After Vantos fixed Derrick's shirt, he turned towards us with a satisfactory smile. "I'll be back shortly. And as a token of my gratitude, let me provide you with some... entertainment."

Vantos snapped his fingers and behind him, three copies of Lutia appeared all dressed differently. Each Lutia approached one of us, walking with grace and allure. One stepped up beside Antolio, placing a hand on his shoulder; another leaned close to Derrick, her smile teasing and playful. The third stopped in front of me, her eyes glinting with mischief, as if silently challenging me to respond.

"The wards protecting the club are running low on energy, which means that powerful individuals like yourself could easily break through them. If a major fight breaks out in the bar, I won't be able to completely contain it. Let Lutia entertain you—it keeps your minds busy and prevents you from causing chaos in my club. When things get out of hand, it tends to sour my mood," Vantos paused, glancing at Antolio. "Oh, and did I mention? You can adjust Lutia's appearance to your body type of preference. Just ask her, and she'll make her copies reflect your desires."

I glanced at Lutia's clone standing next to me. "Thank you, but I'll pass," I said.

Vantos tilted his head, intrigued by my response, and stepped closer. "Let me take a good look at you... Ah, I see, it already happened. Lucky Antolio—he gets two girls for the price of one tonight."

"What are you talking about?" I asked.

"You're a young alpha. Under the red moon, you've already chosen a few women who will become your Luna wolves. I'm certain that's the case. This means your interaction with Lutia will lack excitement—her offers simply won't interest you anymore."

"I'm just not interested, that's all."

"Very well, I won't press the matter any further. Just be cautious if you plan to interact with anyone in the bar. Understood?"

"Relax. There won't be any fights in this club."

"Thank you, young master."

As Vantos exited the room, the smoky veil within the glass walls dissipated, leaving the view beyond clear. I turned my attention to the dance floor, where Utica was entwined rather closely with a mysterious woman. I squinted, trying to discern if it was Mel she was with, but the woman bore no resemblance to her. Mel, as far as I knew, was still busy completing her training at the hunter's academy.

Derrick grabbed my arm, as he noticed my focus shifted towards Utica. "Tobias, I know what you're thinking. She's a hothead and will only drag trouble our way. Whatever issue you have with her—it can wait."

"Derrick, do me a favor and enjoy a few more drinks. I'll handle the drive home. Stay here—I'll be back shortly."

"Please, young master, if you push her, she'll be impossible to deal with."

"You've crossed paths with Utica before, haven't you? Don't worry. I'm just going to dance for a bit."

"Wait, seriously?" Derrick's initial confusion was quickly overridden as one of Lutia's clones approached him, taking hold of his arm and pulling him toward her.

I took advantage of Lutia's distraction and walked out of the private room. As I walked towards the bar, I picked up on an array of different scents—vampires, humans, and lesser warlocks all mingling and enjoying themselves within the lively atmosphere of the club. My focus, however, remains on Utica and her mysterious companion. I want to get close enough to listen to their conversation, but the distance is still too great for that.

Among the multitude of whispers and conversations, one voice caught my attention—a woman sitting alone at the bar, murmuring to herself.

"Why do I always let him do this to me? Why do I always pick the wrong ones?"

I glanced at the women seated at the bar, and without hesitation, I stepped forward, took the hand of the girl murmuring to herself, and gently guided her toward the dance floor. This way, I could keep an eye on Utica without drawing too much attention to myself.

"Hey! Wait a second!" The girl yelled, clearly taken by surprise.

"Calm down, I just want to dance with you."

Her defiance faded as we reached the center of the dance floor. I lightly brushed my fingers against her cool cheeks, giving her a smile. "Sometimes, in life, you have to be unpredictable. It's the only way to enjoy it."

"But I don't even know you," she said, staring into my eyes.

"I was walking by when I overheard your conversation. It sounded like you needed a distraction, something to pull you out of your thoughts."

The girl smiled. "You're right. Thank you. I'm Alice. Do I get to know your name?"

"My name isn't important. Consider me your mysterious dance partner for the night. Besides, I tend to learn a lot about people just by holding their hands."

"Really? Tell me then—what do you know about me?" She asked.

I grasped her hands and pulled her closer, closing my eyes as I took in her scent. With each breath, I pieced together subtle details about her habits and the people in her life, including a smell of sour blood emanating from her clothes.

"You've recently became a vampire familiar," I said as we danced, subtly maneuvering us closer to Utica and her new companion. "And you have quite the fondness for Dark Blood Lattes."

