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Wilder

Six Months Later

Arwen’s glow radiates around her, an ethereal light that seems to pulse gently in the ambiance of the restaurant. She draws my attention like the siren she is. The air shifts—a tangible enchantment igniting an undeniable stillness, holding the patrons in a collective breath, and under her spell, the bustling murmur of dinner conversation diminishes to a whisper.

Her long silken dress ripples with every graceful move, an extension of her beauty, while her silvery hair cascades down her back like a celestial waterfall, glimmering beneath the twinkling lights overhead. When I lean down to whisper in her ear, the warmth of her aura surrounds me, enveloping me in a sweetness that feels both intoxicating and safe.

“My little Starlight has everyone staring,” I tease, watching the spark of annoyance flicker in her violet eyes. She lets out an aggravated huff, her delicate features twisting into a frown that only makes her more charming.

“They’re staring because a fat whale just waltzed in here and interrupted their dinner,” she argues, folding her arms defiantly against the delicate fabric of her bodice. Anger swirls through me like a tempest, the realization hitting me that she can’t see her otherworldly beauty, the exquisite grace that reshuffles the world around her. Her swollen belly, a blissful testament of our love, intertwines the feelings further, heightening my attraction in ways I have yet to understand.

“Don’t talk about my mate like that,” I warn, lifting my eyebrow, letting her know there will be repercussions if she continues down this path.

Her eyes narrow, but there’s a flicker of something softer beneath the surface. “And what if I do?” she challenges, her voice licking with defiance yet laced with a sweet vulnerability that drives me wild.

I step closer, my hand gently cupping her cheek. “Then I’ll have to remind you just how breathtaking you are,” I murmur, my thumb brushing against her satin-soft skin, feeling the pulse of her warmth align with mine. “Every curve, every inch of you is perfect to me. And if you keep being a brat then Daddy will have to put you in place.” I let the words linger, giving them weight deliciously heavy with promise.

Her cheeks flush, a delightful shade of pink blooming across her face, and for a brief moment, the crowd fades entirely, leaving us in this bubble of confession and playful tension.

“Maybe I like the attention,” she says playfully, sticking her tongue out at me, her posture relaxing even as her defiant spark flares again.

I chuckle at her audacity, it ignites an entirely different kind of flame within me. “Just remember who you belong to, my Starlight. This glow? It belongs to me as much as it does to you. Let them admire, but I’m the one who gets to worship you in the night,” I whisper, pulling her against me, wanting her to feel every inch of my desire. This is a bond only the two of us can share.

Her eyes soften, the tension in her shoulders easing as she leans into my touch. “You always know what to say,” she whispers, a small smile tugging at her lips.

“That’s because I mean every word,” I reply, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead. “Now, let’s enjoy this evening together, and let them stare. They can only dream of having what we have.”

After our romantic dinner, I lead her from the restaurant, past the car and into a forest. She looks up at me with questions swirling through her beautiful eyes.

“I have a surprise for you and no, I won’t tell you what it is.” Her expression shifts to playful irritation, and her pout makes me laugh. I love when she gets feisty, but I stand firm, wanting her to relish this adventure I have carefully orchestrated.

The evening sun dips below the horizon, casting a golden glow that dances through the enchanted forest. The path ahead is lit by the soft luminescence of will-o’-the-wisps, guiding our way to a secluded clearing.

Hand in hand, we walk through the forest until we reach the center of the clearing, where an ancient stone circle stands, bathed in the ethereal light of the rising moon. In the center, a crystal-clear pool shimmers with magic, reflecting the starlit sky above.

She looks around, her eyes wide with wonder. “What is this place?” she asks, her voice filled with awe.

I chuckle softly, feeling a rush of warmth fill my chest. “This is a sacred place where wishes are granted and destinies are sealed,” I answer.

Reaching into my pocket, I retrieve the small velvet box. The moonlight catches its edges, adding an aura of mystery. Taking a deep, steadying breath, I kneel by the enchanted pool, its soft glow reflecting in her eager, questioning gaze. She gasps, her hand flying to her mouth as tears shimmer in her eyes.

