Luna
After packing my clothes, KJ took me to a beauty parlor and left me there without another word.
I stood frozen at the entrance long after he drove off.
I had no words. I was traumatized… confused… or maybe just still trying to process the fact that I was about to marry a man I didn't love. A man I couldn't even picture myself with.
A stranger in my own fate.
KJ had said someone would come pick me up.
The girls at the parlor talked about him the entire time—KJ. Their voices were filled with fear, admiration, and curiosity.
They whispered about how he had called off his engagement with the famous model Celine.
That alone made my chest tighten.
Why would someone like him… choose me instead?
"And… we are done," the stylist finally said, stepping back proudly.
I slowly turned toward the mirror.
I almost didn't recognize myself.
My blonde hair was perfectly styled, falling in soft waves. My blue eyes looked sharper, more defined. Pink lipstick softened my expression, but I still looked… unfamiliar. Like a doll someone had dressed up.
"Oh my God," one of the girls gasped. "You look gorgeous. Like Barbie."
Barbie ???.
That name hit something in my mind.
KJ used to call me that too.
Before I could think deeper, the door opened.
A man walked in with brisky steps.
He had emerald green eyes, silky black hair, and a calm, controlled presence. Tall, fit, and undeniably strong—but unlike KJ, his aura wasn't suffocating. It was… warm.
He looked familiar.
Not like KJ, but like someone connected to him.
Then he smiled.
"Hi," he said gently. "My name is Lucian Jace Ashford. LJ for short. I'm Khalil's brother. He sent me to pick you up."
For a moment, I just stared at him.
So this was the softer version of KJ.
How could two brothers be so different?
The other was cold… ruthless… dangerous.
And this one looked like he could actually smile without breaking someone's soul.
"I'm fine," I said slowly. "My name is Luna James Varelia. LJ for short."
I smirked slightly.
He laughed. "Oh wow… that's funny. We both are LJ."
And just like that, I laughed too.
It was brief… but real.
Then he gestured toward the door. "So… shall we go? To your future husband's house. My home. Our home."
The words made my stomach drop.
Khalil's POV
I heard the car arrive before I saw it.
The gates opened slowly, and the black vehicle entered the mansion grounds.
From my office window, I watched everything.
Lucian stepped out first and opened the door.
Then she appeared.
Luna.
For a second… I froze.
She looked exactly like she used to.
Blonde hair. Blue eyes. That same fragile beauty I remembered from childhood.
But I quickly pushed the thought away.
Celine would have been better.
Stronger. Fiercer. A real she-wolf.
Luna was… human.
Weak.
Feeble.
A burden.
Still, I watched as she stepped out of the car and followed Lucian inside.
I came down the stairs after almost an hour.
Not because I was nervous.
Because I was on a call with international clients.
When I finally reached the living room, I paused.
She was laughing.
Laughing with Lucian, Mira, and Aunt Meredith like she had always belonged here.
The room that was usually silent… was alive because of her.
"What did I miss?" I said coldly, stepping into the room.
The laughter stopped instantly.
Her smile disappeared.
So did the warmth in her eyes.
"Brother," Mira said quickly, "we were just getting to know your future wife."
"Good," I replied flatly. "Because we don't have much time."
I looked at the clock.
"Help her get ready. The wedding is in three hours."
Silence.
Then shock.
"What?!" Lucian yelled. "Three hours?!"
Aunt Meredith gasped. "Good heavens!"
Mira immediately grabbed Luna's hand. "Come on, let's go."
Luna didn't resist.
But I saw it.
The fear.
John and Lucian later barged into my room while I was changing.
"Don't you know how to knock?" I snapped.
John grinned. "It's your last day of being single."
"Your last day of peace and our last day of barging in your room," Lucian added.
I scoffed. "You two are unbearable."
John leaned closer. "At least make out with her before the ceremony."
I grabbed his collar instantly.
"Say that again."
They both burst into laughter as I shoved him away.
"Get out."
Night fell.
The full moon was high.
The forest was silent except for chanting near the sacred shrine.
Lucian brought Luna in one car. I came in another.
Before the ceremony, I pulled her aside.
"Follow me," I said.
"Where are you taking me?" she asked nervously. "What is going on, KJ?"
I stopped walking.
Then I turned to her.
"I'm going to be honest with you."
Her breath hitched.
"I am not human."
She blinked. "…What?"
"I am a werewolf," I said calmly. "And tonight… our mating ritual will bind us."
Her eyes widened.
"That's impossible," she whispered. "That only happens in movies… like Twilight."
I exhaled sharply.
Then I extended my hand.
"Look at me."
She hesitated.
But then I let it happen.
My eyes shifted—blue glowing under the moonlight.
She stumbled back.
"Do you eat people?!" she asked in panic.
I actually laughed.
"Hell no."
I stepped closer, lowering my voice.
"I can't hurt you. Because you are my mate. Your pain… is my pain. Your emotions… are mine too." But if you annoy me I'll do something and I smirked.
Her breathing slowed slightly.
But she still looked terrified.
I waited.
Almost ten minutes.
Until she finally nodded.
We returned to the shrine.
The Moon Goddess stood waiting.
"Alpha," she said. "Give me your hand."
I extended it.
She cut my palm.
Blood dripped into the glowing chalice.
Then Luna.
She hesitated as the blade touched her skin.
She flinched.
But she didn't scream.
She didn't want to show weakness.
Her blood joined mine.
The vessel glowed brighter than the moon itself.
The bond was real.
The Goddess smiled.
"It is done."
She handed me the chalice.
I drank first.
It burned like fire down my throat… then turned into warmth.
Power.
Connection.
I handed it back.
Luna's hands trembled as she took it.
"You can do this," I said quietly.
She drank.
And I felt it.
Her fear.
Her pain.
Her heartbeat syncing with mine.
The bond snapped into place.
The Goddess raised her voice.
"Behold! Alpha Khalil Ashford… and Luna Varelia… King and Queen. Bound by the Moon. Forever."
The crowd erupted.
After the Ceremony
Back at the mansion, silence returned.
Luna sat stiffly in my bedroom.
I watched her from the doorway.
"Come," I said. "It's late."
She followed silently.
When she saw the room, she froze.
Black walls. Black sheets. Dark furniture.
"This is your room?" she whispered.
"Yes."
She swallowed. " Why is it Black?" Because Black is my favorite colour I replied
"Black… like your heart."
I stepped closer suddenly.
My hand grabbed her wrist—not harsh, but firm.
"You've grown wings, Barbie."
She didn't respond.
Fear was still in her eyes.
But I wasn't going to touch her.
Not like that.
Not ever.
I released her and turned away.
Then I spoke coldly.
"Look at me."
She hesitated… then obeyed.
Her eyes met mine.
"I don't love you," I said firmly. "And I will not pretend that I do."
Her shoulders dropped slightly.
"I have a woman I care about deeply," I continued. "And I don't see myself touching you. Not now. Not ever."
A long silence.
Then she exhaled… like she had been holding her breath for hours.
Relief.
Good.
Let her breathe.
Let her live.
Because this bond… is not what either of us expected.