BiteBound *completed*

Finale 3/5

The yearning pull I was feeling before yanked even harder now, leading me towards a room on the east wing where a wooden door was slightly ajar.

It's amber light glowed through the crack, my fingertips barely pushing the door open when it suddenly stops.

What the—?

"Arthur?" I whispered.

Instead of being greeted with a body or face, an extended hand with the family ring greeted me first.

"Hello Baby." He murmurs. "I've missed you."

The icy nerves I felt in my gut began to mix with the warm enamored flutters in my heart. Swirling and shoving against each other in a elemental battle, seeing as to who will dominate first.

Once as my cold fingers had woven perfectly into his, the love I felt for him muted the cold. Easing the anxiety that almost took me out earlier.

"H-hi." I bit down on my lip. "I heard you calling for me."

"I'm glad you did." He sounded just as nervous. "I— I'm glad you're here— still standing and by my side that is."

"Yeah..." I nervously laugh. "Me too..."

We stand there in silence for several moments, squeezing each other's hand for support as the throbbing of our hearts taunted us to get closer.

"Y-you have so much family."

"Yeah, well, it's all in the books in the library." He huffs a laugh. "I thought you would've known about them by now."

"I did, but seeing it person is just so... it's..."
I huff out a frustrated breath. "It's makes me a little nervous."

"Don't be my love. They will love you, I promise."

Another moment of silence.

"D-do you like your dress?" He asks. "I— I haven't seen it, but I heard from Anne it was beautiful."

"It's really nice." I said, my cheeks stinging from the could-have-been flush. "Very princess like. You know, with the relaxed shoulder sleeves and the way the fabric flows and all? It just seems like silk has suddenly become my new signature fabric."

"That was actually my request." He admits with a small laugh. "I loved how the silk looked on you the night we went to the courthouse. You looked so... angelic, I— no words can express how seeing you in silk makes me feel like I'm the luckiest man alive."

"And hungry?" I tease.

"And... yes.

Hungry...

... Fuck it."

The door swings open, my body immediately crushed into his chest as he held me tightly in his arms.

I didn't care if my back snapped our passionate embrace, I wanted him to hold me tighter; kissing me harder to banish the nerves away.

"Don't cry My Sweet Love." He strokes my hair. "You'll ruin your makeup."

"I know, I'm sorry..." I force a laugh through my hiccups. "I- I'm just so nervous... I mean, we already did the 'hard' part. Why am I now suddenly feeling this way again?"

"Because it's a new chapter of our lives Baby." He coos, stroking my cheek to soothe me. "That and... well, all of my family is here. You're not exactly a social butterfly so I can only imagine now nerve wrecking this is for you. It's a big change."

"Do they even know I'm a half-blood? What if they don't like me—?"

"Hey." He lifts up my chin to meet his gaze. "None of that. I said it before and I will say it as many times as you need me to. Everyone that showed up for our union tonight is going to love you. Yes, they carry the family name and have standards that seem intimidating, but they are just as lax as any other family. They aren't snobby or egocentric— well, there is my cousin Louie— but regardless, they are not here to scare you. You don't have anything to worry about. And if there were someone who happens to see different, I'll be sure to put them in their place."

So there could be a chance then?

"Can't we just ditch?" I beg into his loving eyes. "We can go to The Four Seasons just like the night of our marriage."

He sighs a smile, holding back the thought of temptation when he leans down to kiss me again.

"Soon My Dear, but not now. Not when you look so beautiful for our big day. I don't know about you, but I want to proclaim my eternal love for you to my family. This beautiful loving goddess that I am proud to call my wife. Won't you stand with me on the altar tonight My Love?"

A shaky breathe releases my smile, looking away for a second to only be pulled into his eyes again.

"I will." I choke a little. "I love you Mr. Knight."

"And I love you Mrs. Knight."

He leans down to place a kiss on my lips, slowly melting me again into his safe embrace.

"Would it be bad if we stayed in this room?" I whisper against his lips.

"Mmm... and do what?"

"I can think of a few things." I taunt.

"In this dress?" His hand slides down the curve of my backside. "I'm afraid it won't survive if we do what you're implying."

"One way to find out." I bite down on my grin. "So how about it?"

Suddenly, a cough shocks us both back into the room. My head peering over Arthur's shoulder when I couldn't believe my eyes.

"Dad?!"

"Shit." Arthur's whisper barely comes through. "I forgot about him."

"You what?!"

There he stood right by the fire, wearing his old marine uniform with a new sharp military haircut.

My father; the one that was there for me as a little girl. The one that most likely just heard how I wanted to have some fun in this room!

"Hello Rosie-Bee." He smiles nervously. "I... hope it was okay for me to come to your wedding night."

"Not at all Hugh," I shake my head. "I just... I— I don't understand."

I look up at Arthur, lost as to what I thought happened the night of his awakening.

"I thought Peterson was going to..."

"I wouldn't have done it without your permission." He says. "As much as I'm not happy with what he's done in the past, I know that his intentions of making amends is true. I can't make that decision for you with how you want to proceed with your relationship with him, but know that I'll stand with you no matter what you decide."

My tone then drops to a whisper again. "But what if he says something about us?"

"I'm sure he knows better that to start running his mouth to the mortals. Besides, it's not that they would believe him anyway given his medical history—."

"I can hear you." Hugh huffs. "Jackass."

"He is also aware of the consequences that can happen if he ever decides to spout nonsense."

"Meaning...?"

"In regards to your safety." My father says. "Well, both of your safety and whatever family that is tied with you after tonight. You have my oath as soldier, as a father, and as an In-Law that your secret remains with me."

"And that's all I need in the end." Arthur nods at him. "Now, I'll leave you both for a little while. The wedding is about to start and I need to find a way to stall our guests."

"Shit, is it now?!" I panic. "But then— What do I—."

"It's okay." He says. "Just give yourself five more minutes alright?"

He leans down to kiss my cheek, murmuring into my ear before taking his leave, "I'll be waiting."