Page 155 of Rescued By the Beast

"I'm also supernatural," Lucy reveals, her eyes shining with serene certainty. "By uniting with him, I will live for centuries... perhaps millennia."

My throat goes dry.

"Centuries?"

"You're my only family, Sandra." His voice is soft, but it carries enormous weight. "I don't want to live to see you leave. It's hard to accept, but... There's a way to change that."

My breathing quickens.

"What do you mean?"

Shadow takes over the conversation.

"I have a proposal."

My eyes dart to Mark, who looks as tense as I am.

"I want to give you the same chance I gave Lucy," Shadow continues. "I can make a bond pact. I can unite my essence with yours and grant you immortality."

The silence hangs heavy like a thick fog.

"What...?" I whisper.

"You would remain young forever," Shadow explains. "You would look the same, but you would needglamourspells to hide it from others.

"At least we wouldn't have to suck the youth out of others like the old witch," I murmur to Mark.

Our eyes meet.

I can see in him the same conflict I feel inside myself.

Hope and fear, intertwined.

An eternity together wouldn't be a problem.

But would it be worth seeing all our friends gone while we remain here?

"I would do it for you, Kitten," Mark says softly.

My eyes well up.

"Really?"

He lifts my hand and kisses it.

"That way, I don't have to wake up every day afraid that it will be your last," his voice carries raw emotion. "That an accident or an unexpected attack will take you away from me."

A sob escapes my throat.

"And I wouldn't have to fear that your life would be shorter than mine..."

"You don't have to decide now," Lucy says softly.

But I already know the answer.

I look at Mark. He stares back at me, and I know we're thinking the same thing.

"You can answer, love," he whispers against my ear. "You know I want you forever... and even eternity wouldn't be enough."

I feel a shiver run down my spine, and I turn my face, seeking his lips. Our kiss carries all the promise of what is to come. When I pull away for air, opening my eyes, I remember where we are, and what I still need to say...

"We accept."

The word leaves my lips like a sacred declaration, sealing everything we are and everything we will be.

An eternity with him, that is my happy ending.

Or rather...

A happy beginning.