148. will you marry me?

148. will you marry me?
DEVON

One month after Elora’s trial.

Pamyel is breathing differently now. It’s not perfect yet, but it’s like the air’s gotten lighter, like the kingdom finally let go of an anchor that was dragging us down. 

The streets are busier, trade is picking up again, and even the grumpiest wolves are starting to believe that Alice, Alaester, and Aemon can make this place more than just a constant battlefield. I take a deep breath as I walk through the city, but my head’s not really in Pamyel today.

My heart’s in my throat, and my hands are sweating like crazy because today’s the day I’m gonna propose to Matt.

I spent all day thinking about how to do this. So, I arranged with Kenny to bring him to the spot where I first met him. I run my hand over the ring in my pocket, a simple silver band with an emerald that reminds me of his eyes.

But now, staring at the stone path where Matt’s gonna show up any minute, my stomach’s churning. What if he says no? What if he thinks it’s too soon? Shit, Devon, stop overthinking.

I hear footsteps, and my heart races. Matt appears, wearing a black shirt that hugs his body in a way that makes me forget how to breathe.

“Hey, love, why’d you call me here?” he asks, frowning, confused. “Everything okay? Are you hurt?”

I swallow hard, trying not to stutter as I step closer. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just… come here, kitten.” I hold out my hand, and he takes it, his warm fingers lacing through mine. I pull him to the center of the tree arch, and the way he looks at me, with curiosity and a hint of worry, gives me courage.

“Matt, I…” My voice cracks, and I laugh, nervous. “Damn, this is harder than facing shadows in the labyrinth.” He laughs, the sound light, and squeezes my hand, urging me to go on.
“Go on, say it.”

I take a deep breath, looking into his eyes. “You changed everything for me. From that day I met you, when you were scared but still stood by my side, I knew I wanted you in my life. Not just today, but always. You’re my mate, my best friend, my everything.” My hand shakes as I pull the ring from my pocket and kneel, feeling the cold ground against my knee. “Matthew Summers, will you marry me?”

The silence that follows feels like an eternity. His eyes widen, glistening with tears, and for a second, I think I might pass out from nerves. But then he smiles, a grin so big it lights up the whole garden. “Yes!” he says, his voice choked, falling into my arms. “Hell yes, Devon, I want to!”

I let out the breath I didn’t even know I was holding, laughing as I slide the ring onto his finger. The green stone sparkles against his skin, and he pulls me into a kiss, his lips soft and warm against mine. It’s a kiss full of emotion, relief, and love, and I hold him tight, feeling his heart beat against mine. I lift my mate and spin him around.

“I love you, Devon Carter.”

The crowd isn’t here, but I don’t need anyone but him. Well, maybe Kenny, who steps out from behind a tree, yelling like a maniac.

“Hell yeah!” Kenny shouts, running toward us with a bottle of wine in hand. “My brothers are getting married!” He pulls us both into a tight hug, nearly knocking us over, and I laugh. “Knew the kitten would say yes, Dev. You were freaking out for nothing.”

“You knew?” Matt wipes his tears, laughing, his face red with emotion. “You were hiding there the whole time, you idiot?” he teases, landing a light punch on Kenny’s arm.

“Of course! Had to see the show,” Kenny shoots back, popping the bottle open with a loud snap. He pours wine into three glasses, swear I don’t know where he got them, and raises a toast. “To the badasses grooms in Pamyel. May you be happy as hell.”

The wine goes down smooth, but it’s the warmth of the moment that gets me drunk. Matt’s still glued to me, his smile not leaving his face, his eyes shining brighter than the sun. Kenny throws his arm over our shoulders like he’s the official glue of this mess, and honestly, maybe he is.

“So, you guys want a ceremony, or are you skipping straight to the honeymoon?” he asks, with that sly wink only Kenny can pull off without being completely insufferable.

Matt laughs and buries his face in my chest, probably red to his core. I give Kenny a light smack on the head, and he just cackles louder.

“Shut up, you jerk,” I say, but I’m grinning like a lovesick idiot. “We haven’t even decided anything yet. I just wanted to propose, not plan a damn royal wedding.”

“Yet,” Kenny stresses, refilling our glasses. “But think about it: the city would lose it. It’d be the event of the century.”

Matt lifts his face, still kinda shy. “I don’t care about a party. I just want us to be together. Just the two of us… and you, maybe, if you promise not to get naked at our wedding. You could even be our best man.”

“I promise,” Kenny says, laughing. “Keeping that promise is another story.”

The sun starts dipping behind the trees, bathing the place in a warm orange glow that makes everything look prettier. More alive. I look at Matt, his hair messy from the breeze, that crooked smile, and I know there’s no path without him.

“When I met you,” I start, my voice quieter now, “I didn’t even think I deserved a happy ending. I didn’t believe in this crap about fate, mates, true love. But then you came along… with that stubborn look and absurd patience… and you changed everything.”

He stares at me, his eyes glistening again, and I pull him into another kiss, slower this time, full of promise. Because that’s it. It’s him. It’s us.

Kenny lets out a loud, dramatic sigh. “Soulmates. Perfect couples. And me, just… out here, alone. When’s my crazy Aladian going to show up to drag me by the hair?”

“Wait a sec… Seraphine’s your mate?”