Chapter 15

After breakfast, Arlo rose from his seat, extending a hand to Lune. His touch was gentle, but firm, as he led her through the corridors of his grand estate. Silence hung between them, but Lune could feel the intensity of his gaze even as they walked side by side. The soft echo of their footsteps on the marble floors was the only sound accompanying them.

When they reached her room, Arlo opened the door for her, his eyes never leaving her face. Once inside, he closed the door behind them, leaving the two of them in the quiet comfort of the spacious room. The sunlight filtered through the large windows, casting a warm glow over the elegantly furnished space.

Arlo motioned for Lune to sit on the edge of the bed, while he took a chair near her. His expression softened as he leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees.

“I want to know more about you, Lune,” he began, his voice low but earnest. “What do you like? What makes you happy? And if there’s anything you dislike, I’d like to know that too.”

Lune shifted, caught off guard by the question. She wasn’t used to this kind of attention from him—he had always been so distant before.

“Well,” she began slowly, “I love reading, especially stories about faraway places. And I enjoy spending time outdoors. Nature always makes me feel at peace.”

Arlo listened carefully, nodding as she spoke, his eyes attentive. “And what about things you dislike?” he prompted.

Lune hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. She glanced at him, trying to gauge his reaction. “I don’t like feeling trapped or forced into something,” she admitted softly. “I value my freedom.”

His expression flickered at her words, but he didn’t press her. Instead, he smiled slightly, though there was a touch of seriousness in his eyes. “I’ll remember that,” he said. “I want you to be comfortable here, Lune.”

She wasn’t sure if he truly understood what she meant, but for now, she nodded in acknowledgment. There was still so much left unsaid between them, but this conversation felt like the first step toward breaking the silence that had surrounded their relationship.

As Lune sat in the quiet room after their conversation, her thoughts began to drift back to her parent's decision to accept Arlo's offer. For so long, she had resented them for it, feeling betrayed by the idea that they would trade her future for their financial stability. But now, after spending some time with Arlo, she couldn't help but reconsider things.

Arlo was not the monster she had feared. He hadn't forced himself into her space or demanded anything of her beyond her presence. His desire to know more about her, to understand her likes and dislikes, felt like a gesture of genuine interest rather than the controlling dominance she had imagined. There was a surprising softness in his eyes when he spoke to her, a hint of something more beneath his calm exterior.

Maybe her parents had seen something in Arlo that she hadn't. They were desperate, yes, but perhaps they had also believed that, despite the circumstances, Arlo could provide her with a life of security. Her father had always spoken highly of him, even before the offer came. Her parents might have hoped Arlo could give her a chance at something better—something they couldn’t provide.

Lune sighed, leaning back against the headboard. The fear she had held onto for so long was beginning to fade, replaced by a hesitant curiosity about the man she had been bound to. Maybe this wouldn’t be the prison she had feared it would be. Maybe Arlo wasn’t as cold and unfeeling as she had thought.

For the first time, Lune allowed herself to think that perhaps this situation—though far from ideal—might not be that bad after all. There was still a part of her that longed for the freedom to choose her path, but as she thought about Arlo’s kindness and patience so far, she began to wonder if she could find a way to make this life work.

As Arlo left Lune’s room, her words lingered in his mind. “I don’t like feeling trapped or forced into something.” He hadn’t missed the weight behind her statement, and it stirred a sense of guilt in him. He had orchestrated this entire arrangement, forcing Lune into a life she hadn’t chosen. Watching her struggle with that reality made him realize how much he had taken away from her.

He paused in the hallway, running a hand through his hair as the feeling settled in his chest. He had always believed he was doing the right thing—claiming his mate and providing her family with financial stability. But now, seeing how uneasy Lune was, he wondered if he had been too selfish. He wanted her, yes, but he didn’t want her to feel like she was living in a cage.

