Chapter 25

LDownplaystirred awake slowly, the mornit filtering softly through the curtains. As her eyes adjusted to the soft glow of dawn, she became aware of the warm, solid presence beside her. Arlo’s arm was draped over her waist, holding her close, his body pressed gently against hers. The steady rhythm of his breathing told her that he was still asleep, completely at ease in their shared bed.

For a moment, Lune lay there, her heart beating steadily in her chest as she took in the peaceful silence of the room. It was still so surreal, waking up next to him like this. The events of the past few weeks had been overwhelming—learning about the werewolf world, her marriage to Arlo, and the intensity of their bond—but here, in this quiet moment, everything felt... right.

Curiosity stirred within her, and Lune found herself turning slightly in his embrace, careful not to wake him. Her gaze traveled up to his face, and for the first time, she allowed herself to really study him. Arlo, her husband, the man who had so patiently cared for her, was breathtakingly handsome, but there was a gentleness in his features she hadn’t fully noticed before.

His dark hair was tousled from sleep, falling softly over his forehead, and his strong jawline was relaxed, giving him an almost boyish look. Lune’s eyes traced the contours of his face—the sharp angles of his cheekbones, the slight stubble along his jaw, and the way his lips parted slightly as he breathed. In sleep, he seemed vulnerable, his usual commanding presence softened by the tranquility of the morning.

She had never really taken the time to observe him this closely, and now, seeing him like this, Lune felt a strange sense of comfort and connection. He looked peaceful, and in that moment, he was simply Arlo—not the leader of the pack, not the man burdened with responsibilities, but just the person lying beside her.

Her gaze lingered on his lips, and she remembered their kiss from the night before. It had been their first, and the memory of it made her heart flutter. There had been so much unspoken between them, so much that she was still trying to understand, but that kiss had felt like the beginning of something impothe rtant. Something real.

Lune’s eyes softened as sthe he continued to study him, taking in everSomething was endearingt rested against his cheeks, the way his brows furrowed ever tly as he shifted in his sleep, and the faint lines of worry that seemed etched into his skin—reminders of the stress he carried as a leader.

As she watched him, a quiet thought surfaced in her mind: she was beginning to care for him more deeply than she had realized. Despite the overwhelming changes in her life, despite the strange new world she had been thrust into, Arlo had been a constant. He had been patient, kind, and protective. He had given her space to process everything, yet never left her feeling alone.

Lune smiled softly to herself, her hand resting gently on his arm that was still wrapped around her waist. She felt a warmth spread through her chest, a sense of safety and affection that was slowly growing stronger. Arlo was becoming more than just her husband in name—he was becoming someone she could truly trust, someone she could lean on.

As she lay there, wrapped in his embrace, Lune felt a quiet contentment settle over her. The confusion and uncertainty that had once clouded her mind seemed distant now, replaced by a sense of peace. And in that moment, she realized that waking up next to Arlo might not be so strange after all—it might just be the beginning of something beautiful.

As Lune lay there, studying Arlo’s peaceful face, lost in her thoughts, she didn’t notice the subtle change in his breathing. It wasn’t until she felt him stir slightly beside her that she realized he was waking up. His arm tightened ever so gently around her waist, and she glanced down just in time to see his eyes flutter open.

His dark, sleepy gaze met hers, and for a moment, they just stared at each other in the soft morning light. There was a warmth in his eyes, a softness that made her heart skip a beat. He blinked a few times, his expression relaxing into a lazy smile as he fully woke up.

“Good morning,” Arlo murmured, his voice deep and husky from sleep, the sound of it sending a small shiver through her.

Lune’s eyes widened, startled by the suddenness of his greeting. She had been so caught up in studying his features that she hadn’t expected him to wake up so soon. Her breath caught in her throat, and she quickly turned her face away, her hand flying to her mouth as a flush of embarrassment crept up her cheeks.

“I—uh—good morning,” she stammered, her voice muffled behind her hand.

Arlo’s brow furrowed in confusion, his arm still resting loosely around her waist. “What’s wrong?” he asked gently, his gaze soft with concern.

Lune, her cheeks burning with embarrassment, mumbled, “I… I think my breath stinks.”

Arlo blinked, and then a slow grin spread across his face, amusement dancing in his eyes. “That’s what you’re worried about?” he chuckled softly, shaking his head in disbelief.

