Bonus Chapter #3
Maverick’s grip on Zera’s hand tightened, offering a silent reassurance as he said, “Let’s not let this dampen our joy.” His storm-filled gray eyes met hers, and the warmth in his gaze seemed to chase away the tension.
Zera nodded, trying her best to push aside her worries. She couldn’t let the crime lord’s presence ruin their special day. With a deep breath, she focused on the officiant, Sloane, who was waiting for them to continue.
“Then, by the power vested in me,” Sloane said, her voice steady and filled with emotion. “I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
Maverick’s crooked grin sent Zera’s insides fluttering as he wrapped his massive arms around her waist and drew her against his chest. His scent of citrus and caramel with a hint of oak enveloped Zera, and she breathed in the intoxicating aroma as his lips touched hers.
A soft sigh escaped from Zera’s throat, accompanied by the sound of guests cheering and clapping in celebration.
Maverick drew a hand up and caressed her cheek, the light touch soft and tender but filled with the promise of a lifetime of love.
Zera forgot about all of her fears and troubles because she knew that with Maverick at her side, they could face any obstacle.
The reception began shortly after, with music playing and the scent of delicious food wafting through the air. The lively atmosphere seemed to chase away any lingering tension, and Zera found herself swept up in the celebration.
As Zera and Maverick danced and mingled with their guests, laughter and stories flowed freely. They shared heartfelt moments with friends and family, both old and new, who offered congratulations and well-wishes for their future together.
“Zera,” Jade said as she hugged her sister tightly. “We’re so happy for you both.”
“Thank you, Jade,” Zera answered, her lavender eyes shimmering with unshed tears of happiness.
“And don’t worry while you’re off on your honeymoon,” Sloane said when it was her turn, hugging Zera tightly. “Cole is in good hands here with us. I’ll have my strongest wards up, though I should’ve put them up this evening.”
Jade grunted her agreement. “It might’ve kept out some of the riffraff.”
Zera followed their gazes to Kraven as he mingled with the more noble guests in attendance.
“Could’ve used it to keep him out too,” Quinn chimed in, nodding to Ryker as he tried to have a conversation with Maverick, who was too distracted by tossing a giggling Cole up into the air.
Zera chuckled, barely restraining a grin. Those two were inseparable.
“Congrats again,” Quinn said, pulling Zera into another hug, her pink hair catching the light of the flickering candles and faelights that bobbed above the dance floor.
“Well,” Maverick’s deep voice said, interrupting the moment. “I think this one’s ready for bed.”
Cole erupted into a fit of giggles as Maverick flipped him and placed the toddler on his feet in front of them. Soon, Zera’s little boy would be too big for that, but Maverick, being a werewolf and having enhanced strength, would probably be able to keep tossing Cole around for years to come.
Zera said good night to her son, hugging him close for as long as possible.
She had to remind herself that Sloane was right.
This time, Zera would be leaving a for a week to visit the Spire Alps, the very place that her Everfrost Blossom originated and the reason that her synthetic pixie-dust drug even became a thing.
She couldn’t wait. But she couldn’t help the tinge of sorrow that struck, reminding her of when she last had to leave Cole with his aunts.
But now would be different. They were safe, and there was no one else in the world Zera would trust with Cole besides Maverick.
After Jade and Sloane left to go put Cole down for bed, the night continued on with music and dancing, food and drinks flowing freely.
Maverick raised a glass in celebration, toasting to their beautiful little family and all the adventures that lay ahead.
As they danced together under the stars, surrounded by loved ones and laughter, Zera knew that she was exactly where she belonged.
Her lavender eyes sparkled with delight, but a hint of unease lingered within them.
She couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.
Her gaze wandered across the gathering, eventually settling on Kraven as he conversed with her parents, the king and queen of Pixie Hollow.
The sight of the incubus crime lord chatting with her parents in such a friendly and familiar way sent a shiver down her spine.
Not only had Kraven arrived late, but he seemed to be chatting up anyone and everyone who had connections, and now her parents?
What could he possibly want with them? Zera was certain whatever it was, it couldn’t be good.
“Is everything alright?” Maverick asked, noticing her distraction.
“Take a look over there,” Zera murmured, nodding subtly towards Kraven and her parents. “I don’t like him being so close to them.”
