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Something warm bloomed in my chest. Both Lucas had always felt like outsiders, but here was someone who not only accepted but celebrated our quirks.

“Thank you, Benedict.”

His answering smile could have powered the city. “Would you like to explore the penthouse? Everyone’s out until the evening meeting, so…”

Safe to wander , he meant. No pressure to socialize.

I stood, the soft fabric of my outfit feeling like a gentle hug around me. “Lead the way.”

Time to see what kind of world I’d inherited.

Just please , I thought as we headed for the door, don’t let me crash into any more walls.

The penthouse wasn’t just a penthouse—it was an entire floor of the Whitlock Tower, easily the size of a mansion. As I followed Benedict through crystal-lit hallways, memories surfaced like bubbles in champagne. The Whitlocks owned not just the building, but half of downtown New Vale.

New Vale , not New York. The name brought more memories flooding back. Thirteen major clans ruled different districts, their territories as distinct as their personalities.

The Whitlocks dominated Downtown and the Financial District, their silver wolf emblem on every gleaming skyscraper.

Just like Wall Street , my human memories whispered.

The Kingston ruled the Arts District, their influence flowing through every gallery and concert hall.

The Hawkins Clan’s bear emblem marked the Industrial District, where oil refineries met cutting-edge tech.

The Bellini brought elegance to the Coastal District, their golden leopard emblem marking luxury resorts and high-end entertainment venues.

The Chengs held Chinatown in their dragon claws, their young Duke’s temper as legendary as his parties.

The Blackthorns ruled the Gothic Quarter, their ancient vampire lineage evident in their infamous blood galas.

The Lionhearts maintained their celestial presence in their district, their golden lion emblem marking estates of divine protection and ancient wealth.

The MacKenzies’ highland wolves claimed their territory with pride, their training grounds and whiskey distilleries legendary throughout the city.

The O’Briens’ ancient druid magic flowed through the Emerald District, their wolfhound emblem marking mystical gardens and sacred circles.

The Eriksons’ Norse bears held their territory with Viking pride, their longhouses and feasting halls echoing with ancient traditions.

The Satos’ fox magic turned the Entertainment District into a neon wonderland that reminded me of Akihabara, while the Parks brought sleek modernity to K-Town that could rival Seoul’s trendiest neighborhoods.

And in the Death District, the Shadowmere Clan’s dark angels kept their own counsel, their black wing emblem a reminder of the balance between light and darkness.

Thirteen clans , I thought, thirteen territories, one city where supernatural beings ruled openly and humans were nothing but stories told to frighten young shifters.

I trailed my fingers along the marble walls, remembering clan lessons drilled into young vampires. Politics and power, little one , Grandfather Alexander’s voice echoed. Know your allies, know your enemies, and never forget you’re a Valentine.

“The residence is quiet today,” Benedict said, pulling me from my thoughts. He gestured to various doors as we passed.

I nodded, more memories clicking into place.

Twenty residential suites, though only twelve currently occupied.

The east wing belonged to my adopted brothers—Zane’s master suite all business elegance, Ryker’s space minimalist calm, and Archer’s…

well, Archer’s room looked like an anime convention collided with a comedy club.

The west wing was family space—my lavender sanctuary, the twins’ adjacent rooms full of art and tech, Uncle Owen and Aunt Senna’s apartment always smelling of cookies and gunpowder—an odd combination that somehow worked.

A bell chimed somewhere. Benedict jumped. “Oh! That’s the staff meeting. Would you be okay exploring on your own, Prince?”

I nodded, secretly relieved. Even this gentle company felt overwhelming after years of self-imposed isolation.

I slipped into the library, immediately overwhelmed by the scent of old books. My heart—did vampires even have beating hearts?—fluttered as I took in the floor-to-ceiling shelves. Paradise.

Luca Valentine might have been a shut-in, but at least he had excellent taste in hideouts.

Memories filtered through. Years of sneaking in here at odd hours, avoiding family, treasuring these quiet moments alone. But now… now I could actually explore properly.

The manga section caught my eye, arranged by genre and protected behind climate-controlled glass.

Of course vampire prince me would have a manga collection.

I wandered closer, fingertips trailing along the cool glass, recognizing titles from my other life and discovering new ones that only existed here.

Even on my tiptoes—being shrunk down to five foot six in this new body was definitely going to take some getting used to—I couldn’t quite reach the latch to the case.

The library ladder looked sturdy enough. Probably. Maybe.

Don’t do it , the sensible part of me whispered. But there was a new volume of My Fated Alpha Prince up there, and both Lucas were weak for manga.

I climbed carefully, stretching for the glass case latch. Just a little farther…

The ladder shifted.

Time slowed. I had a moment to think oh, this is going to hurt before gravity won. But instead of meeting marble floor, I landed on something… someone?

