After the wedding ceremony concluded, and the guests began to disperse, Avery and her mates made their way back to their quarters in the Vampire King's palace. Despite the chaos that had unfolded during the ceremony, there was a sense of relief and accomplishment that hung in the air. The palace, grand and imposing, seemed to breathe a sigh of respite along with them, its ancient walls echoing their footsteps as they walked.

As they entered their shared quarters, the tension of the day ...