Chapter Tenth

As I was leaving Penny’s apartment, Aunt Anna called. She sounded excited.

“You’re dating Penny!”

“Not quite,” I replied. “I wolfed out and destroyed her apartment in addition to having her dragged through the dirty press.”

“That’s not right. I want to meet Penny,” she said.

“Okay. Let me arrange a few things and convince her to leave her apartment,” I said, making plans. “Once I’m done, I’ll bring her to the assisted living community to meet you.”

“You better not hurt that girl, Davey.” Her voice was stern.

“I won’t, Aunt Anna. I promise.”

“She’s wholly in love with you.”

“And I’m wholly in love with her.”

~*~

There was a knock at the door to my apartment. Figuring that the man who worked at the front door wouldn’t let the press in, I answered it. My mouth fell open to find Davey standing there. He was dressed in a plain black t-shirt, jeans, and Converse.

“I need a favor,” he said.

“Haven’t I done enough?” He smiled.

“The woman who raised me—my great Aunt Annalise, would love to meet you.” He looked down at his feet. “Could you just come—as a favor to me?” I nodded.

“Okay. Just give me a few moments.” I walked back into my bedroom. I had magicked away most of the mess from Davey’s shift, crying as I went. I put on a dress and some mascara. My hand was shaking, I realized. I was happy to see him, but it was also painful.

This was worse than with my past fiancés, but I knew that it was only right to end it before anything drastic happened to Davey. I did it because I cared for him.

We sat in silence as we were driven in a limo to the senior living facility that his great aunt lived in. The whole time, I could feel the heat of his body. I could smell his scent—I wanted to launch myself at him. I got out of the car. We walked inside in silence.

A tiny woman sat on a couch inside. She grinned widely when she saw us.

“You must be Penny,” she said. She held her arms open, taking me into a surprisingly strong hug. “It’s wonderful to meet you.”

“It’s wonderful to meet you, too.” I liked her already. Davey wandered away, mumbling something about having left something in the car, and I sat down on the couch beside her.

“You have a shimmer about you,” she said to me.

“You have some witch sight,” I responded.

“Some,” she replied. “Werewolf shamans tend to have the tiniest bit.” I had a million questions to ask her about it. Her gaze was trained on Davey, who had returned with a man dressed in a priest’s clothing. Davey threw down a stack of papers, dropping to one knee.

He pulled a tiny black velvet box out of his pocket, opening it. Inside, there was a plain gold band.

“Marry me,” he said. “Right now.”

“I can’t,” I said. “I love you too much to put you in that kind of danger, to be engaged to me.”

“I love you too much to play it safe,” he countered. “Additionally, if we get married this moment, we will have never been engaged. I mean, the chances of me getting in a horrible accident before the wedding, this moment, are very slight.” At that moment, a huge crack of thunder struck outside. He raised his eyebrows at me.

“Marry me, Penny,” he insisted. “I will keep asking until either the sky falls on us, or you say yes.”

“Yes,” I said, my voice cracking. He picked up the marriage certificate, handing me a pen. He had already signed them. I signed them, and he took my hand, gesturing at the priest.

“Do you promise to love, cherish, and honor Penelope?”

“I do.”

“Do you promise to love, cherish and honor David?”

“I do.”

“By the powers vested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife.” Aunt Annalise clapped loudly, and Davey kissed me on the lips.

He took me back to his apartment, picking me up off of my feet, and carrying me over the threshold. I kissed him. The haze began to clear, and I could see the threads—our threads, I realized. They were a warm pink, thick and entwined.

“Oh,” I said.

“What?”

“It’s all clear now,” I said. “I can see our threads.”

“Really?”

“It’s you. It’s always been you,” I said, and he smiled, heading straight for the bedroom. He placed me gingerly on the bed.

“No wolfing out,” I said.

“No wolfing out,” he agreed, peeling my panties off and throwing them to the ground. I pulled his t-shirt off, amazed at the fact that I was going to spend the rest of my life with this incredible man. He supported my back as he unzipped my dress, pulling down the straps and freeing my breasts. He kissed me, taking one of my nipples in between his teeth.

I clawed at him, wanting him inside of me, immediately. Sensing my desire, he responded, entering me. I panted with desire, and the heat that came off of his skin made me sweat. My husband placed his hand on my abdomen and looked me in the eyes as he made love to me.