Blood Awakening: The Strongest Hybrid and His Vampire Bride

”Amphitrite, can you wait outside a moment?” Nikolai didn’t want to make his father hesitant to discuss sensitive topics with her here.

”Yes, Master.”

’She noticed?’

He watched her give a graceful bow, slipping her hand along his cheek, before she left the room with a loud bang.

”It seems that she listens to you at least, but be careful. Mermaids are nothing but sirens that lead men astray with their alluring charms!”

”Of course dad, now… can we discuss the actual issue?”

Nikolai watched his father’s grim smirk. He knew this old man just wanted to cause trouble, but he couldn’t deny the desire to learn more about the Nosferatu up close because their names popped up everywhere.

’It’s almost like they’re destined to become a plague.’

”Dad, about the hunt today… We found more corruption and another door.”

”Another door?”

Ivan’s silver eyes shone with an eerie light, almost as if he predicted something. Then, with a sigh, he placed a hand on Nikolai’s shoulder.

”It might just be as we feared, this gala could become dangerous if so.”

”Do you think they’d do something with all the nobles there, dad? Isn’t that stupid of them?”

Nikolai didn’t think the new patriarch would risk something at such a massive event, but his chest became tight, and a bad feeling spread through his mind because of his father’s

”Stupid? No. They do not need to fear the consequences. If they are really trying to start a war, then this is the perfect place for it.”

”Think Nikolai, this gala will bring all their enemies and allies into one place, would you turn that chance down?” Ivan’s words made sense, but Nikolai still couldn’t believe someone would be so brazen.

”But what could they possibly gain by doing this?”

Ivan only shrugged before he turned away from his son.

”Isn’t that what we need to find out before they crush us all?” The old man’s voice sounded tired, and Nikolai felt a pang of sadness when he saw his father’s back.

’He has been fighting for so long, but now I am here, too.’

”Dad, I will stop them. Don’t worry, we have time to prepare.”

Ivan looked over his shoulder and smiled, his eyes glinting, and a proud smirk formed on his lips.

”Time is never on our side, my son.”

Ivan left the room, leaving several documents about the Nosferatu clan’s current state.

These documents were Nikolai’s homework. It was his duty to learn as much as possible about their enemy, and though he had already read through various papers multiple times, he knew there was always something new to discover.

’I should visit the girls before I get hooked on this again.’

With a sigh, Nikolai stood up and left his father’s office.

He spent most of the day with him, going over the things that happened in the caves and telling him about Amphitrite. He didn’t mention the second body until his mother answered. The rest of the time passed while discussing the latest news and how to proceed.

’What if dad is right, and they really want to start a war?’

Amphitrite vanished.

She wasn’t waiting for him at the door, causing Nikolai’s lips to twitch.

Although he couldn’t fully trust her, he still needed her to help him with his mother. If any issues happened to her, he could stop himself without regret and find another way to revive her.

The thought sent shivers down his spine because such an event would affect not only the supernatural but also humans. Nikolai’s eyes narrowed, carrying the massive stack of papers to his room first.

Click!

The moment he opened the door, he half expected one of the girls to be waiting to ambush him, but the pink figure of his mother’s phantom sat on the bed, as if waiting.

[Hello, Nikolai.]

She spoke with a dull, muted tone, but her eyes watched him filled with light, a passionate and determined light.

”Hi mom, sorry I took so long.”

Nikolai placed the papers on his desk before sitting next to her.

”Dad seems to be overworking himself, he had huge dark circles but still insisted on working harder. I want to help him, but I don’t have the skills or ability yet.”

Elizabeth listened to her son, her gaze softening when she heard about Ivan. Her husband worked tirelessly for their family and the safety of the people around them. She knew it was difficult for him to balance everything, especially since he had been doing so alone for years now.

[Ivan always liked to do things without thinking about himself, but god forbid I do anything, and he’d act like I would die from overwork, fufu.]

Her voice carried a hint of bitterness, but it vanished quickly, replaced by a warm smile.

”But you’re worried about him, aren’t you?”

[No less than you are, but you also worry about me, right? My cute little boy.]

”…”

Nikolai’s face turned away. Even at his age, hearing such words from his mother made his face hot, different from what he felt with the other girls.

”Mom, please…”

His voice trailed off, but Elizabeth just laughed softly.

Nikolai felt his heart grow heavy as he looked at her. He could bring her back right now and have her walk among the living, but he lacked information about this method and action.

’Do I want to make the same mistake twice?’

He shook his head and sighed.

”I’m sorry, mom, but I need more time. There is no guarantee that Amphitrite’s method can bring you back safely, and even if it does, I don’t want to perform it while being clueless.”

