Emilio's POV This morning had been a disaster from the start. Lucas and I didn't start up in a good way due to the fact that he annoyed me the previous day. I felt like a stupid person to be in love with a vampire. Weird right, but I can't help it. I didn't see the point in texting him to say I was heading out. He'd probably just ignore me or send a curt reply. But as I grabbed my keys and headed for the door from my office, my mind began to wander. I couldn't shake the memory of our first kiss, the way Lucas's lips had felt against mine. And that night... oh, that night. The way our bodies had moved together, the way Lucas had made me feel. My chest tightened, a mix of emotions swirling inside me. I hated how Lucas pushed my buttons, how he knew exactly how to get under my skin. But at the same time... I loved him. I loved the way he made me feel alive. I sighed, frustration and desire warring within me. Why did it have to be Lucas, of all people? Someone who drove me c
Emilio's POV As the figure emerged from the shadows, Lucas's reflexes kicked in. He pushed me behind him, his body shielding mine."Run," he growled, his eyes fixed on the mysterious figure.My heart racing, I hesitated for a split second before obeying. Lucas's protective instincts kicked in, and I trusted him.We sprinted through the house, Lucas expertly navigating the darkness. The figure gave chase, its footsteps echoing through the empty halls.We burst through the front door, and Lucas swiftly guided me toward his car."Get in," he ordered, opening the passenger door.I dove inside, my mind reeling with questions.Who was that figure? What did they want?Lucas slid into the driver's seat, starting the engine with a roar."Hold on," he warned, peeling out of the driveway.As we sped away from my family's house, I turned to Lucas."What just happened?" I demanded.Lucas's gaze flicked between the road and the rearview mirror."We'll talk about it later," he promised. "First, we
Lucas's Pov After he blacked out, I felt sorry for Emilio. But regardless of my hesitation, I promised myself I would do anything to protect him. These guys in front of me did not stand a chance.“I know your pain. All of you. But my stance on Emilio will never change.”The one with the parted hair looked at me, a smug smile rising on his cheeks.“You're not the Lucas we used to know anymore. You've changed. And it's not for the better. You've forgotten who you are and all that you stand for!”A surge of energy coursed through me.“Yes, I may have changed, and it's normal that you don't like that. But no matter what, that's the beef we have amongst one other. It has nothing to do with Emilio.”By now, I could hear Emilio groan from the floor, but he was clearly too weak to stand on his own. I stood closely behind him in a protective pose.“Lucas, I can't believe it. That you would turn on your brothers just for the sake of pathetic love. Your parents would be disappointed in you.”So
Emilio's POV I looked at Emilio, lying helpless on the ground. Could I really kill him? No, I couldn't."You don't understand," I said, shaking my head. "Emilio is different. He's kind and gentle. He wouldn't hurt anyone."Red snorted. "You're blinded by love, Lucas. You're not thinking clearly.""I am thinking clearly," I insisted. "And I know Emilio would never betray me."The blonde one spoke up. "But what about his family? They'll never accept him as a vampire. They'll hunt him down.""I'll protect him," I said firmly."But can you protect him from himself?" Red asked, raising an eyebrow. "What if he loses control and hurts someone?"I hesitated. That was a possibility. Vampires struggled with control, especially new ones."Emilio won't hurt anyone," I said, trying to sound confident.Red sighed. "Lucas, we're trying to save you from yourself. You're making a huge mistake.""I'm not making a mistake," I said, standing taller. "I love Emilio, and I'll do whatever it takes to keep
Emilio's POV There was an indescribable feeling that made me want to flip over. The hunger that overwhelmed me was something I couldn't quite describe. At some point, i imagined myself finishing a full bull but that wasn't the hunger.This one was different."That's it." Lucas exclaimed as he used his left hand to brush his head backwards."What's it?" I asked the moment I realized myself loosing my cool. "It's so hot." I complained standing up from where I was sitting to the kitchen. I opened the deep freezer and made to enter inside when Lucas stopped me."Are you crazy? You'll freeze to death." He muttered as he helped me out and closed the deep freezer."What's happening to me!? What's wrong?" I was sniffing around and I felt disgusted by my own behavior. Lucas on the other hand looked so worried. He paced back and forth thinking of a solution."Lucas please tell me I'm going to be fine." I asked as I grabbed his hands and walked towards him."Yes... Y, yes you will. This is jus
Emilio's POV I killed my best friend.I stared at Alex's lifeless body, cradled in my arms. My mind reeled in shock. How could this be? I thought for sure..."Alex, wake up," I whispered, my voice shaking.But he didn't move.I stood frozen, memories of Alex overwhelming me.I remembered our spontaneous midnight walks, sharing secrets under starry skies.Alex's goofy grin flashed in my mind, and I couldn't help but smile.Our silly arguments, our laughter, our silent understandings – it all flooded back.My chest tightened, grief and nostalgia twisting together.I recalled Alex's unwavering support, his encouragement, and his unconditional friendship.Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I realized.I'd never again hear Alex's laugh, never share another inside joke.Lucas burst into the room, his eyes wide with horror. He froze, taking in the scene before him."Emilio, what...?" Lucas trailed off, unable to finish.I shook my head, still in denial. "I thought...I thought he'd t
