It didn't take us long to sail to their locations. Diving squads were sent to retrieve the two women. All of us were on the boat that found Sophie. She was frazzled and gasping for air when she finally reached the surface. She cried into Alec's arms and wailed about the agony of drowning over and over again.

We received word that Alena was safely retrieved. We went back to France to make sure all the injured were helped. The enemy vampires were put to death while the innocents were healed. The critically injured wolves stayed at the palace since it was unsafe to move people with such serious injuries.

My uncle, Domenico, and the rest of the pack left for Italy. They didn't want to stay away for long in case some rogue wolves tried to overtake the villa.

Hailey and Taemin quickly healed and were back to working. Lexi was so relieved that they were alright. She was a nervous wreck the entire time. Alena scolded Hailey and told her never to scare her like that again. Hailey just laughed and pulled the woman into a hug. Lexi was jumping up and down in anger at Taemin and Hailey. Taemin resorted to picking up the small girl and throwing her over his shoulder. She beat against his back, but he ignored her and continued talking to us like everything was normal.

A few days later, a new monarch had to be crowned. Alena and Alec immediately stated that Lara should be Queen. She gave them a soft smile as she declined the throne. The council and her family gasped in shock. She said that her brother was older and therefore should be the king. Lara also stated that she didn't have the same discipline and temperament to rule a kingdom as her brother did. Alec accepted the throne, but bowed before her at the coronation. The two then embraced in a long hug.

When things calmed down, Lara and I left for Italy. My uncle thought it was the right thing for him to step down so that I could take my rightful place as Queen. Much to his dismay and shock, I rejected the throne. I told him that I didn't have as much experience as him and that he should continue being the amazing ruler he is. I also said that I would continue helping out our kingdom by working with our leaders to find any potential threats to our kingdom, with the help of my friends. I pacified my uncle by stating that I'd receive the proper training so that one day I can take the throne.

Alena and Hailey left for America so that they could continue running the business. With Alec gone, Hailey had taken over the mantle of COO. It was more work, but they were fine with it since vampires don't tend to get tired.

Taemin stayed behind at the castle to watch over Alec and Sophie. Lexi had decided to join Matt, Jade, and Zayn to find potential threats. Basically, she joined the CIA. The four of them were now protecting the world from terrorists.

Lara decided to join me in searching for anyone that dare threaten the peace between our species. We'd find rogues and dispose of them. We really made a great pair.

I was currently lying in my bed. We decided to permanently reside in Italy since it would give my uncle some peace of mind. My uncle had recently given me a picture of my father and mother. Dante was the spitting image of my father. I'm not sure how their parents were able to tell them apart. I subconsciously ran my finger over my father's face.

"Hey, can we go somewhere?" I rolled over in the bed to see Lara enter the room.

"Sure!" I jumped up.

"It's a little hike." She smiled and offered her hand.

We hiked through the lush green vegetation. I had to stop sometimes to admire the beautiful flowers and their fragrant smells. We walked through a secret garden in between the mountain walls. I looked up to see the bright sky.

Lara smiled at me as she led me deeper inside this hidden place. I was confused when she stopped at a stone plate. She knelt down and rubbed away the dirt so that I could actually read the stone. I gasped once I read it.

"Enzo Ricci." I breathed out.

"I would like to do something for you." She nervously placed her hands behind her back. "My father killed your father and I'm sure your dad was much better than mine. You were never given the chance to speak with him. I'd like to give you that opportunity if you'd let me." I nodded.

She stepped back and closed her eyes. When she opened them, her eyes were obsidian black and purple mist formed around her hand. She began saying something in Latin. I stared at the headstone, waiting for something to happen. And then, something did happen.

Yellow mist rose from the ground before settling into the form of a man. His features settled so that I was staring at my father. Tears streamed down my face as he moved to embrace me. I'm not sure how he didn't disintegrate since he was a ghost, but I didn't question it as I hugged back.

