Page 129 of Alaska Lights

This is our wedding song. I get to dance with Leo for all eternity, and that’s something everyone should be jealous of.

“We will have to make sure we dance to this every night. Even when we go to visit Kentucky and Oklahoma.” They were here for the wedding but had to go back home for the kids, or I know they would have loved to be here, especially Oklahoma.

“I’ll dance with you for all our eternities, Alaska.”

The ceiling parts, melting away and revealing a giant retractable skylight. Darkness falls across the club. Bodies barely move. The song still plays through the speakers, surrounding us as the northern lights glow above us.

Greens, reds, yellows, and blues travel across the constellation-filled night.

I realize then he’s the light I’ve always needed.

Since being with him, I’ve learned silence is overrated. I don’t know how I lived in such quiet for so long. Leo is the volume I did not know I was missing. I spent centuries muted and alone, going through the motions because I had to, not because I wanted to.

I never want to experience silence again.

One year later

It’s been an entire year of marriage to my Honeybee, and if this is the kind of love I have to look forward to, I can’t wait for eternity.

Our daughter, Eleni, is my pride and joy, and she is a spitting image of her father, Leo. She has big green eyes that turn red when she’s hungry, but it’s the way she looks at me that always makes my heart warm. Besides Leo, no one has ever looked at me with so much love.

I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it.

I check the horizon, realizing it’s time I head home. “Come on, Mustache Man. Let’s call it a day.” He neighs in agreement and, without having to guide him, he walks home of his own accord.

The closer we get, not only does the bond with Leo get more intense, but another bond does. A bond I only feel when Oklahoma is around, since I’m his maker. I used to have a massive amount of guilt about turning Oklahoma into a vampire, but seeing his life now, I know I made the right decision saving him.

Instead of making him my next meal.

I can’t believe I used to go to Tornado Alley to feed on victims. I really was fucking lost and cruel, only a few steps away from having no humanity at all.

Since I’m Oklahoma’s maker, I can sense him when he is near. It’s similar to a low buzz like white noise when an old TV doesn’t have service, a static that pops through an adjacent bond.

I ignore it. Maybe I just miss him. I’ve been more sentimental lately, ever since Eleni was born. I care more about others and the people in my life. Instead of pushing them away, I’ve been holding them close, not wanting to waste another second.

Even Leo’s sister, Lyra, lives with us now. I built a cabin where the barn used to be, and she’s living there. She ended up being fated mates with Soren and Glenn. Now, Leo doesn’t have to spend eternity without his best friend.

Everything in life couldn’t be better.

Mustache Man’s hooves thud against the ground as we make our way down the muddy path that leads to the front of the house.

My brows pull together when I hear whispers coming from inside. Whispers from multiple people. There are heartbeats too, more than usual.

Mustache Man neighs again, coming to a stop on his own by the trough. I slip off the saddle and give his neck a quick pat.

“I guess I need to see what’s going on in there, don’t I?”

Mustache Man flicks his tail left and right before dropping his head, taking a few big, long swallows of fresh water.

I readjust my cowboy hat and make my way up the steps.

“Shhh. He’s coming!” Leo whispers a little too loudly, and I smile, leaning my head closer to the door so I can hear what’s going on.

“I think he probably knows,” Soren tries his best to whisper in return.

“No, he doesn’t. I’ve kept it a surprise,” Leo explains, the harsh whispering becoming louder with every word spoken.

“I mean, he probably hears us,” Lorcan points out.