Emilio's POV "What did you just say?" I asked Lucas as anger and hatred overwhelmed me."We are not doing this Emilio. I'm sorry" He apologized. Not because he wanted to, because he felt that would make me feel better."You dare tell me this is the reason why Red would want to kill me? Have you forgotten you brought this one me?" I asked Lucas in anger."This is not the time for love arguments. You need to look for a away to take care of all the mess you caused without alerting your damned father shout us.I and Lucas's direction swevered to the door to see who was talking."Vikram..." Lucas made a low growl and she star d at Vikram with bloodlust."I didn't cause this, you did. The moment you decided to get lust from a human and most importantly our enemy." Vikram raised his hands in the air like he was surrendering and I any accusations."Your enemy who's now one of you." I reminded."You're not and will never be!" Vikram shouted. "You're an outcast. Don't you dare see yourself as
Emilio's POV We sat in the hospital's quiet conference room, surrounded by sterile white walls and the soft hum of fluorescent lights. Gray held the phone, his expression somber."Mrs. Johnson, I'm so sorry to inform you..." Gray's voice cracked as he delivered the news.Alex's mother's wails echoed through the phone, piercing my heart. I felt a pang of guilt for lying."Yes, ma'am, the autopsy confirmed...a seizure. We're still trying to understand what caused it," Gray continued.Lucas stood beside me, his eyes fixed on the floor. His compelling powers had manipulated the autopsy results, ensuring our story remained believable.I watched Gray's face, his eyes squinting in concentration."No, ma'am, there was no warning sign. It happened suddenly. We're all shocked," Gray reassured.The conversation continued, with Gray expertly navigating the delicate discussion.After what felt like an eternity, Gray ended the call."Done," he said, exhaling deeply.Lucas nodded. "The funeral arra
EPILOGUE Lucas's POV Two years had passed. Two years since the war ended. Since the city had been rebuilt. Since humans and vampires had learned, slowly but surely, to coexist. And through it all, Emilio and I had remained together. Our love had endured battles, bloodshed, and fear. It had survived the weight of the past and the uncertainty of the future. We had chosen each other—again and again—until there was no doubt left. Today, under the soft glow of the evening sun, we would make that choice one more time. The ceremony was held in the heart of the city, in a grand, open courtyard surrounded by the people who had become our family. Humans and vampires alike sat together, watching as Emilio and I stood beneath a beautifully decorated arch, our hands entwined. Mariah and Xena sat in the front row, their smiles wide. Irene, despite everything, standing at the back with her arms crossed but an expression that was… softer than usual. Emilio’s old vampire allies were pres
FINALE Lucas's POV The phone rang again. I barely had time to process everything from before when another call came in. Emilio glanced at me, raising an eyebrow. We were still sitting on the couch, our bodies close, but the warmth from earlier had faded. Something about this call felt different. I answered. "Lucas." A deep voice responded. "Mr. Newcastle, this is John Carter. I’m with the government." That made me sit up straighter. Emilio noticed and watched me closely. "The government?" I repeated, my grip tightening on the phone. "Yes," John said. "I’m sure you know the city is in ruins. The battle left many without homes, and the people needed stability. We’ve been observing you and Emilio. You both fought to protect this place, and we need your help now to rebuild it." I felt Emilio stiffen beside me. I met his eyes, searching for his thoughts. This was unexpected. A human official—someone from the government—asking for help from vampires? That had never happened be
Lucas's POV "Thank you."The words caught me off guard. I turned to see an older woman standing before me, her clothes torn and dusty, her face smudged with dirt. But her eyes—those eyes—were kind. She held out her trembling hands, as if unsure whether she should touch me or not."You saved us," she repeated. "Thank you."I didn’t know how to respond. I had never expected gratitude. Fear, maybe. Hatred, perhaps. But not this. Not from these people. After all, Emilio and I were vampires, and not just any vampires. We had fought in a battle that had left the city in ruins. People had died. Lives had been destroyed. Yet here she was, looking at me like I had done something good.More people gathered around us. Slowly, they came out from the rubble, the broken buildings, the dark alleys. They were weary, their faces worn, but there was a soft relief in their eyes. Some carried the injured, others clutched their loved ones, whispering reassurances."We wouldn't have survived without you,"
