Page 40 of Hunted Ink

And neither had I.

Epilogue

Conroy

I was sitting in the leather chair at Karma Kats tattoo parlor, a tingly kind of anticipation making me fidgety. Kedi took my hand where I’d been tapping a rhythm on my thigh, lacing our fingers together. “Are you nervous?” he asked, the corner of his full lips twitching in amusement, making the blue stud in his dimple twinkle. It complemented his neon-yellow hair perfectly.

“No,” I said defensively, stilling my bouncing knee.

“Just because I dared you to get a tattoo, that doesn’t mean you have to do it.”

“Pfft! Everyone knows you can’t turn down a triple-dog dare,” I joked. “It’s just…” My hand drifted up to the Order crest that had been marked on my chest when I was just a kid. “I’m more than ready to say goodbye to this fucking thing. I just really hope, whatever North’s tattoo mumbo-jumbo magic comes up with to cover it up, it isn’t a giant dick.”

Kedi burst out laughing, and as always, the sound made me feel all warm and gooey, and I found myself relaxing into the chair. I had nothing to fear about leaving my old life behind. Growing up in the Order had been violent and uncertain and full of fear. The future ahead, with my mate and our children, was brighter than I ever could’ve hoped for, starting with rebuilding the cabins on Red River land. It was the perfect place for our growing pack, and I couldn’t wait to see what came next.

I was relaxed right up until North stormed into the room. He was glowering as always, as he prepped his space, all without saying a word. I was used to his quiet ferocity, though, and I found it calming more than intimidating.

Finally happy with the set-up, he sat down on a wheeled stool and rolled over with his tray of ink. As he shaved my pec with a disposable plastic razor, I cleared my throat and leaned in to mutter, “Hey, I know the rules say we can’t make requests, but—”

“No dicks. I heard,” he grunted, but I couldn’t help but notice that wasn’t an agreement, and he wouldn’t look me in the eye. Ah hell.

Usually, North’s wait list was years long, but getting to skip the line was just one of the perks of being his brand-spanking-new Alpha. I just had to hope one of the other perks was that he wouldn’t ink something embarrassing into my skin for the rest of eternity.

It didn’t take long for me to lose myself in the constant prick of the tattoo gun as it skated over my flesh. I closed my eyes and drifted, the buzzing somehow soothing. Maybe it was the official banishment of my past that brought me peace or Kedi’s hand still laced with mine, either way, I must have drifted off, thinking about giving Alastor driving lessons in Kedi’s ’69 Camaro. The next thing I knew, the curtain was being pulled back and voices carried in.

“Your next client is here,” Mace said, amusement in his tone, and when I blinked my eyes open to see why he was interrupting my session for it, I saw he was leading Oliver and Norman into the room, the rabbit shifter’s face an unnatural shade of white, making his freckles stand out across his cheeks.

“Just about done,” North grunted without looking up.

“Norman, are you getting a tattoo?” Kedi looked just as shocked as I was.

“Um… yes?” He didn’t sound very sure about that, and he looked even less sure as he glanced down at my chest as North wiped away some blood. “Or maybe not.” He slapped a hand over his mouth and turned to bury his face in Oliver’s chest.

Oliver rubbed a soothing hand over his back. “You don’t have to do this, Norman. Nobody is making you get a tattoo.”

Norman’s shoulders rose and fell as he took a deep breath. “No,” he said firmly as he pushed himself upright. “I want this. I do. But… maybe just a small one.”

“I can hold your hand if you want,” Oliver offered sweetly.

North paused with the tattoo machine, scowling up at them. “I didn’t know this was a public event. Whatever happened to the silence I love so much?”

Oliver narrowed his eyes at him. “Hmm, you met your mate and discovered your inner sunshine?”

He snorted before turning the machine back on. “Sure.”

“How are things with your beautiful mate?” Kedi asked Mace. “We missed you guys at the last pack run.”

Mace rolled his eyes, but there was no mistaking the absolute joy that rolled off him, the lovesick idiot. “Oh, you know, the usual. Death and catastrophe at every turn.” His fingers drifted up to where his mate tattoo was inked into his flesh beneath his shirt, a symbol of their fated love.

“Never a dull moment when you’re mated to a seer,” Kedi said with a laugh.

With an exaggerated sigh, North turned off the machine and set it aside on the tray. Mace winced. “Do you want us to leave?”

“While I appreciate the offer,” he said sarcastically, “you’re a little late. I’m all done.”

Kedi sat up. “Really? I wanna see!”

“Me first,” I teased, trying to shield his view with my hands.

North wiped the tender skin clean, then handed me a mirror. “Ready?” I asked Kedi. “Three… Two… One…” I uncovered his eyes at the same time as I held up the mirror.

Silence reigned as we both stared in silence at the symbol of our love.

“Wow,” I said in awe.

“It’s perfect,” Kedi said, eyes glassy.

Norman, swallowing down his nerves, leaned around to take a peek. He frowned. “Are those… fuzzy pink handcuffs?”

At least it’s not a dick, my wolf said.