Killing Death

Prologue | Happily Ever After

EIGHT HOURS EARLIER

"I do."

His deep voice resonated in my mind as the words effortlessly rolled off his tongue. He spoke them with such intensity, like he'd never been more sure of anything in his life.

"Do you, Alora Voigt, take this man, Dean Holt, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and woe, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself solely unto him for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do," I answered, my heart fluttering with excitement.

"If there is anyone present who may show just and lawful cause why this couple may not be legally wed, let them speak now or forever hold their peace." As expected, no one spoke up. But the unnerving stillness dragged on for what seemed like a long time before the ceremony continued. "Please exchange the rings."

The moment the wedding band slid onto my finger, a sense of comfort washed over me.

"By the power vested in me, by the state of Oregon, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss your bride." Pastor O'Connell's raspy words rang a beautiful symphony in my ears. The church stayed silent but the air filled with growing anticipation. My heart synced to the rhythm of the room, pulsing rapidly as I waited for my almost-husband to take me in his arms, meet my lips and proclaim me as his own.

Dean continued staring at me, but his eyes didn't meet mine. My brows immediately furrowed, and I couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking about. The corner of his lips were slightly curved up, so I knew it wasn't something bad. Even then, my head began to spin with endless possibilities. Just the thought of Dean regretting his decision to marry me blindsided me like a flashing headlight, and my stomach twisted into tight knots. It wasn't until I noticed his glistening eyes that I understood his reaction. He was only basking in the moment.

I couldn't blame him. Neither of us had thought that this day would come. I had sealed myself in a cage of forged iron. Trapped in my own misery, and unwilling to look beyond my bubble. Dean had to break me from that cocoon, and slowly draw me out. It was a long, tiresome process but he was persistent.

One night, after a date under the stars, I'd asked him why he continued to try so hard when I would only ever bring him close and then push him away. He explained that being in love made people do crazy things. And being relentless just happened to be a side-effect. I'd responded by calling him absolutely insane, before bursting into tears. It was the first time he'd told me that he loved me. The first time, in a long time, that I had cried out of happiness. His one moment of vulnerability had broken through the barrier I'd held up for years. He didn't know it then, but he saved me that night.

Instantly, tears pooled to my eyes, threatening to overflow. My thumb gently caressed his hand, stealing him from his thoughts. He blinked twice before coming to a realization. His distant stare was soon replaced by a sheepish look. I narrowed my eyes and pursed my lips, feigning anger, but he saw right through me.

Soon, Pastor O'Connell cleared his throat. Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I shot Dean a pointed look. He winked in response, before pulling me into him. Our faces were mere inches from one another. My breath immediately hitched, and I anxiously awaited the kiss that would seal the deal and turn me into Dean Holt's wife.

But seconds passed. His gaze intensified, his green orbs drew me in closer, holding me in their embrace.

"Dean?" I whispered.

His mouth transformed into a crooked smile before he closed his eyes and leaned in. His warm lips tenderly crashed into mine and suddenly, a thousand sparks flew through my body.

Applause erupted from the four corners of the nave. But the longer he held on, the quicker the world escaped my senses. And soon, no one else existed. The cheering crowd was drowned out by his soft breathing. As his fingers hardened around my body, my hand rushed to his head. My fingers ran through his dark hair, lightly pulling on the strands as I pushed deeply against his lips. Dean's arm firmly snaked around my waist right before my knees buckled from the intensity of the kiss. As our chests connected, I felt his heartbeats fall in line with mine.

We pulled apart, untangling ourselves from each other, when Pastor O'Connell cleared his throat for the second time. I gave him an apologetic look, before my attention was taken by my husband. As I glanced up, my eyes reached his twinkling pupils. It was then I realized that, in that moment, nothing else mattered either. Dean Holt was mine, and I was his.

We quickly signed the required papers that would legitimize the marriage in the eyes of the law. When we finished, a breath of relief escaped my mouth. Dean wrapped his arm around my waist the moment I let go of the pen. We turned around, facing his elated family members. The majority of whom were beaming from ear to ear.

As I stared at them, I realized something felt off. I wanted to let go and enjoy myself, but I couldn't. How the wedding had gone by without a hitch was beyond me. And it didn't take long before my uncertainties outweighed the moment of bliss. As my body shuddered at the horrific thought, Dean's grip on me tightened. He knew exactly what was going on in my mind.

"Alora," he softly spoke into my ear. It snapped me out of my thoughts. "You promised."

I heaved a sigh. He was right, I'd promised him a day without inhibitions. A day of surrender, a day of living in the moment. But as the feeling settled at the pit of my stomach, I couldn't completely push the grim thoughts out. They weighed me down, pulling me away from the moment and into the uncertainties of the future.

Still, for Dean, I tried to ignore the scratching in my mind.

Dean has a point, I consoled myself. If something bad was going to happen, it would have already happened. But two years have gone by... quietly. It might really be over.

Dean held onto me as we turned towards the guests. "Ready, Mrs. Holt?"

I nodded, a genuine smile quickly replaced the forced one. His broad chest vibrated as he chuckled in amusement, staring at me with love-stricken eyes.

We began to walk down the steps, and through the aisle. Not once did his grip on me loosen. Even as some his friends roughhoused around us, the men harshly patting his back while muttering congratulatory words, Dean's gentle hands held onto me like I was the most precious thing in the world. And while I smiled at his family, I couldn't register a word they said. My mind was much too occupied by the thoughts of my husband, and our happily ever after.

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