Page 132 of The Hunter's Empire

"You haven't even said 'I do' yet." Anton says.

"I wasn't talking about the wedding."

I grin. "Too late. You're stuck with us."

Before either of us can tease him again, the music changes. The conversation dies instantly as every guest rises to their feet.

Keith straightens beside the officiant, but the composed expression he's worn all morning disappears the moment Aurelia appears at the far end of the aisle. Declan appears with Aurelia's hand resting lightly on his arm.

She is radiant.

Sunlight catches the lace of her gown as she takes her first step onto the stone aisle, and for a heartbeat the entire ceremony seems to fade around her.

Keith forgets the rest of the world exists.

I've watched my brother negotiate billion-dollar deals without blinking. I've seen him walk into gunfire with the same calm expression he wears in a boardroom. But I've never seen him like this.

His eyes never leave Aurelia, and as she draws closer, they begin to glisten. A single tear escapes before he can stop it, tracing silently down his cheek. He doesn't even seem to notice.

Every part of him is focused on the woman walking toward him, smiling through tears of her own.

When they finally reach the altar, Declan gently places Aurelia's hand into Keith's.

"Take care of her."

Keith's fingers close around hers immediately. "I'll spend the rest of my life doing exactly that."

Declan smiles and gives a single nod before stepping away.

The ceremony itself is surprisingly simple. There are no grand speeches or elaborate promises. Just two people speaking honestly after everything they'd survived together.

Keith speaks first.

"Aurelia..." His voice is steady, but I hear the emotion beneath it. "My Maneskin."

A smile trembles across her face.

"Before you, I measured my life by responsibilities. Somewhere along the way, you reminded me there was something worth coming home to."

He brings both of her hands into his.

"You became the light I never knew I was searching for. I promise to choose you every day, to protect you, to stand beside you through whatever life asks of us, and to spend the rest of mylife proving that loving you will always be the easiest decision I'll ever make."

Aurelia smiles through tears. When she begins speaking, her voice trembles only slightly.

"Everyone always saw the man people feared. I was lucky enough to meet the man who loved quietly, protected fiercely, and made me feel safe long before I ever realized I needed saving."

She squeezes his hands. "I'll choose you today, tomorrow, and every day after that."

By the time they exchange rings, there isn't a dry eye among the people closest to them. Even Theo has abandoned every attempt to pretend he isn't crying.

The officiant smiles warmly. "By the authority vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Applause erupts across the cliffside. Keith doesn't hesitate. He pulls Aurelia into his arms and kisses her as though, for one perfect moment, the rest of the world simply ceases to exist.

By evening, the reception has transformed the grand ballroom into something magical.

Crystal chandeliers scatter warm light across polished marble floors while a live orchestra plays near the dance floor. Waiters move gracefully through the crowd carrying champagne and hors d'oeuvres, laughter echoes from every corner of the room, and everywhere I look people seem lighter than they had only days ago.