God of Strength (Light of Obsession #1)

Chapter 32

Alicia

I was dismissed from the hospital and came back to college about two weeks ago. No, Vaughn has not left my side since. It seems the kidnapping has made him crank up the protectiveness from 100% to 200%.

Which is fair, I'll deal with it if it means I don't have to go through that again.

Over the time I've dated Vaughn, my nightmares have died down. Maybe it's him, Vaughn has become my partner and not just in the literal sense.

He's the one I call first when I have good news, the one I weep to when I have bad news.

And I am his, completely and utterly.

I've always dreamed of having love like my parents, someone who cherishes me and views me as their world and now? Now I have it.

As I stood by the large window in my dorm room, the soft glow of the setting sun bathed the space in a warm, golden light. It filtered through the leaves of the oak tree outside, dappling the floor with patches of warmth. In that moment, everything felt perfectly aligned, as if the universe itself conspired to create this serenity. I could feel the anticipation building within me, a gentle flutter in my chest as I turned to look at Vaughn.

     He was perched on the edge of my bed, his expression a mixture of concern and warmth. His dark hair fell perfectly over his forehead, and I could see the remnants of a shadow from his stubbled jawline—remnants of nights spent lost in thought, worrying about me, maybe. But what shaped my heart's rhythm was the way his eyes softened when they met mine, a rare glimpse of the man who revealed not only his strength but also his vulnerability.

        "So gorgeous..." Vaughn asked, his voice low and steady, yet laced with an intensity that made me shiver with delight. I smiled, a playful smile that I reserved just for him, the kind that spoke volumes without me needing to utter a word.

     "You're too kind," I said, stepping closer to him. I could sense his turmoil—the echoes of my kidnapping still resonated in the shadows of his mind—but I also felt the fierce love that surrounded us. It wrapped around me like a soft blanket, urging me to take the leap.

     Vaughn stood up, his solid form towering over me, but he always managed to maintain a sense of gentleness in his presence that set me at ease. "You mean the world to me, Alicia," he said, brushing a loose strand of hair behind my ear, sending another flutter of warmth straight to my heart. "I'm grateful every day that you're in my life. I promise I'll always protect you."

     I bit my lip, fighting the urge to tear up. "And I promise to always be yours. Not just in the literal sense." My voice cracked a little, but the honesty behind it made it sound more resolute than shaky.

     As we stood together, time seemed to pause. I thought back to the chaotic world we had navigated—dark shadows and conspiracies that had threatened our bliss. Yet, here we were, standing on the cusp of something beautiful, something neither of us could fully articulate but understood innately.

     "Can I show you how much you mean to me?" Vaughn asked, and before I could respond, he pulled me into an embrace that felt like home. My head rested against his chest, and I closed my eyes, listening to the steady thrum of his heartbeat—a rhythm that would forever be engraved in my soul.

     The sound of laughter filtered in from outside; students congregated on the lawn below, joy radiating from them, and I couldn't help but smile. This was a moment to cherish, a reminder that life could be sweet even after the bitter moments. I pulled back slightly and gazed into Vaughn's piercing eyes. "Can we take a walk later?"

     "Anything for you," he replied with a smirk, and I felt the weight of promise in his words. I knew it wouldn't be just a walk; it would be our signpost, a promise for the future where my nightmares couldn't reach us, where love reigned over fear.

     As the sky deepened into shades of orange and purple, I took a step back, holding Vaughn's hands in mine. "I want to build a life with you, one filled with laughter and love. All the memories we'll create—the small things, the big things, everything in between."

Vaughn squeezed my hands tightly, his expression suddenly serious, yet earnest. "We will build that together, Alicia. Forever."

With that whispered promise hanging in the air, I felt a poignant finality settle in. This chapter of my life—one carved with pain, hope, and cherished love—had not just come to an end, but seamlessly flowed into an infinite beginning.

We were more than just partners; we were each other's confidants, best friends, and the architects of our shared happiness. Hand in hand, we stood on the threshold of tomorrow, ready to write our love story, one heartwarming page at a time. And as the dusk crept in, I leaned in, sealing it with a kiss, knowing that whatever lay ahead, we would face it together, side by side, forever united.

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A/N:
HEYYY THIS IS PRETTY IMPORTANT SO PLS READ AND REPLY
1. it's so sad that this is the last chapter before the epilogue :((
2. would you guys like for me to write bonus scenes after the epilogue? Stuff like their wedding, Alicia meeting Kirill and Sasha etc