Chapter 5

Lune woke to the pale morning light streaming into her room, the familiar warmth of her bed doing little to ease the growing tension in her chest. Her dreams had been restless, full of fragments from the day before—her parents' anxious faces, the hollow words of agreement between them and Arlo's family, and the lingering shadow of that one chance encounter she'd had with him.

She had only met Arlo once, purely by coincidence She never thought that moment would tie them together in something as permanent as marriage. And now, because of her family's financial strain, it was as if the decision had already been made for her.

Lune sat up, staring at the door to her room, knowing her parents were already awake and moving about the house. She could hear their hushed voices from the kitchen, probably speaking in the same strained tones they had used when they told her about Arlo. They had framed it as an opportunity, a way to secure their future and keep the roof over their heads. But to Lune, it felt like a betrayal, like they were willing to trade her happiness for their survival.

The tension in the house was suffocating. She couldn’t bear the thought of talking to them, not yet. Not when the ache in her heart was so raw. Sliding out of bed, Lune dressed quickly, avoiding the usual sounds that would give away her movements. She knew they were hoping she would join them at the breakfast table, perhaps to discuss the wedding, to convince her that this was the right thing to do. But she wasn’t ready for that conversation.

She moved silently through the hallway, careful not to draw attention, her heartbeat quickening as she passed the kitchen doorway where her parents sat. Their voices paused for a moment as if sensing her presence, but she kept walking, refusing to look their way.

Once outside, the cool air wrapped around her, bringing a brief sense of relief. She felt guilty, knowing how much her parents had sacrificed over the years. They had done everything they could to provide for her, even as their debts piled up. And now, with nowhere else to turn, they had seen Arlo’s offer as their only escape.

But Lune didn’t know Arlo. That single meeting at the market had been nothing more than a polite exchange, and the idea of spending her life with someone she barely knew filled her with dread. He had seemed detached, his mind already elsewhere when they’d spoken, and that single interaction was all she had to base her future on.

Walking quickly down the familiar path that led to the edge of the village, Lune’s thoughts churned. She knew she couldn’t avoid this forever. At some point, she would have to confront her parents, face their disappointed gazes, and explain how trapped she felt. But for now, she just needed space—space to think, to breathe, to figure out how to untangle herself from a future she didn’t want.

As she reached the outskirts of the village, the sound of the river in the distance called to her. It was her sanctuary, the place where she had always found clarity. And today, more than ever, she needed that clarity to find her way forward.

Lune hurried down the narrow cobblestone streets, her breath coming in short, frantic bursts. The morning air was crisp, but the anxiety tightening in her chest made her feel like she was burning up. She was late—again. She had been so wrapped up in her thoughts about Arlo and her parents that the time had slipped away, and now she was paying for it.

As she rounded the corner to the small textile shop where she worked, she saw her boss, Madame Varna, already standing outside, her arms crossed and her lips pressed into a thin line of disapproval. Lune winced. Madame Varna was known for her strictness, and lateness was something she did not tolerate.

"Lune!" Madame Varna's sharp voice cut through the air as soon as she saw her approaching. "Do you know what time it is?"

Lune slowed her steps, trying to catch her breath before speaking. "I'm sorry, Madame Varna," she began, her voice shaky. "I—"

"Sorry doesn’t change the fact that you’re late," Madame Varna interrupted, her eyes narrowing. "Again. This is becoming a habit, Lune, and I’m running a business here, not a charity. Do you think the fabric will weave itself?"

Lune swallowed hard, feeling the sting of guilt. She had been distracted, but explaining that to Madame Varna felt pointless. The older woman had no interest in excuses, only results.

"I know," Lune mumbled, casting her gaze downward. "It won't happen again."

Madame Varna scoffed. "I've heard that before. You're lucky I need all the help I can get, otherwise, I'd have already replaced you."

The words hit Lune like a slap. She needed this job. With her family’s financial situation, losing it wasn’t an option. She bit her lip, holding back the urge to defend herself. There was no use arguing with Madame Varna when she was in one of her moods.

"Get inside," Madame Varna snapped, turning sharply on her heel. "There's work to be done, and you're already behind."

Lune followed her boss into the shop, her heart heavy. The familiar scent of wool and dye-filled the room as she made her way to her station. She could hear the other workers whispering, their eyes flickering toward her with a mixture of sympathy and amusement. They had all been in her position before—late, scolded, but still needed.

As Lune sat down to begin her work, her hands moved automatically, weaving the fabric as she had done so many times before. But her mind was far from the loom. The echoes of Madame Varna’s harsh words mingled with the unresolved tension about her parents’ decision and Arlo’s looming presence in her life.

It was only the beginning of the day, but already Lune felt exhausted.

Arlo woke with the first light of dawn, his body tense with excitement. He had barely slept, his mind consumed with thoughts of Lune. Today was the day he would meet her parents again, and soon—very soon—Lune would be his.

