Page 148 of Rescued By the Beast
That I would find the love of my life. More than that, that I would have a partner made for me by the stars themselves, by fate.
I take a deep breath as the wedding march begins to play.
My heart races, but my steps remain steady.
In front of me, a carpet of delicate petals spreads across the soft grass, forming a path that leads me to the altar. Above, strands of golden lights intertwine through the tree branches, creating our own starry sky. The night seems to hold its breath, as if it too is waiting for this moment.
The ceremony is intimate, in the backyard of our cottage, surrounded by those we love most. My gaze shifts to the people who came to witness our union, everyone who has always been by our side: Ted, Ethan, Jack, Viklaus, Balthazar, and dear Lucy, who is my sister at heart.
She came alone, and I know why. I was relieved to learn that she had decided to start her life over here in Salem, close to me. And far away from her toxicex.
I smile at her as I walk by, and I see her subtly wipe away a tear of happiness. This makes me hold back my own emotions so as not to smudge my make-up.
Everyone gets up from the wooden benches, smiling at me as I walk by.
There is magic in every detail, in the glow of the lights, in the arch of white flowers that rises before me, its petals standing out against the darkness, framing the space where our vows will be sealed.
And then, there is Mark.
My heart almost stops when I see him under the arch, waiting for me with a sweet smile, a slight blush on that handsome face. His expression of devotion is so different from the closed one he usually wears.
He is looking at me as if I had stepped out of a dream, as if he can hardly believe his luck.
He makes me feel stunning.
And it's not even because of the long white dress I chose for today, with a daring slit up the leg. I feel beautiful because, in his eyes, I always will be. Because I feel the same when I see him. How lucky I am to have him as mine.
My smile shines brighter than any light around me, even when tears start to roll down my face, smudging my make-up.
I can't help it.
Ted is standing next to him, ready to officiate the ceremony, but for me, Mark is the centre of everything.
My breath catches when he raises a hand and I hold it tightly, feeling the immediate connection.
His gaze, those golden eyes shining with emotion, leave me speechless.
Stars, how handsome he looks in his impeccable suit and slicked-back hair. As soon as we seal our marriage, I'm going to want to rip his clothes off and mess up that hair with my fingers.
Ted begins to speak, I try to pay attention, but I can't help thinking about the day Mark proposed to me, days after the last attack, when his arm was still injured.
He turned to me and said that our bond, the connection between us, meant more than any formal marriage. But he wanted to put a ring on my finger, to show the whole world that I was his, and he was mine.
He asked if I wanted the same thing. If I wanted to marry him.
And I don't know if I cried first or covered him with kisses, but I said yes.
I want to be your wife.
I want to have your mark, wear your ring, wear your collar...
I want everything.
We don't know what the future holds.
I, with only one mortal life to live now, and he, with a few years of his stolen.
The urgency to live, to enjoy every second, is what made us make the decision so quickly.
