Chapter 230: The ’I Do’s

​At the end of the aisle, Reid waited for me. Dressed in a sharp, dark charcoal tux that broadened his shoulders and highlighted his striking grey eyes, he looked completely breathless. As my father and I reached the altar, Reid stepped down a single stair, offering his hand with a slight, nervous tremor in his fingers.

​My father looked at Reid, his gaze piercing and stern for two long seconds. Then, slowly, he transferred my hand into Reid’s palm.

​"Take care of my boy, McCoy," my father said, his voice deep and resonant. "You have my trust... For now."

​"Yes sir! I will take care of him with my life, sir," Reid answered without a second of hesitation, his grip on my hand warm, firm, and completely protective.

As my father took his seat, Reid pulled me up onto the altar beside him. He didn’t take his eyes off me for a single second. His thumb gently stroked the back of my hand, his dark eyes scanning my face, my soft makeup, and the tailored white tailcoat with a reverence that made my heart flutter wildly against my ribs.

"You look..." Reid rasped, his voice rough with emotion as he leaned in slightly, whispering so only I could hear. "...absolutely breathtaking, Kain. I don’t even know what I did to deserve you."

"You showed up at the wrong place, and at the wrong time," I whispered back, a radiant, tender smile breaking across my face as I recalled the day he found out my secret during the trip at lake placid, how I had straddled him, how we both broke our virginity, how he became a pain in the ass, how I gradually began to rely on his pheromones, how feelings had festered... How we got here. "And you stayed."

The officiant began the ceremony, their words echoing through the peaceful, sunlit chapel, but the rest of the world faded into background noise.

All I could feel was the heat of Reid’s palm, the steady, rhythmic beat of our shared presence, and the quiet, fluttery warmth resting deep in my lower stomach.

When it came time for the vows, Reid didn’t look at his card. He held both of my hands, looking directly into my eyes with a raw, unshakable devotion.

"Kain," Reid said, his voice steady and deep, carrying clearly through the hall. "I promised I’d stand in front of you when the world got ugly. But today, I promise to walk beside you through every quiet, beautiful moment that comes next. I give you my heart, my life, and my name. You’re my Captain, my partner, and my home."

Tears pricked the corners of my eyes as I squeezed his hands, my voice clear and full of love. "Reid. It feels like I’ve spent my whole life fighting alone... until I met with. With you, I found a place where I could finally rest. I choose you today, tomorrow, and for every year we have ahead. I’m yours."

The officiant smiled warmly, looking between the two of us as the chapel fell completely still.

"Reid McCoy, do you take Kain Evans to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do," Reid answered instantly, his voice unwavering, dark grey eyes locked onto mine without missing a single beat.

The officiant turned to me, his expression soft and encouraging. "And do you, Kain Evans, take Reid McCoy to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, for as long as you both shall live?"

I took a slow breath, a soft, radiant smile breaking through my tears. "I do."

"Then by the power vested in me," the officiant declared, his voice echoing joyfully through the hall, "I now pronounce you married. You may kiss."

Reid didn’t wait another second. He closed the distance, wrapping his arm around my waist to pull me flush against him—mindful and gentle, yet possessive and deep. His lips met mine in a sweet, lingering kiss that tasted of absolute victory, endless promises, and the bright, unwritten future waiting for us.

The entire chapel exploded into roaring cheers. The Serpents whistled and shouted, confetti rained down over us, and as Reid pulled back, looking at me with a brilliant, breathless laugh, I knew my father was right.

There was no mistake here. We were made for each other—and our story was just getting started.

...

After the wedding, I thought all the chaos would be over and that I could finally lay my head on my pillow but... I thought wrong.

I stared at the two massive hardshell suitcases sitting by the suite door, then down at the boarding passes my mother had just pressed into my hands.

"Why am I just finding out about this now?" I asked, looking up in complete disbelief.

I turned to Reid for answers, but even he looked utterly bewildered. He held his own passport in one hand, his broad shoulders rising in a clueless, lopsided shrug.

My mom just smiled warmly, adjusting the collar of my coat with a smooth, completely unbothered tap.

"You’re unemployed and just married," she said plainly, as if stating the most obvious fact in the world. "Make sure to take your sweet time relaxing in Hawaii."

"Unemployed?" I echoed, my voice squeaking slightly. "Mom, I don’t care what anyone says but I am simply retired."

"Same thing," Marina chimed in from the doorway, swirling her champagne glass with a wicked grin. "No games, no training camp, no media pressers. Just beaches, palm trees, and zero stress for the baby. Everything’s booked—private villa, personal chef, zero legal teams allowed within a five-mile radius."

Brad McCoy stepped up beside them, chuckling softly as he handed Reid a second folder. "Consider it a joint wedding present from both families. Your flight leaves in three hours, boys. The car is already waiting downstairs."

Reid looked down at the boarding passes, then over at me, a low, breathless laugh rumbling deep in his chest. The initial confusion on his face quickly melted into that familiar, hopelessly devoted smirk. He slid his arm around my waist, pulling me against his side and nudging my shoulder with his.

"Well, honey..." Reid murmured softly against my ear, his dark grey eyes gleaming with amusement, "sounds like we’ve got an emergency vacation to catch."

I looked at the luggage, then at my smug family, and finally up at my brand-new husband. A helpless, breathless laugh spilled out of my throat as I shook my head, my hand coming to rest flat over my stomach.

Hawaii. No ice, no media, no family drama. Just us.