Silly me had thought that after the wedding, we'd just go home and settle in. But hell no. My stepfather had other plans.
He said we'd be partying all night. The cars pulled into a massive, flashy building, and I was still wondering what kind of party he meant… until I saw the neon sign above.
A strippers' club.
Wait. This is the after-party?
Music throbbed like a heartbeat. Beautiful women swayed on the dance floor. Some dressed, most not. Men in suits and silk shirts lounged around with glasses of expensive wine, clearly in their element.
The sextuplets walked in like they owned the place, greeting familiar faces and blending in effortlessly. I, on the other hand, paused at the entrance, stunned.
This wasn't just a party. This was initiation. A plunge into the wild world of the Godlike. A place where rules bent, and limits shattered. Where smoke, lust, and chaos reigned. Where orgies were entertainment and decadence was the norm.
"Goddess!" My mother's voice cut through the music like a blade, and I turned quickly.
Relief flooded me. I hadn't realized how much I'd missed her until that very moment. I rushed into her arms.
"Mommy."
It had only been a few hours since the ceremony, but not having a single private moment with her made it feel like days. I hugged her tight. She kissed my forehead and cheeks before gently pulling back, motioning for me to step outside with her.
Under the velvet sky, a sleek car waited to take her and Dafwem on their honeymoon. We stopped near a quiet garden, the air still.
"My love," she said, her voice soft with emotion. She paused, unable to continue.
I smiled through the ache in my chest.
"You'll be fine, Mommy and I'm… happy for you."
She swallowed hard, trying to stay composed, but her eyes betrayed her. Tears spilled down her cheeks.
"I'll call you constantly. Every moment. Just because I chose a new husband doesn't mean I'm abandoning the child who made me a mother. You'll hear from me every day, Goddess. I promise."
"I know." I nodded, voice trembling. I'd never been away from her, not even for a night. We'd always been together, always shared the same roof. But now… she was leaving for a week.
A lump grew in my throat. Breathing suddenly became difficult.
"You enjoy this time with my new dad, but call me every day," I said quietly. "I'll worry. I'll miss you."
She nodded, sighing shakily.
"Your stepbrothers… I know they aren't exactly thrilled…"
"I can handle them, Mommy." I didn't want her to worry. She always had, but now it was time I protected her from that. "I'll be fine. I promise."
She hugged me again, fiercely. Then, a calm voice approached from behind.
"Will you kindly release my bride to me?"
I smiled at Dafwem's playful tone and stepped back as he reached for my mother. The sextuplets stood nearby, saying nothing, as if also preparing for their father's departure.
"The house must stay in order," Dafwem said, his gaze firm on his sons. Then he turned to Blackmoon. "You're the leader until I return."
"What?" Flame barked. "Seriously? We thought you'd tally this week's points and pick a new one."
"There are only two days left in the week. That makes the cycle incomplete. Blackmoon remains leader until I'm back. No arguing, Flame, I'm not in the mood."
The dragon's jaw clenched, but he said nothing. Just gripped the bottle of water in his clutch and looked away.
"Blackmoon, assign your sister to the SRT. Keep her safe. You all must protect her. There will be threats, jealousy, envy. You know how people are."
Blackmoon's eyes slowly locked with mine. His jaw tightened, then he nodded with quiet resolve.
"You have my word, Father."
Something in that look made me feel… safe. Strangely calm. As if I mattered.
"I'll be gone for just a week," Dafwem said. "Unless anyone has anything else to say, we'll be leaving now."
He reached for my mother again, kissing her softly before guiding her to the car. But she paused right before entering and turned, not to me, but to the sextuplets.
"You all…" she whispered. "Please. Keep my daughter safe."
Tears filled my eyes again. She said she married Dafwem for herself, but deep down, I knew it was for me too. To give me a better life. To pull me out of the countryside and into a future.
The brothers didn't say a word. But their silence, heavy and unwavering, was its own vow. She turned back to me, one last time, kissed my forehead again.
"I love you with all my heart."
"I love you more than you'll ever know," I replied, smiling through my pain.
She finally entered the car. It didn't take long for the engine to purr to life and carry her out of my sight. I stood frozen as the tail lights disappeared into the dark, my heart sinking with them.
A weird weight settled on my chest, like something sacred had just been ripped away.
"She's gone," I whispered.
"Let's go party," Crimson said behind me, voice low and seductive. "I need to fuck tonight."
"I just want to drink," Dream muttered. "I need something to numb this."
They started toward the building again until headlights flared. A car screeched to a stop in front of us.
The door swung open, and a slender leg in a sharp stiletto stepped out. Then the rest of her followed. Beautiful. Sharp. Intentional.
"What the hell is she doing here?" Flame asked, his voice tense.
Dream turned to him.
"You invited your girlfriend?"
"She's not my girlfriend, she's my ex. Now fuck off."
With that, Flame stormed inside, clearly irritated. The girl stood still for a moment, her eyes tracking him, then shifting to me.
She walked up with a deceptively sweet smile.
"You must be the new stepsister," she said. "Congrats on becoming Godlike."
I gave her a cautious smile back, but just as I opened my mouth to thank her, she leaned in. The smile disappeared from her face, her voice cold.
"Flame is off-limits. Stay the fuck away from him… loser."