Chapter 9

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 confidante, stood in the doorway, her eyes blazing with fury. She had always known about his plans for Lune, but now that the wedding was imminent, it seemed her patience had run out.

Arlo turned slowly, his expression calm, though his eyes flashed with a hint of annoyance. "Valeria," he said smoothly, "you’re here unannounced."

Valeria stepped further into the room, her presence commanding, her anger barely contained. "Unannounced? You’re marrying someone else and you expect me to just sit back and watch?"

Arlo’s gaze darkened, but he remained composed. "You knew what this was from the beginning. Lune is my mate. I was always going to marry her."

"That’s not the point!" Valeria spat, her voice sharp. "The point is you’re throwing me aside as if none of this—" she gestured between them, her words laced with venom—"meant anything. And now you think you can just waltz into a human’s life and make her your bride without consequences?"

Arlo narrowed his eyes, stepping closer. "Watch your tone, Valeria. You knew your place. This is how it has to be."

Valeria’s lips curled into a bitter smile. "Oh, I know my place, all right. But does she? Does Lune know who—or rather, what—you really are? Have you told her that you’re not just a man, but a beast?"

Arlo’s jaw tightened, his patience wearing thin. He didn’t like being questioned, especially not about Lune. "She doesn’t need to know that yet. I will tell her when the time is right."

Valeria let out a laugh, cold and mocking. "And you think she’ll stay with you once she finds out? You think she’ll accept you when she learns what you are?" She stepped closer, her eyes gleaming with malice. "What if I told her first? What if I told her everything—about us, about the kind of monster you really are?"

Arlo’s eyes blazed with fury now, his predatory instincts rising to the surface. He took another step toward her, his voice a low growl. "You wouldn’t dare."

Valeria didn’t flinch. She met his gaze head-on, unafraid. "Try me. I know you, Arlo. You think you’ve got everything under control, but this is different. Lune isn’t just some pawn in your game. She’s a human, and humans aren’t like us. They don’t accept things like beasts and mates so easily."

Arlo’s fists clenched at his sides, his entire body taut with barely restrained anger. "What do you want, Valeria?"

She smirked, sensing his desperation. "I want what’s mine. I want you to end this charade and walk away from her. We both know she’s never going to understand what you are, and when she does, she’ll run."

Arlo’s expression hardened, and his voice dropped to an icy whisper. "You don’t get to decide that. Lune is mine, and I will claim her, whether you approve or not."

Valeria’s smile faded, replaced by a look of pure contempt. "Then maybe I’ll find her myself. I’ll tell her about everything—about us, about the creatures we are. Let’s see if she’s still so willing to walk down the aisle when she knows the truth."

For a moment, silence hung between them, thick with tension. Arlo’s eyes burned with cold fury, but Valeria held her ground. She knew she was playing with fire, but she didn’t care. She wanted to see him squirm, to see him lose control over something he thought he had so perfectly planned.

"Leave," Arlo said finally, his voice low and dangerous. "Before you do something you’ll regret."

Valeria’s eyes flashed, but she didn’t move. Instead, she leaned in closer, her voice dripping with menace. "You don’t scare me, Arlo. If you think you can just discard me and get away with it, you’re wrong. I’ll find her, and I’ll tell her everything. Then we’ll see how perfect your little plan is."

She turned on her heel and strode toward the door, her head held high. Arlo watched her go, his fists still clenched, his body trembling with barely controlled rage. His mind raced. He had known Valeria wouldn’t take this easily, but he hadn’t expected her to go this far.

He had to move faster, to ensure that nothing—and no one—stood in the way of his claim over Lune. Valeria might have threatened him, but he knew one thing for sure: nothing would stop him from making Lune his mate, not even the truth about what he really was.

But now, he would have to deal with Valeria before she could ruin everything. And he would, by any means necessary.

Lune collapsed onto her bed, the weight of the day pressing down on her. She stared at the ceiling, her mind swirling with the events of the past few weeks—her parents' betrayal, the forced wedding, and the growing pressure to give up her life for a future she didn’t want. She felt like she was drowning, suffocated by expectations that didn’t belong to her.

In the quiet of her room, a desperate need to talk to someone familiar welled up inside her. She needed to hear a voice that wasn’t wrapped in guilt or insistence, someone who could listen without judgment. With a shaky breath, she reached for her phone and scrolled through her contacts until she found Valerie’s name. Valerie, her best friend who had been out of town for what felt like forever. They hadn’t spoken much lately, but Valerie had always been the one person who understood her.

Lune pressed the call button and waited as the phone rang. After a few moments, Valerie’s warm, familiar voice came through the line.

"Lune? Oh my God, it’s been ages! I’ve missed you!" Valerie’s voice was filled with excitement, unaware of the turmoil in Lune’s heart.

Lune tried to smile, though it didn’t reach her eyes. "Hey, Val. I’ve missed you too."

"What’s going on? How have you been? It feels like I’ve been out of town for ages, and we haven’t caught up."

Lune hesitated for a moment, the words lodged in her throat. She wasn’t sure where to start, but the overwhelming need to get it out overtook her. "Val, my life is… a mess."

There was a pause on the other end. "What do you mean? What’s happening?"

Taking a deep breath, Lune sat up in bed, clutching the phone tighter. "You know how my parents were struggling with money? Well, they… they accepted a marriage proposal on my behalf. And now I’m getting married in two weeks."

"What?!" Valerie’s voice was loud, filled with disbelief. "Married? To who? I didn’t even know you were seeing anyone!"

"That’s the thing," Lune whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "I’m not. His name’s Arlo. I’ve met him once, and I barely know anything about him. He paid off my family’s debts, and now they’ve pushed me into this wedding."

