Evelyn paced around the small living room, her hands wringing the corner of her apron. Gerald sat at the table, his fingers drumming impatiently on the wood, but the tension in his face betrayed his unease. The house felt unusually quiet despite the looming presence of the decision they'd made. Arlo would arrive soon, and with him, the final steps of their daughter's future would be cemented.
"I just don't know if we made the right choice," Evelyn murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. She stopped by the window, peering out as if expecting Arlo’s shadowy figure to appear any moment. Gerald sighed, leaning back in his chair. "We had no choice, Evelyn. Our debts... Lune will be secure, and that's all that matters now." "But we barely know him! And Lune..." She trailed off, her heart aching at the memory of her daughter’s sullen silence, the distance she’d created between them ever since they had accepted Arlo’s offer. "I know," Gerald replied, his voice quieter now. "But Arlo is impatient, and if he’s kept waiting much longer, we might lose everything." Evelyn turned away from the window, biting her lip. “Do you think Lune will ever forgive us?” Gerald’s face hardened as he rose from his seat. “She’ll have to understand someday. We did what we thought was best.” A heavy silence fell between them. Evelyn nodded slowly, but the weight of their decision pressed down harder than ever. The sound of hooves on gravel echoed faintly outside, and Evelyn’s stomach clenched. “He’s here,” Gerald muttered, straightening his shirt and offering his wife a steadying look. They both knew that nothing would be the same after today. The soft knock on the door sent a ripple of tension through the room. Evelyn exchanged a glance with Gerald, her heart racing as she smoothed down her apron. Gerald walked toward the door with deliberate steps, trying to maintain his composure, though the weight of the moment was clear on his face. When the door swung open, there stood Arlo—tall, imposing, and eerily calm. His dark eyes scanned the room briefly before they landed on Gerald with an expectant look. Gerald forced a smile and extended his hand. “Arlo,” Gerald greeted him, his voice steady despite the nervous flutter in his chest. “Come in.” Arlo shook Gerald’s hand firmly, his grip conveying a quiet authority. "Thank you for having me." As Arlo stepped inside, Evelyn moved forward, offering a polite but strained smile. “Welcome, Arlo. Please, make yourself comfortable.” Arlo nodded, his eyes surveying the modest surroundings before he took a seat at the table. His movements were controlled, almost too measured, as if every gesture had been rehearsed. Evelyn felt a shiver crawl up her spine, but she quickly dismissed it, focusing on being a gracious host. Once they were all seated, Gerald cleared his throat. "We’re glad you could come. We thought it was time we discussed... the wedding plans." "Yes," Arlo said with a faint smile, his sharp gaze never wavering. "I’ve waited a long time for this. I’m eager for things to move forward." Evelyn swallowed, trying to calm the unease rising within her. "Of course," she said softly, "we want what’s best for Lune. We were thinking something small, intimate—just close family." Arlo’s expression tightened briefly. “I’m fine with whatever pleases Lune,” he said, his voice low and controlled, though there was an edge to his words. “But the sooner, the better.” Gerald nodded, not wanting to push Arlo on the matter. “We can start making arrangements. The local chapel—” “Two weeks,” Arlo interrupted, his tone final. “That should be enough time, don’t you think?” Evelyn glanced at Gerald in alarm. Two weeks? It seemed so rushed, but she could see that there was no room for negotiation. She forced a smile and nodded. "We’ll do our best to make it happen." Silence hung in the air for a moment before Evelyn, trying to ease the tension, offered a softer question. “Arlo, we’ve never heard much about your family. Will anyone from your side be attending?” A flicker of something unreadable passed through Arlo’s eyes. His jaw clenched slightly before he answered, his voice flat. “My parents are dead.” The room fell into a strained silence as the weight of his words lingered in the air. Evelyn’s heart sank at her ill-chosen question. "Oh… I’m so sorry to hear that," she whispered, feeling a pang of guilt for asking. “It was a long time ago,” Arlo said, his tone detached, though his eyes had darkened. “I’m the only family I need.” Evelyn shifted uncomfortably in her seat, sensing the finality in his words. Gerald cleared his throat again, attempting to break the tension. “Well, it looks like everything is set. We’ll begin preparations right