by Nikki Drost
“Princess.”
I half expect her to back away from him, but instead she jumps into his open arms.
“Jamie, Thank god you’re all right.”
He places a swift kiss to her forehead before releasing her. “You’re hurt!” He grasps her right arm to inspect her wound.
“I’ll be fine. It’s just a flesh wound.”
Jamie growls as his eyes flash crimson. “Alex, heal her. Please.”
The Russian steps forward and slices his left palm with his knife.
“What the hell are you doing?” Kelsey tries to step away, but Jamie has a firm grip on her arm.
“Don’t be scared, princess, Alex is a vampire, and his blood will heal you.”
The blood drains from her face and the scent of her fear hits me.
Alex offers her a warm smile free of fangs. “My name is Alex Romanov, and I vill not hurt you. My blood vill not turn you, you are safe, malyutka.” He slices his palm again and places his hand over her wound. Moments later, he steps back, and removes his shirt and hands it to her. “Please take.”
She slips his black t-shirt over her head and inspects her healed arm. “Chto eto super kruto spasibo, Aleksu.” That is super cool thank you, Alex.
His face lights up when he hears his native tongue. “Your Russian is very good, malyutka, and you are most velcome.”
Jamie eyes the both of them and I can tell he’s growing annoyed with our new friend. “Thanks, Alex. I’ll grab the women, can you get Landon out of here?”
Alex chuckles, but nods his head. “Come volt.”
I focus my attention back to my mate. She’s eyeing Alex with awe. I ignore my irrational jealousy. “Angel, you need to go with Jamie, I will find you in a little while.”
She wraps her arms around my body and refuses to let go. “No, you can’t leave me again. Let’s just get out of here.”
I tug on her arms to get her to release me from her death grip. “Angel, I need to finish this, I’ll be fine.”
Her expression is a mixture of shock and anger. “You’ve said that before remember, and then you were shot in front of me.”
My response is cut off by the sounds of a fight. I hear my father’s voice and know he’s found our target. “Please, Andy, I need to go help my father and uncle.”
I turn and race out of the room before she can argue. I run down the hallway and round the corner. My father and Zach have Farron on the ground. They are attempting to tear his body apart. Fuck no, that’s my job. I release a loud growl to alert them of my presence. My father and uncle back away, but continue to growl at the coyote.
He shifts back to his human form and the look on his face is priceless. “How the hell are you still alive?”
I can’t contain my laughter. “It’s a bloody fucking miracle isn’t it? It pays to have friends in high places. Now start praying, motherfucker, because I’m going to send your ass to hell.”
His smile is full of arrogance. “Go ahead, kill me. Use your powers like a fucking pussy.”
Thats it, I kick off my boots and strip out of my leather pants. “I don’t need my powers to kill you. You are going to pay for what you did to my family.” With that, I shift into my wolf form. I know I should just end his life, but I want to make him pay. He shifts forms and we begin to circle each other. Our combined snarls bounce off the empty walls. I don’t wait for him to make the first move. I lunge forward and go for his neck, but he twists away at the last second. His jaw clamps down on my back leg and I let out a yelp. I roll my body taking him with me, my surprise move causes him to release me, and I return the favor. I clamp down on his leg and pull as hard as I can. I can feel his flesh tearing against my teeth. He starts to yelp and tries to get me to let go. His struggling only makes me pull harder. With one final pull, his leg is freed from his body and he instantly shifts back to his human form.
“You…dick,” he pants as he tries to scramble away from me. I drop his leg to the ground and growl as I advance on him. He holds his hands up in surrender, but we are way past that. “I’m sorry okay, I was just following orders. Terric’s the one you want not me.”
He’s right I do want my stepbrother and he will pay for his part in this, but not today. I shift forms about a foot away from him then grab him by his throat. “You aren’t getting off that fucking easy.” I slam my fist into his face again and again. The sound of his bones breaking brings a smile to my face.
