Ethan’s Mate (The Vampire Coalition #1)(14)
Author: J.S. Scott

His soul had settled and found its place.

They trembled together as they held each other tightly. Ethan scooped her into his lap, looking at her anxiously. He took her palms into his hands and swiped his fingers over the bleeding punctures that she had caused with her nails. When he was done, she wrapped her arms around his back.

“It’s over.” Ethan panted, sounding relieved.

“It was incredible,” she mumbled, spent and exhausted.

Her vampire smiled and her heart melted. “You’re mine forever.”

She gave him a weak, exhausted smile. “You know… that should be terrifying… but it’s not.”

“My brave mate” He kissed the top of her head.

Her senses returning, she looked around the room. “The magic is gone.” The swirling magic she had felt throughout the room had diminished, leaving only a contented peace.

Ethan gave her a wicked grin. “My love, the magic is just beginning.”

She knew that he knew exactly what she had meant, but she smiled. She could never resist that naughty grin.

“I do believe you’re right.” She lowered her head and gave him a tender kiss.

Ethan arranged the pillows and they stretched out side by side, Ethan spooning her close to him, his face buried in her hair.

He covered them with a blanket, conjured with his own magic.

They both fell into an exhausted sleep, deeply content that they were finally mates, finding their real home in each other for eternity.

Epilogue

It was, of course, an evening wedding, and it was spectacular. Ethan made it a fairy tale affair that would fulfill every dream a woman could ever have about the perfect wedding.

The bride was radiant in ivory and lace. She walked down the aisle on scattered rosebuds in a huge cathedral that housed all of her friends and relatives and half of the vampire population.

The happiness of the bride and groom and their obvious love for each other made every guest sigh.

The bridesmaids were beautiful in gowns of pale blue, decorated with accents of pink.

The Hale brothers were there, much to their dismay, resplendent in their black tuxedos that matched the groom’s. No one really noticed–much–that they tugged at the necks of the confining outfits once in a while or that they didn’t look entirely comfortable.

They did, however, enjoy the reception. As humans and vampires mingled and laughed, the Hale brothers cleaned the food tables. Ethan had ordered plenty of food, knowing that his brothers would eat at least half of it. He had also ordered an extra cake. One for his brothers… one for the other guests.

To Brianna’s delight, her maid of honor and best friend Callie caught the bouquet.

Rory caught her red garter, even though he wasn’t even trying. It seemed to gravitate to him and somehow caught on the button of his jacket. He held it out like it was a poisonous snake.

Brianna and Ethan smiled at each other as they watched his reaction. Brianna gave Ethan a curious look as his smile turned wicked and devious.

Ethan continued to eye his brother and the red garter Rory held as he mumbled to himself in a sinful whisper, “Oh… I hope so, brother… I really hope so.”

Brianna caught her new husband’s devious thoughts and whacked him on the shoulder. “Ethan… you’re terrible. I really want all of your brothers to find their mates.”

He gave her an innocent expression as he answered, “Oh… me too, love. You have no idea how I look forward to it.”

And he really did look forward to it in more ways than one. He loved his brothers even though they annoyed the hell out of him. He didn’t want them miserable–much.

But payback really would be hell.

His wife gave him an exasperated look and he smiled, beaming at her. She couldn’t help but smile back. Ethan smiled so often these days and it still made Brianna’s heart skip a beat. It probably always would.

Even though the Hale brothers were mostly good… every one of them had just a little bit of the devil in them.

Brianna sighed. Her husband was probably more than just a little bit wicked.

Ethan scooped her into a warm embrace and as he lowered his lips to hers he told her softly, “Sometimes you like my wicked ways, wife.”

As his lips met hers Brianna admitted to herself that she probably did.

In fact, she enjoyed them for her whole wedding night… and beyond.

~The End~