LYRA’S POV
I stood in front of the full-length mirror, turning slowly to examine the dress I’d chosen for tonight.
It was short: red, bold, and unfairly beautiful.
The fabric hugged my curves in all the right places, with a slit that ran up the side, revealing just enough skin to be daring without being inappropriate.
The neckline dipped tastefully, and the hem fell mid-thigh.
This is too much.
Way too much for dinner.
But I couldn’t bring myself to change.
Kael had spent thousands of dollars to get me this at the last minute.
I reached for the jewelry laid out on the vanity.
A delicate silver bracelet with tiny diamonds that caught the light, and matching earrings that dangled elegantly.
I slid them on, watching the stones sparkle against my skin.
Then I picked up the necklace, a thin silver chain with a small pendant, and tried to fasten it behind my neck.
My fingers fumbled with the clasp.
But I couldn’t quite get it…
And then I felt him.
Kael walked in from behind me.
I saw his reflection in the mirror before I heard his footsteps.
He was dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit that made my breath catch.
He reached out, his fingers brushing against the back of my neck as he took the necklace from me.
“Let me,” he murmured.
I froze.
His hands were gentle as he fastened the clasp, his fingers brushing against my skin.
The touch was brief, barely a second, but it sent a shockwave through me.
My skin burned where he’d touched me.
My heart pounded in my chest.
My breath came in shallow gasps.
Get a grip, Lyra.
It’s just a necklace.
It’s just a touch.
But it wasn’t.
Not with him.
He stepped back, his eyes meeting mine in the mirror.
“You look beautiful,” he said quietly.
I felt the heat rush to my cheeks.
A blush crept across my face, warming up my cold skin.
“Thank you,” I managed, my voice barely above a whisper.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The restaurant was…
extraordinary.
I stood on the pavement, staring up at the building in awe.
It was massive: all glass and steel and warm golden light spilling out from within.
Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, visible through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
The entrance was flanked by marble columns, and the doors were tall and imposing, crafted from polished mahogany.
Kael stepped out first, then walked around to open my door.
He extended his hand to help me out.
I took it, his fingers warm and steady against mine.
“Ready?” he asked.
I nodded, unable to find words.
He led me inside, his hand resting on the small of my back.
The moment we stepped through the doors, every staff member in sight bowed.
“Alpha Kael.
Welcome to The Gilded Table.”
I glanced around, my eyes wide as I took it all in.
Crystal chandeliers, marble floors, white tablecloths draped over elegant tables, each one set with silverware and fresh flowers.
The entire restaurant was immaculate… like something out of a dream.
Kael pulled out a chair for me.
I sat down, still looking around in wonder.
“Do you like it?” he asked, settling into the seat across from me.
“I love it,” I breathed.
“It’s beautiful.”
But then I noticed something.
The restaurant was empty.
Completely empty.
There were no other diners, no bustling waitstaff… just the two of us and a single server standing at attention in the corner.
“Are we the only ones here?” I asked.
Kael nodded.
“I booked the whole place.”
My lips parted in shock.
“You did what?”
He shrugged, looking completely unbothered.
“I needed privacy.
Is that a problem?”
Who books an entire five-star restaurant just because they need privacy?
There’s a home for that.
There are private rooms.
But I didn’t say any of that.
I just stared at him, my mouth still hanging open.
The waitress approached, her smile warm.
“Good evening, Alpha Kael.
Luna.
Are you ready to order?”
Kael gestured for me to go first.
I opened the menu, scanning the options….
and immediately choked on my own breath.
The prices were ridiculous.
A single appetizer cost more than I used to spend on groceries for a month.
Kael noticed my expression.
“What’s wrong?
Is there nothing you like?”
“There’s a lot actually,” I said carefully.
“But the price…”
He smiled.
“Order whatever you want.
It’s on me.”
I hesitated, then nodded, selecting something that sounded good… though not the most expensive.
Kael ordered for himself without looking at the menu, his voice calm and measured.
