EPILOGUE
LEAH
Six months later
“This seems unnecessary,” Marcus grumbles, as we duck into Good Intentions.
“It’s tradition,” I tell him. “Newly mated couples celebrate at the bar.”
My stomach still flutters as we step inside.
My hand tightens on his. I never thought I’d be the one stepping over the threshold to celebrate a mating, wearing a dress with the tensile strength of tissue paper and enough lace-covered cutouts that Marcus won’t even have to take it off me later.
He’ll be able to bite wherever he wishes.
The dress is made to tempt a vampire, and I’ve never seen his fangs descend so quickly.
Marcus’s eyes glint silver under the bar’s lights. His hair is pushed off his forehead. His dark suit accentuates the heavy muscle of his frame and the grace of his movements. He is unfairly handsome. My breath caught when I saw him across the clearing in the woods earlier.
He spoke the mating vows directly into my ear, claiming they weren’t for anyone else to hear. He cradled my head as he bit me, and when I bit him, he whispered in my ear how much he loves me, how precious I am to him, how he’d kill for me.
I’d kill for you, Leah. I’d die for you, too, but I’d stain my soul over and over again before I’d ever let you be hurt.
A hush falls over the crowd at the bar, then a woop comes from Dean, who strides forward and pulls me into a hug. The breath is squeezed out of me by his powerful arms.
Marcus snarls, and I laugh as Dean quickly lets me go.
“Drinks on me,” he shouts, as he walks backward, hands raised in the air. “Double for you vampire, since you’re my number one buyer at the moment.”
Marcus looks mollified at that. He is constantly reinforcing the house, preparing for some future battle. I don’t mind indulging him as long as he leaves my garden alone.
Marcus’s siblings are here—Teddy and Isabella, each watching with small smiles. The first time we met, there were stakes drawn and fangs flashed, but now, I let them stay with us when they visit. They have lightproof rooms in the guest bedrooms. Julian…not so much. He’s alive. For now.
Karina woops and heads toward the bar. “Moonshine for everyone,” she shouts. “Dean is buying.”
I shake my head, but I smile at Marcus. My best friend presided over our small ceremony in the woods and we owe her a round.
“Just one,” I say.
His eyes glint. “Maybe more than one. And then I drink you later.”
I grin up at him, and the bar starts cheering.
“A dance,” someone shouts.
The bartender puts on a slow dance, a classic rock version, and Marcus’s arm snakes around my waist. He tugs me closer until my hand is on his chest and his cheek is against my temple. We sway.
“Not bad for a vampire,” I say softly. I know he hears me.
He chuckles, before he twirls me, a fast, pulse-pounding motion that makes me dizzy, before he catches me against his chest.
“Not fair,” I gasp.
His eyes are silvered and bright. “Not bad for a slayer,” he murmurs, before he kisses me.
Cheers start, and a few wolf-whistles, probably from actual wolves.
Marcus growls in my ear. “They tempt death.”
I laugh and start leading him toward the biggest booth in the back. It’s decorated with flowers and a pitcher of alcohol-laden blood. He tenses as friends reach out to touch our arms and lift their glasses. Some of the weres compliment my dress with wags of their brows that make Marcus snarl.
“Relax, vampire.” I shoot him a smile. “You’re the one who picked the dress.”
“The dress is for me. The cutouts are for my tongue and my fangs. No other male’s.”
There’s a low rumble in his chest as we reach our table. I reach up to press a kiss to his jaw, and he looks away from where he’s intimidating a were with his gaze.
“We’ll go home soon,” I tell him.
“How soon?” he growls. “I want to fuck my mate under the light of the full moon.”
Several weres overhear and start laughing. Marcus seems pleased that his claim is so clear, but my face heats.
“Marcus.”
He’s grinning now. “I should bite you right here, mate, for making me wait.”
Shivers race up my spine. “Violence is prohibited in Good Intentions.”
“It’s not violence if you beg,” he croons.
“Would I beg? I don’t think so.”
“You begged last night,” he says hotly. His eyes glint. “Marcus, please. I’ll do anything you ask.”
Karina reaches over and slams four shots onto the table. “Let’s go,” she exclaims.
Marcus’s sister Isabella saunters over, catching the eye of every unmated male and female in the bar.
Her lips are painted blood red and her dress dips low in the front and the back.
Marcus’s brother, Teddy, follows, wiping a drop of bloodwine off his mouth.
The bar is carrying it tonight, at Karina’s request.
“Marcus?” my friend asks, as she distributes the shots.
He shakes his head. “I drink only from Leah.”
My stomach flutters madly. My mate always says my name like he’s imagining licking the word.
We pick up the shots and slam them back. I sputter at the burn, coughing and shaking my head.
Teddy and Isa take theirs like pros, and look for more.
“Vampires,” I mutter. “How did I end up like this?”
Isa smirks and slides into the booth across from us. “A slayer for a sister-in-law.”
My brows go up. “Is that what you call it?”
“Mate-in-law doesn’t have the same ring.” Teddy drops into a chair, sprawling. He’s leaner than Marcus, with languid energy. His eyes are heavy.
“Witch,” Isa purrs. “Is there more of that liquor?”
Karina pulls a bottle from behind her back and Teddy and Isa pound the table.
Marcus’s gaze is amused, but heats when it lands on me. I can tell he’s thinking about taking advantage of the dress.
“Something has come up,” he says to the group, while staring at me.
“Oh yeah?” This is from Teddy.
“Oh yes.” I nod, eyes only for my mate. “Something very important. Gotta go.”
Marcus wraps a hand around mine and tenses to flash. I blow Karina a kiss before we disappear into the mist.
We reappear on my porch, and we’re shedding clothes seconds later.
“Dress stays on,” Marcus demands.
He scoops me up with a grunt, and I yelp. He flashes, as he does when he’s too eager to walk or run, and we reappear on the swing.
It slams unsteadily against the house.
“Don’t do that,” I gasp. “No flashing without warning.” I shake myself, feeling jumbled and strange.
“I’m sorry,” Marcus croons.
I turn on his lap, straddling him and trying for a glare. “Just how sorry?” I tease.
His smile is quick, before he strikes. His hands fist in my hair, his mouth closes over the ridge of my pulse. I sink my fingers into the thick silk of his hair and shift closer to him. Excitement shivers in my stomach.
“I love you,” I whisper. He shudders under me, as he does every time he hears the words. I think he hasn’t gotten enough of them in his life, and I am determined to tell him every day.
“I love you too.” He nips at my neck, and I yelp.
“Poor slayer.” There’s a laugh in his voice. “Let me kiss it and make it better.”
I press closer, tipping my neck under his mouth, craving the connection only he can provide. “You think you deserve that?”
“My pretty mate,” he murmurs. “I know I don’t deserve you, but I’ll spend the rest of my immortal life trying.”
THE END
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