2/3
Chapter 143
+25 BONUS
Chapter 143
Elena’s POV
I looked at him admiringly. How lucky was it that we had found each other and that he had offered me this marriage?
It might be an arranged marriage, but how come I feel more fortunate about this one than the last?
It’s like he wasn’t real. He was setting the standard too high. When Bryson wasn’t there for me and came back only to betray me, I was shattered. I didn’t think I’d ever believe in marriage again, let alone have one fall into my life unexpectedly.
But with Deacon… even if this entire arrangement was just a bandage over the problems we were both facing, he was going far and beyond to make it bearable, memorable, and somehow, even perfect.
Custodes was no ordinary place. It was secluded, hidden away, and meant for the most elite warriors. Gaining access was difficult, and getting permission without being a member was even more difficult. Almost impossible. And yet, here he was, ready to face anything–anyone–just to ease my worries.
He wasn’t even asking me to go with him, even though he knew I was afraid. There was a quiet, ever–present fear in me about what my seniors and masters would think. They were strict and traditional. They wouldn’t be happy to learn about this marriage
.not when I hadn’t gone to them first.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” he asked suddenly, pulling me out of my thoughts.
Ifelt my cheeks warm instantly. Damn. I must have been staring at him too long with a goofy smile plastered on my face. Shaking my head quickly, I muttered, “You don’t have to do that. I don’t want you to feel pressured… or like you’re not enough just because you didn’t come from my world.”
I appreciated his words more than I could say. That was enough. As scared as I was of facing those I trained under, I knew it was the right thing to do. I would face them, eventually. But knowing Deacon was willing–that alone meant everything.
Still, to my surprise, he stood up. Pacing a little in front of me like He was gathering his thoughts, he finally turned and looked at me with a firm, unshakable expression.
“I’m going.”
The tone in his voice told me the decision had already been made. There was no room left for argument.
“I’ll go to your training camp and ask them for their blessing,” he said. “I’ll go with or without you. You don’t need to worry- I’m not leaving anything hanging.”
I stared at him, stunned. “You… you’re really going to do that?”
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He crouched down so we were eye–level, the moonlight reflecting in his eyes as he held my gaze. His voice was soft, but every word carried weight. “Of course, I am. I’ll speak to your master myself and ask them for your hand in marriage. I want them to see I’m not taking this lightly. I want them to know I value their warrior.”
I blinked several times, unsure if I was hearing him right.
No one had ever done anything like this for me.
Bryson couldn’t even stand up to his mother–couldn’t defend me to his family, to his pack, despite being their Alpha. But Deacon? He was more than ready to face warriors he’d never met. He wasn’t even flinching.
“Are you sure?” I asked again, unable to stop myself. I probably sounded like a broken record, but the disbelief refused to leave
- me.
Still patient, he nodded. “For you? There’s nothing I wouldn’t do. He shook his head slowly, as if to emphasise it. “Nothing.”
Something shifted in my chest. A tightness I hadn’t even realised was there loosened. The heavy weight I’d carried for years started to lift, just a little.
1/3
Chapter 143
+25 BONUS
Because I finally saw it clearly No matter what this marriage started out as, no matter the circumstances… his sincerity was real.
The quiet moments, the steady presence, the way he never once made me feel like I was a burden–those things couldn’t be faked.
A smile tugged at the corners of my lips. Tears welled at the edges of my eyes, but they weren’t from pain. “I don’t know what to say. I…” I swallowed. “This means a lot to me. More than you know”
Deacon stood tall and extended his hand to me, that warm, rare sille spreading across his face.
“Then let me show you just how much you mean to me?
do this the right way,
Elena
he said gently. “Let me prove how serious I am. I’ll go tomorrow. We’ll
His voice, his eyes–everything about him radiated calm strength it wrapped around me like a shield.
I stared at his outstretched hand for a moment, my heart beating faster, butterflies fluttering wildly in my stomach.
Slowly, I placed my hand in his
And when I stood, rising to meet him, it felt like the world had gone silent around us. Like we had stepped into a pocket of time where only the two of us existed.
Our faces were only inches apart. Our hands were still held tightly together. His presence alone gave me strength I hadn’t known I needed.
“Thank you, Deacon,” I whispered, my breath brushing his skin. “For everything.”
He didn’t respond right away.
He didn’t have to.
The warmth in his eyes and the way his fingers gently squeezed mine said it all.
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