Blood Awakening: The Strongest Hybrid and His Vampire Bride

"You're leaving so soon?" Loric asked from behind Nikolai, who stood in front of the grand doors leading to the courtyard.

"It's better if we act fast, I have to get Sulley back and prepare for the future." He turned back with a faint grin. "Didn't you give me information about what those bastards are planning in the near future? I can't let my wives face that alone."

"I see, it's just rare I get to see Ivan these days... keeping up appearances and all."

The look on Loric's face resembled a grandparent who wanted to keep their grandchild from leaving. Nikolai shrugged his shoulders and stepped towards the door. Vernan and the girls were already waiting for him in the car.

"Shall I tell my dad to come visit so you're not alone?"

"Haha, that sounds quite good."

"Well, he'd probably love to visit in the near future, though I won't spoil the reason." Nikolai tapped his cheek. 'Mother's body is almost ready. That scientist seems to have helped the progress improve rapidly.' He smugly turned back to the door. "Patriarch Silver, take care of yourself and don't get killed."

"Hah!" Loric snorted, pointing at the brat. "Don't get cheeky with me, Patriarch Volkov! I'll beat your ass and teach you some manners!"

"Yeah, I'll look forward to that."

Clack!

The door opened with a faint creak, the old yet beautiful woodwork almost shattering from Nikolai's lack of control while using his improved physical strength. He looked back one more time, and his face relaxed into a more natural smile. "Sorry about damaging this beautiful mansion, I'll send the reparation fee when I get back."

"Be safe, Nikolai." He mumbled.

With a wave, Nikolai slid into the back seat of the fancy British executive motor. A Jole's Joyce, huh...? It might not have been the fastest or most powerful car. But its pedigree and value linked to the nobility of the past generation made it a well-sought car by the rich and collectors.

"You look exhausted, Anya."

She peeked up at him, wearing a hooded jumper and a mid-length skirt. Anya sprawled back against the leather seat, her eyes half closed and her face without makeup. Her lips moved, but only a hoarse, raspy huff sounded.

"..."

'I probably went to far last night, but she kept challenging me.'

He couldn't help but chuckle. After using Anya's throat twice, she struggled to speak well, though Clara was the opposite when he looked. Vibrant gaze, smooth, glowing skin and a beaming smile.

"Mast.... Nikolai!" She corrected herself.

Nikolai slipped between the two women. Sulley and Vernan sat in the car behind. Obviously, he wouldn't enjoy a long drive with two men. 'Loric probably decided this setup.' He reached out and took both girls' smooth hands and gripped them tight.

That's when he looked around and checked both cars with a curious glance.

"What about Ryan and Veronica?"

"Mm... they'll be staying at the mansion a little longer," Anya mumbled while playing with Nikolai's fingers, rubbing and squeezing them gently.

"Vernan said it's because of her babies, and a lamia's pregnancy is special." Clara added to the conversation. She became more active and made more contact with him. It appeared she no longer wanted to sit back and lose to Anya.

Nikolai leaned back against the leather, watching the foggy countryside blur past through tinted glass. The car hummed softly, almost too quiet compared to the storm of thoughts running in his mind.

Clara's hand tightened around his, her soft warmth pressing into his palm. "Nikolai… when we get back, what will you do first?"

Her eyes glimmered with expectation, but also a trace of fear.

He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he glanced at Anya, who still sulked with her hood drawn low, her lips pursed as though pretending she didn't care. Yet her thigh leaned closer against his, trembling faintly with each bump of the road.

"…First thing," Nikolai said at last, his voice low, "is to get Sulley back and settled like I promised. After that…" His gaze hardened, black eyes glinting with a dangerous edge. "I want to enjoy some time with my lovely wives. It's been too long since we split apart and they probably miss me dearly."

What Nikolai loved about Clara, Anya, and Leona was their understanding of things, despite getting jealous or angry over things, such as this. All three of them knew when to take a step back and wait.

Clara's smile faltered, but she didn't let go of his hand. "Then… we'll fight with you."

"That's my little fairy."

Anya's raspy laugh finally broke through, hoarse but fiery. "Tch. As if you could stop us even if you wanted to." She tilted her head back, flashing him a crooked grin. "Your other bitches better accept us."

He knew she worried about the reaction from her sisters, but just smiled.

"Well my cutest bitch is you, haha."

"Wha-!?"