The food came in no time.
The waitress set the plates before us with practiced elegance, and I stared at the dish in front of me with wide eyes.
It was beautiful, like art on a plate.
I almost didn’t want to eat it.
But I have to.
I took a bite.
And I moaned.
“Oh my goodness.”
The flavors exploded across my tongue… rich, savory, and perfectly balanced.
I closed my eyes, savoring the taste.
Kael looked at me, his eyebrow raised.
“It’s that good?”
I nodded, opening my eyes.
“Really good.”
He smiled, and somehow it transformed his face, softening the sharp edges of his features.
“Good,” he said quietly.
“I’m glad you like it.”
We ate in comfortable silence for a while, the soft clink of silverware against porcelain was the only sound in a room filled with silence.
Suddenly, I felt it.
Kael’s hand came up to my face, his fingers brushing against my lower lip.
The touch was gentle, almost hesitant.
“You’re quite a messy eater, aren’t you?” he said, his voice low and amused.
And somehow, at that moment, it sounded like a compliment rather than an insult.
A small smile tugged at my lips.
The words made me melt, settling in my chest like warm honey.
I cleared my throat, trying to regain my composure.
“So,” I said, “You said you had a question about the wedding arrangements?”
Kael straightened.
“What do you think about a black-themed wedding?”
I paused, my fork hovering mid-air.
“Like a black dress, black suit, black decorations ceremony?”
He nodded.
“Yeah.
It’s all going to be black.”
“So you’re basically saying black is your favourite?”
He leaned back, dabbing his mouth with his napkin.
“I think my house made that pretty obvious.”
I dropped my fork, staring at him in disbelief.
“I get that you think being dark and evil is cool, but no, Alpha.
I won’t have a black-themed wedding.
I want a white dress.
Colourful designs.
Decorations that actually have life in them.”
Kael scrunched up his face in disgust.
His expression was so exaggerated I almost laughed.
“What?” I asked.
“Why do you look like you’re going to throw up?”
“Because I’m feeling like it,” he answered flatly.
“I’m not a fan of bright colours.
The thought makes me sick.”
I shook my head, unable to hide my smile.
“You’re impossible.”
“I’m practical,” he corrected.
“There’s a difference.”
“Is there?”
Before he could respond, he cleared his throat.
“I booked an appointment with a wedding shop.
You have to be there tomorrow at noon.”
I nodded.
“Is that all?”
“Also,” he continued, “you’ll have to go cake tasting with my cousin.”
I froze.
“Alone?
I have to go with her alone?”
He raised a brow.
“You want me to go with you?
I thought ladies preferred to do these things on their own.”
I hesitated.
The truth was, I didn’t want to be alone with Elena.
I barely knew her.
And after the way she’d looked at me during that first meeting, I wasn’t sure she liked me very much.
But I couldn’t say that.
Not to Kael.
“It’s fine,” I said finally.
“I’ll just get to know her while we’re at it.”
He nodded.
He leaned forward, his hand reaching up to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear.
I folded slightly in my chair, trying to lean back… but his hand caught my chin, gently holding me in place.
“Stay still,” he murmured.
And somehow, my body responded.
I couldn’t move.
I couldn’t breathe.
My skin burned beneath his touch, my heart pounding so loudly I was sure he could hear it.
Then he looked behind me, his eyes narrowing.
“What is it?” I shifted, trying to turn.
“Is someone behind…”
“Don’t move.”
He leaned closer to me, so close I could feel his breath on my skin.
“There’s a camera behind the window,” he said quietly.
“Just stay still for a moment.”
His hand brushed against the side of my neck.
The touch was featherlight, barely there… but it sent a shockwave through me.
Heat pooled in my stomach, my palms pressed tight against my side.
I can’t do it.
I can’t take it anymore.
“Kael, you should…”
I turned my face toward him, intending to tell him to stop, to back away….
…only for my lips to meet his.