Page 73 of Dearest Alpha Brothers 1: Vampire Prince

“A devastating creature hell-bent on destroying three centuries of carefully cultivated control?” Zane supplied dryly.

“Sex on legs?” Archer offered at the same time.

Both older brothers turned to glare at him.

“What? I’m just saying what we’re all thinking.” Archer held up his hands. “And don’t give me that look. We all felt everything through the bond. That whole ‘we must resist’ speech isn’t really working anymore, is it?”

“Felt everything.” Ryker’s voice was rough. “Through the bond. Every possessive touch, every growl, every…” Lightning crackled along his arms. “Gods above, the way he responded to all of us…”

“Like I didn’t feel what you both did.” Zane’s eyes flashed silver. “Every kiss, every touch. The way he tasted your blood, Ryker. The sounds he made in your lap, Archer.”

Their pack bond hummed with shared memories—Luca’s breathless gasps, the sweet taste of his mouth, the way he’d arched into their touches. The temperature in the room fluctuated wildly between Zane’s frost and Ryker’s lightning as their powers leaked out.

“This is insane.” Archer ran his hands through his hair. “He’s our brother.”

“Adopted,” all three said simultaneously, then exchanged guilty looks.

“That doesn’t make it better,” Zane growled, though his wolf disagreed vehemently. “We’re supposed to protect him, not…”

“Pin him against walls?” Archer suggested helpfully. “Let him bite us? Get drunk on his kisses?”

“I will end you.”

“You’ll try.” Archer smirked. “Look, something’s different about him. You’ve felt it too. The way he affects us, how our powers respond to him. Even our wolves…”

“Are completely obsessed,” Ryker finished. “It’s not normal. None of this is normal.”

Zane braced his hands on his desk, trying to center himself. But Luca’s scent still clung to him—moonlight and cherry blossoms and something addictively sweet that made his wolf howl.

“We need answers,” he said, glancing at the antique clock on his desk. “But not tonight. Get some sleep. We’ll talk to Great Uncle Johnathan in the morning.”

“Sleep?” Archer laughed hollowly. “Right. Because that’s totally possible when I can still taste him on my tongue. Still feel him?—”

“Don’t.” Ryker’s voice crackled with warning. “Not unless you want me to short-circuit the entire building.”

They all felt it through the bond—the desperate need to go up to Luca’s wing, to check on him, to make sure he was safe. Their wolves were practically clawing at their chests, demanding they protect, claim, possess.

“Back to your wings,” Zane ordered, his alpha voice brooking no argument. “Now. Before we do something unforgivable.”

“Too late for that,” Archer muttered, but he pushed himself off the couch. “Fine. But if I die from sexual frustration tonight, I’m haunting both of you.”

“Add it to your list of dramatic deaths.” Ryker headed for the door, though his power still sparked dangerously. “Right after ‘death by overwhelming guilt’ and ‘death by inappropriate brother feelings.’”

They separated, each to their private wing of the penthouse. But sleep proved elusive. Every time Zane closed his eyes, he saw Luca—flushed and wanting, pressed against his wall. Through their bond, he felt his brothers’ similar torment. Archer tossing restlessly, Ryker’s power crackling through the building’s electrical system.

The grandfather clock in Zane’s room chimed three times, each dong echoing through the silent penthouse. His wolf was too restless, pacing and growling, demanding they check on Luca. The pack bond hummed with similar agitation from his brothers—Archer’s usual playful energy turned sharp with need, Ryker’s power making the building’s electricity fluctuate.

Then he caught it. A scent so sweet, so devastatingly potent it made his wolf rear up with a howl.

Moonlight and cherry blossoms, but different now. Heated. Desperate. Like spring nights and forbidden promises and pure, undiluted want.

Anyone else suddenly feeling like they’re in heat?Archer’s mental voice was strained through their bond.Because I’m pretty sure I’m not the one producing these pheromones.

Shut up, Archer.Ryker’s response crackled with electricity.Just… don’t move. Don’t breathe. Don’t?—

Too late. Already breathing. Already dying. Tell my anime collection I loved it.

If you don’t stop being dramatic,Zane growled through the bond,I’ll come over there and end you myself.

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