The sun was barely peeking over the horizon when Lucas awoke in his luxurious room at the mansion deep within the woods surrounding Gainesville. The events from Monday lingered in his mind, the sensation of Julie's skin under his fingertips, her breathless reaction to his touch. The connection was undeniable, a pull so powerful it had consumed him. Yet, his mind was clouded with uncertainty. His mate was human—fragile, innocent, unaware of the dangers lurking in their world. He hadn't gone to class after Monday, choosing instead to accompany his parents on a business venture that required their attention in the human world. He was still trying to understand the full weight of what he had discovered.
In the crisp Thursday morning air, as the sleek black car pulled up to the gates of **Ravenscroft Heights**, the headquarters of his family's empire, the reality of his position set in once more. The building loomed above him, an architectural masterpiece designed to blend in seamlessly with the surrounding human society while retaining its hidden supernatural roots. The sleek, modern glass and steel structure reflected the sun's rays in a way that seemed to conceal the centuries-old secrets buried deep within its walls.
Lucas entered through the private entrance, passing through a series of corridors adorned with dark wood paneling and expensive artwork, carefully curated over centuries. The familiar smell of old leather and rich mahogany filled his senses. The **Ravenscroft Heights** headquarters was not just a business empire; it was a fortress, its true purpose hidden beneath layers of corporate structure. The majority of the employees were vampires who had long since integrated into human society, their roles and identities masked by the mundane world of finance and industry.
As Lucas walked down the hallway, he was greeted by several of the vampire staff, their eyes lowering in reverence. He nodded curtly, acknowledging their presence but not slowing his pace. His mind was elsewhere, revolving around Julie—the girl who was now at the center of everything he had known, everything he had tried to avoid.
In the large, glass-walled conference room, Lucas's father, **Caius Ravenscroft**, sat at the head of the table, his presence commanding yet calm. His mother, **Elara Ravenscroft**, sat beside him, her beauty timeless and her eyes sharp, as always. Across from them sat **Mr. Smith**, a human who, despite his race, had earned the vampire royal family's trust. He had been a business partner for decades, but his real role was far more significant. Mr. Smith was not just a businessman—he was a member of the **Human Board**, the council that represented the interests of humans within the supernatural realms.
Mr. Smith's jet lag was evident as he stood up to greet the Ravenscrofts, but the urgency in his steps as he entered the room showed how important the meeting was.
"Your Majesties," he said with a bow. "Crown Prince Lucas."
"Mr. Smith, always a pleasure," Caius said, his voice deep, carrying the weight of centuries. "You look as though you've just stepped off the plane."
"I did," Mr. Smith replied with a tired smile. "I've come straight from the airport. Had to make it here first—important matters to discuss." His gaze flickered to Lucas, a silent acknowledgment of the topic at hand.
As Mr. Smith settled into his chair, a folder of documents appeared on the table before him. He opened it, pulling out the papers containing the information about the **dark witches** and their increasingly disturbing activities in **Gainesville**.
"Some troubling news from the Dark Witches Council," Mr. Smith began, his tone more serious than usual. "There's evidence of black magic in the woods surrounding the city. Powerful, forbidden magic—magic we haven't encountered in decades. We have a possible trail, but the witches themselves are elusive. It seems we may be dealing with something far more dangerous than we initially thought."
Lucas listened intently, his sharp vampire senses picking up on every subtle detail of Mr. Smith's words. His thoughts flickered to Julie, the mysterious feather he had discovered in her dorm room, and the strange connection he couldn't shake.
"We'll have to investigate carefully," Caius said, his voice laced with authority. "We can't afford to let this get out of hand. The dark witches have always been a threat to both human and supernatural worlds."
After the discussions continued, Caius and Elara excused themselves to take care of the royal affairs, leaving Lucas alone with Mr. Smith.
"Mr. Smith," Lucas began, his voice lower, more personal. "There's something I need to ask you." His eyes flickered with a guarded intensity. "Do you know anything about a girl named **Julie**? The one who saw the advertisement for the graduation program?"
Mr. Smith paused, his brows furrowing slightly. "Julie... yes. I've looked into her. A brilliant student, excellent grades, high potential. She received a full scholarship. I ensured her guardianship was taken care of since she's still underage."
Lucas's gaze hardened at the mention of Julie. He already knew she was the one, but hearing it from Mr. Smith gave him a more solid grasp on the facts.
"And the guardianship?" Lucas asked, his voice strained.
"Yes, it's been arranged," Mr. Smith replied. "I've spoken to the principal of the University of Florida. Julie will have a place under my sponsorship, and she'll be able to study without issue."
Lucas nodded, trying to steady his emotions. "Thank you."
Mr. Smith leaned forward, noticing the weight of the moment. "Is there something else troubling you, Prince Lucas?"
Lucas hesitated for a moment before speaking, his voice soft yet resolute. "I've found her... my mate." The words felt foreign on his tongue, like an admission of something he wasn't entirely ready to accept. "She's human."
Mr. Smith's eyes widened for a moment, a flash of shock before a knowing smile spread across his face. "Well, then, congratulations are in order, my Prince. I can see the weight of this discovery has you troubled."
Lucas didn't respond immediately, his gaze drifting toward the large windows overlooking the sprawling city beyond. "I'm not sure how to handle it," he admitted, voice tight. "I need time. This news must remain a secret for now. It could be dangerous for her. I don't want to put her at risk just yet."
"Understood," Mr. Smith said, his tone sympathetic yet respectful. "You're wise to be cautious, Lucas. But know this—if anyone can handle such a challenge, it's you. You're the heir to the Ravenscroft throne, and you've been trained for a life like this."
Lucas's jaw tightened. "There's more. I need to know about the **angels**. Do you have any information on them? I've... found something that concerns me."
Mr. Smith's eyes narrowed slightly at this. He paused before responding. "Angels? It's been centuries since anyone's spoken of them, Lucas. They don't interfere with the world of the supernatural. Their kind stays hidden, and we've only heard whispers in the darkest corners of history. Why do you ask?"
Lucas met Mr. Smith's gaze, his expression inscrutable. "It's nothing... just curiosity," he replied, though they both knew better.
Mr. Smith's skepticism was evident, but he chose not to press further. "I'll keep an ear to the ground, just in case. But I know that whatever you decide to do, Lucas, you're more than capable of handling it."
"Thank you, Mr. Smith," Lucas said, standing up. "I'll take care of things from here."
As Mr. Smith departed, Lucas's mind wandered back to the human girl—his mate, Julie. The connection was undeniable, but he couldn't risk exposing her to the chaos of their world, not yet. He had to protect her, even from himself.
---
Outside, as the tall doors to **Ravenscroft Heights** swung shut, the vast headquarters seemed to pulse with energy, the ancient heart of a long-forgotten power hidden behind its sleek modern facade. Inside, a world of vampire staff moved silently, their glowing eyes betraying their supernatural nature. The Ravenscrofts may have blended into human society, but beneath it all, they were still kings and queens—untouchable, enigmatic, and forever bound by the mysteries of their world.