Lune’s blush deepened as she covered her face with both hands now, trying to hide her embarrassment. “Well, yes! You just woke up, and you’re looking at me like that and—”

Arlo laughed again, the sound warm and light, and he gently reached out to pull her hands away from her face. “You don’t have to worry about that,” he said, his voice soft and reassuring. “I don’t care about things like that, Lune.”

She peeked up at him through her lashes, still flustered but feeling a bit more at ease from his gentle tone. His eyes held hers, and the sincerity in his expression made her heart flutter.

“I’m serious,” he added, his thumb brushing lightly over the back of her hand. “You’re perfect just the way you are.”

Lune’s heart swelled at his words, and she couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at her lips, though she still felt a bit self-conscious. “You’re just saying that because you’re my husband,” she mumbled, trying to downplay her embarrassment.

Arlo shook his head, his gaze never leaving hers. “I’m saying it because it’s true.” He leaned in slightly, his voice lowering to a soft murmur. “You don’t need to hide from me, Lune. Not ever.”

Her blush returned, but this time it wasn’t out of embarrassment—it was because of the warmth in his words, the way he made her feel seen and cared for. She bit her lip, unsure how to respond, but the look in his eyes told her that he meant every word.

And in that moment, Lune realized something: despite all her insecurities, Arlo made her feel safe—safe enough to be herself, flaws and all. It was a feeling she hadn’t expected, but one she was beginning to welcome with each passing day.

Still a bit flustered, she gave him a shy smile and lowered her hand from her face, her heart beating a little faster as she said, “Okay… if you say so.”

Arlo’s smile softened, and he leaned down to press a gentle kiss to her forehead, his lips lingering for a moment as if to seal the promise between them. When he pulled back, his gaze was filled with nothing but affection.

“Good morning, Lune,” he said again, his voice tender and filled with warmth.

And this time, Lune didn’t feel the need to hide. Instead, she smiled back, her heart lighter than it had been in a long time. “Good morning, Arlo.”

After their tender morning exchange, the silence in the room became warm and familiar. Lune shifted slightly, feeling Arlo’s arm still wrapped around her waist, and her heart fluttered at the closeness. But then reality kicked in, and she realized they both needed to start the day. She pulled back gently, smiling up at him.

“We should probably get out of bed,” she said softly, her voice still laced with a hint of shyness.

Arlo nodded, stretching lazily as he loosened his hold on her. “Yeah, you’re right,” he replied, though his tone suggested he wouldn’t have minded staying in bed a little longer with her. His gaze lingered on her for a moment, and then he sat up, running a hand through his tousled hair.

Lune sat up as well, pushing the blankets aside as she swung her legs over the edge of the bed. She stretched her arms above her head, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep, and glanced over at Arlo, who was now rubbing the back of his neck. There was something endearing about seeing him like this—relaxed, a little unguarded, and clearly not in a rush.

As she stood up, she felt the coolness of the room against her skin and realized she still had her nightgown on from the night before. The thought of getting ready for the day crossed her mind, and she suddenly remembered the adjoining bathroom.

“I’m going to shower first,” she said, her voice casual but her heart still fluttering a bit at the idea of sharing space with him in such an intimate way. It was something she was still getting used to—being married to him, being so close every day.

Arlo nodded, leaning back on his hands, watching her with a soft smile. “Take your time,” he said. “I’ll wait.”

Lune felt a small rush of warmth at his patience and understanding. She smiled back at him, grateful for how he made her feel at ease. Gathering up her clothes from the dresser, she moved towards the bathroom, feeling the weight of his gaze on her but in a way that felt comforting rather than overwhelming.

She paused at the doorway and glanced back at him, noticing the way he still watched her, his expression calm yet attentive. “I won’t take too long,” she said, a playful hint in her voice, trying to lighten the moment.

Arlo chuckled softly. “No rush. I’ll be here.”

With that, Lune stepped into the bathroom, closing the door softly behind her. Inside, she took a deep breath, the cool tile floor grounding her as she leaned against the sink for a moment. The shower was already calling to her, promising warmth and a moment to clear her head.

She glanced at herself in the mirror, her reflection showing the slight flush still lingering on her cheeks from their interaction earlier. Everything still felt so new, so unfamiliar, but not in a bad way. There was a sense of comfort in knowing Arlo was just outside, waiting for her, giving her the space she needed while also being there when she wanted him.

Lune turned the shower on, letting the steam fill the room, and slipped out of her nightgown. The water was warm as it cascaded over her skin, and she closed her eyes, letting it wash away the remnants of sleep and the jumble of thoughts that had been swirling in her mind. It was strange, she thought, how quickly her life had changed—how she had gone from uncertainty and confusion to feeling… content.