away.” Arlo nodded, his expression unreadable once again. "Good. I’ll take care of the rest." The meeting was brief, the air heavy with unsaid words. Arlo’s presence lingered long after he left the house, leaving Evelyn and Gerald sitting in uneasy silence. The wedding was now a certainty, but the questions in their hearts remained unanswered. Arlo stepped out of Lune’s home, the tension from the meeting still clinging to him. The air outside felt lighter, though the weight of his plans pressed down more than ever. He walked toward the sleek black car waiting at the edge of the road, his expression hardening as he approached. His Beta, Marcus, stood by the car, opening the door for him with a silent nod. Once inside, the door shut with a soft thud, sealing Arlo in the quiet comfort of the car’s interior. He exhaled sharply, his mind running over the meeting with Lune’s parents, calculating every detail. Everything was moving according to plan. But still, Lune’s reluctance gnawed at him, a subtle irritation that he’d soon fix. Marcus into the driver’s seat, glancing at Arlo through the rearview mirror. “How did it go?” “As expected,” Arlo replied, his voice cold. “The wedding will be in two weeks. There’s no turning back now.” Marcus nodded, starting the engine. "Good. Should I proceed with the media announcement?" Arlo stared out the window for a moment, his eyes narrowing as the trees blurred past. “Yes,” he said slowly, “but keep her identity a secret. I don’t want anyone to know who she is until the time is right.” Marcus raised an eyebrow but didn’t question him further. “Understood. I’ll release the statement. Something vague, just enough to stir interest.” “Exactly,” Arlo replied, his tone sharp. “I want the world to know I’m getting married, but no one touches Lune. Not yet.” Marcus glanced briefly at Arlo through the mirror again, sensing the possessiveness in his words. “Anything else?” Arlo’s lips curled into a faint smirk. “Make sure it’s done discreetly. I don’t want any unnecessary attention before the wedding.” Marcus nodded once more, understanding the gravity of Arlo’s request. “Consider it done.” The rest of the drive was spent in silence, the only sound being the hum of the engine as Arlo’s mind worked through the final pieces of his plan. Soon, everything would fall into place, just as he had always intended. And Lune? She would be his, fully and completely, whether she liked it or not.Lune dragged herself through the front door, her limbs heavy from the long day of work. She had been trying to keep her mind busy, to distract herself from the impending doom of her future, but no amount of work could stop the dread that clung to her every thought. She dropped her bag by the door and headed toward the kitchen, expecting the usual quiet, but she immediately felt the tension in the air. Her parents were sitting at the table, waiting for her. Evelyn’s eyes were red-rimmed, and Gerald looked more serious than usual. Lune froze, her heart sinking. Something was wrong—she could feel it. “Lune, honey,” her mother started softly, glancing nervously at her husband before turning her gaze back to her daughter. “We need to talk.” Lune’s body tensed, her exhaustion quickly replaced by a wave of anxiety. She moved toward the table slowly, her mind already racing with possibilities. She didn’t have to wait long. “Arlo came by earlier,” Gerald said, his voice gruff but not unkin
Owe news spread through the town like wildfire—Arlo, the mysterious billionaire who kept mostly to himself, was getting onesried. It seemed that no one could talk about anything else. Whispers filled the streets, shops, and cafés, and every corner of the town buzzed with speculation."Can you believe it? Arlo’s finally tying the knot!" one woman exclaimed in the bakery, her eyes wide with disbelief as she spoke to her friend."I wonder who the lucky bride is," another woman chimed in, leaning over the counter. "No one’s even seen her, but she must be stunning to catch his eye."The truth was, no one in town had any idea who the bride-to-be was. Arlo had been careful to keep Lune’s identity a secret, and despite the growing curiosty, the town had been left guessing. This only fueled the excitement, turning Arlo's upcoming wedding into the most talked-about event in recent memory.The girls in town, especially, couldn’t stop speculating. Arlo had always been a subject of fascination—his