“This is for my mate, my brothers, Landon and Lincoln, and for every innocent life you have ever taken. I grab his head and with a few twists, I remove his head from his shoulders. Blood pours down his body and coats my hands and arms. I throw my head back and begin to howl. My father and uncle join in the chorus. Minutes later, I grab my pants and start to dress, I need my mate, I want to hold her and never let go.
“I am so bloody proud of you, son.”
I slip my boots on and forego tying them. “Thanks, Dad.”
I take stock of my emotions. I had hoped killing Farron would relieve my conscious, but in all honesty, all I feel is numb. Killing him doesn’t change a damn thing. Those humans are still dead, Linc is still in pain, and my brother is full of bullet holes. Not to mention the trauma Andy and Kelsey lived through. I scrub my bloody hands through my hair and I’m suddenly exhausted. It’s not just physical, but emotional as well.
“I know what’s going through you head, son. I know it’s hard, but you need to keep fighting.”
I lean against the wall suddenly too weary to hold myself up. “And what am I exactly fighting for, Dad? Killing him didn’t change a fucking thing. Omegas are like insects. I kill one and ten more pop up to take his place. It’s never fucking ending. When is it going to stop?”
I just want peace amongst our people. I want everyone that I care about to be safe and not have to live in fear of tomorrow, is that really too much to ask?
“Do you think I’ve never been in your shoes? I fought for the same cause for over three hundred years. I had my moments of doubt, son, but you are fighting for peace and someday we will have it, I promise you that. You must have faith, Adam.”
I stare at two of the men I idolized when I was growing up. They were both knights, they fought for God and God alone. Even after the Templars were being eliminated, my dad still lived by his vows. That is until he met my mother. And that’s when it hits me. Despite my dangerous life and the fact that our war has just started, I have found the one silver lining in all of this darkness. My angel, she is my light, my world, my reason to keep fighting. I will make this world safe for her.
“You’re right as always, old man,” I chuckle.
He slaps me on my shoulder and laughs. “I will always be here to lift you up, son, that’s my job as your father. Now let’s get out of here, I’d like to meet my future daughter in law.”
***
I find Andy outside wrapped in a blanket. Cass and Lincoln are standing protectively at her side. She runs into my arms the moment she sees me.
“Thank god you’re all right, is it over?” she asks against my neck.
I place Andy on her feet and decide from this day forth to never keep secrets from her. She needs to know about the danger surrounding her so she can protect herself.
“Oscar Farron is no longer going to be an issue, but it’s far from over, angel.”
She nods in understanding, but her sadness and fear are palpable. Seeing her like this breaks my heart, but it’s her new reality.
“I promise I will do a better job at keeping you safe. I’m so sorry I let this happen.”
She pulls away from me holding me at arms length. “Adam Stone, I will not have you blaming yourself, this was not your fault.”
I can see tears forming behind her eyes and my heart aches to comfort her.
“When I thought I had lost you, my heart shattered into a million pieces, the pain was so intense I couldn’t breathe. I know your life is dangerous and I know I am always going to fear for your safety, but I c
an’t live without you, Adam, I love you.”
As I stare at my mate and take in all of the love she has for me, I decide to go for it. This isn’t exactly how I pictured doing this, but I can’t wait any longer. I caress her cheek and let the words pour out of me.
“Still I remember you appear before me like a vision fleeting, a beauty's angel pure and clear. In hopeless ennui surrounding the worldly bustle, to my ear for long your tender voice kept sounding, for long in dreams came features dear. Time passed. Unruly storms confounded Old dreams, and I from year to year Forgot how tender you had sounded, your heavenly features once so dear. My backwoods days dragged slow and quiet -- Dull fence around, dark vault above -- Devoid of God and uninspired, Devoid of tears, of fire, of love. Sleep from my soul began retreating, and here you once again appear before me like a vision fleeting, a beauty's angel pure and clear. In ecstasy, my heart is beating; old joys for it anew revive. Inspired and God-filled, it is greeting, the fire, and tears, and love alive.”