Maverick’s gray eyes narrowed as he observed the scene before them.
“I mean, what could they be talking about?” Zera asked, distracted as Maverick whirled her around in a spin before twirling her back into his arms and dipping her back.
“I could use my wolf hearing to listen in, or we can do one final recon? This time as a real married couple?” Maverick waggled his eyebrows conspiratorially.
Zera couldn’t help but laugh at his comical expression. She’d never seen him so happy. “I thought you gave up all that shady spy stuff years ago?”
“Of course,” Maverick said with a wicked grin. “But what’s one more mission for old times’ sake?”
A thrill of excitement raced through Zera at the thought of indulging in a bit of espionage for the sake of nostalgia.
“Let’s do it, but let’s be discreet,” Zera agreed.
“Oh, I think we both know I can be discreet,” Maverick said huskily against her ear.
Zera could only laugh as they shimmied their way across the dance floor and closer to Kraven and her parents.
They pretended to be distracted with each other, completely enthralled with the music.
As they approached, Zera overheard her stepfather, King Theo, asking Kraven how the queen of Obsidia was faring, his tone laced with an underlying threat.
“Obsidia remains in good hands, I assure you,” Kraven replied smoothly, casting a knowing glance at them.
Did her parents know that they were talking this way to an actual crime lord? Zera had to keep her eyes glued on Maverick to keep from breaking her cover and gawking at them. It wasn’t a bad view, though. In fact, she couldn’t wait to get this strong male wolf alone and…
Don’t tempt me, Maverick growled through their bond.
Zera’s smile turned devilish. I can’t make any promises.
“As the grand advisor, I’m sure you’re aware of the unrest we’ve been hearing about along our borders,” her stepfather, the king of Pixie Hollow, said, his voice jarring them back to the task at hand. “Drudges running amuck? It could start a war.”
Who was her father calling the grand advisor? It couldn’t be Kraven, could it?
The song came to an end, and so did their ruse when her parents greeted her, pulling Maverick and Zera from the dance floor.
Zera hadn’t had a chance to talk with her parents after all these years and, truth be told, she hadn’t been sure how to approach them.
There were so many unsaid things between her and her parents that needed to be addressed. But not tonight.
“Zera, dear, have you met Kraven before?” her mother, Queen Everly, asked as if no time had passed at all. As if Zera hadn’t been banished for falling for a werewolf and her mother wasn’t now celebrating Zera’s marriage to another.
But Zera could let it go. The fact that they were here meant something, and for the sake of making things better, Zera refused to allow her inner pride to jeopardize things.
“Only briefly,” Zera answered cautiously, not wanting to divulge the pack’s involvement with the likes of him. “And how do you all know each other?”
“Oh, we go way back,” King Theo said proudly. “As he’s the grand advisor to the vampire Queen of Obsidia, we are well acquainted.”
Zera’s eyes widened, betraying her shock at this revelation. She had known Kraven as a criminal mastermind but not as a political figure in the Fae Realm. The matching look of astonishment on Maverick’s face told Zera he was surprised by this news as well. What other secrets did this man hold?
“Congratulations to you both. Excuse me,” Kraven said, offering a polite smile before slipping away into the crowd. Zera couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief as he left.
Now alone with her parents, Zera attempted to bridge the distance between them. They exchanged stiff pleasantries, but Zera sensed it was a step in the right direction. She hoped that one day, they could mend their fractured relationship.
“Things are brewing in the south,” King Theo said with a harrumph, his pixie wings fluttering with the motion. “We will have to be vigilant about our borders as unrest builds.”
“Oh, enough of this shoptalk,” Queen Everly said, swatting her husband lightly on the arm. “You both look dashing.”
“Thank you, Your Grace,” Maverick said, taking the queen’s hand and placing a kiss atop it.
“Queen Everly will do,” Queen Everly said with a soft smile before turning to Zera. “Enjoying the festivities, my dear?”
Zera had to fight to roll her eyes. Her parents were always so formal.
“I am,” Zera replied, smiling genuinely. Her happiness was palpable, and she reveled in every moment of her wedding day, but now that it was coming to its conclusion, all she wanted was to curl up into Maverick’s arms.
Sensing Zera’s desire, Maverick wrapped his arm around her waist. “May I steal my new bride for another dance?”
“Certainly,” her mother said with a stiff nod.