Page 37 of Dearest Alpha Brothers 1: Vampire Prince

“I’ll have Harrison arrange lunch in the garden,” Ryker managed, trying to ignore how his wolf was doing backflips at this new, teasing side of the young vampire. “Then you can tell me all about your thoughts on supernatural marketing. Including,” he couldn’t resist adding, “your very detailed opinions on trees.”

The blush that spread across Luca’s cheeks was absolutely worth the tablet the prince swatted at Ryker’s arm.

The rooftop garden was a different kind of magical in the afternoon light. Ryker guided Luca past the dragon topiary toward the eastern section where the koi pond sparkled like liquid silver. Harrison had outdone himself, setting up an intimate lunch beneath the wisteria-draped pavilion that seemed to float over the water. Pale-purple blooms created a living canopy, their sweet scent mixing perfectly with Luca’s cherry blossom fragrance.

Ryker’s wolf approved of the location—private enough for conversation, but open enough to see anyone approaching.Not that we’re worried about Zane interrupting again, his wolf grumbled.Not at all.

“This is…” Luca’s eyes widened as he took in the setting. “Do you always have lunch in fairy tales?”

Ryker chuckled, pulling out his chair. “Only on Fridays. The rest of the week we dine in regular old penthouses like peasants.”

Luca settled into the seat, tablets carefully arranged beside his plate. “The koi are huge,” he observed, leaning slightly over the water. “And is that one… golden?”

“Emperor koi,” Ryker explained, watching how the sunlight played across Luca’s features. “They’re as old as the garden itself. Some say they’re actually water spirits, but…” He shrugged. “Probably just rich people fish.”

Luca’s laugh was musical, drawing answering ripples across the pond’s surface. “Rich people fish,” he repeated, shaking his head. “Only the Whitlocks would have mythological koi as ‘rich people fish.’”

Harrison appeared with their lunch—some light fare for Ryker, and for Luca, a crystal goblet of what smelled like AB negative, his favorite. The butler set everything up with practiced efficiency before disappearing as silently as he’d arrived.

“So.” Ryker leaned back, savoring the way afternoon light played through the wisteria blooms above them. “Tell me more about your marketing ideas. Something about vampire luminescence?”

Luca’s eyes lit up, and something in Ryker’s chest tightened at the sight. Gone was the shy prince who’d hidden for decades—this Luca practically glowed with enthusiasm.

“It’s fascinating, actually.” Luca pulled up an image on his tablet. “See how traditional supernatural marketing always shows power? All dramatic poses and intense stares…” He wrinkled his nose. “But real supernatural beauty is so different.”

Ryker took a slow bite of his lunch, hiding his smile as Luca’s eyes flickered to his throat, then quickly away. The young vampire probably didn’t even realize he was doing it or how his fangs had begun to peek out against his lower lip. The untouched glass of blood sat forgotten by Luca’s plate.

“Like vampires in starlight,” Luca continued, leaning forward in his excitement. “There’s this moment when moonlight hits their skin just right, and it’s like… like…”

“Like what?” Ryker prompted, deliberately taking another bite. This time Luca’s gaze lingered on Ryker’s throat as he swallowed, his pupils dilating slightly.

“Like diamonds under water,” Luca breathed, then blushed furiously when he realized he’d been staring. “I mean, not that I’ve been studying vampire skin or anything. That would be weird. Though technically I am one now, so maybe it’s research? Oh God, I’m babbling again…”

Ryker’s wolf rumbled in satisfaction. Luca’s scent had shifted subtly—cherry blossoms and midnight rain now laced with sweet hunger. As the boy became more animated, his hands began to dance through the air, punctuating each point with graceful gestures that Ryker’s wolf found utterly captivating.

“And look at this!” Luca reached for his tablet again, other hand sweeping out in excitement. Ryker subtly nudged the blood-filled crystal goblet into the path of Luca’s gesturing fingers. “The Sato Clan’s foxfire creates these amazing light effects. If we could combine that with the natural luminescence…”

Just a little closer, Ryker’s wolf purred as Luca continued his enthusiastic explanation, his movements becoming wider with each point he made. The crystal goblet sat perfectly positioned, waiting for the boy’s next sweep of motion.

“Of course”—Luca ducked his head, his enthusiasm dimming—”I’m probably being presumptuous. I mean, what do I know about supernatural marketing? I’m basically just stealing ideas from anime and hoping they work in real?—”

Luca’s hand swept out in another graceful arc, and this time it connected exactly as Ryker had planned. Time seemed to slow as the blood arced through the air, splashing across the pavilion floor in a crimson spray.

“Oh no,” Luca gasped. “I’m so sorry! I’m such a klutz. I—” He swayed slightly in his seat, his fangs now fully extended as the spilled blood’s scent filled the air.

Ryker’s wolf preened at how perfectly their plan had worked. The sweet edge of hunger in Luca’s scent sharpened, making Ryker’s pulse quicken. Every protective instinct in him urged to provide, to feed, to take care of their little vampire prince.

“It’s fine,” Ryker said smoothly, already reaching for the call button. “I’ll have Harrison bring you another?—”

“No!” The word came out too quickly, almost desperate. Luca flushed, one fang catching on his lower lip in a way that made Ryker’s wolf growl softly. “I mean, it’s okay. I can get some later. I don’t want to trouble anyone…”

But Ryker could see how Luca trembled slightly, his eyes now fixed on Ryker’s throat with an intensity that sent heat down the wolf’s spine. Every time Ryker shifted, Luca’s gaze followed the movement of his pulse point like he couldn’t help himself.

“Luca,” Ryker said softly, deliberately tilting his head to expose his throat. The position made his wolf purr with anticipation. “Take what you need.”

“I… I couldn’t,” Luca whispered. His pupils were blown wide. “You’re my… we’re not supposed to…”

“Just a taste,” Ryker murmured, watching as Luca swayed toward him like a flower following the sun. “No one has to know.”

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