Before I can stop myself, the question I’ve been dying to ask her rolls off my tongue. “Angel, will you marry me?” I stare into her hazel eyes as the tears she was holding back begin to fall.
“What…what did you say?”
I drop to one knee and bring her hands to my lips. “I love you, Andrea Harris, you are my world, my light in this dark existence. I can’t promise you that our life won’t be hard or dangerous, but I promise that I will do everything in my power to keep you safe. I want to wake up and fall asleep with you in my arms, I want to laugh with you, cry with you. You are the only female I want, the only one I crave more than life itself. You are my everything, Andy. I now have two purposes in this life, one is to fight for peace, and the other is to make you smile each and every day. Please honor me by becoming my wife and the mother of my young.”
I wait patiently for her to answer me, but the longer she remains silent the more I fear I’ve pushed her too far. Then she says the words that change my life forever.
“Yes, Adam, ofcourse I’ll marry you.”
I stand and pull her into my arms and begin kissing her all over. Cheers ring out as people shout out all around us.
“Thank you, angel, I promise I will love and cherish you for all eternity.”
She chuckles against my lips, “You better.”
I smile and hastily kiss her. The moment I place her on her feet, Kelsey runs forward and wraps her arms around my fiancée.
“I’m so happy for you. I can’t wait to plan your wedding.”
I roll my eyes. I can only imagine the extravaganza she would plan.
“Okay calm down, Kelsey. Jeez, don’t go overboard I just want something small. I mean if that’s okay with you, Adam.”
I can’t help but smile. “We can do whatever will make you happy as long as it happens soon.” I’d marry her right now if I could.
Micah’s voice rings out loud and clear. “I hate to break this up, but we need to take care of this one last thing then we can go back to the cabin and celebrate.”
My brothers continue to congratulate me as Micah and Jamie step toward the now empty building. The ground begins to shake under my feet, Micah holds his hands in the air, and the building starts to shake. In the next moment, he drops his hands and along with it comes the building. The explosion is massive, but somehow he manages to keep it contained and away from all of us.
“Holy shit,” Andy gasps beside me.
Micah glances over his shoulder and winks at her. Jamie follows his brother’s example and blasts several massive fireballs at the pile of rubble. The debris catches fire instantly.
“We’re good to go here,” Micah says as tosses his arm over Jamie’s shoulders.
I pull my future wife against my body. “Are you ready to go home, angel?”
Her smile fills my heart with such joy.
“Absolutely.”
Epilogue
A month later, I’m standing in front of a full-length mirror taking one last look at my long flowing lace gown. When I had told Gary the good news, he had surprised me with my mother’s wedding dress. Wearing it makes me feel as though my parents are here with me today. I still can’t believe I’m getting married.
“You look beautiful, pumpkin,” Gary says from behind me.
His compliment only adds to the happiness I’m feeling. After my rescue, we had come back to the cabin and celebrated. Adam couldn’t wait to introduce me to his father and uncles, and each and every one of his fellow Enforcers. They all welcomed me with open arms and I cried because I realized that they were all now my family. How did I get so lucky?
“Oh no don’t start with the waterworks you’ll ruin all my hard work,” Kelsey says from beside me. She looks impeccable as ever in her short tight fitting white lace dress.
According to shifter customs, everyone wears white including the guests. I had decided to forgo the normal human ceremony. I’m marring a shifter after all. It’s just our luck that his father is a justice of the peace. This way our marriage will be legal in the human world along with the supernatural one. I still can’t believe I’m now a part of that world. Adam had insisted on making me immortal the first night I was home. I had hesitated, but after seeing the fear in his eyes and remembering what happened with his parents I couldn’t refuse him.
Drinking his blood was not on the top ten things I ever wanted to do, but after the first few swallows the affects took hold and my unease turned to pure unadulterated lust. I had never wanted him or sex more in my life. We had made love all night long, and just thinking about all the naughty things we did still makes me blush.