Arlo stood in front of the massive windows of his penthouse, gazing out at the sprawling city below. Everything was falling into place perfectly, just as he had planned. Lune was to be his in two weeks, and the preparations were already in full swing. Her parents had done their part, and now, she was being swept into the whirlwind of planning a wedding she had no control over. A small, satisfied smile crept across his face. Soon, she would be his—bound to him forever. It was all he had ever wanted, to claim what was rightfully his. He had waited long enough, watching Lune from the shadows, preparing for the moment when he could finally have her. And now, nothing would stand in his way. But his peace was shattered when the door to his penthouse swung open. A sharp voice cut through the silence. "So it’s true," a woman’s voice hissed. "You’re actually going through with it." Arlo didn’t turn immediately. He knew who it was without needing to look. Valeria, his long-time lover and co
The days blurred together for Lune, each one creeping closer to the wedding with an overwhelming sense of inevitability. It felt as though time moved too quickly, yet each hour dragged on in agonizing silence. The preparations for the wedding had transformed her home into a whirlwind of activity, with servants rushing about, fabrics strewn across every surface, and flowers blooming in every corner. But amidst the bustle, Lune remained still, caught in the eye of the storm.Valerie had returned from her trip, her presence a brief comfort, but even her cheerful attempts to lift Lune’s spirits could not shake the heavy feeling lodged in her chest. Lune smiled when she was supposed to, nodded when spoken to, but inside, her thoughts tumbled and twisted.Now, with the wedding just a day away, Lune lay awake in her room, staring at the ceiling. The weight of her future pressed down on her. Tomorrow, she would no longer be herself—Lune, the girl who once had dreams and ambitions of her own.
The long-awaited wedding day had finally arrived. The sun hung high in the sky, casting a soft, golden glow over the grand estate where the ceremony would take place. Everything looked perfect—the flowers, the decorations, and the guests—but Lune felt anything but calm.In her room, she stared at herself in the mirror, her heart pounding. The wedding dress, a delicate blend of lace and satin, hugged her form, but instead of excitement, a heavy sense of dread filled her chest. It felt suffocating, the weight of her parents' decision pressing down on her shoulders. Her mind raced, thoughts swirling like a storm. Is this really what I want? She wondered, her fingers trembling as she adjusted the veil. The reality of becoming Arlo’s wife, a man she barely knew yet felt trapped by, gnawed at her.Downstairs, Arlo was placed in a private room, his heart beating with eager anticipation. His patience had run thin over the years, and now the day had come—Lune would finally be his. The months o
Ver marriage ceremony had concluded with an air of finality. As the guests dispersed, Lune felt the overwhelming weight of what was to come pressing down on her. The vows had been spoken, the ritual complete, and now, the next step was unavoidable. She was to move in with Arlo, her new husband, and her life was about to change forever.Outside, Marcus, Arlo’s Beta and most trusted right-hand man, waited beside a sleek, black car. It was polished and imposing, a stark reminder that everything had been carefully planned and prepared. Marcus, ever watchful, leaned against the car with a calm yet authoritative presence. He was here to ensure the transition was smooth, but his eyes lingered on Lune, knowing the weight of this moment for her.Lune turned to her parents, her heart aching. Her father smiled, trying to reassure her, but the tension in his expression betrayed his unease. Her mother, holding back tears, wrapped her in a long, tight embrace."Stay strong, Lune," her mother whispe
Lune stood before the grand vanity, taking one last glance at her reflection. She had changed into a soft, flowing gown the maids had laid out for her—a delicate shade of ivory that complemented her skin, with intricate lace detailing along the bodice and sleeves. Her hair was loosely pinned back, soft tendrils framing her face. There was a subtle grace to her appearance, though she couldn’t shake the nervousness fluttering in her chest.With a final deep breath, she stepped out of the room. The younger maid from earlier was waiting outside the door, offering her a warm smile. "Lady Lune, if you're ready, I’ll escort you downstairs."Lune nodded, following the maid as they made their way back down the long corridor. The soft rustle of her gown was the only sound as they descended the grand staircase. As they reached the bottom step, Lune looked up, and there, standing at the far end of the dining hall, was Arlo.The moment his eyes met hers, everything around them seemed to be still.
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 see