Blood Awakening: The Strongest Hybrid and His Vampire Bride

For a time, the only sound at the table came from the clinking of cutlery. From the food, steam curled around roast meats, fresh bread, and rich broth. Nobody else appeared to be hungry. Sitting at the head, Nikolai had his elbows off the table. Tonight, the chair seemed heavy.

Selene broke the stillness first, her voice calm and neutral. "Nikolai, isn't there something you want to let off your chest? Or are we here to see you push soup around while considering leaving us again?

He raised his head towards her. Her tone was free of accusations, but her words were sharp.

"I wanted to talk after supper," he said.

Not looking at him, Nikita murmured, "You should've spoken before." Her spoon dropped back into her bowl and clinked gently. We aren't delicate. Just expecting.

Her voice was tighter than usual, but her eyes revealed everything; it was not residual anger or disappointment, maybe only fear.

Risa slid her chin into her hand and glanced at him. "You have some peace for a few weeks, and already you are sniffing after trouble once more. I swear, war, and you are like an old couple unable to give up.

Although it didn't reach her eyes, her smile was flirtatious on the outside.

Nikolai answered, "I'm not chasing anything."

"I have to finish this."

Kumiko's hands folded neatly in her lap. "Is it about your grandfather?"

He nodded once. "And Alexei's sister. House Everen in Drevnos are keeping them captive."

That name pulled everything still.

Even Amphitrite, who'd been swirling her wine lazily, set the glass down without finishing her sip.

"You're going," Selene said. Not a question.

"I am."

Amphitrite leaned forward, chin resting on the back of her hand. "You know, for someone with this many women waiting in his bed, you sure make a habit of walking into hell."

"I'm not asking for forgiveness."

"But I thought you deserved the truth."

"And what exactly are we meant to do with it?" Amphitrite asked, voice smooth, sharp with frustration. "Just sit here like statues while you bleed again? Nod sweetly and stroke your ego when you crawl home broken?"

Nikolai gazed back at her with soft eyes.

"You've all done more than enough for me... And I'm not ignoring that."

"Then why does it always feel like we're left watching from behind a door?" she whispered.

Kumiko's voice cut through again—gentle, firm. "He's not asking us to accept it. He's asking us to understand."

Risa gave a soft scoff. "Well, that's one way to make us feel better about watching him walk off half-dead."

"I'm won't die... don't be stupid."

"I'm going to get them back, that's my only goal."

"You better," Nikita muttered, brushing a hand over her stomach. "Because if I raise this kid alone, I'm dragging your ghost back just to kill you again."

They chuckled softly—just a little. It helped.

Lunaria hadn't spoken once. She sat quietly, hands folded, watching him and something building behind her calm expression, but she kept it inside.

Dinner carried on, quieter now. Forks moved. Cups were lifted. But the words hung in the air even after the plates were cleared.

After the meal ended, the dining room emptied, and his wives returned to their rooms to mull over the situation.

Nikita had excused herself first, muttering something about her back aching and needing quiet. Selene left soon after, with Kumiko at her side, calm as ever. Risa stayed longest, pretending she wasn't lingering on purpose, then finally left with a wink and a warning.

Only Lunaria and Amphitrite remained.

The room had grown quieter, candlelight burning lower, their plates barely touched. Rain tapped against the window, bringing a slight cold that wrapped the mansion.

Nikolai folded his arms and leaned back.

"You're reckless," Lunaria's soft voice chastised him.

He watched her, but didn't seem affected.

"You act like you're the only one who can bleed for everyone. As if the rest of us are mere decorations, not wolves."

Nikolai didn't answer right away. His eyes dropped to the cup between his hands.

"Because I made that mistake once," he finally said. "Asking too much from the people who cared about me. It cost more than I want to pay again."

Lunaria's eyes narrowed, just slightly. "You don't get to make that decision for us."

He looked at her again. This time, she didn't back down. Her voice was calm, steady. "If you go to Drevnos, I'm going with you."

"You're still recovering."

"Oh quit it Nikolai!"

