Hale smirks, and Brazen tilts his head curiously while remaining silent. He looks to me, and I give him a wink as Angelica’s arm loops through mine to proudly take her place at my side.
He lets a grin free when he realizes what just happened, and then he turns back with a sterner face when his eyes fall on the room full of men being escorted out. I smile bigger once Hale’s lips press against mine, and his hand slides down the dress he wasn’t supposed to get to see yet.
“I love it,” he murmurs against my lips.
I pucker slightly when disappointment hits, and he smirks against my pouting lips.
“I really wanted it to be a surprise unveiling,” I huff while drawing back.
“You look stunning, baby. I’ll act surprised if it’ll make you feel better.”
I let a small laugh escape, and then I feel his lips against mine again. He smiles behind the delicious kiss, and then he sighs out while withdrawing.
“I hate this morning went so foully.”
“Doesn’t sound like a good omen,” Brazen mildly interjects while shrugging, and Hale’s eyes scold him.
“I’m relieved it’s over. Let’s go make this wedding worth it,” I giggle out.
Clay walks back in with a smile on his face for our successful act of evading the truth. I also detect a bit of smugness in his eyes. It’s not often he bends the rules of the United since he is the commander, but I can tell he feels like a renegade hybrid again. His youthfulness is almost refreshed as he struts toward us. It just proves he loves me, his sister in our formed family.
“I’ll be back in time to walk you down the aisle,” he says while walking over to give me a hug filled with relief.
“Thank you.”
Angelica’s eyes lower to the floor, and I know she’s thinking of our absent father right now. I walk over to offer her the first truly honest hug I’ve ever given her, considering she just saved me and my child.
“Thank you,” I utter sincerely.
“You don’t have to thank me, Araya. I’m your sister.”
“Let’s discuss this later. I think it best if we move forward with the day and not let our moment be ruined by any of this,” Hale asserts gently while fully taking in my dressed body. “You really do look astonishing.”
“I’m glad you didn’t just use traditional black for the wedding. The red truly demonstrates you,” Angelica says softly.
“I remember a day when white was the traditional color,” Brazen chuckles.
“That was when there was a such thing as virgins getting married,” Grayson adds with a snicker.
“Why are you laughing? You’ve barely begun to live your life,” Brazen scoffs with a smirk plastered on his face.
“I don’t have to be old to know old traditions.”
We all laugh lightly, and in that moment, the bad air is dispersed to allow room for the joyous flow to waft in. Hale pulls my hand to his lips before leading me out of the room.
“Two more hours, and you’re mine.”
“I’ve always been yours,” I whisper, and he jerks me around to pin me against the wall.
The anxiety from this morning’s scare, the excitement and shock from our impossible pregnancy, and the dread of what tomorrow holds for us all releases into my mouth as he expels it from his body in the middle of his passion.
“I love you,” he murmurs against my lips. “Promise me forever.”
“Forever,” I utter without hesitance.
His hands travel up my thighs, and I’m worried we’re going to fuck here in the hallway with my wedding dress still on. I don’t care either. I want him. I really want him.
His soft lips curl around mine as he starts pulling the dress up, and then a throat clearing interrupts the out of hand moment.
