Page 41 of Dearest Alpha Brothers 1: Vampire Prince

“The books are quite… comprehensive, Prince. Though perhaps less focused on siblings specifically.” He paused delicately. “Would you like me to bring you the beginner’s guide? There’s an interesting chapter on the difference between feeding and… other forms of biting.”

I grabbed the nearest pillow and buried my face in it. “Even you’re teasing me about this!”

“Never, Prince Luca. I’m merely ensuring you have all the resources needed for your… developmental phase.”

“Thank you, Benedict,” I mumbled through the pillow, hoping he’d take the hint and leave me to wallow in my mortification.

Once the door clicked shut, I peeked at the tablets on my desk. Right. Work. I could do this. Just focus on the marketing plans and definitelynotthink about how Ryker’s blood had tasted like bottled lightning or how Zane’s midnight and starlight essence still lingered in my memory.

I pulled up the presentation draft, determined to be productive. The Beyond Beauty campaign needed a fresh supernatural angle, something that captured the ethereal grace of?—

Like how gracefully Ryker tilted his head, offering his throat?

“Stop it!” I smacked my cheeks again. The lavender straw in my blood bag waggled accusingly as I sipped. “Focus. Marketing. Supernatural beauty. Not brother-flavored taste tests.”

But every time I tried to write about supernatural luminescence, my brain helpfully supplied images of sunlight playing across Zane’s throat or how Ryker’s skin had practically glowed in the garden. And don’t even get me started on their scents. Rich musk and amber mixing with warm spice and bergamot… it was like living in a supernatural cologne commercial.

And you haven’t even sampled Archer’s citrus and sunshine blend yet, my inner vampire purred.

I groaned, face-planting into my tablet screen. The document now displayed a string of gibberish where my face had smashed the digital keyboard.

Three hours and two blood bags later, I’d managed to outline most of the campaign despite my traitorous brain’s constant brother-related interruptions. The sound of footsteps announced Sylvie and Hunter’s return from school just as I was finishing up the presentation’s color scheme.

“Luca!” Sylvie burst into my room, her school uniform still pristine despite the long day. “Are you ready for our shopping trip? Oh my God, you’re going to love the new boutique wing!”

I blinked at her enthusiasm, but before I could respond, Benedict breezed past us both and into my walk-in closet. The sound of hangers sliding across rails filled the air.

“Um, Benedict?” I called out. “What are you doing?”

“Selecting appropriate attire for your outing, Prince,” came his matter-of-fact reply.

“But we’re just going shopping,” I protested.

Sylvie giggled, dropping her schoolbag by my desk. “Oh, Luca. We’reWhitlocks. We don’t just ‘go shopping’ in regular clothes. Especially not at the Crystal Palace Mall.”

“The lavender silk, I think.” Benedict emerged with a floating parade of designer outfits. “Or perhaps the silver and purpleensemble? Both would suit a casual afternoon appearance while maintaining the proper image.”

“Proper image?” I squeaked. “Since when does shopping require an image consultant?”

“Since you’re the Whitlock prince.” Sylvie grinned, already eyeing the outfits. “Trust me,everyonewill be watching. The mysterious vampire prince finally emerging from his tower? It’s going to be the talk of the town!”

I stared at the silver and purple ensemble Benedict held up. Itwasbeautiful, the soft lavender shirt paired with tailored black pants that had subtle purple accents. And if I was being honest with myself, part of me—probably the part that had spent years watching anime—was thrilled at the idea of dressing up like a real prince.

“That one,” I said, surprising myself with how firm my voice sounded. If I had to make my debut in supernatural society, I might as well do it properly. “But can we do something with my hair? Something… nice?”

Benedict’s eyes softened with approval. “I was thinking a casual style with some product to enhance your natural waves, Prince. To complement the outfit’s elegance.”

“Perfect!” Sylvie clapped her hands. “And those silver accent boots, they’d be amazing with this.”

I thought about protesting the shoes but found myself nodding instead. A tiny spark of excitement flickered in my chest, pushing back against the nervous butterflies.

An hour later, I barely recognized the prince in my mirror. The lavender silk shirt draped perfectly, the silver accents catching light with every movement. The tailored pants fit like they were made for me (which, I realized, they probably were), and the boots added just enough height to make me feel less tiny next to my towering adopted family. Benedict had styled myhair in soft waves that framed my face, making my lavender eyes seem even more vibrant.

“You look perfect!” Sylvie twirled beside me in her own transformation—a soft blue dress that made her look like she’d stepped out of a fairy tale, her golden curls styled in an intricate crown braid. “We’re going to cause such a stir!”

“Are you guys done yet?” Hunter’s voice echoed from the hallway. “Some of us would like to hit the gaming center before we’re elderly!”

“Beauty takes time, little brother!” Sylvie called back, adjusting her silver earrings.

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