LUNA ASTERBELLE’S POV
About six months passed. Nothing special happened during those six months. We all just kept on working our asses off to earn money like everyone else does.
All of what recently occurred to me in this world that seemed so unreal finally made sense to me, even though I never imagined and hoped that there would come a time when I would get married to the first and last man I love and would love for eternity, Jerome Dawson.
Denrick was the one who planned for all of this. From the set-up, the wedding organizers, the theme, the dress codes, the invitations—everything. He knew that I would arrive this year, as if he had a condition with the moon goddess from Grimstone that he would claim me back no matter what.
On the other hand, Charlotte only stood in the same spot as she watched me get dolled up by the hair and make-up artists. Even if I couldn’t see her face-to-face right now, I could still hear her sobbing. Those were tears of joy.
“We’ll make you the star of the night, soon-to-be Mrs. Dawson,” one of the make-up artists commented while she kept on letting the brush touch my whole face.
I don’t think I’d ever get used to having Dawson as my surname. I still haven’t crossed paths with Jerome since the previous hours. They told us that it wouldn’t be great for our relationship if we saw each other before we officially got married.
“I’d appreciate that,” I said with a genuine smile, unable to keep my excitement hidden.
I stared at the mirror in front of me. If I were Jerome, I would also fall in love with me, seeing how gorgeous I had become. Charlotte held my hands, bidding her farewells for now since the both of them have to go first to the designated venue before I do.
As I entered the marriage hall, I was flabbergasted by how many people attended. All the seats were taken, and when I started to walk at a slow pace while holding some parts of my gown to avoid getting tripped, everyone gave me a round of applause.
From this distance, I could already get a glimpse of Jerome, who was tearing up while he waited for me to come nearer.
The wedding proceeded according to the agreed-upon phases, and now we're expected to state our vows.
I faced Jerome before he spoke. "I, Jerome Dawson, take you, Luna Asterbelle, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day onwards, for better and for worse, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, until the goddess we believed in does us part. I will love and honor you until my very last breath." He smiled, his ears burning red.
"I, Luna Asterbelle, take you, Jerome Dawson, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forth, for better and for worse, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, until the goddess we have faith in do us part. I will love and honor you for the rest of my life," I replied with utmost sincerity, letting my tears roll down my cheeks.
The man in the center blessed our rings, which Jerome and I placed on one another's fingers. And we said in harmony, "Take and wear this ring as a gesture of my eternal love for you."
Jerome cupped my cheeks, stepping forth as he tilted my head up, closing his eyes as he leaned closer to my face, letting our lips press against one another. He placed one of his hands on my back, pulling me to his body as we turned our passionate kiss into a deeper one, biting and letting our tongues fight to roam the insides of our mouths.
It felt like we hadn't kissed for years.
"Let us all congratulate Mr. and Mrs. Dawson!"
The way the attendees screamed almost made me deaf. They were too loud, even though they were only watching us make the best of our lives.
After a draining celebration, we returned to our house.
"I'm happy to see you at our wedding, Yana. I could finally let go of the guilt that I've been keeping to myself since you were captured by Brian," I told Yve's sister, who was still dressed in her cyan gown.
"It's our pleasure. Congratulations on your wedding, and also to your pregnancy! We didn't notice that you already had your heating phase back in Grimstone," Yana responded, placing her hand on my huge tummy. "That doesn't look like you'd only give birth to a single pup," she added with a soft laugh.
I gulped. "I just wish it wouldn't be too painful."
***
It has already been over a year since we entered the human world. My pregnancy was a smooth ride; I conceived triplets, and all possessed the blood of a pure werewolf.
I didn't go to any public or private hospital in the city since they might get suspicious. I couldn't be more thankful to my parents, who assisted me day and night.
Jerome was eager to take care of all of our pups. I could barely talk to him without being distracted by their cries. I don't even know if he still has any opportunity to sleep. I kept on offering that I'd switch with him just to let him rest, but he kept on turning me down.
Jerome insisted that I should have a healthy body even after giving birth.
"Luna, there's a letter for you at the mailbox," Yuki informed me.
I was about to go out of the mansion to get it, but Yuki already had it with her, so she just gave it to me.
"Another letter? I swear there hasn't been a year that I didn't receive a letter." I sighed, tearing the envelope. "This is from Zen!"
Nero came to my side, reading the content with me. It was written there that Zen entered the portal with Dr. Joseph, that we shouldn't worry about them, and that they would visit us someday.
"What about your mother?"
"You mean, Belle?" I asked, and Nero gave me a nod. "I heard that she's dead. It was due to the virus. The experiments never worked like you anticipated," I answered.
"That's a shame…"
I gave him a reassuring smile. I know that he was the one who suggested that my blood could have been the virus' cure, so it probably let him down to know that it was hopeless.
"It's fine. I don't hold a grudge against her anyway."
***
I stood outside the balcony, admiring how serene the surroundings were. Nothing could beat this view.
"What are you doing here all by yourself?" Jerome asked before he kissed my forehead.
"Just reminiscing about the old times," I said, holding onto his giant biceps. "Have you been going to the gym without telling me?"
"I doubt you had no idea. My mother-in-law surely told you already; secrets are forbidden in our family after all," he said.
All of us have encountered different hardships in life since we were born, and we all had our own ways to get out of those.
"I love you, Jerome," I whispered to his ears, making his cheeks turn red, never failing to make me giggle. I still can't get over how he gets flustered consistently.
Living a few years as a hybrid gave me a roller coaster ride of emotions and experiences, but I never had regrets about it.
I became one of Jerome's childhood friends, one from this world and another in the orphanage, where I had forgotten about us. Then, I got bullied by him for several years during our days at the academy, until I graduated without him by my side.
When I asked him where he went during those times, he admitted that he was just doing his tasks as the king of the Dark Shadow Clan.
I was once claimed by the mafia and alpha king, Jerome Dawson. "I love you most, Luna," he said as we sealed a kiss under the moonlight.
I don't resent Denrick and Charlotte for how they left me at the orphanage, since I got to discover my strengths and weaknesses together with other people who were of the same kind as me.
As for our life as newlyweds, I can say that our mate bond has just become stronger than ever.