Page 118 of The Masquerade: Room 2

Celest came to the apartment last night and kicked me out. Even though Freya and I have been living together for months, her best friend insisted on the tradition. I spent the night at Flex’s, tossing and turning, eager to see my bride. When you’re marrying your best friend, they’re the only person you want to talk to.

I’ve been waiting for this day since the moment I first laid eyes on my lady in lavender. I knew the instant our eyes met that my life was going to change. I never imagined the tumultuous road we’d travel or that loving her would quell the demons that plagued me for decades. If you’d told me two years ago that I’d be here, more than ready to be a husband, a friend, and a forever Dom, I wouldn’t have believed it possible.

I shut out anyone who tried to get close. I allowed myself to be terrorized in my dreams by the man who taught me the kind of man I never wanted to become. For Freya, I want to be a better man. I want to give her everything my father denied my mother and me.

Flex, Dalton, Ryder, Mateo, and Ford stand to my left—my groomsmen. My family.

When the doors open and Freya’s bridesmaids walk down the aisle, I can’t help but notice where Flex’s gaze settles, a wide grin on his face and a look in his eye I know well. But today isn’t about anyone else. It’s about Freya and me, joining our lives together as one, willing to face the good, the bad, and the kinky for as long as we both shall live and love.

My pulse is racing as the string quartet heralds the imminent entrance of the bride. I lean over to Flex.

“Have you got the rings?”

“Relax, brother. We’ve got you,” he gestures to the others, and for once, there’s no laughter at my expense or anything even close to a joke which is our preferred mode of friendship. Instead, on this most important of days, I see heartfelt support in their eyes.

Today, Freya becomes my family, but she has already given me so much more than her alone. She’s giving me a mother-in-law who treats me like her own son—a gift I know a lot of men joke about. The in-laws have a reputation in society, but I can say with absolute conviction that I cherish Daphne. She loves me the way I always picture a mom would.

If that weren’t enough, Freya opened my eyes to the family I chose at Venom. I had convinced myself I was a lone wolf in this world, even though I had a glut of friends at the club. They were there for me when it mattered during the trial. There wasn’t a moment of hesitation. Freya made one phone call at my behest, and they all surrounded us with their support.

My nerves are getting the better of me as my hands begin to tremble. I’m a surgeon. I was trained to have steady hands even in the most crucial of situations, and yet here I stand, about to see Freya at the top of the aisle, and I have to clasp my hands behind my back to hide the fact that I’m nervous.

The music is ethereal, wisping through our guests, enchanting everyone as we collectively look to the imposing, intricately carved doors of the cathedral as they open, casting my bride in a breathtaking silhouette.

With her mom at her side, Freya begins the walk down the aisle—the picture of elegance. The closer she gets, my breath hitches at the sight of her. She is stunning in an ivory gown flowing behind her as she sashays toward me. I knew she’d make a beautiful bride, but what I didn’t anticipate is the intricate ivory lace masquerade mask that adorns her face.

My little one.

It takes everything in me not to take off running up the aisle to close the gap between us. The second her eyes find mine, my nerves dissipate, and all that’s left is pure, unadulterated love for the woman before me.

Her long black hair cascades over her shoulders in soft waves, and my cock twitches at the thought of wrapping it around my fist later tonight when I make her mine in our marriage bed.

My heart is hammering in my chest, pounding so hard I almost believe our guests might hear it. I can’t contain the grin on my face as she kisses her mom on the cheek before taking her place at my side.

“You look… stunning.”

As she stares up into my eyes, I know I’m making the best decision of my life.

“You look extremely handsome,” she says for everyone to hear before whispering under her breath, “Daddy.”

Fuck me. If one moment were to encapsulate my little one, it would be this. Standing in front of everyone we love, the picture of bridal innocence, with a quiet, fierce, and confident ownership of exactly who we are to each other.

“I decided on a mask rather than a veil.” Her smile could light up the room, shining like the rising sun on a beautiful summer’s day.

“It’s breathtaking.”

“It is for you to unmask me.”

“With pleasure.”

You could hear a pin drop in the cathedral as I reach around and untie Freya’s mask, her eyes fluttering closed for just a moment. As I gently remove it, she hits me with a genuine grin that could launch a thousand ships. I’d die before I let anyone hurt her. I would walk through fire for one more kiss. Knowing we are standing here about to declare our love for one another destroys all my carefully crafted walls, opening my heart for Freya to hold in the palm of her hand.

“There’s my little one.” I brush my hand over her cheek in a gentle caress. “Ready for forever?”

“Yes.”

The priest walks us through the ceremony before giving us the opportunity to recite our own vows, which has me nervous all over again. When he gestures for me to take the ring from Flex’s proffered hand, I take a deep, calming breath. As soon as my hand touches Freya’s, I know everything is right in the world. I slide the thin platinum band onto her ring finger and clasp her hand in mine.

“Freya.” I swallow past the lump in my throat. “I knew the moment we met my life had changed. I didn’t know how or why, but every beat of my heart recognized in you what I’ve been missing my whole life. Family.

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