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“For what?” Hunter asked.

“Being you and loving me.”

She asked Damian if she wanted to work with her and when he agreed, Hunter offered Damian his house. “I live with Neri and the house would be empty. This way, you have your own home.”

In response, Damian wrapped his long arms them and squeezed.

The same day, they moved Hunter’s clothing and belongings to Neri’s and left the furniture, along with a new dining room table Neri built along with six dining room chairs. Damian settled into his house and worked with Neri, picking up woodworking skills with ease.

The assassins, along with Neri, Seth, and Aubrey all learned sign language. Damian knew the basics, and he honed his skills as the rest of them soon picked up enough to have simple conversations. They learned new words and phrases every day.

There was a tap on the door and Neri turned to find Thalia standing in the doorway, the smile wide on her face as she took in her hair swept up in an elegant braid and down the princess dress.

“Oh, moró, you are so beautiful.”

“Thank you, mamá. I’m so glad you’re here.”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

Neri smiled. “So when are you and Tajo going to get married?”

A blush on her cheeks was all the answer she needed. “And we must find Jack a girlfriend.”

“I’m too old for a girlfriend,” Jack grumbled.

“A boyfriend then?” Neri wiggled her eyebrows.

“If it weren’t your wedding day…” Jack walked in with Tajo.

“You know I love you, Jack. If you weren’t family, I wouldn’t tease.”

Kai cleared his throat. “At least she didn’t leave you a dead body on your coffee table.”

Neri beamed at the vampire. Kai would walk her down the aisle because Tajo wanted to walk Thalia.

Thalia kissed her on the cheek and squeezed her hand. “I love you, moró korítsi.”

“I love you, too mamá. See you after the ceremony.”

She watched them walk out and turned to Kai. “Why am I so nervous? This is what I want and now butterflies are dancing in my stomach.”

Kai leaned forward and kissed her cheek. “It’s because you haven’t seen Hunter yet today. Once you do, everything will settle into place.” He held out his arm, and she placed her hand on his elbow.

“Thanks, Kai.”

He kissed her cheek. “Anything for you and Hunter.”

Neri didn’t remember much about the walk down the stairs or into the back courtyard covered in fluffy snow giving it a fairytale feel. Silas waved at her as she waved back, blowing him a kiss. But everything came to focus the moment she spotted Hunter in his black tuxedo adorned with a silver tie, pocket square, and vest. He looked spectacular.

But it was his smile that had her heart kicking in her chest. He beamed at her as Kai transferred her hold from him to Hunter’s hands and kissed her cheek.

The rest of the ceremony passed in a blur. She said the words ‘I do’ after Hunter squeezed her hands and before she knew it, they were pronounced husband and wife. Hugs and congratulations made her face hurt from smiling so much and before she knew it, it was their first dance.

“For a minute, I thought you would change your mind,” Hunter said.

She shook her head and laughed when Hunter dipped her and pulled her back up. “No, love. I was nervous before the ceremony and Kai was right, after I saw you, I calmed. But then there was only you and me, and I couldn’t take my eyes off you. All sounds ceased.”

Hunter kissed her, leaving her breathless.

“I love you, Neri. I will always do everything in my power to make you happy.”

She kissed him back, and when her lips touched his, she said, “I love you, too, panther. For the rest of our existence.”