Her eyes widened as she looked at him with a violent glare, but the dark red hue of her cheeks and heavy breath brought a smile to Nikolai's face. "What? Didn't you swear during our fifth time, to become my loyal little bitch?"

"Y-You... don't speak about that in public, what if someone hears?!"

Clara squeezed his hand tighter, puffing her cheeks as she leaned against his arm. "Then… when we're back, let me be your first. You owe me, Nikolai."

Her boldness made Anya snap her hood down, glaring through half-lidded eyes. "Hah? You think you get priority just 'cause you act cute? Don't forget who's already proven she can take him the longest."

Clara's cheeks went bright red, but she didn't back down. "T-That doesn't matter! This time, I'll beat you."

Nikolai chuckled low in his chest, his claws brushing across both their thighs as he drew them closer against him. "Heh… my little fairy getting bold, and my dearest Anya." His grin widened, showing his fangs as he hugged them tight against his chest. "Let's not fight, or argue. I will give you both everything I can, so just stay by my side."

The car fell into silence... except for the sound of two soft gulps and the shift of fabric as they leaned on his chest.

'Good, this is better. I wonder if I will see the birth of my first child...'

***

Meanwhile, watching from above, still at the mansion, Ryan's gaze fixated on Nikolai's limousine. He gripped the balcony wall with a bitter, twisted smile. "Nikolail..."

"Darling, you wanted to leave with him, didn't you?" Veronica's warm body wrapped around him from behind, as she narrowed her gaze at the distant cars.

He looked back, and his smile melted into a sweet, honeyed curve.

"You know me well, somehow I feel that each time he needs me, I am never there."

Veronica's coils tightened a little around his waist, the smooth weight of her body grounding him before his thoughts could spiral. "You humans always think you have to be everywhere at once." She nipped lightly at his shoulder, voice low and teasing but softer than usual. "Didn't you forgive him for sleeping with your sister? I am sure he understands, or he wouldn't keep you so close. That's how we monsters are... humans hold little weight in our mind."

He wanted to complain, but she kissed him before he could.

"Mmph... Of course, you are special to me, too. More than anything else."

Ryan let out a quiet, shaky laugh. "I see, was I just being stupid?"

"It was cute," she corrected, resting her chin on his shoulder. "And a little stupid. But I liked it. The new sides I see always make me happy I met you." Her tongue flicked, kissing his cheek as she leaned on his shoulder.

The morning wind tugged at his messy hair, carrying the faint scent of smoke from her pipe still lingering on the balcony. For a long moment, neither spoke. Ryan stared after the car until it vanished behind the trees, leaving only a faint silver blur in the fog.

"… He's going to do something big again, isn't he?" Ryan finally said. "Something dangerous."

Veronica didn't answer right away. Her golden eyes flicked to the horizon, unreadable. "Probably. Men like him don't know how to live quietly."

Ryan sighed, then smiled faintly.

"Figures. He's always been like that. Running ahead and making me feel I need to chase after him. But now..." He looked at the huge woman beside him and her swollen abdomen. "I think I'll take the slow, calm path at your side, Veronica."

"You sound so handsome, but proud of him." Her tail loosened a little, stroking idly against his leg.

"I am." Ryan turned his head just enough to meet her gaze. "But it sucks, you know? Feeling like I'm always behind."

"You're not behind." Veronica's voice dropped to a whisper, almost gentle. "You're just… walking a different road. You found me. You're going to be a father. So let me join you on that slow, peaceful path, together we'll find a way. He's your best friend, right?"

He blinked, startled by the rare softness in her tone.

"Yeah, he's my brother."

Her cheeks flushed immediately when she noticed, and she hissed, looking away. "Tch… Don't stare at me like that. You'll make me regret being nice..."

Ryan laughed quietly, leaning back into her coils. "Thanks, V."

She sniffed, clearly flustered. "Hmph. Just remember, when that dog of yours comes back half-dead, we'll have to patch him up. And if he makes you sad again…" Her tail tightened for a moment, protective. "… I'll bite him."

"Ah, you can't bite another man!"

"Hmmm, why!?"

"I'll get jealous..."

Ryan chuckled at that, but his smile lingered as he stared at the fading road. "I'll be ready next time. I want to stand next to him… not behind."

Veronica didn't reply, but she tightened her embrace, and for once, she didn't tease her beloved mate.