Chapter 14

Dinner concluded in a slow, quiet procession. The weight of their conversation hung in the air, and though Lune tried to focus on the remaining bits of her meal, her mind was elsewhere. Every time Arlo’s eyes met hers, a subtle intensity passed between them, making her heart race just a little faster. She still didn’t know what to make of him—this powerful, mysterious man who had taken her from the life she knew and drawn her into his world.

Arlo stood first, pushing back his chair with a fluid, graceful motion. “Shall we?” he asked, extending his hand toward her.

Lune hesitated for just a moment before nodding, placing her hand in his. His touch was warm, his grip firm yet gentle as he helped her up from her chair. The maids appeared from the shadows, clearing the table swiftly and efficiently, but Lune barely noticed them. Her thoughts were consumed by what came next.

As they began the short walk from the dining hall toward their shared room, Lune’s nerves flared. The halls seemed quieter now, the flickering candlelight casting long shadows along the walls. Every step felt heavier, the knowledge that they would soon be alone in the room together settling deep into her chest. She tried to calm her racing thoughts, but the anxiety only grew as they neared their destination.

Arlo, walking beside her, seemed completely at ease, his tall frame moving with the same confidence and power as always. He glanced at her as they approached the grand staircase, and though his expression was calm, there was a subtle glint in his eyes—one that made Lune’s breath hitch.

They reached the large double doors of their room, and Arlo pushed them open with a quiet creak. The room looked even more expansive now in the dim light, the grand bed in the center waiting like a silent reminder of the night ahead. Lune swallowed hard, her hand tightening slightly around Arlo’s as they stepped inside.

He let go of her hand as soon as they entered, moving toward the window to close the heavy velvet curtains. “You seem tense,” he remarked casually, his back to her as he pulled the drapes shut, casting the room into a soft, intimate glow.

Lune turned toward him, her heart pounding in her chest. Of course I’m tense, she thought, but she couldn’t bring herself to voice it. Instead, she nervously smoothed down her gown and tried to focus on anything but the looming bed in the center of the room.

“I… I guess I’m just not used to all of this,” she finally said, her voice quieter than she intended.

Arlo turned to face her, his gaze sharp yet not unkind. He approached her slowly, his movements deliberate. “I understand,” he said, his voice low and calm, though there was a certain intensity in the way he spoke. “But you don’t need to be nervous, Lune.”

He reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair away from her face, his touch light but deliberate. The closeness made her pulse race even more, her cheeks warming under his intense gaze. She took a small step back, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her sleeve.

“I just… I’ve never…,” Lune stammered, unable to finish the sentence. The words seemed to catch in her throat, her nervousness plain in the way she shifted her weight from foot to foot.

Arlo’s gaze softened slightly, though the power behind it remained. He took a step closer, his voice a low murmur now. “I won’t push you into anything you’re not ready for, Lune. But understand this…” His fingers gently tilted her chin up so her eyes met his, his gaze locking onto hers. “You are mine now. And soon, you’ll come to accept that.”

Her breath caught, the depth of his words sinking into her. There was no question in his voice, no hesitation. He spoke as if it were a simple fact, something unchangeable. Lune’s heart raced even faster, a mix of fear and something else—a magnetic pull she couldn’t quite explain.

She nodded slightly, unsure of how else to respond. Arlo held her gaze for a moment longer, then stepped back, giving her the space she so clearly needed. “Get some rest,” he said quietly, his voice losing its edge as he gestured toward the bed. “It’s been a long day.”

Lune exhaled softly, relieved but still tense as she moved toward the bed. She slipped under the covers, her mind buzzing with a thousand thoughts, each one competing for attention. Arlo dimmed the remaining lights in the room, casting it in darkness, before he too approached the bed.

As he lay beside her,, the space between them felt both vast and impossibly close. Lune stared up at the ceiling, her heart pounding in her chest, nerves dancing in her veins. The silence in the room was thick, broken only by the sound of their steady breathing.

She didn’t know what the future held for them, but tonight, at least, she was safe. For now.

As the room settled into silence, Arlo lay beside Lune, his head resting on the pillow, though sleep was the farthest thing from his mind. Instead, he turned slightly, his sharp eyes fixed on her face. The moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting a faint glow over her, illuminating the soft curves of her cheeks and the gentle rise and fall of her chest as she breathed.