Elizabeth’s eyes widened slightly, and she smiled again. She tried to brush his hair, but her hand passed through his body, causing goosebumps to spread across his skin.

This feeling reminded him of how limited his mother’s actions were right now, and the thought caused his chest to tighten painfully.

”It will be fine; I’ll find a way to bring you back!”

[Fufu, there’s no rush to bring me back.]

[Then how about the gala in a few weeks, was it? Why don’t we decide the night before?]

Elizabeth’s voice held a playful tone, but her eyes showed determination. She knew Nikolai wanted to bring her back as soon as possible, but she also understood the risks involved.

[In three weeks, I will give you my answer by then, so find all you can. Use that mermaid if you have to.]

[If you can convince me, then I will accept this method and won’t doubt you.]

Nikolai nodded, grateful for his mother’s understanding.

”I promise I will bring you back safely.”

He yearned to hug his mother properly, but the current sensation was lacking and left his chest hollow. A warm, fuzzy sensation spread through him when he passed through her pink figure before she flickered and returned to the pendant.

[I’m sorry... I need to sleep, Nikolai]

”It’s okay, you can sleep, I will do my best. I promise.”

With a long sigh, Nikolai sat quietly in his room, thinking about the things he needed to do before the gala started. He knew that night would be dangerous, not just because of the event being his enemies’ turf, but the fact his lovers would also be attending.

’What if they’ve discovered how to harness the corruption?’

’Do they know about the second tower, and how to access it?’

His mind rushed with countless thoughts and theories, and he drowned in his own questions. He didn’t even hear the door knocking before the handle turned and someone entered.

”Nikolai?”

A sweet voice pulled him out of his trance. He turned to see Nikita in the doorway, her hand pressed against the frame as she gazed at him with an uncertain expression.

”Hey, Nikita. What’s up?”

He couldn’t stop the smile from spreading across his face when he saw her, and he noticed the blush on her cheeks as she looked away.

”I missed you, can I come in?”

”Of course, here, come sit beside me.”

He patted the bed next to him, and she approached slowly, her tail swaying behind her. She wore a loose black shirt with a cat print. The material seemed thick and warm, while hiding her stomach’s slight bump underneath.

Nikita sat down next to him, her warmth seeping into his side. He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer, enjoying the feeling of her body against his.

”Is there something wrong, or did you just want to be close?” His voice became softer, the low tone comforting and soothing.

”I just wanted to be near you…” Nikita whispered, leaning her head against his shoulder.

Nikolai smiled and kissed the top of her head, breathing in her scent.

”Did you hear about the gala?”

His question seemed to be right because her shoulders twitched as she grabbed his shirt tighter, almost as if she were afraid.

”Yes, I don’t want to go, but I will if you’re going.” Her voice trembled slightly, and he could feel her wariness.

’Is it because of?’

Nikita’s pale amber eyes peeked up at Nikolai, and he felt a pang of guilt in his chest. He knew the current state made her hormonal, likely worried about the babies inside her.

”You don’t have to go if you don’t want to,” he reassured her, gently stroking her hair.

”But what about you and the others?”

He couldn’t help but chuckle softly.

”We’ll be fine, don’t worry about us. You need to take care of yourself and the babies first.”

Nikita paused, her lips parted, but only hot air came out. She then adjusted herself and leaned her head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat.

”Okay, I trust you.” She murmured, closing her eyes.

Nikolai held her tightly, feeling her warmth radiate from her small body, until she asked him another question: ”Is that fish, another one?” Her voice sounded curious yet hesitant, as if unsure how to ask.

”Not quite, it appears that she tricked me into some kind of mermaid ritual, but right now, she isn’t. But I think she might be useful in helping my mom.”

Nikita’s eyes widened, and she looked up at him with a hopeful expression. ”Your mother?” She asked, her voice filled with curiosity.

”Yes, but I haven’t told dad yet, I don’t want him to worry too much. I need to gather more information first before I tell him. Oh?”

A sudden idea occurred to him. Yes, he wasn’t alone! He looked at Nikita, who might struggle to fight soon, and he didn’t like the idea of her fighting with his children inside her.

”Will you help me?”

”With what?”

She looked confused, but he smiled reassuringly.

”I would like to learn more about Amphitrite, the ritual, and these documents.”

He took the information about the twins and scientific research and showed it to Nikita, who gasped at first.

However, then her eyes began to shine.

She flipped through the documents and then peeked up at Nikolai, almost showing complete understanding.

”I will help, but the others too… let’s have everyone help bring back your mother!”