"I also detect a mix of fragrances clinging to you. There's another woman's perfume, intertwined with the scent of a man who, interestingly, carries both scents. If I had to guess, your boyfriend is being unfaithful—with your best friend. That might explain why you're here tonight."

Her eyes widen in shock, clearly taken by surprise by my detailed observation. "How did you...?"

"Perks of being what I am. As you can see, I've gathered quite a bit about you already."

She sighed, "Well, you're not wrong about the terrible night I'm having."

Gradually, she seemed to relax, letting herself be carried away by the rhythm of the dance. Sensing her guard drop, I used the moment to continue to guide us closer to Utica and her new companion.

"So, what's the story behind the white hair and the red eyes? You don't look a day over 20," She asked.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

"I suffer from a disease that causes my hair to turn white prematurely. As for the red in my eyes... that's a mystery even to me."

Her expression suddenly changed, and without a word, she pulled away from me, walking off and leaving me standing alone on the dance floor.

"Well, that didn't last long."

I stayed on the dance floor, weaving fluidly through the crowd, blending in seamlessly despite being partnerless. Utica remained entirely absorbed in her new girl, her focus so intent that she didn't even notice my presence.

Then, it hit me again—that rancid, putrid smell, seeping through the air and setting my instincts on high alert. I was close to Utica now, and while her scent seemed... off, it was distinctly different from the vile stench that had settled in the air. At first, I'd assumed the foul smell was coming from her, but now, being this close, I realized it wasn't her at all. My senses sharpened as I looked at the crowd, tracking the source of the odor.

That's when I saw him—a hunter standing at the edge of the crowd, unnervingly still. His face was obscured by the shadow of a hoodie, but his intent was unmistakable. He stared at me, unblinking and deliberate, leaving no doubt that I was his target. I moved cautiously, keeping my eyes on the hunter. Then, in a moment of distraction, I accidentally bumped into Utica. The contact was enough to instantly pull her focus toward me.

"My apologies, I didn't see you there," I said, giving her a polite nod before stepping away.

Her reaction was startling—her eyes widened in surprise, and her expression froze as though I'd caught her in the middle of something she didn't want anyone to see. Without another word, I turned my attention back to the hunter, walking back towards our private room.

As I stepped inside, Antolio and Derrick appeared to be thoroughly wasted, entertaining themselves with Vantos' familiar.

"Tobias! You've got to see this!" Derrick said, his words slurring slightly as he took another swig from a liquor bottle. "Do it again—this time, make them bigger!"

Lutia's clone smiled obligingly. At Derrick's command, her breasts began to expand dramatically. Derrick burst into laughter, nearly doubling over. "That's incredible! What a trick, huh?"

I remained unimpressed, my expression stoic as I crossed my arms. "Fantastic. But it's time to cut back on the drinks. I need you both sharp for tonight. There's a presence in this club that might represent trouble."

"Roger that, boss. Give me five minutes, and I'll be as sober as a judge," Derrick said.

As I settled into one of the plush chairs, I noticed Utica's approach toward our private space. She didn't hesitate as she entered, slamming her hand down on the table in front of me, her eyes burning with anger.

"What is your fucking problem?" Utica shouted.

The tension in the room spiked instantly. Antolio let out a low, guttural growl directed at Utica, as his hands showed signals of his transformation. Beside him, Derrick had shed his shirt, his muscles rippling as his body began shifting into his werewolf form. The sudden escalation sent Lutia's clones scurrying out of the room, leaving me to handle the situation alone.

"Guys, stop!"

Derrick froze mid-transformation, his body trembling as he fought against the shift. My gaze snapped to Antolio, and the hard look I gave him made it clear I wouldn't tolerate him losing control inside the club.

Derrick stood up, clearly irritated by Utica's behavior. "This hunter should know better," he growled. "She has no business barging into our private room uninvited. Acting like some little girl demanding attention—it's pathetic."

"She's just stopping by to greet us, isn't that right?" I said, glaring at her.

Her chest heaved with forced breaths, and the anger in her eyes was impossible to miss. After a tense moment, she stepped back, crossing her arms. "Hello," she said, before turning halfway. "I need a moment of your time if you please."

I rose from my chair, watching as Utica left the room. "Keep your cool, both of you. We will not be leaving until Vantos delivers the vials. Don't worry about her—I've got this handled."

As I stepped out of the room, I spotted Utica seated at the bar, downing a few shots. She caught the sight of me approaching quickly and forcefully slammed her empty shot glass on the counter.

