Drugged

I ignored her teasing and sipped from my glass.

“You’ve been drugged.”

But I couldn’t speak.

“I hope you’ll enjoy the celebration. There’s still more to come,” he said. Then, with one last nod, he turned and disappeared into the crowd, already being pulled into conversation by another elder vampire.

Olivia’s POV

Sofia raised a brow at me once he was gone. “Well. That was… princely.”

I blinked. “Who?”

But it felt like a lie.

“Not the kind where everyone’s watching me like I’m going to sprout wings.”

I teleported again, guided by instinct.

Their eyes widened at the sight of me—flushed, disoriented, practically clinging to their brother.

Then hotter.

I hesitated—but took it.

Tells me it’s a lie.

My wolf growled, “We need to find our mates. Their scent might stabilize you.”

My skin tingled—and not in a good way.

I offered a tight smile. “I’m alright, thank you.”

Sofia leaned close again. “You do know he’s coming over, right?”

People had asked me to dance earlier—more than a few—but I’d declined each one with a fake smile. I wasn’t in the mood for strangers touching me, even politely. I wasn’t here for romance or attention.

He turned quickly and left the room, shutting the door behind him.

And he kissed me back.

She tilted her head. “Lord Frederick.”

I stood there alone, holding my glass.

My chest rose and fell too fast.

I dipped my head politely. “Thank you, Lord Frederick.”

“What?” I asked.

She squeezed my hand briefly. “I won’t be long.”

Sofia glanced at me, then back at him. “I’d love to.”

“You need to get out of there, Olivia. Now.”

“Olivia?”

I didn’t wait.

His hands caught mine, stopping me.

Something in his voice.

I just acted.

The door swung open.

What’s wrong with me?

A man I hadn’t seen before walked up beside me, his voice friendly and calm. “You look like you need a second drink.”

I did.

His presence.

I reached for my wolf. What’s happening?

“I don’t know,” Lennox growled, his jaw clenched. “She showed up like this—teleported straight here.”

The only thing I could feel… was him.

Louis’s eyes darkened. “By who?”

My body… warmer.

She smiled warmly. “Happy birthday, Frederick.”

“Olivia… what happened? Who drugged you?”

Then he turned to Sofia. “It’s good to see you again, Sofia.”

“Liv, calm down-”

I kissed him again, more desperate than before, trying to melt into him.

My throat felt dry.

Frederick’s gaze flicked back to me, and there was something in his eyes—admiration, maybe. Or something else I couldn’t quite name.

But only for a moment.

And just like that, she glided away with him onto the dance floor.

I was here because I didn’t want Sofia to come alone.

And just like that… my thoughts spiraled away—chased off by the heat of his mouth, the safety of his hands, the scent I’d always known as home.

“Liv, look at me.”

“Thank you.” He nodded, then looked between us both. “I hope you two will stay for a while tonight. I’d be honored to have you here.”

Without hesitation, I focused every ounce of energy I had and teleported.

I couldn’t think straight.

Hungry.

And then he kissed me.

The moment I saw Lennox, I rushed forward, nearly tripping over my own feet. My body was burning, shaking, desperate. I didn’t care about anything else.

My mind clouded.

And all I could feel… was him.

I barely had time to process it because the moment he was gone, Levi cupped my face gently.

But just as he began to give in—

“You know what to do,” Lennox said to him, backing away. “Help her.”

My vision blurred slightly, and I blinked, trying to steady myself.

My skin burned.

I looked down at my hand, still slightly cold from his touch. “He’s very… dramatic.”

“Olivia,” he said with a soft smile, his voice rich and smooth as ever. “You–look… radiant tonight.”

Then he pulled away, breathless, gripping my arms as if trying to hold me steady.

He laughed softly. “Fair enough.”

Still, the loneliness settled in fast.

Then, unexpectedly, Lennox pushed me gently but firmly toward Levi.

“You’re lying,” I said breathlessly.

He groaned against my mouth, torn, his hold on me trembling.

Levi caught me, holding me carefully.

His voice was rough, laced with concern. “What—what are you doing here? What’s wrong?”

And the undeniable pull that snapped something loose inside me.

And suddenly—I was in a dimly lit room, standing unsteadily in front of Lennox.

His scent.

He chuckled. “Let me guess—you don’t like parties?”

I couldn’t breathe.

Her voice was sharp. Alert.

I reached out, grabbing Lennox’s sleeve. “Where are you going?”

I landed in my bedroom with a gasp, stumbling onto the floor. My glass slipped from my hand and shattered.

“Old vampires usually are.” She smirked. “But not all of them give you that much attention.”

“I’m going to get you water. You need to cool down.”

“I don’t know,” I whispered, my voice trembling as my fingers fumbled with the buttons of his shirt. “I just—I need you. Please. Touch me.”

I didn’t think. I couldn’t.

I crashed into him, my hands on his face, my lips on his before he could even say another word.

As a waiter passed, he reached out and took two glasses from the tray. One was a pale pink, the other clear and fizzy. He handed me the pink one.

She gave a little smile. “There’s a man walking over. He’s cute.”

He looked up, his eyes wide with surprise when he saw me.

We talked for a few minutes—nothing deep, just surface-level chatter about music and how long the party might last. But as the minutes ticked by, I noticed something strange.

I turned slightly, and sure enough, a tall, well-dressed man with dark hair and warm eyes was approaching. His posture was confident but respectful as he came up to Sofia.

“What are you doing?” I asked breathlessly, confused.

Lennox nodded, not even denying it. “If I stay, I’ll lose control.”

His eyes met mine, something unreadable flickering there.

“We were planning to,” Sofia said smoothly.

Something in his eyes.

The heat in my body only intensified.

The lights seemed a little brighter.

But it didn’t stop.

Hard.

After a few moments of silence, Sofia’s eyes flicked past me, and her expression shifted.

“No!” I said, my voice rising with frustration and need. “Don’t tell me to calm down, please. Just please…”

“Lennox-” Levi’s voice froze mid-sentence as he and Louis stepped inside.

He gently reached for my hand, and before I could even react, he raised it to his lips and kissed the back of it. His cool lips brushed my skin, and the gesture was so regal it felt straight out of a different century.

“Cheers,” he said, clinking our glasses together gently.

He was seated at his desk, scribbling something into a book.

And as if on cue, I felt the shift in the air. That slight silence, the hush of curious eyes… and then I smelled his scent—subtle but unmistakable.

I turned just in time to see him approach. The way he moved made it feel like the entire room adjusted around him.

“Forgive the interruption,” he said with a charming smile. “Would you honor me with a dance?”

“She’s been drugged,” Lennox said immediately, his tone tight, angry.

My heart dropped.