She growled, "I am not some scared maiden... don't forget who we are!"

Her words cut deep, far too much for him to ignore—she was right. He couldn't deny the truth. The women he chose weren't maidens or damsels... but warriors, beasts and monsters.

Amphitrite lifted her brows, impressed with Lunaria.

She swirled her wine again and leaned her cheek into her palm. "Well, this got dramatic."

Lunaria didn't respond.

Amphitrite smirked slightly, gaze half-lidded but sharp. "You're both cute, really. Watching you argue like it matters what he wants."

She looked at Nikolai.

"You're going. You already decided. She's going. Because she decided."

Her tone softened—just a little.

"What you haven't figured out yet is that your choices don't protect anyone. Not unless you trust them to stand with you."

Nikolai raised an eyebrow. "I thought you were against me leaving."

"I am..."

She tapped her glass with a sultry smile. "But I'm also smart enough to know I can't change your mind."

Her fingers traced the rim of her glass slowly.

"So I'll say this once. You want to throw yourself into a bloodbath? Fine. But you'd better give the women who love you a reason to believe you're coming back."

Nikolai sat quietly, watching both of them.

Lunaria's eyes were calm again. Determined.

Amphitrite was unreadable—but her voice had cracked for the first time since the start of dinner.

He didn't smile. Didn't joke.

He just nodded once.

"Then we prepare together," he said. "And next time... I won't go alone."

——

After the conversation bordering an argument, Nikolai stumbled down the hallway to his room. He couldn't relax. The sense of defeat drove him mad. The hallway was dim, lit only by scattered lights that cast human shaped shadows across the walls.

Nikolai rubbed his temples with a sigh, eyes closed from exhaustion that had nothing to do with his body.

He chose not to return to his room, but he didn't want to be alone.

As if guided, he entered without knocking and entered the door at the end of the corridor.

Sitting on a cushion on the floor, was Kumiko drinking from her teacup, back to the door and dressed in a loose, calk

Kumiko sat on a cushion by the low tea table, her back to the door, dressed in a loose, pale yukata. Her long black hair was tied loosely, falling over one shoulder. A steaming pot rested beside her.

She didn't look back.

"I heard your footsteps from the second corner."

His step halted, but only for a moment before Nikolai strode indie, shutting the door behind him.

A scent of jasmine and sandalwood filled the room, steam billowing from Kumiko's tea.

"Would you like a cup?"

She asked a rhetorical question, already pouring the second, before placing it across from her with a faint smile.

He sat down across from her, stiffly.

For a long while, they just drank. The warmth settled in his hands before it reached his chest.

"You're upset," she said, finally.

He scoffed quietly. "Wouldn't you be?"

Kumiko tilted her head slightly, gaze level. "Not with them. With yourself."

He didn't answer.

She leaned slightly forward, resting her fingers near his. "You were never taught how to be loved. So when we offer it, you treat it like an attack."

Nikolai's jaw clenched.

"Lunaria had every right to be angry," she continued gently. "So did Amphitrite. And yet... none of them tried to stop you. We just want to be part of what you carry."

He stared at the table, voice low.

"Everyone I bring with me gets hurt."

Kumiko looked at him for a long time. Then: "And the ones you leave behind don't?"

Her question stung, realistic and honest.

"Yeah..."

Selfish. That's what he was doing, using their pregnancy to exclude them. Though it didn't mean he hadn't cared, but because they were so important. He couldn't do that to them! No man would send his woman into battle without worries.

"Still a fool..."

Kumiko's whisper caused Nikolai's eyes to widen, but before he could complain. She hugged him. Pressed tight against her chest, he found a sense of peace, eyes heavy as they closed.

"W-What have you done?"

Slurred, mumbled words left his lips.

"Nothing, my beloved... I just want you to sleep well tonight. Lose these worries, I will protect your heart and mind, I promise."

She watched him in silence; with a simple stroke, his resistance faded and he shuddered, before falling into a light slumber—little did he know this sleep would help him more than he could ever expect.