Piercing My Heart

33

We were able to easily find Sophie and my mother. They were rescued and nursed back to help. Hailey and Tae were also healed, so everything turned out fine.

Alec took over the role of reigning monarch since I didn't want the responsibility. He was ecstatic to be near Sophie again. My mother and Hailey left to run the business in America. Lexi always was enamored with Mila's former job, so she jumped at the opportunity to replace Mila on Matt's team.

Mila and I decided to reside in Italy. She'd be receiving the necessary training to one day take over the role as Queen of the wolves. For now, we'd just go on missions to maintain the peace between the species and eliminate all threats to disrupt that peace.

It was currently night time. I smiled as I watched over Mila's adoring face. I then left to do something for her. I found a spell that allowed me to contact her father's spirit. I hope I can give her some sense of peace if she can speak with him. The spell didn't look too complicated.

I waited for her to wake the next morning. My heart softened when I saw her holding a picture of her father. He really looked like Dante.

"Hey, can we go somewhere?" I leaned against the door frame.

"Sure!" She jumped up.

"It's a little hike." I offered her my hand.

I took her to a secluded garden in between the mountains. I had found the secret location a few days ago. This place was absolutely beautiful.

I led her deeper into the garden. I showed her the headstone of her late father. Her breath hitched when she recognized the name.

"Enzo Ricci." She muttered.

"I would like to do something for you." I was really nervous now. "My father killed your father and I'm sure your dad was much better than mine. You were never given the chance to speak with him. I'd like to give you that opportunity if you'd let me."

I had her step back before I began the spell. I smiled as yellow wisps rose from the ground until they formed a silhouette of a man. Enzo ran forward and embraced his daughter. I smiled softly at the reunion. She deserved all the happiness in the world and I'm grateful I was able to give her something.

"You're so beautiful." He ran his hand through her hair.

"Dad." She hugged him tight.

"I'll give you some time." I wanted to give them some privacy.

"Before you go, thank you for protecting my daughter. Don't blame yourself for what your father did. You are not him and not defined by your family name. Thank you and you have my blessing." He spoke to me.

"Thank you, sir." I blushed and looked down. I gave Mila one last smile before leaving her.

While she was with her father, I went back to the villa. I thought this was the perfect opportunity to propose to her. I knew I wanted to spend the rest of eternity with this woman.

I entered her bedroom and removed the ring from the hidden location. I smiled down at the emerald ring. The gem stone was breathtakingly beautiful. I sensed Dante behind me, so I turned around. I saw him leaning against the door frame while smiling. I smiled back at him and began playing with the ring.

"She's going to love it." He smiled before leaving me alone.

I then became really panicked and nervous. What if she says no? What if she doesn't want to get married right now? We haven't even talked about it! I really needed someone to talk to, so I called my mommy. She picked up on the second ring.

"Hi, little one-"

"Mom!" I was panicked.

"What's wrong Lara?" Her voice turned serious.

"I want to propose to Mila, but what if she says no?" I began pacing the room.

"Listen to me, little one." I stopped pacing at my mother's command. "She loves you with her heart and soul. The moment the two of you bonded, she knew she wanted you for eternity. No need to be nervous. She wants you and only you... and I'm so excited for the wedding!" I chuckled at my mother.

I spent the rest of the night speaking with my mother. She brought Hailey on the phone so we could catch up with each other. Hailey then made a four way call. Alec, Sophie, and Tae were on one call while Lexi was on the other call with the wolves. They all couldn't wait for me to pop the question.

I ended the call when I saw dawn approaching. Her father's form wouldn't be able to sustain the sunlight for long. Welp, it's now or never. I stood up and sped to the location. I saw them looking up at the sun. Her father's form began to slowly disintegrate.

"The light will weaken the spell a little. I'm trying to find a stronger spell where you can permanently retain your form, even with the sunlight." I explained.

"It's alright. I'm happy that I got to see my daughter." He embraced and kissed Mila's head. "See you soon." He then disappeared.

"You can speak with him every night if you-" She cut me off with a kiss.

"Thank you." She smiled at me. "I want to watch the sunrise. Can we find a ledge?" I nodded and led her to a ledge overlooking the breathtaking view of Amalfi.

We sat down and dangled our legs over the ledge. She entwined our fingers and rested her head on my shoulder. This location was extraordinarily beautiful. I think Italy is even more beautiful than France and that's where I'm from. It's not my home anymore since my home is with Mila now. I began thinking of what I wanted to say to Mila. I wanted the proposal to be perfect and not stumble over my words. I had practiced earlier and was replaying the words in my mind.

"How do you feel about the end of the vampire king? Are you saddened?" She snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Hell, no." I darkly chuckled. "My only regret was that I didn't kill him sooner." I was still distracted by what I wanted to say to her.

"I'm just grateful everything is over and we're all okay." I glanced at her. I decided that I wanted to do this now.

I stood up and held my hand out for her. She beamed and took my hand. I pulled her up and broke our gaze. I looked out at the ocean, like it'd relax my frantic heart. I then turned back to her with my newfound confidence.I forgot what I planned on saying and began speaking from my heart.

"I just want to say that I thought I was living, but I was wrong because I didn't truly start living until I met you. My world was filled with lust and death. I thought happiness was found in pleasure points along the body. Never would I have imagined that true happiness is found when the soul is content with love. I've waited an eternity for you and you surpassed everything I deserve. You tell me you love me, but I constantly wonder if I deserve your love and devotion. I'm not perfect, but I will strive to meet your standards everyday." I then got down on one knee. "Amelia Ginevra Ricci, will you be my forever?" I held the ring up to her.

"Y-Yes." She was crying from happiness.

I've never felt so joyous before. I was smiling wide. I stood up and deeply kissed her. She swung her arms around me, so I dipped her.

"You like it?" I slipped the ring on her finger.

"Yes." Tears were falling from her eyes. "This is the ring my dad gave his Luna." She was transfixed by the ring. "H-how?"

"He gave me permission, remember?" I chuckled. "Your mother slipped me the ring before we left Montana and told me the meaning behind it. She wanted you to have a family heirloom." She was smiling at me.

"It's beautiful." I kissed her. "Thank you."

"Well, I wouldn't thank me... because now you're stuck with me forever." I joked, but she just pulled me into a passionate kiss.