After The Vows Novels & Stories

At her, this announcement the curious chatter started around the crowd but when the healer again cleared her throat, it became quiet. “Instead of vows of solemn to be chanted after the binding, we are going to do it now. first, the lovely couple will say their personal vows then the family and loved ones with help them chant the solemn vows.” After announcing this the healer looked at us and nodded at us to start.

I blow her a kiss and she returns it. I turn back to Malachi and continue my vows. “I promise to love you until my last breath and if I have anything to do with it also in the afterlife. I love you Malachi and I am looking forward to our future together,” I confess, grabbing his hand. He uses the back of his other hand to wipe his eyes. The councilman comes forth, smiling between the two of us. “Thank you for sharing your vows with all of us. The rings you are about to place on each other's fingers are symbols of the love you expressed,” he says, waiting for us.

The hall had gone completely silent. “And for as long as this binding holds,” I finished, “I will stand beside you. Loud, unapologetic, and exactly as I am. That is what you get. That is the whole of it.” His lips tilted up and the Elder let the silence stretch a beat longer, then nodded slowly. “Spoken and witnessed by the moon.” He raised his hands and the hall stilled further. “The vows are given. The promises are bound. What remains now is the sealing of the covenant, witnessed beneath the moon and carried in the flesh.” He looked between us. “You will mark one another.”

Our blood mingled in the silver chalice before being pressed to each other’s lips. Ancient words were spoken. Binding. Irrevocable. When it came time to mark, I hesitated only a fraction before leaning in. My teeth grazed her skin, enough to seal the ritual without claiming more than necessary. Her fingers brushed my jaw, lingering. Possessive. The vows were exchanged beneath the moonlight. And just like that, it was done. Applause rose again, wilder this time. Wolves howled in approval. From across the courtyard, I saw Cael’s expression darken before he turned and disappeared into the night.

I loved Cassidy more than anything. Although she had been involved with countless men, and she had even cheated on me with Henry, the fake heir, I still couldn't bring myself to let her go. I worked out, took medication, and did everything I could because I wanted to have a child with her. When the doctor finally told me today that I met the required fertility criteria, I grabbed the test results and rushed straight to her office. "Cassidy, I–" My voice came to an abrupt halt. Cassidy was passionately kissing her new male secretary with her arms wrapped around him. She glanced at me impatiently. "Get out!" I suddenly came to my senses. I could accept having a wife like her, but coul

Only the vows that would bind them further than their mate bond would. You are mine and I am yours. Where you go, I will go. Your happiness is my happiness and your grief is my grief. From this day until the day we depart this world. Then, the Elder handed Denzel an ornate dagger with which he pricked his thumb and gently smeared the drop of blood that had formed, down Cinnia's lips. Cinna repeated the same and then they shared a deep kiss, sealing the vows forever as the pack members cheered and whistled.

She took his hand. Deliberately. Curled his fingers against her face herself. His breath caught. The last time they’d done this, there had been a gun between them. This time, there was only skin. “Try again,” she said. “Without the contracts. Without the threats. Without Elara’s eyes on us. We may not get long. But we get to choose what we are with what we have.” He nodded once. Slow. “Vows,” he said. “No churches,” she said immediately.

“Still sounds like a marriage to me.” Silence filled the kitchen after the call ended. Lucas leaned against the counter. Elias leaned against the table. They looked at each other, neither speaking. Finally, Elias broke it. “You ever think about that?” Lucas frowned slightly. “About what?” “Marriage. Again.” Lucas sat down, taking his time with the answer. “I used to think vows meant everything. That once you said the words, nothing could touch you. Then I learned they don’t mean much without action.”

Even the choice of our wedding venue had nothing to do with me anymore. That night I slept at a friend’s house. Shane never once tried to contact me. The next day, after finishing my work handover, I stepped into the villa and was greeted by the sound of Tania’s laughter. "During the vows, there must be rose petals drifting down from both sides. That’s what makes it romantic." Shane sat beside her, his eyes locked onto her with a tenderness I had never once received. "Anything you want," he said warmly. She had his devotion, something I had never been granted.

Luca immediately swore, "Of course, Katerina! I swear on the honor of my Famiglia that I will only love you for the rest of my life! "My last name, my Famiglia—everything I have belongs to you!" I didn't say another word and silently signed my name on the contract. Luca thought that I was completely unaware of his tricks. I was just going to let him think that way, though. He would soon learn the price he would have to pay for deceiving me.