She let him pull her toward the bar entrance, positioning them directly under the mistletoe. The crowd around them had started to notice, conversations dropping to interested murmurs.
"Dante." Maeve's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "What are you doing?"
"Following tradition." He reached into his pocket, pulling out the pendant. "And asking a question."
Her breath caught when she saw what he held. The carved lions gleamed in lamplight, catching every detail he'd labored over. Her fingers trembled slightly as she reached out to touch them.
"You made this?" Her voice came out barely a whisper.
"Spent nine days getting it right." He opened the clasp, holding it up so she could see how the lions fit together perfectly."Two alphas. Equal strength. Choosing to stand together instead of fighting alone."
"Dante." Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.
"I know we're already mated." He kept his voice steady despite his heart hammering. "The bond's sealed. We're connected for life. But I want more than that, Maeve. I want the choice, the ceremony, the promise in front of everyone who matters."
He went down on one knee, ignoring the collective gasp from the watching crowd. "I want to marry you. Build a life with you. Stand beside you through whatever comes next. No crown, no chains, just us choosing each other every single day."
The tavern had gone completely silent. Even the fire seemed to hold its breath.
Maeve stared down at him, her dark gold eyes bright with emotions he could feel echoing between them. Love. Fear. Hope. Joy.
"Yes." The word came out fierce and sure. "Yes, I'll marry you."
The tavern erupted in cheers as he surged to his feet, catching her mouth in a kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him back with everything she had while their friends and neighbors celebrated around them.
When they finally broke apart, he fastened the pendant around her neck with hands that only shook slightly. The carved lions settled against her collarbone, right above her mate mark, gleaming like they belonged there.
"It's perfect." She touched it reverently. "You're perfect."
"I'm really not." He pulled her close, resting his forehead against hers. "But I'm yours."
"Damn right you are." She kissed him again, softer this time. "My future husband." Her smile turned wicked. "Getting ideas already?"
"So many ideas." He nipped her jaw. "Most of them inappropriate for public."
"Good thing we live upstairs."
"Someone start the countdown!" Twyla's voice carried over the noise. "We've got one minute to midnight!"
The crowd began counting together, champagne glasses raised, voices blending into joyful chaos. Dante kept Maeve tucked against his side, his hand splayed possessively over her hip.
"Sixty! Fifty-nine! Fifty-eight!"
"Any New Year's resolutions?" Maeve asked, her fingers playing with the pendant.
"Just one." He kissed her temple. "Make you happy every day for the rest of our lives."
"That's ambitious." But her voice went soft. "Mine's easier. Let you."
"Thirty! Twenty-nine! Twenty-eight!"
Around them, couples paired off. Callum dipped Cora dramatically, making her laugh. Kieran pulled Freya close. Even Lucien allowed Moira to drag him under the mistletoe, his usual scowl melting into something almost tender.
"Ten! Nine! Eight!"
Dante cupped Maeve's face, memorizing this moment. The warmth of her skin. The gold in her eyes. The way she looked at him like he hung the stars.
"Seven! Six! Five!"
