Page 16

RAEKON

"This has been the longest week in the history of ever," she murmurs, her voice a soft hum against my chest.

"It was you who introduced me to the human concept of keeping separate for several days before the wedding," I remind her, my voice low and teasing.

She tilts her head back, her emerald eyes sparkling with mischief. "Yes, I did. And why did you listen to me?"

Her question catches me off guard, and I let out a rumble of laughter that vibrates through her. "Because," I say, leaning down to brush my lips against her ear, "I thought it would make the moment I finally claimed you all the sweeter."

I feel her shiver against me. She reaches up, her fingers grazing my cheek, and I know she’s searching for the scales beneath the holographic illusion. "I can't wait until we're alone and you can take this off," she whispers, her voice tinged with longing.

"I can't wait," I growl, my eyes burning into hers as my fingers trail down the delicate fabric of her dress, "until we're alone and I can take this off."

She laughs, a soft, musical sound that makes my scales itch with impatience. "Remember, I want to preserve the dress," she says, her grin widening. "No ripping it off of me."

I let out a mock growl, pulling her even closer until there’s no space left between us. "You're no fun."

Her lips curve into a playful smirk. "Aww, my poor horny Vakutan husband," she coos, leaning up to kiss the tip of my nose. "Tell you what, you can dress me up however you want when you get me alone—as long as you don’t tear my dress."

My brows arch, and I can’t help the predatory smile that spreads across my face. "Deal."

She laughs again, shaking her head. "What have I gotten myself into?"

I dip her suddenly, one hand supporting her back, the other still pressed firmly against her.

Her eyes widen in surprise, and then she’s laughing again, her red hair cascading over my arm.

"Into a lifetime of this, little flower," I command with an earthquake-like rumble.

"And you wouldn’t have it any other way. "

She’s still laughing as I pull her back up, her arms looping around my neck. "You’re right," she says, her grin softening into something deeper, more intimate. "I wouldn’t."

The music swells around us, but I barely hear it. All I can focus on is the woman in my arms, the way her body moves with mine, the way her eyes hold mine as if she’s trying to memorize this moment. I don’t need the city lights or the grandeur of Penthouse 45. All I need is her.

My fingers tighten on her waist, and I lean down, my lips brushing against hers. "Soon," I promise, my voice a hoarse whisper. "Soon, I’ll have you exactly where I want you."

She shivers again, her eyes darkening with desire. "I’m holding you to that, Raekon."

I smile, a slow, predatory grin that makes her breath catch. "Good."

The applause swells as we finish our dance, Willow’s cheeks flushed, her smile radiant. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her look more beautiful. She’s mine. Officially. Unquestionably. And I’m hers—though I suspect she hasn’t fully grasped what that means yet.

Pyke’s voice cuts through the crowd’s murmurs. I’ve never trusted him entirely, but tonight, he’s Willow’s father figure, and I’ll play along. "Time to cut the cake!" he announces, his booming voice carrying across the room.

Willow beams, her hand slipping into mine as we make our way to the towering confection.

It’s a monstrosity of sugary perfection, a human custom I still find bizarre but amusing.

She takes the knife, her delicate fingers dwarfed by my massive hand when I wrap mine around hers.

The crowd coos, snapping pictures, and Willow giggles as we slice into the cake together.

"Do it! Do it!" The chant starts, and I know what they’re asking for. Willow shoots me a mischievous glance, her eyes narrowing as she picks up a piece of cake. I smirk, towering over her by nearly two feet.

"You’re going to have to work for it, little flower," I say, leaning back, my face just out of her reach. She hops, stretching as high as she can, her lips pursed in mock frustration, but I’m immovable.

"Raekon," she whines, her voice dripping with playful indignation. "Don’t be a spoilsport."

"Never," I reply, grinning down at her. "But I’m not about to make it easy for you."

Before I can react, Pyke’s foot kicks a chair behind my knees. I drop into it with a thud, the chair groaning under my weight. Willow doesn’t waste a second. She lunges, cake in hand, and smashes it into my face with a triumphant squeal.