Emilio's POV "I'm tired."The words slipped from my mouth before I even thought about them. My body ached, my head pounded, and my heart felt heavier than it ever had before. I was exhausted, more than I had ever been in my entire life. Everything hurt. My arms, my legs, my chest—even my thoughts felt slow and heavy, like they were sinking into thick mud.I looked around at what was left of the city.Lucas stood beside me, silent. His face was pale, his eyes staring ahead like he wasn’t really seeing anything. I knew how he felt. We had won, but at what cost?The city was in ruins. The people who had lived here, worked here, built their lives here—everything they had was gone. All because of Vikram.Vikram.The name made my chest tighten. He had caused so much pain, so much destruction. He had played with people’s lives like they were nothing, used them like tools, broken them when they were no longer useful. I hated him. I hated him for everything he had done. And now he was gone
Lucas's POV “It’s over.” Emilio’s voice cut through the heavy silence like a knife, sharp and unyielding. But I didn’t move. I couldn’t. My body felt like it was made of stone, every muscle locked in place, every breath shallow and forced. My heart pounded against my ribs, each beat a reminder of what I had just done. Vikram lay at my feet, his body still, unmoving. Blood seeped from the deep wound in his chest, spreading like ink across the cracked pavement. The firelight flickered in his open eyes, reflecting emptiness. He was no longer the man I had fought, no longer the threat I had feared. He was just a lifeless shell now. A body. A memory. A mistake I could never take back. I had done it. I had killed him. My hands still gripped the hilt of my sword, fingers curled so tightly that my knuckles had turned white. The weapon was buried deep in Vikram’s chest, its steel stained red. I couldn’t let go. The weight of it felt heavier than before, as if the blade itself carried
Emilio's POV The city burned. Smoke curled into the sky, thick and suffocating, choking the air with the scent of ash and blood. Flames licked at the buildings, casting long, jagged shadows against the ruined streets. The heat pressed against my skin, but it was nothing compared to the fire in my chest. Vikram stood ahead, his figure dark against the inferno, a cruel smirk tugging at his lips. His eyes, sharp and gleaming, locked onto me like a predator watching its prey. Emilio was beside me, his breath unsteady but his stance firm. His presence was the only thing keeping me from losing myself completely. My fingers curled into fists. My body ached, bruises and cuts stinging with every movement, but none of that mattered. Not now. Vikram tilted his head, amused. “Look at you,” he murmured, voice smooth like poison. “Still standing. Still fighting for something that was never yours to begin with.” Rage clawed up my throat, hot and unforgiving. My heart pounded. I wanted to lu
Emilio's POV This was getting too much and I couldn't breathe so I ran away, I ran till I couldn't breath.I need to breathe! I was going berserk, I was losing myself and I didn't want my rippers killer instinct to come up.I heard footsteps behind me and realized that it was Lucas. "Hey...." He muttered with frustration."We need to talk." I didn't even give him time.Lucas's voice was quiet, but the weight of his words made Emilio turn around immediately. They were in Lucas's room, a dimly lit space filled with the silence of unspoken thoughts. The air was heavy, thick with the tension Lucas had been carrying since Vikram’s betrayal. Emilio frowned, stepping closer."I know," Emilio whispered. "It's about Vikram, isn't it?"Lucas ran a hand through his hair, feeling the frustration and regret claw at his chest. "Yeah. It is." He let out a shaky breath. "I don't know what to do. I feel like... I feel like this is all my fault."Emilio's brows furrowed. "Lucas—""No, just—just let
Lucas’s POVChaos. The battlefield is nothing but blood, screams, and shadows moving too fast to track. The air is thick with the metallic tang of spilled blood, so sharp it clings to the back of my throat like poison. I swing my blade, the steel slicing clean through the neck of a rogue vampire before it can reach me. Its body collapses at my feet, twitching, but there’s no time to catch my breath. Another one takes its place almost instantly, snarling, eyes glowing with that unnatural hunger. Damn it. There are too many. “Lucas, behind you!” Emilio’s voice cuts through the chaos. Instinct kicks in. I twist just in time to see a rogue launching itself at me, claws slicing through the air like daggers. I barely get my arm up before it slams into me, knocking me backward onto the blood-slick pavement. The impact steals the breath from my lungs. The rogue is on top of me in seconds, its fangs bared, saliva dripping onto my face. Its breath reeks of death and rot. I shove m
Emilio's POV “They’re everywhere!” I shouted, my voice shaking. My chest burned, my hands clenched into fists. The city was falling apart around us. Flames swallowed buildings, turning them into black, crumbling skeletons. Thick smoke filled the air, choking me, burning my eyes. The streets were broken, cracked, covered in glass and blood. Cars sat abandoned, their windows shattered, doors hanging open. The fight that rukus that Vikram caused is the reason why we had to leave the Vampire world and come out here to make a fight that I doubt we would ever win.And then there were *them*. The rogue vampires. Vikram's evilness, deceit and stupidity.He created them! He brought them and these are his properties.They swarmed the streets like a nightmare come to life. Fast. Wild. Bloodthirsty. Their glowing red eyes cut through the darkness. Their claws tore through anything in their way. The sound of screams, of bones breaking, of bodies hitting the ground filled the air. I fe