Page 101 of Dearest Alpha Brothers 1: Vampire Prince

The drive through New Vale was… interesting. Every electronic billboard seemed to be playing clips from that evening, most edited to look like superhero movie trailers. One particularly dramatic version had “ALPHA ZANE WHITLOCK” flash across the screen in ice-crystal letters as he commanded frost storms, followed by “ALPHA RYKER WHITLOCK” in crackling lightning font during his attack sequence.

“Oh look, they even added special effects to Archer’s solar blast,” I pointed out, trying not to laugh at Archer’s pained expression beside me. His arm was draped casually over my shoulders, and he’d somehow managed to take up most of the back seat despite it being just the two of us back here.

“Please don’t encourage them,” Archer groaned, his fingers absently playing with a strand of my hair. “The fan crowds outside Whitlock Tower are bad enough. We’ve had to use the Satos’ invisibility charms just to get in and out.”

“The same ones you use to skip meetings?” Zane’s dry voice came from the front passenger seat.

“That was ONE time!”

“This week,” Ryker added from behind the wheel.

Another billboard showed Sebastian and his commanders in action, black fire cutting through darkness while their names flashed in gothic script. Even the Council Elders got the superhero treatment—Lady Victoria’s celestial light and Lord Thanatos’ death magic looking particularly impressive with added visual effects.

“At least they edited out the part where Alan fainted,” I offered helpfully, trying to ignore how Archer’s warmth seemed to seep through my entire side.

“Three times.” Archer snickered against my ear. “Though the fan blogs are already writing fictional versions of what happened. My favorite is the one where I supposedly caught you while doing a triple backflip.”

“Better than the one claiming Ryker summoned an actual thunder god,” Zane muttered.

“I liked that one.” Ryker smirked, his eyes meeting mine in the rearview mirror. “Very creative.”

As we approached Whitlock Tower, I understood why they needed those invisibility charms. The entire block was packed with supernatural beings of every species. Wolf shifters held up signs declaring their undying love for Zane’s frost powers. Vampire nobles swooned over Sebastian’s dark fire sequences. There was even a group of kitsune doing a choreographed dance to what appeared to be a fan-made music video of the fight.

“Is that… K-pop?” I squinted at a massive screen where someone had set the fight footage to a catchy beat.

“Hunter’s work.” Archer sighed. “He’s very proud of it. Hit a million views in two hours.”

Ryker activated the Sato charm as we turned into the private entrance. The air shimmered around our car like heat waves, making the enthusiastic crowd’s eyes slide right past us. A group of young vampires nearly pressed against our window without seeing us, all wearing t-shirts with “WHITLOCK ALPHAS PROTECTION SQUAD” printed in glittering frost patterns.

“The merchandise is new,” Zane noted dryly. “Though I suppose it’s better than the body pillows.”

“The what?” I choked.

“Don’t ask,” all three brothers said in unison.

The private garage was blessedly quiet after the chaos outside. But as soon as we stepped into the elevator, I caught the unmistakable scent of Aunt Senna’s cupcakes.

“They’re throwing a party, aren’t they?”

Archer’s sunny smile returned. “Would you expect anything less?”

The elevator doors opened to an explosion of blue and silver decorations. A “Welcome Home Luca” banner floated near the ceiling. Hunter had apparently rigged every screen in the penthouse to play his K-pop fight video on loop. And in the center of it all stood my entire family, plus what seemed like half the supernatural elite of New Vale.

“WELCOME HOME!” The chorus of voices was almost deafening.

Aunt Senna rushed forward first, a crystal glass of something that smelled divine in her hands. “Blood-infused champagne, sweetheart. And I made sure all the drinks have those little lavender heart straws you love.”

I took a sip—it tasted like starlight and bubbles, with just a hint of O negative. Perfect.

The twins bounded over next. Sylvie was practically vibrating with excitement. “Do you like the decorations?”

“And wait till you see the drink menu,” Hunter added proudly. “We have every blood type mixed with everything from coffee to bubble tea. Even got those blood-pop candies you can dissolve in drinks!”

Alpha Blackthorn and his commanders had claimed one corner, their aristocratic bearing slightly undermined by the fact that Alpha Edmund was clutching what appeared to be a blood smoothie with two lavender straws. Even Lady Helena was here, though she kept trying to sneak readings with a crystal when she thought no one was looking.

Great Uncle Johnathan stood by the window, watching the celebration with fond amusement. When our eyes met, his smile carried centuries of affection. “Welcome home, little bat.”

The brothers stayed close as I made my rounds, a protective triangle that somehow managed to be both reassuring and slightly intimidating. Every time someone got too close, one of them would casually shift position until they were between me and the potential threat—which apparently included the potted plants Archer claimed were “looking suspicious.”

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