“Wilder...” she begins, disbelief threading through her tone, but I don’t let her finish. Instead, I pour my heart out, the practiced words evaporating as raw emotion takes over.

“Starlight,” I begin. “You are my world, my everything. You came into my life and imprinted yourself on my soul permanently just like the ink on my skin. Your essence filled my heart with an unbreakable bond. In a world filled with shattered melodies, you are the harmony that brings everything together. I am yours now and forever. Marry me.”

The box slides open to reveal the breathtaking ring within. The band is crafted from shimmering platinum, intricately engraved with wave-like patterns that symbolize her siren heritage. At its center lies a stunning aquamarine gemstone, its serene blue hues reminiscent of the sea from where she came. Tiny black diamonds surround the aquamarine, representing my fierce black puma form, adding a touch of mystery and elegance to the design.

Her eyes widen even further as the words settle between us. “This ring embodies both of our worlds—your enchanting connection to the sea and my fierce love for you. Our passions are like ink on the pages of our hearts, indelible and profound. You turn chaos into a symphony, and I want to be with you for every note of it.”

Her voice is a soft whisper, “Yes.”

“Well, that’s good because we’re getting married now.” Sliding the ring onto her finger feels like sealing a promise, an unbreakable vow made under the glowing gaze of the moon.

“What if I had said no?” she teases, brows raised playfully as I rise to stand before her, towering over her with my affectionate grin.

“That wasn’t an option, Starlight. You’re mine. And I’ll spend the rest of my life proving it to you,” I say earnestly, holding her gaze. The intensity of our bond echoes in the depths of her eyes, and as she looks down at the ring—the shimmering symbol of our shared journey—a spark ignites in the air around us.

“Now,” I say softly, pulling her close, “let’s make this night one to remember.”

The forest stirs with life, as if alive to bless our union. The will-o’-the-wisps float closer, their soft glow casting an ethereal radiance over the clearing. I let out a short, melodious whistle into the night, my signal for our witnesses to emerge. From the shadows, Kit and Kody step forward, both of them exuding warm encouragement.

Kit, once Arwen’s boss at the bar and now her closest friend, steps forward with a warm smile. The witch’s aura shimmers with an iridescent glow, her eyes twinkling with joy. “I always knew you two were meant to be,” Kit says, her voice filled with warmth. “Seeing you here, so happy and in love, is everything I hoped for.”

Kody, my best friend, follows with a mischievous grin. “Well, well, Wilder. I never thought I’d see the day you found someone who could put up with you!” he teases, his eyes twinkling with humor. “But seriously, may your bond be as unbreakable as dragon scales, and may your love burn as brightly as my fire. You two are perfect together.”

She turns back to me, joy dancing in her eyes, gleaming with disbelief yet filled with love. “I can’t believe you put all this together,” she whispers, her voice thick with emotion.

I grin wide, pulling her even closer, reveling in the moment we have created—the magic that radiates between us. “For you, I would do anything,” I vow softly. “This is just the beginning of our forever.”

****

I n the quiet folds of the universe, where the celestial winds whisper secrets and the cosmos dance with a flicker of life, there exists a bond tethered by destiny itself. Her name was Arwen—a name that echoed in the chambers of my heart even before our paths intertwined.

From the moment I laid eyes on her, I recognized the fire within her spirit. She was defiant, thrumming with a wild energy, contrasting the gentleness of her features. Yet behind those bright, defiant eyes, lay fragments of a soul broken by carelessness and sorrow. She wore her pain like a second skin, and though her light shone fiercely, shadows lingered just beyond.

As I approached her, my heart beat in a rhythm that felt as if it had been sculpted from the very stars themselves, each pulse an echo of an ancient promise, the kind that writes itself into the firmament of the heavens. I knew at that moment she belonged to me. It was raw, a yearning so fierce it splintered the very fabric of reality.

I’d finally found my sweet little Starlight.

The End