Chapter 287: The Wedding Timeline

Zahliver’s POV

Because I was the reason behind the light in her eyes. The joy humming in her bones. That blissful energy radiating from her, spilling out into the quiet space between us, I did that. My chest swelled with a deep, primal satisfaction, pride coiling in me like thick smoke rising from warm embers. She was mine. My mate. My future wife. My little storm cloud.

Leaving the beach house this morning had felt wrong, like cutting short something sacred that had only just begun. I would have much preferred to stay holed up in that quiet cottage with her all day, wrapped securely around her, feeling her warm skin against mine while the ocean waves crashed outside. But she had insisted on being "productive" today. Which I was pretty sure was just secret code for something else entirely: she wanted to open all her birthday presents waiting back at the pack house.

Naturally, I caved. I always caved when it came to her.

Now here we were, trapped in the car together as I drove us down the winding coastal highway. And it was pure torture.

Not because I did not want to be near her, goddess no, but because everything about her set my supernatural senses completely on fire. My wolf was constantly on edge, prowling restlessly under my skin, clawing for more of her. Even after last night’s hours long indulgence where I had worshiped every single inch of her body, I was not satisfied. Not even close. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, gripping the leather wheel a little tighter and gritting my teeth when I felt my body reacting just from being near her.

It was getting ridiculous. I was an Alpha, a grown male, and yet she reduced me to an eager pup with a single breath.

At a red light, I stole a quick glance at her. And it hit me again, hard.

She had not even bothered to tame her hair this morning before we walked out the door. Her slender fingers had only combed through it messily after rolling out of bed, and yet, I could not look away from the wild dark strands tumbling down her shoulders. Her face was flushed with that warm, post morning glow that made her look like the sun had kissed her before I even had the chance to touch her lips.

Gods, she was stunning.

I could still feel her soft skin beneath my hands. Still hear the sweet, breathless sounds she made when I whispered her name against her throat in the dark. Long lashes framed those curious brown eyes, eyes that always managed to pull me in no matter how hard I tried to stay composed. I had seen so much darkness in the world, so much blood and death, and yet she looked at me like I was actually worthy of love. Of light. Of her.

But it was not just her breathtaking beauty that floored me, it was what she gave me. Without question. Without a single second of hesitation.

Vivian did not guard herself from me. Not mentally. Not emotionally. Her mind was always open to me through our mate bond, even when she playfully tried to hide things or act coy, her true thoughts were loud and vulnerable and completely exposed. That kind of absolute trust? That kind of soul deep surrender?

It terrified me more than anything else ever had in my life.

Because it meant she accepted every single part of me, the fierce Alpha, the brutal monster, and the devoted mate. All of it. And she trusted me with her life, believing I would never destroy her.

After everything I had done in the past, after all the ways I had failed or pushed her away before, she still said yes.

A small, damaged part of me had secretly braced for rejection, even when I had knelt down and slipped that custom ring onto her finger. But her soft, trembling yes had killed that hidden fear in an instant. It still shook me to my core, how a single word from her lips could completely alter my entire world.

The traffic light changed to green. I pulled forward smoothly, but not before glancing sideways at her again.

She looked up at me, eyes bright and full of pure excitement, her whole face glowing under the morning sun. She was practically bouncing in the leather passenger seat.

"Wow, we are really getting married. I almost cannot believe it."

I smirked, the corner of my mouth tugging up. "Believe it, love. And now that you have said yes, there is no backing out. None at all."

I was not kidding. If she thought there was a return policy on this engagement ring, she was in for a rude awakening. Hell, I would get her tipsy and drag her straight to the nearest chapel in Vegas tomorrow if I had to. She would forgive me eventually, after maybe knocking me upside the head a few times for rushing her.

She hummed softly, her slender fingers tapping rapidly against her bare thigh as she thought through the logistics. "There is so much to plan. So many things to do. When do you want to do it?"

"Whenever you want," I replied smoothly, already turning down the main road that led straight back to our pack territory.

"So... in a year or two, maybe?"

I blinked. Hard. My foot nearly slammed the brake pedal right then and there.

A year or two?

I turned toward her with a slow, deliberate stare, raising a brow like she had just spoken absolute blasphemy in front of me.

"Why so long?" I asked, my voice dropping low and dangerous.

The mere thought of waiting that long made something primal inside my wolf snap. I needed the whole world to know she was mine, legally, spiritually, and eternally. Every single second she did not carry my last name felt like an insult, a direct challenge to fate itself. I did not want to take my sweet time with this. I could not. Not with her.

She tilted her head, her brows drawing together in slight confusion. "Well... don’t most regular couples stay engaged for a year or two just to make sure they are " She paused mid sentence, catching the sharp, dark edge in my gaze. "Never mind."

I softened my expression a little bit, but only a little.

"You and I are forever," I told her firmly, holding her eyes with a look that left zero room for argument. "There is no need to wait."

I felt the bond between us vibrate with sudden intensity. Her cheeks bloomed a deep shade of red. She ducked her gaze for a second, her long lashes fluttering, a small, shy smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

Fuck.

She was going to kill me with that look, and she did not even know it.