My Half-Vampire Son Painted Another Woman as Mom

Iris's POV

Luke froze, his eyes slowly lighting up. Then he bolted toward the refrigerator like a gust of wind.

I didn't stop him. Didn't remind him to take it easy. I just stood there and watched the panic spreading across Lucien's face.

Luke was still young. He didn't understand what was truly good for him---he could be easily won over and controlled by any adult willing to indulge him.

Seeing that I had no intention of stepping in, Lucien visibly stiffened.

"Luke, wait." He finally spoke up.

Luke had already yanked open the refrigerator door. Cold air and the metallic scent of blood spilled out. He reached for a bottle of animal blood.

Lucien crossed the room in quick strides and caught his wrist.

"Not tonight," he said.

Luke froze, his expression shifting instantly---the look of him about to throw a tantrum.

"Why?"

But Lucien immediately glanced my way, eyes flickering with urgency and expectation. Still waiting for me to play the villain.

I stayed where I was, offering Luke nothing but a gentle smile. I didn't help.

I could guess what had happened. At the restaurant, neither Lucien nor Rebecca had restricted how much rare steak Luke consumed. That was why the boy was now craving blood this badly.

The air between us pulled taut, a wire about to snap. Only the two of us adults understood what we were really fighting over.

Lucien was silent for two seconds, his hand still on the refrigerator door, his voice going stiff. "Luke. Listen to me."

"No!" Luke's voice turned shrill. "You both said I could! Why can't I now?"

This time Lucien didn't back down. He took the bottle away and shut the door.

Luke went completely still.

He looked up at his father, and his eyes slowly reddened.

"You said if Mom agreed, I could!" Luke's voice pitched higher. "Mom said yes, and you still won't let me!"

For the first time in this household, Luke was lashing out at his father instead of me.

Lucien tried to pull the boy back, but Luke wrenched free of his grip.

His eyes were blazing red---his hybrid bloodline had been triggered, and his emotions were spiraling out of control.

"I hate you!"

Those words were aimed at Lucien.

The air seemed to freeze.

Lucien's face went dark.

He'd never been on the receiving end of Luke's defiance.

Because in the past, I'd absorbed every last drop of it.

He'd never had to be the one to say no to Luke.

Now it was finally his turn.