Chapter 10

The days blurred together for Lune, each one creeping closer to the wedding with an overwhelming sense of inevitability. It felt as though time moved too quickly, yet each hour dragged on in agonizing silence. The preparations for the wedding had transformed her home into a whirlwind of activity, with servants rushing about, fabrics strewn across every surface, and flowers blooming in every corner. But amidst the bustle, Lune remained still, caught in the eye of the storm.

Valerie had returned from her trip, her presence a brief comfort, but even her cheerful attempts to lift Lune’s spirits could not shake the heavy feeling lodged in her chest. Lune smiled when she was supposed to, nodded when spoken to, but inside, her thoughts tumbled and twisted.

Now, with the wedding just a day away, Lune lay awake in her room, staring at the ceiling. The weight of her future pressed down on her. Tomorrow, she would no longer be herself—Lune, the girl who once had dreams and ambitions of her own. Tomorrow, she would be Arlo’s wife. A wife to a man she barely knew, one who had taken over the course of her life from the moment he chose her, bought her.

She felt trapped, her fate sealed by her parents' desperate decisions and Arlo's unrelenting desires. The walls of her room, which once offered solace, now felt like a prison closing in on her. She couldn’t help but wonder what kind of life awaited her after tomorrow. Would she ever find happiness in a life that wasn’t hers to choose?

As the stars outside her window twinkled in the night sky, Lune felt an ache deep in her chest. She had no control, no escape from what was to come. Tomorrow, everything would change, and she didn’t know if she was ready for it. She wasn’t sure she’d ever be ready.

As Lune lay in the quiet of her room, trying to steady her racing thoughts, a soft knock broke the silence. Before she could respond, the door creaked open, and Valerie slipped inside, her familiar face glowing in the candlelight.

"Lune," Valerie whispered gently, crossing the room to sit beside her on the bed. She could sense the heaviness in Lune’s heart without her saying a word. "I know what you're feeling," she said, her voice calm and comforting. "But everything is going to be okay."

Lune turned to her friend, her eyes clouded with uncertainty. “How do you know that, Val? I feel like I’m stepping into something that I can’t come back from. It’s all happening so fast, and I’m not sure if this is the life I want.”

Valerie reached out, taking Lune's hand in hers. “I know it’s terrifying. I can’t imagine how overwhelming it must be, but you’re strong, Lune. You’ve always been strong, even when you didn’t realize it.” She smiled softly, giving Lune's hand a gentle squeeze. “And I’m here. I won’t let you face this alone.”

Lune blinked back the tears that threatened to spill, the knot in her chest loosening just a little. Having Valerie here, by her side, brought her a small sense of comfort in the midst of her uncertainty.

“And, there’s something else,” Valerie said, her tone suddenly brightening as she stood up and went to retrieve something from the corner of the room. She turned back, holding a bundle of delicate fabric in her arms. “Your wedding dress arrived, and Lune… it’s breathtaking.”

Lune sat up, her eyes widening as Valerie carefully unfolded the dress. The soft, flowing fabric shimmered in the candlelight, its intricate lace details and gentle curves designed to perfection. It was everything a wedding dress should be—stunning, elegant, and utterly beautiful.

“See? You’ll look like a dream tomorrow,” Valerie said with a smile, holding the dress up for Lune to admire. “I know it’s hard to see right now, but maybe, just maybe, there will be beauty in tomorrow that you don’t expect.”

Lune traced her fingers along the fabric, her heart fluttering with a strange mix of emotions. For a brief moment, she let herself imagine the day—the moment she would wear this dress, the world watching her as she stepped into her new life. Would it truly be as beautiful as Valerie hoped, or would it feel as heavy as the weight on her shoulders now?

“I don’t know, Val,” Lune whispered, her voice soft. “But thank you… for being here. I don’t think I could face tomorrow without you.”

Valerie smiled, her eyes warm and reassuring. “You won’t have to. And no matter what, we’ll figure it out together. You’re not alone, Lune. Not now, not tomorrow.”

Arlo sat in his grand chambers, his heart thrumming with excitement as he gazed out the window into the night. The sky was blanketed with stars, but all he could think about was tomorrow—the day Lune would finally be his. The day he had waited for all his life was now just a few hours away, and the anticipation was almost unbearable.

He couldn’t stop thinking about her. Her soft, delicate features, the way her silver hair cascaded down her shoulders, and most of all, her eyes—those beautiful blue eyes that had captivated him from the moment he saw her. He had watched her grow from a distance, knowing from the very beginning that she was his mate. And now, after years of waiting, the day had finally come where she would stand beside him as his wife.

Arlo smiled to himself, his chest swelling with pride and possessiveness. Lune was everything he had ever wanted—everything he deserved. The thought of seeing her in her wedding dress, walking towards him, her eyes filled with the same inevitability that he had always known… It was intoxicating.

He couldn’t wait to see the look on her face when she realized she was finally his, bound to him forever. Her hesitation, her doubts, none of it mattered. Because after tomorrow, there would be no more waiting, no more distance. She would belong to him completely, as she was always meant to.

His hand absentmindedly brushed the velvet arm of his chair as he imagined running his fingers through her hair, seeing those crystal-blue eyes look up at him with both curiosity and surrender. He had dreamed of this day for so long, and now it was within reach. Nothing could stop it. Nothing could take her away from him.

"Tomorrow," he whispered to himself, his smile widening. "Tomorrow, she will be mine."