Chapter 43: Chapter 43

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"Mom? Can you tell me that story again?"

Candice smiled as she tucked her in the bed "Why do you want to hear it, baby girl?" she asked. She looked at me and smiled, showing her incomplete set of teeth.

"Because it's my favorite story, ever!" she giggled. "Please, I want to hear it before I go to sleep," the young girl pleaded with her puppy eyes. Candice sighed and sat beside her. When she's like this, she really couldn't resist her cuteness.

"Okay, okay, so here it goes..."

"One day, this werewolf woman got kidnapped by the enemies, not knowing that she's carrying a baby in her belly. Because of it, she cried and cried while waiting for her mate to come. Then in the room where she was put in, the vampire boy appeared out of nowhere," Candice told her daughter's own experience in a story as she caressed her soft hair.

"The woman was confused, but the boy caressed her hair and put his little hand in her belly. He said to the woman that she's pregnant. The woman didn't believe him at first, but she knew something's different with her for the past few days. She looked at the boy and asked, 'What are you doing here?' the boy looked at her and pointed his tiny finger on her belly..."

"And what, Mommy?" she excitedly asked. Candice pinched her nose, her impatient little wolf.

"And he said 'Mate,'" her eyes twinkled. She hugged her pillows and smiled sweetly at her mother.

"Mommy did they live happily ever after?" she innocently asked, not knowing it was her that her mother talks about. Candice looked straight in her eyes and smiled.

"I hope so, baby girl. I hope so".

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Years had passed since the war ended, but all of them are still grieving for their friends and comrades' loss. They won't forget what happened that day; it will always remain in their hearts and minds. Justice was already served. The rogue vampires and werewolves were banished and had lifetime imprisonment with a witch's seal on their bodies, forbidding them to use their powers.

And today, Sebastian and Cassandra were to tie a knot.

Cassandra looked at the mirror. She smiled as she caressed her wedding gown that her mother personally picked out for her. She picked up her earrings and put them in her ear when she heard a soft knock. Cassandra glanced at the door and muttered, 'Come in.' Her father and mother entered with a bouquet of roses. She smiled and rushed to hug them.

"You are so beautiful, baby girl!" Candice complimented her daughter as she wiped her tears.

"Mom! No, crying!" Cassandra reminded her mother while his father laughed.

"I know! I can't help it. It's your big day today," Candice said. "I can't believe that time passed by quickly. You were just this little, but now, you are going to be a bride," she added while sobbing. Her father handed her a tissue, which she gladly took. Casandra controlled her tears, threatening to spill, and hugged her mother again.

"Mom, thanks for everything. Thank you for the sacrifices that you and Dad made for us. I will always be grateful to you, Mom. I love you," Cassandra said while her voice cracked. Candice hugged her back.

"NO CRYING!" Candice said, and they both giggled. Blake sighed but hugged both of them, his treasures. They sat on the chair and saw a frame atop the table. It was Sebastian with his family.

"Is that his brother?" Candice asked. Cassandra nodded in response. Sebastian was still searching for his brother, but there was no luck. When Sebastian found out that his half-brother was involved in Albarin's plan, it took a massive toll on him. They weren't close or affectionate to each other, but Sebastian did everything to find him. Cassandra heard that they never saw Sebastian's brother; although some of the traitors in the Council got caught, others vanished into thin air, including his brother.

"You ready, baby girl?" Blake asked and glanced at his wristwatch. I nodded my head at him. "You sure? You don't want to back out? We can still make it if you want," he added, which made her daughter smile. Her mother nudged at his father and glared.

"I'm ready to go, Dad," Cassandra happily answered.

"Let's go."

They went out of the room and saw her twin brother, Blaze, leaning against the wall. Blake let go of her daughter's hand, said that it would be her twin brother who will be the one bringing her inside.

"You looked ugly," Blaze said. Cassandra laughed and smacked his shoulder. "Ugly and sadist. I pity Sebastian for having you as his wife," he added and tsk-ed. Cassandra rolled her eyes at him, but they ended up laughing together.

"Hey, I have something to give to you," Blaze said. He took something out of his pants side pocket; it was a small box. He handed it to Cassandra and grinned; she took it and uttered her thanks. Cassandra carefully opened the box and cried when she saw what's inside. It's a necklace with a twin wolves' pendant.

"Blaze..."