He had been waiting for this moment his entire life. From the time he discovered that Lune was his mate, he had watched over her, knowing that one day she would be his. He had seen her grow from a small, curious child into a beautiful young woman, unaware of the destiny that tied them together. Arlo had kept his distance, waiting for the right time, but now that time had come.

Impatience gnawed at him, an insistent force he couldn’t ignore. He had already secured her family's agreement, offering a ransom that they couldn't refuse. He knew they were struggling, their financial instability making them vulnerable, and he had used that to his advantage. But to him, it wasn't just about the money. Lune belonged to him—she had since the day she was born—and he had been waiting long enough.

He stood up, pacing his room as he thought about the meeting ahead. The wedding would be discussed, and soon, everything would be set in motion. The idea of Lune by his side, of finally claiming her as his own, stirred something deep inside him. He couldn't wait to have her, to make her his in every way.

His thoughts flashed back to their one brief meeting. She hadn't known, of course, but he had felt it—that undeniable connection, the way her presence called to him. Soon, he would no longer have to watch from afar. Soon, she would be his wife.

Arlo dressed quickly, eager to get the day started. As he buttoned his jacket, he glanced out the window, imagining Lune's face when she learned the truth of their bond. She might be hesitant now, but she would understand. They were meant to be together. He was sure of it.

With a determined stride, Arlo left his chambers, ready to finalize the arrangements. Today, he would secure the future he had been waiting for. Soon, Lune would be his—forever.

As Arlo slid into the back seat of the sleek black car, his right-hand man, Marcus, was already waiting in the front passenger seat. The air inside the car was heavy with anticipation as the driver started the engine, preparing to head toward Lune's house. Marcus, always practical and aware of every possible angle, turned in his seat to address Arlo.

"Sir," Marcus began cautiously, his brow furrowed. "Have you given any thought to making the wedding announcement public? You're a high-profile figure, and with how the press operates these days, it's only a matter of time before they catch wind of it. If we don't control the narrative, the paparazzi and reporters will."

Arlo leaned back in his seat, the impatience still simmering beneath his calm exterior. He hadn't given much thought to the public side of the marriage, his focus entirely on Lune. Still, Marcus was right. Being one of the wealthiest and most influential men in the region, anything he did was news. If the media found out about the wedding before they were ready, it could stir up a storm of unwanted attention.

Arlo's jaw tightened. He hated the thought of outsiders invading something so personal, something as sacred as his union with Lune. But Marcus had a point. If they didn’t get ahead of the story, the rumors could spiral out of control.

"I suppose you're right," Arlo said after a moment of silence. "We need to announce it on our terms before the vultures get any ideas. I want it handled discreetly, though. No flashy headlines, just enough to keep them at bay."

Marcus nodded, relieved that Arlo saw the importance of controlling the story. "I'll take care of it. We’ll release a statement, just enough to make it clear that everything is going according to plan. That way, the press won’t have much room to speculate."

Arlo gave a curt nod, his mind already drifting back to Lune. The media attention was an irritation, but it was a small price to pay for what he wanted. Soon, none of that would matter. He would have Lune by his side, and no amount of publicity or scrutiny could change that.

As the car smoothly navigated through the city streets, Marcus hesitated for a moment before speaking again, his voice more cautious this time.

"Arlo," he began, glancing at his boss through the rearview mirror, "there’s something else we need to consider before we make any announcement."

Arlo raised an eyebrow, his patience already thin. "What is it?"

Marcus took a deep breath, knowing that this could be a touchy subject. "I'm concerned about how… well, how she might react. Your arrangement with her isn’t exactly discreet. If she finds out about the marriage through the news instead of directly from you, it could cause trouble."

For a moment, Arlo’s expression hardened. He knew exactly who Marcus was referring to—his casual lover, a woman he had kept around for physical convenience, someone who had never meant anything more to him than a distraction. She was beautiful and had served her purpose, but there was no future there, not now that Lune was in the picture.

"She’s irrelevant," Arlo said coldly, his tone dismissive. "That was never serious, and it was never going to last. She’ll understand her place when she hears about the marriage."

Marcus shifted in his seat, unconvinced. "She might not take it as lightly as you think. From what I’ve heard, she’s not the type to let things go quietly. If she feels slighted, she could make this… messy. The last thing we need is for her to run to the press or start causing a scene. It could complicate everything with Lune."

Arlo’s eyes narrowed. The idea of anyone interfering with his plans for Lune angered him, but Marcus wasn’t wrong. His lover had always been possessive, even though there had never been any real promises between them. If she decided to retaliate out of spite, she could become a problem.

"I’ll deal with her," Arlo said finally, his voice low and firm. "Make the announcement, but I’ll handle the rest. I won’t let anyone—least of all her—get in the way of this."

Marcus nodded, relieved to have brought the issue up. He knew Arlo had a way of getting what he wanted, but even the most powerful men had to tread carefully when emotions were involved. As the car continued its journey, Marcus remained silent, trusting that Arlo would do whatever was necessary to keep his future with Lune secure.