1 year later

It's been a year since the whole debacle with Sinclair. Sin has caused a lot of trouble, both he and Axel are getting into fights over who should be in power. The two egotistical bastards are making it hell for everyone in their pack to live peacefully. It is absolutely hilarious watching Sinclair live his life as a human. My beautiful Ana was right about this being a worse punishment than death.

As for her, I have been working with her on her new powers and getting them under control. She and I have come a long way in our relationship. With no additional problems in our way, we have spent the better half of our year bettering our kingdom and spending time together.

I moved the hair covering her face out of the way and was graced with a stunning face. Her eyes were closed as she slept soundly on my chest, snoring softly. I bent my head down to kiss her on her forehead while making circles with my thumb on her cheek. Her naked body was covered with a thin white sheet from our activities from the night before.

"Ari.." Ana muttered in her sleep.

That immediately put a smile on my face, knowing that my girl was thinking about me in her sleep. Analise needed all the sleep she could get, especially for our big day today.

"Te amo, regina mea" I whispered to her.

Ana moved around in my arms before coming on top of me and snuggling into the crook of my neck. I moved my eyes to the diamond on her finger, which always reminds me of the day I proposed to her.

"Ari, where are we going?" Ana asked me as I took her to the roof of our palace.

I put my hands under her knee and picked her up from the ground.

"It's a surprise, amare," I replied.

"You know I can fly by myself now?" she asked me.

"I know, but I love you in my arms," I said, giving her a wink.

Ana rolled her eyes at me before giving me a kiss on the cheek. I flew into the sky, taking the two of us towards our cloud.

Once we landed, Ana asked, "Why are we here, Ari?"

"Why do you want to be in our special cloud?" I teased her.

"Of course, I want to be here, silly. I was just wondering why we're up here?"

"To look at the stunning view of our kingdom."

Ana turned to look and said, "It is beautiful, isn't it?"

"Gorgeous," I replied, taking the ring box out of my pocket.

I got down on one knee as she turned around to say something, but the words got stuck in her throat as she gasped in surprise.

Tears flowed down her face as I said, "I've spent an eon alone with only three people by my side for some parts of the years. I waited for my mate for the first few centuries of my life, but gave up when I thought you were not there. It filled me with anger and hate at the fact that I had to live an eternal life, but now I'm grateful for that life because I will spend it with you. Forever's not enough time to be with you, my beautiful girl, so will you do me the honor of marrying me?"

"Yes, yes, yes," Ana said, going down on her knees to hug me.

I pulled away just for a second to put the black diamond engagement ring on her finger before wrapping my arms around me forever.

"Arius..." My voice pulled me out of my head.

I turned to see Ana awake and said, "Good morning."

"Good morning," she said, planting a kiss on my lips.

"I need to get out of here before Legra figures out I sneaked out to see you," Ana said.

"I think she's gone more psycho over the wedding than the two of us," I said, getting out of bed to grab a robe for Ana.

"Leave it alone, Ari, she needs this after everything that has happened with her family."

"I know, darling mate. You better move your cute little butt out of here. I'll see you on the aisle."

Kissing her one last time, Ana scurried out of here and back to her old room in the palace.

God, I can't wait to marry her.

I spent the day getting ready for my big day. My hair was curled to perfection, and I placed my crown on top of my head, along with the veil. For my makeup, I had a natural look and my body was adorned with some of the crown jewels. As for my dress, it was a stunning ballgown fit for a queen.

I placed the heels on my feet and stood up to look at myself in the mirror. A small tear fell from my eye, but caught it before it ruined my makeup. I smiled at myself in pure happiness. I was about to get married to my soulmate in only a few minutes.

Allegra came up from behind me and said, "You look ethereal, Ana. Arius will probably have heartache when he sees you."

I looked at her and said, "Thank you."

She kissed my cheek before leaving the room and taking her place. I gazed one last time at myself, knowing that the next time I see myself, I will be a married woman. I made my way behind the grand entrance to the throne room. As the music started, Allegra and Zephyra went in first as my two bridesmaids.

Finally, it was my turn.

I entered the room and immediately placed my eyes on my future husband. Arius had a few tears streaming down his face as I walked towards him. I couldn't stop smiling while I walked down the aisle.

All my old and new friends were seated, along with my parents. I walked without my father to show that I was equal to Arius. Walking down the aisle, I could see both my past and my future. Ari came when I needed him most and was beyond anything I could have ever imagined.

Today will be the day I become Analise Mortem.

I fell in love with a man with a darkened heart, who was feared by many.

But at the end of the day, aren't we all a little darkened?