Lucien’s POV
I’VE STOOD in rooms filled with kings, billionaires, and war-hardened alphas. I’ve negotiated mergers while men twice my age sweat through their tailored suits. I’ve stared down rivals who wanted my blood, my fortune, or both.
And yet tonight, watching Celina struggle to balance on a pair of heels in front of the mirror, I felt something close to… nerves.
Her reflection frowned at me, lips pursed, as she wobbled and caught herself on the dresser. “This is ridiculous,” she muttered, tugging at the glittering black gown my stylist had sent up earlier. The silk clung to her like it was worshipping her body—and gods help me, I wanted to tear it off her and worship her myself.
“You look devastating,” I said simply. It wasn’t flattery. It was the truth.
She turned to glare a