“Okay let’s make sure we have everything. Your mom’s dress is something old. Your diamond earrings are new. Your garter is blue, and your necklace is something borrowed courtesy of Adam’s father. I think we’re in business my friend.” Kelsey hands me my bouquet of wild flowers as I place my hand over my necklace.
When I had woken up this morning, Dominick had surprised me with a black jewelry box. Inside was a lovely rainbow moonstone choker that had belonged to Adam’s mother. It meant a lot to me that Dominick had wanted me to wear something that had belonged to his mate.
“Are you ready, kiddo, it’s time.”
I turn and smile at my uncle. “I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.”
I really shouldn’t be nervous, but this is a huge step for me. I don’t doubt my love I have for Adam. I just hope I can make him truly happy.
“You parents would be so proud of you. You choose a wonderful man to spend your life with, and even though I’m giving you away today I want you to remember I will always be here for you, Andy, no matter what.” Gary’s loving words fill my heart with joy.
“Thank you, for everything you have ever done for me.”
He clears his throat and tries to rein in his emotions. He holds out his hand for me and I follow him out of my old room. We decided to get married at Gary’s house since he has a huge brick patio that could accommodate all of our guests. Gary signals to Lincoln who promptly begins to sing, “I’ll be” as he plays the piano. I take a deep breath and step forward. Several audible gasps ring out as I step into the candle lit area.
The only reaction I care about is, Adam’s. His face lights up when he sees me. The love he has for me is evident in his honey colored eyes. The light from the candles and fire pits cast shadows over his beautiful features. He is the most stunning man I have ever seen, and he picked me. Sometimes that knowledge still blows my mind. His eyes track my every movement causing a shiver to run over my flesh, I can’t wait for him to get me out of this dress. He gives me a knowing wink to let me know he’s thinking the same thing.
Gary kisses my cheek and shakes Adam’s hand then moves to stand next to Olivia and my best friends. I had decided not to tell Henry about any of this yet, I will someday when I think he can handle it. Adam holds his hands out and I place mine in his. His thumb rubs against my moonstone and diamond engagement ring, that’s another shifter trad
ition. We stare into each other’s eyes as his father begins to speak. Per Adam’s request he is keeping the ceremony simple and to the point, and I couldn’t be more thrilled.
“Normally I would give a speech about the significance of this occasion, but my son is rather impatient.”
Immediately the sound of laughter fills the night air.
“Adam Benjamin Stone, do you promise to love, cherish and protect Andrea Marie Harris for all eternity? Promise to treat her with respect, and never dishonor her in anyway.”
Adam’s eyes briefly flash to gold as his smile widens. “Damn straight I do.”
Several people chuckle at his response, including myself. He slides my diamond wedding band on my left hand and places a quick kiss to it. My father in law repeats our vows and I anxiously wait for him to finish.
“I do,” I say as I slide Adam’s cobalt chrome wedding band on his left hand. Normally male shifters don’t wear wedding rings, but Adam wanted to keep at least one human tradition for me.
“Then it is my absolute pleasure to welcome you to the family, Andy, and, son, you may kiss your bride.”
Adam pulls me against his body and kisses me as if his life depended on it. Everyone around us begins to cheer and clap in celebration.
“Now comes the fun part,” Adam says against my lips.
This is the part I’ve been dreading, but it’s a rite of passage for mated males and there was no way I could talk him out of it. He releases me and walks over to one of the many fire pits. He removes his white button down shirt and drops to his knees. The top of his new tattoo peaks out from the low hanging waistband of his pants. As a wedding present, he had Micah tattoo my name across his left hipbone. I smile every time I see it. Micah, Jamie, Cass, Lincoln, and Landon all gather and stand behind, Adam. His sister and uncles stand off to the side. Each of the men places their right hand on Adam’s neck and bare shoulders.
“This is an everlasting symbol of your love, your life, and your loyalty. You must wear this brand with pride, my boy. Remember to show no fear nor make any sound, to do so will deem you unworthy of your mate. By accepting this mark you are proclaiming your eternal commitment to your wife and future young, do you accept, son?”
