Page 65 of Shut Up and Bite Me

“Are you not?” he challenges me, a playful gleam in his gaze.

Grinning, I answer honestly, “I’mverysure. I just don’t want you to feel pressured into it.”

He grabs my hand, taking it in his. “I love you, Vivian. I meant it the first time I said it, and I mean it now. I’ve never told anyone that—I don’t take it lightly. I want to do it. I want forever with you.”

“Then it’s settled,” I murmur, my heart feeling like it’s going to burst in my chest, Greyson’s love warming my entire body.

Beaming from ear to ear, he turns to Autumn. “What do you need?”

Giddiness and glee take over her emotions. “You two.A full moon. And a dagger.”

It’s been three weeks since Victor attacked our home, murdering Jason and attempting to kill Ethan and Greyson.

The members of the High Council held Victor for me, keeping him tucked away until I was ready to deal with him. Which was the first item on my to-do list when I returned. I took extreme care in crafting his coffin, which has since been sealed in concrete, deep in the depths of the Barlowe. I meant what I said to Victor that night. I meanteveryword.

He will pay not only for what he did to Ethan and Greyson but for taking the life of one of my dearest friends, Jason Belmoore. We honored his life the way vampires do, burning his body and setting the ash free to find peace, wherever that may be.

Our worst nightmare is being trapped in a coffin, especially in death, because our soul will remain trapped in our body unless set free by fire.

The High Council and everyone who was there the night of Victor’s attack attended his memorial, celebrating his life both as a human and as a vampire.

Jason will be missed, but he will be remembered forever, his picture hanging in the hall of the Barlowe for everyone to see. I hate that his life was cut short by that monster, and I can’t help but feel some of the blame for his death. But I will honor his life every day, upholding his respect for the High Council and the success of the Culling.

Victor’s attack feels like so long ago somehow; so much has happened in the last few weeks. Greyson and I agreed to complete the Ceremony of Life and Death. He has officially graduated from college and completely made himself at home, turning the entire basement into his own personal library.

Lucy, who he insists loves his nickname for her—Lulu—has become a Velcro kitty, never far from her favorite person in the world—who is definitelynotme. Which I find incredibly offensive since I’ve known her far longer and love her unconditionally, spoiling the hell out of her for years. But I also can’t blame her. Greyson’s my favorite person too.

We stayed in a happy bubble at our house for a couple of days before I needed to return to the High Council, even though they insisted on me taking all of the time I needed…

KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK.

Greyson knocks on the bedroom door, pulling me from my thoughts, my heart nearly jumps out of my mouth. “Hey, slowpoke. We’re ready for you.”

Slowpoke. Yeah, right. I laugh as I step into my favorite pair of black heels, the same ones I wore the night of the Culling, and the perfect complement to the red satin gown that flows over my body, accentuating every curve.

A thigh-high slit runs up my right leg, parting as I step toward the door with my heart in my throat. I spent way too long putting my hair in a curly updo, a few curls hanging loose and framing my face. But I wanted to look perfect. After all, this is the most important night of my life.

Wrapping my fingers around the doorknob, I take a shaky breath, the resident bats in my stomach flying around like crazy.

This is it, the moment the last three weeks of waiting have been leading up to, the moment myentire lifehas been leading to.

Pulling the door open, I take yet another deep breath, but there’s no point because the second my gaze locks onto the white button-up on Greyson’s chest, all the air in my lungs dissipates.

His smooth voice wraps around me, pulling me closer to him. “Forever? I get to stare at you foreternity? How did I get so damn lucky?”

My cheeks burn as I lift my gaze, meeting his eyes. “You may get sick of me eventually. It could happen.”

He offers me his hand, which I happily take. “I quite literally could never tire of you.”

Guiding me into the hallway, he lifts my hand, spinning me beneath his arm, bubbling laughter spilling out of me as he twirls me around, and I can’t help but be reminded of how much I love this man.

His voice deepens, a raspiness there that wasn’t before. “You look…beautiful, Vivian.”

If my cheeks were warm before, they are ablaze right now. “Thank you.”

He leads me toward the staircase, stopping me right before I try to take my first step. “Allow me.”

My brows furrow as I turn to him, the sweetest smile lifting his full lips. Scooping me up into his arms, he places a gentle kisson my forehead, curling me into his chest. He holds my stare, the warm light of the giant chandelier reflecting off his glasses.

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