There was a long silence on the other end of the line. Lune could almost picture Valerie’s stunned expression.

"Lune… this is insane. They can’t just force you into a marriage like this. What the hell is going on?"

Lune swallowed hard, tears threatening to spill over. "I don’t know what to do. I feel like I’m losing control of everything. My job, my life… and now, they want me to give it all up and plan a wedding. I didn’t even get a say."

"Are you serious? They want you to quit your job too?" Valerie’s voice rose again, incredulous. "Lune, this isn’t right. You shouldn’t be forced into this."

"I know," Lune whispered, her voice cracking. "But it’s like no one cares what I want. Arlo’s taken care of everything, and my parents are acting like this is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. But I don’t even know who this man is, Val. I don’t know what he wants from me."

Valerie’s tone softened, full of concern. "Lune, you need to talk to someone—someone who can help. This isn’t just some bad situation you can go along with. You have a right to your life, to your choices."

Lune nodded, even though Valerie couldn’t see her. "I know… but I don’t know how to get out of this. It’s like I’m trapped."

"You’re not trapped," Valerie said firmly. "We’ll figure this out. I’m coming back into town soon. Just hold on until I get there, okay? We’ll talk, and we’ll find a way to get you out of this mess."

Lune felt a small glimmer of hope at her friend’s words. Valerie had always been her rock, the one person who could help her think clearly when everything felt overwhelming. "Thanks, Val. I really need you right now."

"I’m here, Lune. Always. We’ll get through this together, okay? Just hang in there."

As they ended the call, Lune lay back down, feeling a little lighter for the first time in days. At least now, she didn’t feel so alone. Valerie was coming back, and maybe, just maybe, she could help Lune find a way out of this nightmare.

It wasn’t long after the call ended that Valerie found herself unable to shake the unease she felt. Something about Arlo’s name had seemed vaguely familiar, and curiosity gnawed at her. She sat down with her laptop and began typing his name into the search bar.

It didn’t take much effort for the results to flood in. Article after article, business profiles, interviews, and photos—Arlo was everywhere. He wasn’t just a wealthy man; he was the billionaire. A powerful figure who controlled more industries than Valerie could have imagined, with influence reaching far beyond their small town. Arlo dominated the tech world, real estate, and finance, and his reputation was one of being ruthless but brilliant.

Valerie's eyes widened as she scrolled through articles detailing his vast fortune, his sharp business acumen, and his luxurious lifestyle. Photos of him in designer suits at glamorous events, private jets, and sprawling mansions appeared. She could see why Lune’s parents had pushed her toward this marriage. Arlo wasn’t just rich—he was powerful in ways most people could only dream of.

She sat back in her chair, her mind spinning. Marrying Arlo could change Lune’s life completely. The small-town girl she knew could become the wife of one of the most influential men in the world. It wasn’t just about wealth; it was about status, connections, and a life that most people would envy.

The more she thought about it, the more she began to question her earlier reaction. Lune had been thrust into a situation without a choice, but was it really the worst thing? Valerie picked up her phone again, hesitating for a moment before dialing Lune’s number.

The phone rang twice before Lune picked up, her voice sounding tired but hopeful. “Val?”

“Hey, it’s me again,” Valerie said, her tone more serious this time. “I’ve been thinking about what we talked about… and I did some digging on Arlo.”

Lune’s heart sank a little. “Yeah? What did you find?”

Valerie paused before continuing. “Lune, he’s not just some rich guy. He’s Arlo Donavan. The Arlo Donavan. He’s got a net worth in the billions, and he’s a major player in practically everything. He’s not just wealthy, he’s powerful. Marrying him… it could change your life.”

Lune sat up in bed, her grip on the phone tightening. “I don’t care about his money, Val. I told you that. I don’t even know him.”

“I know you don’t,” Valerie replied quickly. “But I think you need to see the bigger picture here. This isn’t just about some guy with cash—this is about having access to a life most people would kill for. You could have anything you’ve ever dreamed of. You’d be set for life.”

Lune frowned, unsure of where this was going. “What are you saying? That I should just go along with it? Marry him because he’s rich?”

“No,” Valerie said, trying to clarify. “I’m saying that maybe this isn’t as bad as it seems. I get that you feel trapped, but you could have the world at your feet, Lune. And who knows? Maybe Arlo isn’t as bad as you think. People like him… they don’t just throw away opportunities. He saw something in you.”

Lune was silent for a moment, processing Valerie’s words. “But, Val, I don’t want to be someone’s trophy wife. I don’t want to be part of a life I never chose.”

“I understand that,” Valerie said softly. “But think about what your life could be. No more worrying about money, no more struggling. You could travel the world, live in luxury, and have everything you’ve ever wanted. Maybe you don’t know him now, but marriages like this… they can work, especially when both people stand to gain something.”

Lune shook her head, the conflict rising within her. “I don’t know… It feels wrong.”

“I get it,” Valerie said. “But at the same time, this is your chance to have a life most people only dream of. I just don’t want you to regret turning it down without giving it a real chance. Maybe you could get to know him, see if there’s more to him than just the money. If it doesn’t work, then at least you tried.”

Lune felt a pit form in her stomach. Everything Valerie said made sense logically, but her heart wasn’t in it. Still, the idea of walking away from a life of luxury, of security, weighed heavily on her mind.

“I don’t know what to do,” Lune whispered, her voice barely audible.

“Just think about it,” Valerie urged. “Don’t rush to say no. You might find that this is the best thing that’s ever happened to you. And if you need me, I’ll be here to help you through it.”

Lune nodded, though doubt still lingered in her heart. “Okay. I’ll think about it.”

But as the call ended, Lune couldn’t shake the feeling that no amount of money or power could make up for the growing sense of unease in her chest.