Chapter 24

Arlo returned home late in the evening, his body heavy with exhaustion. The past few weeks had been a whirlwind of responsibilities—managing the pack’s affairs, the ongoing questions from the elders about his secret marriage to Lune, and the general tension that came with being a leader. He felt like he was constantly on the edge, always dealing with something, always having to make decisions, always having to be in control. It was draining.

As he walked through the grand halls of the palace, his thoughts drifted to Lune. She was the one thing that made all of this bearable. Just thinking about her, her presence, the sound of her voice, was enough to calm his racing mind. He had been so focused on making sure she was comfortable, on trying to help her adjust to this new life, that he hadn’t taken the time to be with her, to truly feel her by his side.

All Arlo wanted right now was to hold her, to feel her warmth, her softness. The stresses of pack life had begun to weigh heavily on him, and he found himself yearning for Lune in an almost overwhelming way. He didn’t want to talk about pack politics or the upcoming second wedding ceremony. He didn’t want to think about the questions from the elders or the pressures of being a leader. He just wanted Lune.

As he approached their room, he felt a deep weariness settle in his bones. His body ached, his mind was clouded with fatigue, and yet, a small part of him felt a flicker of excitement at the thought of seeing her. She had a way of calming him, of making everything seem less complicated, and right now, that was what he needed more than anything. Just her.

Opening the door quietly, he stepped into their shared space, his eyes immediately searching for Lune. The room was dimly lit, the soft glow from the fireplace casting gentle shadows on the walls. She was there, sitting on the edge of the bed, her hair cascading over her shoulders as she looked up at him, her eyes soft with concern.

Arlo’s heart clenched at the sight of her. She was so beautiful, so grounding, and at that moment, he realized just how much he had missed being close to her. The days had been long, filled with endless meetings and duties, but now, being in her presence, he felt like he could finally breathe.

“Arlo,” Lune said softly, her voice filled with warmth. “You look exhausted.”

He let out a heavy sigh as he approached her, dropping his coat on the chair beside the bed. “I am. These past few weeks have been... stressful. I feel like I’m being pulled in every direction, and I—” He paused, standing before her, his eyes meeting hers. “All I’ve wanted is to be with you. I’ve missed you.”

Lune stood, reaching out to gently place her hands on his chest, her touch instantly soothing the tension in his muscles. “I’m here,” she whispered, her voice a balm to his weary soul.

Arlo closed his eyes for a moment, letting himself feel her warmth, her presence. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close, resting his chin on top of her head. He inhaled deeply, breathing in the scent of her hair, and for the first time in weeks, he felt a sense of peace wash over him.

“I don’t think I realized how much I needed this,” he murmured, his voice low. “Just being with you. It makes everything else seem… manageable.”

Lune pulled back slightly, looking up at him with a soft smile. “You’ve been working so hard. You don’t always have to carry everything alone, you know. I’m here with you.”

Her words made something inside him relax, a tension he hadn’t even realized he was holding onto. He had been so focused on his duties, on making sure the pack was secure, that he had almost forgotten the importance of simply being with her. He didn’t need to be strong all the time, not when he had her by his side.

“I know,” he whispered, leaning down to press his forehead against hers. “I know.”

At that moment, all Arlo wanted was to forget the world outside the walls of their room. He didn’t care about the elders, the second wedding, or the pack’s expectations. All he cared about was Lune, about holding her, about feeling her with him.

As they stood there, wrapped in each other’s arms, the weight of his responsibilities seemed to lift, if only for a little while. Arlo felt like he could finally let go of the stress, and the constant pressure, and just be himself—with her.

As they stood together, their foreheads resting against each other, the soft crackling of the fireplace filling the room, Lune felt her heart begin to race. Arlo's presence had become something

comforting, something she found herself seeking out more and more each day. He had been kind, patient and understanding-more than she had ever expected when they first married. But standing here now,wrapped in his arms, she could f*el something shifting between them.There was an unspoken tension in the air, a magnetic pull that neither of them could ignore. Lune's breath hitched slightly as she looked up at him, her eyes meeting his in the dim light. His gaze was intense, filled with emotion-something deeper than she had seen before. It made her f*e able, but in a

way that also made her feel safe.

Arlo's gaze held hers for a moment,his expression softening as he reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair away from her face. Lune's breath hitched slightly at the delicate touch, her eyes never leaving his. There was something unspoken between them, a feeling that had been quietly building, and now, it seemed to hover in the air,

waiting for one of them to acknowledge it. You're everything l've wanted," Arlo said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. His thumb brushed her cheek, the touch sending a shiver down her spine. "But I want to make sure you're comfortable... Lune's heart swelled at his words. He was always considerate, always making sure sh relt safe. But in this moment, with notions so close to the surface, she knew what she wanted Her hand gently rested on his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her fingertips. She looked up at him, eyes wide and filled with something new-a soft but certain desire. "I am," she whispered Arlo hesitated for a brief second, his gaze searching hers, and then, as if drawn by an invisible force, he leaned in slowly. The world seemed to fade around them as the space between them disappeared, and then, his lip softly brushed against hers.

The kiss was gentle at first, almost tentative, as if both of them were savoring the moment. Lune's eyes fluttered closed, and she leaned into him, feeling the warmth of his body close to hers. His hand moved to the back of her neck, fingers threading through her hair as he deepened the kiss ever so slightly. It was as though all the unspoken emotions- the tension, the uncertainty, and the growing connection between them were finally being expressed in that one, tender moment. Lune felt a rush of warmth spread through her as the kiss continued, her body instinctively responding to his touch. It was a feeling she hadn't expected, but one she welcomed completely. Arlo's lips were soft yet firm, moving gently against hers, and for the fire since they had been together felt truly connected to him,not just as his wife but as his partner.

When they finally pulled back, both of them were breathless. Lune opened her eyes to find Arlo looking at her with a mixture of awe and affection, his hand still resting at the back of her neck. For a moment, they simply stood there, caught in the afterglow of their first kiss, the air between them charged with a new sense of intimacy Arlo's voice was hushed, almost reverent. "I've been waiting for that." Lune smiled softly, her heart still racing. "So have 1." In that moment, something shifted between them. It wasn't just the kiss it was the realization that they were truly beginning to understand each other, to trust one another. And as they stood together,hands intertwined, Lune felt more certain than ever that she and arlo are meant to be together.