Page 141 of Taming the Beasts

He shook his head, but I swear he was holding back a smile. He looked down at his watch. “It’s just about go time. Anything either of you needs?”

“I think I’m good,” Grudge said.

“Not you,” Titan said with a frown.

Emma cleared her throat. “I think we’re all set.”

“Good. Let’s go find our seats.” Titan patted Grudge on the back really hard.

But Grudge just laughed as the two of them walked off.

“Well, that could have gone worse,” I said.

“You love Titan,” Emma said with a smile.

“Of course I love the big oaf.”

“I’m really happy for you.”

“I’mreally happy foryou.” I squeezed her hand. Everything was finally going to be exactly as it should be. This truly was the best day ever. “You ready for your happily ever after?”

“Oh, I’ve been ready for ten years.”

Chapter 27

Saturday

Emma

My heart was racing as I peered around the hedge I was standing behind.

The town square lawn had so many unfamiliar faces. Zoey had pretty much invited everyone in town. But everything was perfect. The fall foliage around the gazebo and chairs we’d set up made it so that flowers weren’t needed. Reds, oranges, and yellows surrounded everything. It was the perfect backdrop for a wedding. It was so quaint and perfect. And it felt old-fashioned for everyone in town to be invited to the wedding. It felt right.

I looked past the strangers and was finally able to see Callum standing at the end of the aisle, right on the gazebo stairs. He’d just taken his place and was straightening his bowtie.

I smiled. He got to stare at me all the time while I slept. But I rarely ever got a chance to stare at him unnoticed. He looked so handsome in his crisp black tuxedo. It was his bright golden eyes and smile that did me in though. It was also rare for him to smile like that. He was usually so serious. I liked this side of him. The one not plagued by the past and worried about the future. He was right here with me right now. As lost in the moment as I was.

No one would ever suspect that he was a vampire walking amongst them. I knew Callum thought he was a monster. But I didn’t see him that way. And I was happy we were getting married tonight. Before he took the cure. So he’d always know I accepted him exactly the way he was.

The sun had just set before Callum had emerged. And twilight cast a beautifully eerie glow across the gazebo. I wasn’t sure I’d ever seen anything more romantic. Callum was waiting there for me. Waiting for our future to truly begin.

“I didn’t realize he hadn’t asked anyone to be his best man,” Zoey said as she turned to me. “Is it weird if I stand up there next to you? Or should I sit...”

“I want you up there with me.”

She smiled. “Okay.”

Callum hadn’t wanted any groomsmen. I knew the people he’d probably pictured beside him for this moment were long gone. But I was happy that we were making roots in Crooked Point. He was becoming friends with Zoey’s boyfriends. And I was so relieved that they were all finally getting along.

I smiled at Zoey’s boyfriends sitting in the front row. Yeah, it was truly starting to feel like one big happy family.

“I’m surprised that Kebe didn’t con her way into being his grooms-person,” Zoey said.

I laughed. “She did try.”

“Wait, seriously?”

I nodded. “She offered one night. Callum turned her down.” I was happy that she was in one of the middle rows of seats and not at the front too.