The next day,our parents set us up to save them, to beat out this rival gang that had tried to make a name for itself using supes as slaves. After we beat them, proving ourselves to the community, we had Aniyah’s family birthday dinner.
It was business as usual—Tata Ternin making jabs at our dads, praising my mom, praising us. In my mom’s toast, she shared that they’d be announcing our official takeover as the new bosses the following day.
All of that was fine and dandy, but the looks on my siblings' faces worried me. Aniyah stared at her plate, looking oddly determined. Riot, who normally didn't show much emotion, seemed entirely devoid, like she was numb to everything. Calix, looking utterly depressed, barely touched his blood burger, which was his favorite food. But the one who scared me the most was Ezra. Her eyes blazed with fury and a thirst for vengeance that could not be quelled.
By the end of dinner, a plan had been set in motion. At our mother’s encouragement, us siblings were going to get tattoos to commemorate the occasion. Ezra grabbed the keys from her, and we all followed her out and peeled off in our own cars, heading toward the nearest shop.
Bright lights blurred past my window, and my throat tightened. I was going to miss Vegas. This city wasn’t just home, it wasmine. Every shadow, every glint of neon, every corner had my fingerprints on it. It felt safe.
I’d just have to make Montana my new home. It would be a fresh start, and I had a whole lot of reasons to stay focused on work. I had a fighting destination to build.
When I pulled into the parking lot, Ezra had beaten me there. She was unlocking the shop with a small woman at her side. I got out, eyeing the stranger. What was Ezra planning?
“Who’s that?”
I jumped, hand halfway up, before I realized Riot had materialized beside me.
“Quit doing that shit, fuck.” I rubbed my chest, trying to keep my heart from bolting. “No clue who she is, but you know Ezra. She’ll loop us in when we’re supposed to know.”
Riot scanned the street, eyes sharp, air knife ready, then she nodded. Even though something was up with her, Riot still did her job. She was still too focused, but that was how I needed to be. Leave behind everything in the past and focus on the future.
Inside, Ezra was waiting. Aniyah breezed in a minute later, practically vibrating with excitement, then Calix came through the door, looking like shit. Shoulders slumped, eyes unfocused, hair a mess. A heavy knot of worry coiled in my gut.
What the hell happened to him? Did that bitch Valentina start something? I’d kill her. We all hated her anyway, so it’d be no sweat off my back.
My wolf growled her agreement, that vicious, protective monster already sharpening her teeth. Nobody hurt my siblings and walked away whole.
“I know the past few days have been rough,” Ezra said, looking around at us, but her eyes lingered on Calix.Did somethinghappen that I didn't know about?“But this is it. Our time. We’re taking the throne and building something so big, so terrifying, no one will dare cross us.”
She introduced the woman, a mage named Greta, who made special tattoos, then she told us that she was getting one to block mate connections.
My eyes nearly popped out of my head as I tried to wrap my brain around what she’d just said. A mate-blocker tattoo? Unheard of.
Why do you care?the voice in my head sniped.It’s not like you’re ever going to find one anyway…. Your wolf picked someone who doesn't see you like that. It's over for you.
I wanted to say it was wrong, shove the words back down its throat, but after everything with Liam… with the pain I shoved down from Zeth’s unintended rejection… I couldn’t exactly argue. Maybe removing this option completely would help me focus on what was real. What I could have in this life.
Ezra’s calm voice caught my attention. “I need to focus on the Syndicate, on protecting all of you and what our parents built, while also expanding. I want to build something bigger, more powerful, and I… can’t afford distractions.”
Her expression eased when she looked at all of us. “This is my choice, but I wanted to offer it to you.”
Like it was a goddam race, Riot blurted, “I’ll do it.”
I wasn’t the only one staring at her like she’d just said the last thing any of us could imagine. On the outside, she was a stone-faced killer, but deep, deep,deepinside, she was a romantic. The kind who’d always dreamed of finding her mate… her flame.
“How long does it last?” The question fell out of my mouth before I put any thought to it.
“I’m in,” Calix snapped. “Fuck mates. Fuck love. Just give me my lab and my family. I’ll survive.”
Watching him stomp past us and drop into the chair, I felt a strange mix of sadness and relief. Something must’ve gone down with Valentina.
He slapped at his neck. “Right here. I want everyone to see it.”
The tattooist looked at Ezra. “Blocator de mate, da?”
Ezra nodded. The woman turned back to Calix. “Nu-?i face griji. Va fi invizibil.”
“What’d she say?” he asked.