She looked so peaceful, her expression untroubled by the weight of the day. Arlo’s gaze softened as he watched her, an unexpected warmth swelling in his chest. She was his mate, finally here in his home, sleeping just inches away from him. He had waited so long for this moment, years of watching her grow from a distance, protecting her without her knowledge, all leading to this. And now, she was his.

A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips. In this moment, she seemed fragile and beautiful, like a delicate flame flickering in the darkness. He felt a surge of protectiveness wash over him, knowing he would do anything to keep her safe. Yet, beneath the warmth of that feeling, a thread of worry wound itself tightly around his thoughts.

She was human. No matter how much he wanted to forget that fact, it lingered in the back of his mind, a constant reminder of the world that separated them. She wasn’t like him, bound to the centuries, untouched by time’s passage. She would age, change, and one day, she would be gone. And though he had known this from the beginning, the reality of it now, with her lying beside him, made him uneasy.

He frowned slightly, the worry gnawing at him. Could she ever fully understand what he was? Could she accept it? He had concealed his age, told her he was thirty—a laughable lie, but necessary. If she knew the truth, would she fear him? Would she run?

More than that, Arlo worried about the dangers she would face now that she was in his world. Being his mate meant she would always be under his protection, but it also meant she was vulnerable to the enemies and threats that lurked beyond the safety of his pack. There were forces in the world that wouldn’t hesitate to harm her simply because she was bound to him. He would have to keep a close watch, ensure that no harm came to her.

He reached out carefully, his fingertips brushing a strand of hair from her face. Lune stirred slightly, but didn’t wake, her breathing remaining slow and steady. Arlo’s expression softened again, his worry momentarily eclipsed by the affection he felt for her.

No matter the challenges they would face, no matter the danger or the secrets he still held, she was his. And he would protect her, no matter the cost.

Arlo leaned back on the pillow, his eyes never leaving her as the night stretched on. His thoughts swirled between pride, affection, and concern, but one thing was clear—he would do everything in his power to ensure that Lune, his human mate, would remain safe and by his side. Always.

Morning arrived quietly, the soft light of dawn spilling through the heavy curtains that covered the grand windows. Lune stirred beneath the covers, blinking sleepily as she slowly woke. Her hand instinctively reached out beside her, only to find the bed empty. Arlo was gone.

Sitting up, she glanced around the spacious room, half expecting to see him somewhere near, but there was no sign of him. The bed where he had lain the night before was cool, and she wondered how long he had been up. A sense of unease crept into her chest. Everything about this place, from the grandeur of the room to the silence that filled it, made her feel like a stranger.

She pushed the covers back and sand tood, her feet sinking into the plush carpet. Before she had a chance to dwell on Arlo’s absence, a soft knock echoed through the room. The door opened slightly, and the same maid from the previous night peeked her head in, smiling warmly.

"Good morning, Lady Lune," she said in a gentle voice, stand epping into the room. "I hope you slept well. I’ve come to help you get ready for breakfast."

Lune blinked, momentarily taken aback by the formal greeting, but she managed a small smile in return. "Good morning," she replied, her voice still thick with sleep.

The maid, dressed in a simple yet elegant uniform, crossed the room with quiet grace. She opened the wardrobe and began pulling out a fresh set of clothes—another fine gown, this one a soft lavender, with delicate embroidery along the hem. Lune watched as tand he maid worked, feeling a bit out of place in the lavishness of it all.

“Is… Arlo already awake?” Lune asked hesitantly, glancing toward the door as if expecting him to walk in at any moment.

The maid nodded as she laid the gown on the bed. “Yes, my lady. The lord was up early this morning. He’s attending to some matters but instructed me to make sure you’re well taken care of. He will join you for breakfast shortly.”

Lune couldn’t quite place the mixture of emotions that swirled within her—relief that Arlo hadn’t abandoned her, but also a lingering nervousness about what the day would bring. She had slept in this house for the first time, and everything still felt so foreign. The opulence of it all, the maids, the vastness—it was all a stark contrast to her simpler life before.

