Fated Ink was quietin the late afternoon, the scent of antiseptic and ink clinging to the air.Brielle stood behind the counter, wiping down the glass case that held her charms and jewelry, her thoughts still circling the coven’s earlier meeting.They had been discussing Caleb again—his next move, and what protections they still needed.When Ursula finally sent Willow and Saffie upstairs to start strengthening the wards, Brielle offered to stay behind and close up.
The bell over the door jingled softly.She turned, surprised to see Landon Walker step inside.
He looked exhausted.His blond hair was longer than she remembered, his jaw shadowed with stubble.His dark blue uniform pants were creased, and his NYPD shirt was half untucked.
“Hey,” she said, lowering the cloth in her hand.“You look like you’ve been hit by a truck.”
He gave a tired laugh.“Pretty sure one almost did earlier.Double shift.Paperwork.And a dumbass rookie partner who think sirens mean go faster through intersections.”He rubbed the back of his neck and leaned against the counter.“Been a long week.”
Brielle smiled faintly.“Ouch, pulling doubles?You’ll burn out.”
He shrugged.“Comes with the badge.And with my brothers finally in town, I don’t get much rest at home either.”
“Your brothers?”Brielle asked as she leaned against the counter.
“Yeah,” he said, a tired grin tugging at his mouth.“Braydon and Colt.Still trying to adjust to city life.They think noise complaints are a personal challenge.”
Brielle laughed softly.“Sounds like chaos.”
“Controlled chaos,” he said, eyes flicking around the shop.“Place looks good, though.Guess Ursula and Saffie are keeping business steady?”
She nodded.“Steady enough.You just missed them—they’re upstairs with Willow.”
Landon’s smile warmed a little.“Mostly, I just wanted to check in with you.Let you know that we still haven’t found Caleb.”
She winced.“Yeah, I figured, but there was always hope until you said it out loud.”
Before either could say more, the front door opened again.Hunter and Lennox entered, still flushed and damp with sweat from a run, followed by Nolan and Liam, all four of them dressed in gym shorts and t-shirts.The sharp scent of clean sweat and cool night air followed them in.They were joking about something until they spotted Landon.
The laughter died instantly.The air shifted—heavy, charged with something Brielle couldn’t name.Hunter’s posture changed, protective, while Lennox’s head tilted slightly, nostrils flaring.
“Hey,” Hunter said carefully.“Didn’t expect to see you here, Walker.”
Landon offered a tired salute.“Evening, boys.Figured I’d check in on a friend before heading home.”
Nolan and Liam exchanged a glance but said nothing.Lennox moved closer, studying him with a sharp, assessing gaze.“Something’s different about you.”
Brielle frowned.“Different how?”
Lennox didn’t answer her.He took another step forward.“You smell different.”
Hunter’s eyes narrowed.“He’s right.”
Landon’s brow furrowed.“Excuse me?”
Nolan crossed his arms.“You’ve got a scent now, Walker.One I’d know anywhere.”
Landon hesitated, then gave a tight smile.“Guess that’s one way to say I’ve been working too many night shifts.”
“Not that kind of scent,” Lennox said quietly.“You smell like a shifter.”
The words hung in the air.Brielle blinked, startled, but Landon went very still.
“Come on,” Hunter pressed, his voice low.“You know what I’m talking about.”
Landon sighed and rubbed his hand over his face.“I didn’t want to say anything.Didn’t even want to believe it myself.But, yeah.”He met Hunter’s eyes, then Lennox’s.“Me and my brothers ...we changed.About a week ago.”He gave a shaky laugh.“We have the ability to turn into lions now.Didn’t ask for it, didn’t expect it—but here we are.”
For a heartbeat, the room was silent.Then Lennox let out a low whistle.“Lions, huh.That’s new.”