Page 76 of Dearest Alpha Brothers 1: Vampire Prince

“My lords,” he gasped, clutching the doorframe. “It’s Prince Luca. Lady Senna sent me—something’s wrong. He’s unconscious, burning with fever. We can’t wake him, and his skin…” He swallowed hard. “His skin is glowing. Lady Senna says she’s never seen anything like it.”

The brothers were moving before he finished speaking, their wolves surging forward with protective urgency. Even Great Uncle Johnathan’s face showed concern as he followed them to the elevator.

“How long has he been like this?” Zane demanded as they waited for the elevator to arrive.

“I went to Prince Luca as usual, for his morning routine,” Benedict said, his voice shaking as the elevator ascended. “He was… I couldn’t wake him. His skin was burning hot, glowing like moonlight. I’ve never…” He wrung his hands. “I called Lady Senna immediately.”

The closer they got to the penthouse, the stronger his scent became. It hit them like a physical force—moonlight and cherry blossoms, but different now, heated and desperate in a waythat made their wolves pace restlessly. By the time they reached the top floor, all three brothers were fighting for control, their powers leaking out in response to the overwhelming need to protect, to claim, to possess.

The hallway outside Luca’s room was crowded with worried staff. Hunter and Sylvie stood by the door, their young faces pinched with concern. Aunt Senna emerged from the room, relief washing over her features at the sight of them.

“Thank the gods,” she breathed. “Come quickly.”

The brothers followed her inside, Great Uncle Johnathan close behind. The sight of Luca on the bed stopped them cold. He lay tangled in silk sheets, his skin luminescent with an inner glow that pulsed like captured moonlight. Dark hair spread across the pillows in stark contrast to his flushed cheeks. Even unconscious, he was devastating—and his scent, this close, was maddening.

“I’ve never seen anything like this,” Aunt Senna said, pressing a cool cloth to Luca’s forehead. “Is this… Uncle John, is this a vampire thing? Some kind of power manifestation?”

Great Uncle Johnathan moved closer, his ancient power reaching out to assess Luca’s condition. After a moment, he shook his head. “No. This is something else entirely. Something new.”

“Hospital,” Zane bit out, already moving toward the bed. His wolf was clawing at his chest, demanding he protect their mate—and he was too focused on Luca’s condition to examine that thought too closely. “Now.”

He lifted him into his arms, trying to ignore how perfectly he fit against his chest, how his scent wrapped around him like a physical caress. He felt impossibly hot, burning even through his Henley.

“I’ll call ahead,” Ryker said, his voice rough as lightning sparked along his arms. “Have them prepare the private wing.”

“I’m driving,” Archer added, already heading for the door. His usual playfulness was nowhere to be seen, replaced by alpha focus.

Zane carried Luca toward the elevator, every step an exercise in control. His wolf wanted to run, to hide him away somewhere safe where only they could reach him. But he needed help—help that went beyond what any of them understood.

Hold on, little bat,he thought as the elevator descended.Just hold on.

Chapter 17

WHITLOCK BROTHERS

The journey to the hospital felt endless, even with Archer breaking every traffic law in New Vale. Luca lay cradled in Zane’s lap in the back of the car, his skin burning hotter with each passing minute. The glow beneath his skin pulsed like captured moonlight, making the leather seats shimmer with reflected light.

“His temperature’s still climbing,” Zane growled, pressing his cheek to Luca’s forehead. In the confined space of the car, his scent was devastating—moonlight and cherry blossoms twisted with something desperate and primal that made their wolves pace restlessly. “Faster, Archer.”

Ryker’s lightning sparked across the dashboard as he made calls, his usual calm shattered. “Dr. Xu is assembling a team. Aunt Senna and Great Uncle Johnathan are right behind us with the twins.” He glanced in the side mirror at the sleek black car following them, his storm-blue eyes reflecting the crackling energy of his power. “The private wing is being prepared.”

Through their pack bond, their wolves’ agitation fed off each other. The need to protect, to fix this, to make their little bat safe again, was overwhelming. Zane’s frost crept across the windowswhile Archer’s hands gripped the steering wheel hard enough to leave impressions.

He’s so small,Archer’s thought echoed through their bond, his usual playfulness replaced by raw fear.Has he always been this small?

Luca whimpered in Zane’s arms, his head turning restlessly against his chest. The sound made all three brothers flinch, their wolves howling in shared distress.

The Whitlock Memorial Hospital rose before them, a gleaming tower of glass and steel. Unlike the public entrance with its steady stream of supernatural patients, the private wing had its own discreet access point—a dedicated entrance reserved for New Vale’s elite families. Archer pulled up to the hidden doorway, where Dr. Xu already waited with a floating stretcher and a full medical team.

“How long has he been unconscious?” Dr. Xu asked as they rushed through pristine corridors. Despite her petite frame, the ancient dragon shifter’s presence commanded respect. Centuries of experience showed in her efficient movements as she directed her team.

“Benedict found him this morning,” Zane answered, his voice tight as nurses carefully transferred Luca to the stretcher. His wolf snarled at the loss of contact. “The fever’s been climbing steadily since then.”

The private wing of Whitlock Memorial put most luxury hotels to shame. Soft lighting, elegant artwork, and plush furnishings couldn’t hide its cutting-edge medical equipment, but they helped maintain the illusion of comfort. The observation room they were directed to had comfortable seating and a clear view of Luca’s treatment room through enchanted glass.

Aunt Senna arrived moments later with Great Uncle Johnathan and the twins. Hunter’s usual tech-savvy confidencewas nowhere to be seen as he gripped his sister’s hand. Sylvie’s eyes were red-rimmed, her other hand clutching Aunt Senna’s sleeve.

“Any change?” Aunt Senna asked, moving to stand beside Zane at the window. Her usual warm presence was tight with worry.

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