As she stood under the stream of water, Lune found herself thinking about the day ahead. Things had been moving fast between her and Arlo, but now that they had shared that first kiss, now that they had begun opening up to one another, she felt like they were on the right path.

Lune stepped out of the shower, her skin warm and dewy from the steam, the towel wrapped tightly around her body. The soft, plush fabric clung to her, droplets of water still sliding down her neck and arms, her wet hair cascading over her shoulders. As she opened the bathroom door, a small cloud of steam followed her into the room, the contrast between the cool air and the warmth of the shower making her shiver slightly.

Arlo had been waiting patiently, sitting on the edge of the bed, but the moment she emerged, his gaze snapped toward her. He hadn’t expected the sight that greeted him, and for a moment, he was completely captivated. His breath caught in his throat as his eyes traveled from her bare shoulders down to her legs, taking in every detail. The way the towel hugged her frame, the droplets still glistening on her skin, and the damp strands of her hair made her look effortlessly stunning—breathtaking in a way that left him momentarily speechless.

He had never seen her like this before—so vulnerable, yet so beautiful. Lune had always carried herself with a certain grace, but now, standing before him in nothing but a towel, she looked almost ethereal. It was as if the world had slowed down for a moment, and all he could focus on was her.

Lune, completely unaware of the effect she was having on him, walked toward the dresser to grab her clothes. Her back was to him, but she could feel his gaze lingering, and it made her heart race. The room felt charged, the air thick with an unspoken tension that made her cheeks flush. She hadn’t meant to walk out of the bathroom like this, but now that she had, she could sense the shift in Arlo’s demeanor.

When she turned around to face him, catching his eyes, she noticed the way he was staring at her, his expression softer yet filled with an intensity she hadn’t seen before. His gaze wasn’t just admiring—there was something deeper, something that made her pulse quicken.

"Is everything okay?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, as the heat from her skin radiated in more than just warmth from the shower.

Arlo blinked, finally pulling himself out of the trance her presence had cast over him. He cleared his throat and tried to speak, but the words seemed to stick for a moment. He wasn’t used to feeling this way—so out of control in his emotions—but seeing her like this had struck something in him.

“You look… amazing,” he managed to say, his voice low and almost reverent. His eyes were still locked on her, unable to look away.

Lune felt the blush rise to her cheeks at his words. “I—I just took a shower,” she replied, trying to brush off the compliment, though her heart was racing. She wasn’t used to being seen like this, especially not by him.

But Arlo wasn’t just saying it to be polite. He genuinely couldn’t take his eyes off her. The way the soft light of the morning hit her skin, the way her hair fell damply around her shoulders—it all left him in awe. He hadn’t realized how much just being in her presence like this could stir such emotions in him. The closeness, the intimacy of the moment, made him feel something he hadn’t expected to feel so strongly.

Lune shifted nervously under his gaze, pulling the towel a bit tighter around her body. “I… I should get dressed,” she said, her voice soft as she motioned to the clothes she had picked out. Her heart was beating so fast she was sure he could hear it.

Arlo nodded, though he still hadn’t quite moved from his spot. He watched her with an almost unreadable expression, but his eyes were filled with warmth, admiration, and something deeper that made Lune’s stomach flutter.

“Take your time,” he said softly, his voice carrying an undercurrent of emotion that made her cheeks flush even more. He forced himself to stand up, giving her space to get dressed, though part of him didn’t want to leave. He wanted to stay in the moment, to soak in the sight of her, but he respected her privacy, turning to walk toward the door.

Lune watched as he walked away, feeling the tension between them dissipate just slightly, but the warmth of his gaze still lingered on her skin. As the door clicked shut behind him, she let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.

Her hands trembled slightly as she started to dress, her mind racing with everything that had just happened. The way Arlo had looked at her, the way his voice had deepened with admiration—it made her feel seen in a way she hadn’t before. She had never thought much about her appearance, but in that moment, with Arlo’s eyes on her, she felt… beautiful.

And it wasn’t just the physical attraction—it was the way he made her feel cherished, like she was the only thing that mattered in that moment. It was a feeling that left her both flustered and comforted, and she couldn’t shake the thought of how deeply he cared for her.

Once she was dressed, she took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. Whatever was growing between them was undeniable, and she knew that with each passing day, the bond they shared was only growing stronger.