"Hey! No crying," Blaze said. Cassandra removed the necklace on her neck and handed the ones that Blaze gave. Blaze smiled while putting the necklace on her sister.

"There," he said.

"It's beautiful," Cassandra mumbled. He smiled and offered his hand, which Cassandra gladly took. As they enter the garden filled with butterflies, all eyes looked at them, but Cassandra looked at the handsome man in front, her groom. Suddenly, their favorite song resonated in the garden.

It was also her parents' wedding song, and Cassandra wanted it to play at her wedding. While walking down the aisle, she remembered all of the happy and painful moments together. And seeing Sebastian today, Cassandra knew she'd love him for the rest of her life.

Cassandra didn't notice that they were already in front. Sebastian smiled and thanked her brother. Blaze handed his sister's hand to Sebastian.

"Don't hurt my sister or else..." Blaze threatened.

"Rest assured because I won't," Sebastian immediately answered. Blaze left and sat beside his wife.

"You are so beautiful, my wife," Sebastian said and kissed her hand.

"And you are absolute handsome, my husband," she replied.

"We are gathered here today to celebrate one of life's greatest moments, the joining of two hearts and to give recognition to the worth and beauty of love, and to add our best wishes to the words which shall unite this couple in marriage," Elijah said. Cassandra and Sebastian picked him to do the wedding.

"Sebastian Alistair Blood, do you take Cassandra Louise Reese to be your wife?" Elijah asked. Sebastian looked at me and gently touched my hand.

"I do."

"Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect her, forsaking all others and holding only unto her?" Elijah said.

"I do," Sebastian answered. Cassandra saw him wiped his tears; she decided to hand him a tissue that her mother made her bring.

"Cassandra Louise Reese, do you take Sebastian Alistair Blood to be your husband?" Elijah asked.

"I do," Cassandra replied.

"Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect him, forsaking all others and holding only unto him?" he added.

"I do," Cassandra answered. Sebastian smiled, tears flowing in his eyes. They were both crying. Cassandra smiled and breathed deeply. It's time for their vows.

"Cassandra, my love, the first time I saw you, I know it may sound cheesy, but my heart skipped a beat. I knew right there that you are the one for me," Sebastian said. While holding the microphone.

"I fell in love with you because of your brave personality because you are an amazing person. This is not the easiest path for us because of our differences, but I won't take any mates other than you, my love. I will not promise that I won't make you cry, but I promise I won't hurt you. I will work hard every day to make you happy. Thank you for everything. You are my sun, my

moon, and all of my stars. I love you, my love. I, Sebastian Alistair Blood, take you, Cassandra Louise Reese, to be my wife, my life partner, and my one true love. I will cherish you today, tomorrow, and forever. This is my solemn vow," he ended. Sebastian hurriedly wiped the tears on his face, and Cassandra did the same. Thanks to her waterproof make-up, she was able to cry while still looking pretty. She breathed and looked directly into her mate's eyes.

"Blood, the first time I saw you, I thought of you as a cold-hearted player and a heartbreaker, but as the days passed by, you proved me that I'm wrong," Cassandra began.

"You were any girl could wish for everything that I am so damn lucky to have you as my mate. Thank you for everything. Thank you for always being there for me. I will fight any battles as long as you're with me, my love. I will always love you, no matter what others may say. I love you to the moon and back, my love, always. Cassandra Louise Reese, take you, Sebastian Alistair Blood, to be my husband, life partner, and my one true love. I will cherish you today, tomorrow, and forever. This is my solemn vow," she ended and hugged Sebastian.

"By the power vested in me, I pronounce you as duly married. Sebastian Alistair Blood, you may now kiss your bride," Elijah said while grinning widely. Sebastian lifted Cassandra's veil and gently cupped my face.

"Finally, you are mine," he said and captured Cassandra's lips with his. They heard loud claps and cheers coming from the crowd. Sebastian smiled and carried her in his arms.

"It's not easy from the start because I'm a werewolf, and he's a vampire. We're both from different worlds but then love connected us. It was love that brought us here. Who would have thought that this could ever happen? The peculiar love between a werewolf and a vampire continues to bloom forever and ever."

Cassandra closed her journal and put her pen down. "Mommy!" her bubbly five years old son yelled while her husband was chasing after him. Cassandra looked at her treasures and smiled. She couldn't wish for more because she has them in her life: her Sebastian and their son, Apollo.