"Is there something bothering you?" I asked.

"You, actually," she quickly snapped back, and without hesitation, she grabbed another shot, downing it in one go.

"Why?" I asked. "Is it because I accidentally bumped into you, or because I caught you cheating on Mel?"

"That's none of your business!" She whispered with an angered tone.

I stepped closer, lowering my voice, but laced with an edge. "What you did is my business. Barging into my private room like you own this forsaken place? That crosses a line. Next time, I won't stop them. I'll let them transform and watch as they tear you apart limb by limb. Do you understand me?"

Utica ignored my irritation, brushing off my words as if they were nothing. With a calm gesture, she motioned to the bartender to pour me a shot.

"I admit, I should've been more discreet," she said.

"Exactly. Maybe next time be more cautious with your words."

Her frustration boiled over as she slammed her empty shot glass onto the counter with force, shattering it in her grip. The sharp edge sliced her hand, and the scent of her blood filled the air. It was an unmistakable aroma, tinged with something foul, setting my instincts ablaze and making it hard to focus. She hastily grabbed a napkin to press against the wound, but not before I caught the full extent of the unnatural stench.

"Look, I get it, I messed up by mocking you in front of Mel the first time I met you. That was a mistake," she said, tending to her injured hand. "I have an attitude problem; you just have to live with it."

"And you think just admitting you're a hothead is enough for me to overlook your behavior?"

"How about this: stay out of my affairs, and in return, I'll help you with your situation concerning your daddy problem."

"Really?" I respond with a grin. "And what makes you assume I need your help?"

Utica laughed. "You're remarkably naive, puppy. Chief Harrow will take what he wants from you, and when he's done, he'll erase you—like you were never here."

"You're implying he's scheming to take me out?"

"I'm telling you to be cautious," she said, as her eyes quickly flickered around the club. "We're being watched. Make no mistake—you're sticking your nose into matters that don't concern you. And you'll pay dearly for your intrusion."

"You don't have to worry about me, I can take care of myself. But I believe your actions toward Mel are demeaning. She doesn't deserve the kind of mistreatment you've shown her."

Utica's smirk faltered for a moment before she masked it with a defiant sneer. "Mel can handle herself. Don't act like you're her savior."

I took a moment to regain my composure after noticing a woman approaching her. I remained silent, watching the strange woman wrap her arms around Utica's waist. Her sudden embrace startled Utica.

"Elizabeth! You scared me," Utica said, moving her hands away from her waist.

"Is there an issue?" Elizabeth asked, her eyes switching between me and Utica, noticing the tense atmosphere.

"A vampire familiar... is she the flavor of the week?" I said, detecting the same foul scent in Utica's new girl.

"Screw you, puppy," Utica said.

"Well, I'll leave you two love birds to continue to enjoy the night. I have more important matters to attend."

Without waiting for a response, I turned and walked away, my thoughts already focused on the unsettling connections I'd uncovered. There was a distinct difference in the scent Elizabeth exuded compared to Utica's—subtle but undeniable. The foul stench lingering around Elizabeth hinted at something more than just her status as a vampire familiar. If my instincts were right, she was on the verge of completing her transformation into a full vampire, which would explain the similarity to the vile odor of the male hunter watching me earlier.

This raised an intriguing question. If Elizabeth's scent was indicative of a true vampire's essence, why hadn't I noticed anything similar when I visited the elder? The elder's presence had been powerful, and commanding, yet devoid of the stench Elizabeth now carried. Could it be that Elizabeth's transformation wasn't as natural as it seemed? Or perhaps there was a difference to a vampire's scent—one that depended on their age, strength, or purity?

The implications unsettled me deeply, stirring another concern that had been lingering at the edges of my thoughts. What if some hunters, like Utica, had already been exposed to the vampire elder's essence? It would explain the faint connection I sensed between Utica and the unsettling scent Elizabeth carried.

If this was true, it meant the hunters' clan wasn't just fighting to survive; they were actively evolving. By absorbing a vampire elder's essence, they might be attempting to enhance their own abilities, bridging the gap between their mortal limits and the supernatural power of their enemies. This strategy could make them more formidable than ever, potentially tipping the scales in their favor.

The timing couldn't be ignored either. With the culling of Adams Town looming, this evolution might be their means of ensuring they avoid a catastrophic defeat. If the hunters were preparing to elevate their ranks to the next level, the fragile balance between the clans could shatter, leaving chaos in its wake.