And Still, He Loved. Prologue

Prologue: June 5, 2025

The sky above a quiet coastal town in South Korea was washed in soft summer light, a silvery gold that shimmered on the rooftops and danced gently over the wide riverbank. Birds soared lazily overhead, and the scent of lavender and freshly baked bread spilled into the air from open windows.

Inside a grand but cozy estate on the city outskirts, laughter rang like a melody.

The house was alive.

The scent of three distinct pheromones hung in the air, braided like invisible threads of belonging. It was the scent of completion.

Ash stood at the center of the sunlit room, a soft white shirt rolled up to his elbows, revealing the tattooed initials of two names on either wrist. His dark hair was tousled, and his eyes—those stormy, silver-lined irises—were gentler now. Still fierce, still powerful, but no longer heavy with sorrow.

Across the room, Elinor adjusted the floral arrangements on the long wooden table. It was filled with candles, wild roses, and three-tiered cakes. The Omega's smile was constant now, bright and warm, blooming like the flowers he’d arranged. His hands wore the marks of healing—a wedding ring on one, a slim silver band of eternity on the other, gifted by Ash.

Zieth sat on the couch, one leg crossed over the other, sipping wine and watching them both. Even in casual slacks and an unbuttoned collar, he looked regal. But the cold sharpness that once defined him had melted away. He no longer ruled from a throne—he lived, heart first.

Zev entered with a chuckle, holding his toddler son by the hand.

Zev [A]

"You're going to ruin the suits before the photo if you keep chasing the ducks, little monster," he said.

Habel followed, smiling softly, fixing a small bow tie around their son's collar.

Habel [O]

"Let him be. He's having fun. It's a celebration."

Ash knelt and opened his arms. The little boy squealed and ran into them, giggling wildly.

Ash[A]

"Hey, you,"

Ash whispered, kissing the child's head.

Ash[A]

"You're the ring bearer today. You ready for your job?"

Ken[O]

"I'm gonna carry it real careful," the boy declared.

Everyone laughed.

Outside in the garden, dozens of chairs had been arranged in a circle—no stage, no hierarchy. Just people. Friends, family, allies, and strangers who had watched the story unfold in quiet awe.

Zev approached his brother(Ash) with a mock scowl. "Ash. You were supposed to let us handle setup. You're the groom."

Ash[A]

Ash shrugged. "I'm also the boss."

Zieth walked over then, wrapping an arm around Ash's waist and pulling him close.

Zieth[E]

"You were always the boss."

Elinor came next, looping his arms around Ash’s shoulders from behind.

Elinor[O]

"Can we start? Or do I need to kiss someone first to get this party going?"

Ash[A]

"Please do," Ash murmured, turning his head just slightly.

Elinor obliged. He placed a soft kiss on Ash's lips

Zieth rolled his eyes but leaned in to press a kiss to Ash's temple.

Zieth[E]

"Don't make me jealous."

The ceremony was not traditional. There was no pastor, no legal binding—it had been done already. Today was spiritual. Emotional. A vow renewed in front of those who mattered.

Zev and Habel stood as witnesses.

Zev, ever proud, gave a small speech.

Zev [A]

"Some stories begin with love. Some with pain. Theirs began with both—and still, it brought them here. That’s what makes them sacred. That’s what makes them unstoppable."

Ash read from a hand-written letter.

Ash[A]

"I was eighteen when I first tried to love you. I was twenty-one when you first broke me. Twenty-three when I lost what I never even had the chance to hold. And now, at twenty-five, I forgive you. I love you. I choose you. Not because fate says I must, but because I know I can."

Zieth, voice low, spoke next.

Zieth[E]

"I have broken every rule of pride to stand here. But I’ll break a thousand more, if it means I can be yours again."

Elinor held Ash's hand tightly.

Elinor[O]

"I spent years looking at you but never seeing you. Today, I do. Today, I see the man I was too blind to cherish. And I vow to never look away again."

They exchanged matching chains, not rings. A symbol of strength, not possession.

The crowd applauded.

Afterward, as golden hour settled across the garden, the music began. There was no choreography—just soft jazz, open laughter, spontaneous dancing.

Ash danced first with Elinor, slow and easy.

Then Zieth took his turn, hands careful, eyes shining.

And in a moment of tender chaos, the little ring bearer tugged on Ash’s shirt.

Ken[O]

"Can I have a dance too?"

Ash[A]

Ash grinned. "Only if I can step on your toes."

Ken[O]

"You’re silly," the child declared,

But took his hand.

Habel and Zev watched from a distance, arms wrapped around each other.

Habel [O]

"He’s happy now," Habel whispered.

Zev [A]

Zev nodded. "Finally."

Ash, in the middle of it all, twirled the child and glanced up at his two mates—his family.

The space between them had once been a battlefield. But now, it was a home.

And Ash, the boy who had loved too deeply and lost too much, was no longer alone.

He had everything.

And he had survived to enjoy it.