“Oof!” said the carpet.

Air shimmered beneath me, and suddenly I was sprawled across a very solid, very male chest. Golden-blond hair fanned out against the Persian rug like a halo, and dancing silver eyes met mine. A dimple appeared in his left cheek as he smirked up at me, and my new vampire senses went into overdrive.

Ba-dum. Ba-dum. His heartbeat thundered in my ears. The scent of sunshine and fresh cookies—how did someone smell like cookies ?—wrapped around me. I could see the pulse point in his neck, could practically taste…

No. Bad Luca. No snacking on siblings, even unfairly attractive ones.

“Comfy up there, little bat?” His voice held laughter, and that dimple deepened. One of my “brothers,” but Luca’s memories of him were all blurry glimpses and notes slipped under doors. Archer. This was Archer.

I tried to scramble back, but his hands settled on my waist, keeping me perched on his stomach like I weighed nothing. Which, given wolf shifter strength, I probably didn’t.

“I… you… why were you invisible on the floor?”

“Hiding from the council meeting,” he said cheerfully, making no move to let me up. “Besides, the carpet and I were having a fascinating conversation about Persian knot patterns before you dropped in.” That smirk again, playful and warm. “Though I have to say, this is a much better view.”

Heat rushed to my face. Could vampires blush? Apparently yes.

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to?—”

“Fall for me so quickly?” The dimple made another appearance. “Don’t worry, little bat. Your secret’s safe with me.”

“I didn’t— That’s not—” I spluttered, painfully aware of his hands still resting on my waist, the warmth seeping through my soft sweater. I felt tiny perched on his stomach, especially when he was sprawled out like some golden-haired alpha from a manga.

His chuckle vibrated through me, and oh —that did interesting things to his scent. Sunshine and cookies and something spicier now, like cinnamon. My fangs actually ached, which wasn’t covered in any vampire manga I’d read. Thanks for nothing, manga artists.

“Your fangs are showing, little bat,” Archer whispered conspiratorially, that dimple flashing again. “Are you hungry?”

I clapped a hand over my mouth, mortified. “I did! I mean, I had…” Blood , my mind helpfully supplied. You drank blood for breakfast and somehow that’s not the weirdest part of your day.

“Ah, but that was just regular donor blood,” he said, his silver eyes twinkling with mischief. “Wolf blood hits different, doesn’t it?”

Before I could process that bombshell, another scent cut through the library air—pine forests after rain, leather-bound books, and something wild that made my newfound vampire instincts sit up and purr.

“Archer,” came a deep voice from the doorway. “The meeting.”

I turned and oh . Dark-blond hair that caught the morning light, blue-gray eyes that could pierce souls, and an air of quiet authority that filled the room. Ryker. The middle brother. Luca’s memories of him were equally blurry—quick glimpses in hallways before retreating to his room.

His eyes met mine and widened slightly. He inhaled sharply, then quickly looked away. But not before I caught something flash across his face—surprise? Recognition?

“Luca,” he said softly, formally. “It’s… good to see you out of your room.”

I scrambled off Archer, nearly tripping over my own feet. Ryker stepped forward as if to catch me, then seemed to think better of it.

“I was just…” I gestured vaguely at the manga collection above, feeling heat creep up my neck. “Reading.”

“He’s expanding his horizons,” Archer announced from his position on the floor, still lounging like he was at a Roman feast. “First time I’ve seen him reach for a book instead of running away.”

I winced. Luca’s memories confirmed his words—always retreating, hiding, avoiding. The family tried so hard to include him… me. Notes under the door, treats left outside, invitations that were almost always declined.

“The library is yours to enjoy,” Ryker said, his voice gentler than I expected. “We’ve kept your collection updated. Archer insists on adding to it monthly.”

“Someone has to keep our resident prince cultured.” Archer finally stood, all fluid grace despite having been playing carpet decoration moments ago. He stretched, reminding me of a giant cat. “Speaking of culture, will you join us for dinner tonight, little bat?”

My heart clenched. Once a month. That’s how often Luca joined family dinners. Because they ate regular food and he… I… could only drink blood.

“I…” The word stuck in my throat.

“No pressure,” Ryker cut in, shooting Archer a look. “But you’re always welcome.”

“Come on, big brother. We’ve got a thrilling meeting about territory markers to attend.” Archer’s silver eyes sparkled with mischief. “Unless you want to help me barricade the door with bookshelves?”

“Archer.”

“Fine, fine.” He winked at me. “Think about dinner, little bat. The family misses you.”

As they left—Archer dramatically dragging his feet while Ryker herded him forward—I sank into a nearby armchair. Family dinners. Council meetings. Casual conversations with brothers who looked like they stepped out of a romance novel.

What else had Luca been hiding from?