though I should warn you, the data is quite…” He sighed dreamily. “…illuminating.”

“Extraordinary is one word for it,” Sebastian drawled. “I believe ‘mass academic hysteria’ might be more accurate.”

“That was a perfectly natural scientific response,” Lady Helena protested from her corner. Her research team nodded vigorously in agreement, three of them accidentally syncing their tablet chimes in their enthusiasm.

“Indeed,” Edmund added dryly. “I often find our most brilliant researchers sprawled on the floor, muttering about crystalline resonance patterns.”

“They were documenting an unprecedented supernatural phenomenon,” Lady Helena sniffed, though her eyes sparkled.

“Perhaps we should start with what actually happened,” Lord Thanatos suggested, his shadows twitching with what might have been amusement. “When you delivered the ancient blood to Prince Luca.”

“When we arrived with the blood,” Alan’s voice grew stronger, more passionate as he continued, “I… I felt this overwhelming urge to kneel.” His crystal tablet trembled in his hands. “Not out of fear or protocol, but this pure instinct to protect, to serve. It was like being wrapped in pure light!”

“Yes, yes!” Another researcher bounced on her toes. “This sense of peace, of rightness. Like floating, but inside!”

“Even the ancient blood responded.” Lady Helena’s eyes sparkled as she gestured wildly at the floating displays.

“We’ve served this blood to our most powerful vampires for millennia.

Never, not once in all our recorded history, has it resonated like this!

The patterns it formed, the way it sang with power… ”

“Sang?” Lady Victoria’s celestial light flared. “The blood actually sang?”

“Like a thousand crystal bells,” Alan breathed reverently. “The most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard.”

“Something ancient,” Lord Richard added, his usual aristocratic composure slipping into boyish wonder. “Something we were meant to protect.”

“A true fated one,” Lady Wei whispered. “After all these centuries of waiting!”

The words hit the brothers like a physical blow.

Zane’s wolf surged forward with such force he had to grip his chair arms to stay seated, frost spreading beneath his fingers.

Beside him, storm clouds gathered in Ryker’s eyes, while golden light flickered around Archer’s usually relaxed form.

Their pack bond hummed with shared shock, hope, and a possessive fury that surprised even them.

Luca. Their Luca. The thought echoed through their bond, heavy with implications they weren’t ready to face.

The chamber erupted in excited chatter, scholars frantically comparing notes while the elders leaned together, speaking in rapid, enthusiastic whispers. Even Lord Johnathan’s usual stoic expression had given way to a proud smile.

The brothers barely heard the chaos around them, too focused on controlling their wolves’ desperate need to run back to the hospital, to guard Luca from the hungry eyes and grasping hands that would surely come for a true fated one.

“Dr. Xu, Dr. Stevens,” Lady Victoria called above the excited murmurs. “Your analysis of Prince Luca’s blood work, if you please.”

The two doctors hurried forward, their crystal tablets creating a synchronized display in the chamber’s center. Dr. Stevens adjusted his wire-rimmed glasses, practically vibrating with academic enthusiasm.

“The readings are extraordinary,” Dr. Xu began, her fingers dancing across the display. “Prince Luca’s power signature shows patterns we’ve only seen in ancient texts about fated ones.”

“More importantly,” Dr. Stevens cut in eagerly, earning an exasperated look from Dr. Xu, “his blood chemistry has begun shifting in a way that suggests?—”

“That suggests imminent manifestation,” Dr. Xu interrupted smoothly, reclaiming control of the presentation. “The crystalline formations in his blood cells are unlike anything we’ve documented before.”

Lady Victoria turned her piercing gaze to the brothers. “And you’ve noticed changes in his behavior? His scent?”

Zane’s wolf bristled at the direct question, but Ryker answered before he could growl.

“He’s been… different,” Ryker admitted carefully. “More aware of our presence. Responding to our scents.”

“Floating when startled,” Archer added helpfully. “Though that might just be our little sugar fang being adorable.”

“And the hunger?” Lord Richard’s voice cut through the chamber like steel. “Has he shown increased blood cravings? Particularly for certain individuals?”

The brothers exchanged glances, remembering Luca’s reactions to their blood, the way he seemed drawn to them despite himself.

“Tell us exactly what happened when you found Luca,” Lady Victoria leaned forward, her celestial light practically dancing with barely contained excitement.

The brothers exchanged glances before Zane spoke, his voice carefully controlled. “His scent changed first. Then his temperature began climbing beyond normal vampire ranges. When we found him…” He paused, remembering the terrifying sight. “His skin was glowing, pulsing like captured moonlight.”

“Moonlight?” Lady Wei gasped. “Just like in the ancient texts!”

“The power leaked from him in waves,” Ryker added, lightning crackling softly along his arms at the memory. “Nothing like normal vampire maturation.”

“He was literally lighting up the entire penthouse,” Archer said, uncharacteristically serious. “And not in the usual ‘oops, I’m floating again’ vampire way. This was… different.”

“Different?” Lord Blackthorn leaned forward eagerly. “Different how?”

“Like staring at pure starlight,” Archer answered, earning excited murmurs from the scholars.

Dr. Stevens practically bounced as he stepped forward, crystal readings hovering around him. “When they brought him in, none of our standard treatments had any effect. His temperature continued rising beyond anything we’ve recorded in supernatural medicine.”

“Extraordinary!” Lord Thanatos’s wings quivered with interest. “Simply extraordinary!”

“The readings were off the charts.” Dr. Xu gestured enthusiastically to the floating data. “His power signature kept shifting, adapting, growing stronger. We’ve never seen anything like it!”

Lord Johnathan cleared his throat, the sound cutting through the excited chatter like a blade.

His expression, while still proud, had taken on a more contemplative edge.

“While these signs are… promising,” he began carefully, “there is another possibility we must consider.” He paused, his gaze sweeping over his nephews.

“Could Prince Luca’s fever be the beginning of his first heat? ”

The chamber fell silent so quickly it was as if someone had cast a void spell.