"You're so beautiful." His Italian accent rang out.

"Dad." He nodded and hugged me tighter.

"I'll give you some time." I turned to see Lara giving us a small smile.

"Before you go, thank you for protecting my daughter. Don't blame yourself for what your father did. You are not him and not defined by your family name. Thank you and you have my blessing."

"Thank you, sir." Lara shyly looked down and smiled. She gave me one last look before leaving.

My father and I spoke till it was way past nightfall. He told me stories from when he was growing up. He told me all the pranks he used to do on Dante. His mother would yell at him for making his baby brother cry, especially when he'd push Dante into the ocean.

I relayed to him everything from meeting Lara to the war we won. He gritted his teeth every time I mentioned the vampire king. He was pleased Alec took up the mantle. He claimed Alec would be a fair and just king.

I told him about mom and our family. I could tell he was a little saddened knowing my mother had remarried, but he was happy she found happiness. He especially liked to hear me talk about my siblings. In the end, he approved of my mom's husband.

I told him about my friends and how they trained me. He was grateful Matt was able to succeed in keeping us safe. He laughed when I told him stories about Jade and I ganging up on Zayn. Well, I actually found out Matt is 634, Jade is 458, and Zayn is only 247.

My dad then wanted to know everything about Lara. I tried to gloss over everything, but he wanted the deets. Who knew my father was into gossip? I told him about our first meeting, putting up with her antics, and ultimately where we were now. He smiled when I talked about the mate bond.

I saw the dark sky begin to lighten. My dad looked up at the sky as well. I can't believe we spent the entire night talking. Lara came back to see us.

"The light will weaken the spell a little. I'm trying to find a stronger spell where you can permanently retain your form, even with the sunlight."

"It's alright. I'm happy that I got to see my daughter." He embraced and kissed my head. "See you soon." He then disappeared.

"You can speak with him every night if you-" I cut her off with a kiss.

"Thank you." She smiled at me. "I want to watch the sunrise. Can we find a ledge?" She nodded and led me to a ledge overlooking the breathtaking view of Amalfi.

We dangled our feet over as the sun began to rise. I entwined our hands, causing Lara to bring them up to her lips for a kiss. I sighed in content as I rested my head on her shoulder.

"How do you feel about the end of the vampire king? Are you saddened?"

"Hell, no." Well, I was expecting at least a teeny bit of sadness over the death of her father. "My only regret was that I didn't kill him sooner." She stared at the ocean.

"I'm just grateful everything is over and we're all okay." I smiled as I looked up at her.

She stood up and held her hand out, pulling me up. I smiled at her. She smiled back before shifting her gaze to the beautiful horizon. She then turned back to me with a complex expression. I opened my mouth to speak, but she spoke first.

"I just want to say that I thought I was living, but I was wrong because I didn't truly start living until I met you. My world was filled with lust and death. I thought happiness was found in pleasure points along the body. Never would I have imagined that true happiness is found when the soul is content with love. I've waited an eternity for you and you surpassed everything I deserve. You tell me you love me, but I constantly wonder if I deserve your love and devotion. I'm not perfect, but I will strive to meet your standards everyday." She then got down on one knee. "Amelia Ginevra Ricci, will you be my forever?" She held up the ring my biological father proposed to my mother with.

"Y-Yes." I had tears streaming down my face.

She stood up and kissed me. I swung my arms around her neck as she dipped me.

"You like it?" She slipped the ring on.

"Yes." Tears were falling from my eyes. "This is the ring my dad gave his Luna." I stared at it in awe. "H-how?"

"He gave me permission, remember?" I nodded. "Your mother slipped me the ring before we left Montana and told me the meaning behind it. She wanted you to have a family heirloom." I nodded and kissed her.

"It's beautiful." I continued staring at the ring. "Thank you."

"Well, I wouldn't thank me... because now you're stuck with me forever." I rolled my eyes and pulled her in for a deeper kiss.