The maid helped her dress with expert efficiency, smoothing out the folds of the gown and gently brushing Lune’s hair until it flowed in soft waves down her back. As she worked, the maid’s presence was quiet and comforting, as though she understood how overwhelming everything must be for Lune.

Once finished, the maid stepped back, smiling at Lune with an approving nod. "There. You look beautiful, my lady. Breakfast will be served in the dining hall whenever you're ready."

Lune gave a small, grateful smile, though the nerves still fluttered in her stomach. "Thank you," she said softly.

The maid led her out of the room and down the long corridor, the morning light brightening the halls. Lune's thoughts were still on Arlo, wondering what matters had pulled him away so early and what today would bring for them.

Lune descended the grand staircase, her heart racing with each step. She had dressed in the lavender gown the maid had laid out for her, its soft fabric flowing with her movements, but the delicate beauty of the gown did little to calm her nerves. The house felt even more intimidating in the morning light, and the thought of facing a group of people—Arlo’s family—filled her with anxiety.

As she reached the bottom of the staircase, the sound of voices drifted through the open doorway leading to the dining hall. Lune hesitated for a moment, smoothing her hands over the gown, before stepping inside. What she saw stopped her in her tracks.

The long dining table, which had been set for only two the previous night, was now surrounded by people. A small group sat around it, some talking in hushed tones, others quietly sipping from their cups. At the head of the table sat Arlo, his presence commanding as always, but his expression softened slightly when he saw her enter.

Everyone turned their attention to her the moment she stepped into the room, and Lune’s breath caught in her throat. She hadn’t expected this—had thought it would be just her and Arlo again. She quickly counted five other faces seated at the table, all of whom were strangers to her.

Arlo stood smoothly, his movements as graceful as ever, and gestured toward her. “Lune,” he said in that low, commanding voice, “come. I want to introduce you to the family.”

Swallowing her nerves, Lune took a few tentative steps forward, feeling the weight of every pair of eyes on her. Her gaze flicked briefly to Arlo, who gave her an encouraging nod, before turning to the group seated before her.

As she approached, Arlo placed a protective hand on her lower back, guiding her gently toward the table. “Everyone,” he began, his voice firm but filled with a quiet pride, “this is Lune—my mate, and now, part of this family.”

There was a ripple of acknowledgment among the group, each face turning to her with varying expressions of curiosity, some warmer than others.

Arlo’s hand stayed on her back as he began to introduce the people seated at the table. “This is Marcus,” he said, nodding toward the man closest to him. Lune recognized him immediately—Arlo’s Beta, who had been by his side since the wedding. Marcus gave her a small, respectful nod, his gaze steady but unreadable.

Beside Marcus was a woman with dark, flowing hair and striking green eyes, who regarded Lune with a quiet intensity. “This is Celia, my cousin,” Arlo continued. Celia offered a faint smile, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes, her expression measured and cool.

Next, Arlo introduced a man who looked somewhat younger than the others, his bright blue eyes filled with curiosity. “And this is Rowan, another cousin of mine.”

Rowan smiled warmly, the most welcoming expression Lune had seen so far. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Lune,” he said with genuine kindness.

Lune gave a shy nod in return, her voice momentarily lost as she tried to take in all the introductions.

The last person at the table was an older woman, her silver hair neatly pinned back, and her posture regal. “This is my aunt Lady Sybil, a trusted advisor to the family,” Arlo said. Lady Sybil’s eyes were sharp, studying Lune with a discerning gaze, though she inclined her head politely.

Lune offered a tentative smile to the group, feeling slightly overwhelmed by the sudden attention. She hadn’t anticipated meeting so many people at once, especially in such a formal setting.

Arlo, sensing her unease, squeezed her hand gently before gesturing for her to take a seat beside him. “Please, join us for breakfast,” he said softly, his voice low enough for only her to hear.

Lune sat down beside Arlo, grateful for the sense of calm his presence provided, even as the others resumed their conversation. She felt like an outsider among them, but Arlo’s hand on her shoulder reassured her that she wasn’t alone.

As the meal began, Lune’s nerves slowly started to settle. Though the family was still a mystery to her, she could feel Arlo’s steady, protective presence beside her, and that was enough to get her through this first encounter.