Arlo knew he couldn’t undo the decisions that had been made, but he could try to make things easier for her. He wanted Lune to feel more comfortable, more at ease in this new life. The first step, he thought, was to give her some sense of independence, something to make her feel less isolated.

He’d noticed she didn’t have a cellphone, which surprised him. In this world, it seemed like such a basic necessity, but perhaps her family couldn’t afford one for her. It struck him as something simple yet important—a way for her to stay connected with the outside world, to communicate with whomever she wished. He decided that he would buy her a top-of-the-line smartphone, one with all the features she could need.

But that wasn’t enough. He also wanted to show her that her happiness mattered to him. Expensive gifts wouldn’t solve everything, but he could offer her a life of luxury—something to soften the harshness of the transition she was going through. Jewelry, designer clothes, and anything else she could desire would be at her fingertips. He had the means to give her the world, and if that could bring her some comfort, then he would spare no expense.

Arlo made a mental note to call his shopper and arrange for an array of gifts to be delivered to Lune’s room by the end of the day. He hoped it would show her that he wasn’t just thinking of himself—that her comfort, her wants and needs, were important to him.

But even as he made these plans, a part of him wondered if it would be enough. Could material things truly ease the burden he had placed on her? Or was there more he needed to do, something deeper to truly win her trust? He didn’t have the answer yet, but he was determined to try.

Lune was lying on the bed, her mind still buzzing from the conversation with Arlo. The room was quiet, the soft glow of the late afternoon sun filtering through the curtains, when a knock echoed from the door. She sat up, a bit startled, her heart skipping a beat. For a moment, she thought it might be Arlo again, coming back to continue their conversation.

She hesitated, unsure whether she was ready for another round of awkward small talk, but then she heard a soft voice from the other side of the door.

“Lune, darling, it’s me.”

Lune blinked in surprise. She recognized the voice—it was Arlo’s aunt, the same woman they had shared dinner with the previous night. Taking a deep breath, she walked to the door and opened it to find the older woman standing there with a warm smile on her face.

“There you are,” Arlo’s aunt said, stepping forward to embrace her gently. “I hope I’m not intruding. I just wanted to check on you.”

Lune stepped aside, allowing her in. “No, it’s fine. Please, come in.”

Arlo’s aunt had a kind, graceful presence. She was a striking woman with a timeless elegance, her silver hair swept into a neat bun and her eyes bright with curiosity. She had been warm and welcoming at dinner, and Lune found herself relaxing in her presence.

The older woman glanced around the room, her gaze settling on Lune. “I know things must be overwhelming for you right now,” she said kindly, taking a seat on the chaise lounge by the window. “I remember my own adjustment to this family. It can be a lot to take in.”

Lune smiled faintly and sat across from her. “It’s… a big change, yes.”

Arlo’s aunt nodded, understanding. “Arlo can be intense, I’m sure you’ve noticed. But he has a good heart, even if he doesn’t always show it right away.”

Lune bit her lip, thinking about how Arlo had asked about her likes and dislikes earlier. He had shown a side of himself that she hadn’t expected—one that made her think there was more to him than the cold, distant man she had first imagined.

“I’m starting to see that,” Lune admitted quietly.

The older woman smiled again, a glimmer of approval in her eyes. “Good. He cares for you deeply, even if he doesn’t always know how to express it.”

There was a pause, a comfortable silence between them, before Arlo’s aunt leaned forward slightly, her voice softening. “If you ever need someone to talk to, someone who understands what you’re going through, I’m here for you, Lune. You don’t have to go through this alone.”

Lune felt a wave of gratitude wash over her. It was comforting to know that she had an ally in this new life, someone who seemed to genuinely care about her well-being.

“Thank you,” she said sincerely, meeting the woman’s kind gaze. “That means a lot.”

Arlo’s aunt reached over and gently squeezed Lune’s hand. “You’re welcome, dear. Just take things one day at a time. You’ll find your place here, I promise.”