The crowd erupts into laughter, and I am compelled to join in, even as frosting drips down my chin. But then, the chair gives out with a loud crack, and I hit the floor, cake and all. The laughter grows louder, and I’m laughing harder than anyone, my chest shaking with the force of it.

Willow is doubled over, clutching her sides, tears streaming down her face from laughter. Pyke claps me on the shoulder, grinning like a madman. "Well, I’d say that’s a wedding moment to remember."

I sit up, wiping cake from my face with one hand and pulling Willow into my lap with the other. "You’re lucky I love you," I growl, nuzzling her neck.

"And you’re lucky I didn’t smash the whole cake," she shoots back, her voice light and teasing.

I tighten my arms around her, letting the sound of laughter and joy wash over us. Tonight, I’m not a Vakutan warrior or a Veritas agent. I’m just a husband, married to the woman who changed everything.

Pyke’s hand lands heavily on my shoulder, his grip firm and fatherly.

“Raekon, a moment of your time,” he says, steering me away from the dancing crowd and over to a quieter corner of the room.

His voice is low, serious, the kind of tone that makes me straighten up instinctively, even in my wedding suit.

“You better not be giving me some cliché speech about how I need to cherish Willow or some nonsense,” I say, arching a brow ridge at him. “Because I’m pretty sure I’ve got that covered.”

Pyke chuckles, shaking his head. “No, no, nothing so sentimental. Though, for the record, I’m glad you’re finally admitting how soft you’ve gotten for her.”

I glare at him, but the effect is ruined by the cake still smeared across my face. “Get to the point, Captain.”

“I hope you understand the enormous responsibility you’ve undertaken,” he says, his tone turning serious again.

I sigh, crossing my arms over my chest. “Pyke, I’m a Vakutan warrior. Responsibility is my middle name. Marriage doesn’t change that. I’ve sworn to protect Willow with my life, to guide her, to challenge her, to?—”

Pyke holds up a hand, cutting me off. “Not that, Raekon. I know you’ll do fine with all the husbandly duties.

I’m talking about the other responsibility you’ve taken on.

The one where you agreed to watch Veritas Base Alpha while I’m on vacation with my wife—after you get back from your own honeymoon, of course. ”

I blink at him, momentarily thrown. “Oh. That.”

“Yes, that,” he says, his lips twitching with amusement. “You do remember, don’t you? The entire base? The hundreds of agents, the experiments, the security protocols, the ocean we’re sitting under?”

I wave a hand dismissively. “You have nothing to fear, Captain. I will take good care of my wife, and then after I return to work at Veritas, I will take good care of your seat until you get back.”

Pyke’s eyes narrow, but there’s a glint of humor in them.

“I’ll hold you to that,” he says, thumping me on the chest with enough force to make a lesser man stagger.

Not me, though. I’m Vakutan. “Now, enough talk about work. I think it’s high time you took that pretty little wife of yours out of here, don’t you? ”

My gaze drifts across the room to where Willow is laughing with a group of Veritas agents, her red hair catching the light like flame.

The sight of her hits me all over again, like a plasma bolt to the chest. Every time I think I’ve grown used to how much I love her, she does something—smiles, laughs, breathes —and it knocks the wind out of me all over again.

“Yes, Captain,” I say, my voice softening despite myself. “I believe you are correct.”

Pyke claps me on the shoulder once more, a knowing smile on his face. “Go on, then. Don’t keep her waiting.”

I don’t need to be told twice. I stride across the room, my focus solely on Willow. She looks up as I approach, her green eyes lighting up when she sees me. “Hey, you,” she says, her voice warm and teasing. “Finished getting scolded by Pyke?”

I reach for her hand, pulling her close. “Not scolded. Just reminded of a few things.”

Her brows arch, and she grins up at me. “Like how lucky you are to have me?”

I chuckle, leaning down to press a kiss to her forehead. “Among other things. But right now, I’m more interested in getting you out of here.”

She laughs, the sound lighting up the room. “Finally. I thought you’d never ask.”