One Step At A Time

Isabella’s POV

I couldn’t believe it. My wedding day was finally here. Today, I would become Luna. And today, I would show the entire world and especially Chris that I was no longer a secret hidden behind closed doors. I had become something more. Something powerful.

“Frightened?” my dad’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

I turned to face him, smiling.

“Not at all.”

He chuckled, the lines around his eyes crinkling with pride. “I’m so proud of you. Today, I get to say I’m the father of the Luna. Your mother was bragging about the wedding all day yesterday.”

I laughed. That sounded exactly like her. I would’ve done the same if I were in her shoes.

“What about Mark?” I asked, glancing around the room.

“He’s probably off trying to charm women again. His ego’s been through the roof ever since your wedding was announced.”

“Typical,” I said, shaking my head. “He won’t learn his lesson until one of them punches him in the face.”

I turned back to the mirror, smoothing down the delicate fabric of my dress. I had woken up earlier than usual, too excited to sleep properly. My eyes were bright, and my heart felt lighter than it had in years. The dress Lucian got for me was exactly what I wanted, maybe even more. It shimmered with elegance, hugging my body in all the right places.

“You look beautiful, by the way,” Dad said, resting a warm hand on my lower back.

“Thank you, Dad.” I met his eyes in the mirror and smiled.

“I’ll leave you to finish getting ready,” he said before heading out of the dressing room.

Once he was gone, I asked the maids Lucian had assigned to help me to step out. I wanted a few moments alone. The guests were probably already arriving, and my nerves were starting to buzz. I wondered if Chris had shown up yet.

As I adjusted my dress one last time, the door creaked open. I looked at the mirror and saw Lucian walk in. His presence changed the air instantly. My body tensed, alert, just from the way he moved.

He approached me with a frown.

“What’s wrong?” I asked carefully.

“Where are the women I assigned to help you get dressed?” he asked, sounding irritated.

I let out a quiet breath, relieved. “I sent them out. I needed a moment to myself, and I’m already dressed, see?”

I turned to face him. His expression softened a little.

“Not getting cold feet, are you?”

I grinned and shook my head. Cold feet? Me? Not when I was about to step into real power. No way.

“You look beautiful. Like you were made for me,” he said, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me against him.

I gasped softly from the sudden contact. My skin tingled.

“You know it’s bad luck to see the bride before the wedding,” I teased.

“I don’t care. Nothing could keep me from seeing you,” he said.

I felt the heat rise to my cheeks and lowered my head, trying to hide the blush. But he gently lifted my chin with his finger.

Lucian loved looking at my face. I had learned that much. Even now, when I was blushing like a fool, he wanted to see every part of it.

“Eyes on me, always,” he whispered near my lips.

My breath caught. “Please… don’t kiss me,” I murmured.

His eyes widened a bit. I could tell he misunderstood, but before I could explain, his lips pressed against mine in a hard kiss.

It wasn’t like the soft, slow kisses he usually gave me. This one was intense, hungry. My knees went weak, and I clung to his shoulders to keep from falling.

“I’ll kiss you whenever I want,” he said with a grin.

I turned back to the mirror and groaned. “You ruined my makeup.”

He laughed, clearly not sorry at all. “That’s why I said not to kiss me,” I added, pouting.

He raised his hands playfully. “I’m not apologizing. But I’ll call the women to fix you up.”

I sighed. Sometimes it was hard to believe this man even had a shy side.

He leaned in close again. “Honestly, I wouldn’t mind if you walked out there just like this. Then everyone would know exactly what I did to youz and that you belong to me.”

I bit my lip. I didn’t know where all his possessiveness came from, but damn, it was hot.

“Just go, Lucian,” I said, trying to hide my face again. But then I remembered he hated when I looked away from him. So I forced myself to keep my eyes on him, cheeks burning.

“Don’t stay too long. All the guests are here now.”

I wanted to ask if Chris had arrived, but I kept quiet. Lucian already knew. Even in the short time we had been together, he had learned how to read my mind.

“He’s here,” Lucian said calmly. “Front row. He brought someone too. I made sure they’d both have a perfect view of you.”

I couldn’t help but smile. “If I wasn’t already marrying you, I’d ask you to marry me right now.”

Lucian grinned, his arms wrapping around me again as his thumbs brushed along my sides. I knew that look in his eyes especially when he wanted another kiss.

“Does that mean I get a reward?”

I laughed. “No. Not yet, at least.”

His smile faded slightly, and something darker flickered in his eyes. I swallowed hard. Maybe I should’ve just let him kiss me again.

“Very well then,” he said softly. “Until later. Get redone. And then let’s go show the world who you belong to—starting today.”

He kissed my shoulder gently before leaving the room.

I stood there, speechless, my heart pounding in my chest.

Moments later, the three women Lucian had sent earlier returned. They paused when they saw me. Their eyes widened and their faces turned red with embarrassment. It was just a kiss, but the way I looked, they probably thought we had wild sex on the dressing room floor. Knowing Lucian, he might not have minded that idea at all.

“Let’s get you fixed up,” one of them said with a smile.

I nodded, looking back at myself in the mirror.

Chris had better watch closely. Today was the beginning. And I was going to take everything from him. One step at a time.