Alpha's Secret Bride

Gregory kept stealing glances at her while she ate.

Scarlet stared at her plate, turning her fork between her fingers. She had come to the countryside to start over, not to reopen old wounds. She hadn’t planned on telling anyone what had happened to her, and she certainly hadn’t planned on getting close to any man. She couldn’t see why Gregory needed to know.

"A problem shared is half solved," Gregory said gently. "Now eat your food."

She looked at him for a moment, then lowered her eyes. Without another word, she picked up her fork and continued eating, keeping her thoughts to herself.

When they finished, Gregory led her to his executive living chamber. The chamber was elegant, with polished wood, soft lighting, and expensive furniture that somehow still felt warm.

She settled onto a two-seater sofa. She expected Gregory to take the chair across from her, but instead, he sat beside her.

He turned slightly toward her. "Do you want to see pictures of my late mate?"

"I’d love to," she said.

"Come with me."

She followed him down the hallway without speaking.

He stopped in front of a door and pushed it open. The chamber was lined with framed photographs, with shelves full of albums beneath them. Gregory closed the door behind them.

Instead of sitting at the table, he lowered himself to the floor. Scarlet joined him.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Gregory reached for a framed picture and held it in both hands. His thumb brushed lightly across the edge of the frame before he finally handed it to her.

She looked down at the smiling woman in the photograph. No one had to tell her who she was.

Gregory picked up another frame and passed it over.

She set the first one aside and took it from him. It was their mating picture. They stood side by side, smiling as if nothing in the world could ever separate them.

He pulled a large photo album closer and placed it between them.

Together, they turned the pages.

The first few pictures showed Gregory as a little pup with a spiky faux hawk sticking up in every direction.

Scarlet pressed her lips together, trying not to laugh.

A small grin slipped through anyway, and she quickly looked away.

Gregory caught it. He looked back at the picture and smiled too.

"I always wanted a shiny comb-over, but my parents wouldn’t let me get one. The spiky faux hawk was their idea. I didn’t have much of a choice back then," Gregory said.

Scarlet looked at him and smiled. "It’s funny how parents think they know exactly what suits us. So, what hairstyle did you finally get when they stopped making the decisions?"

Gregory laughed. "The first thing I did was shave it all off. My mother nearly cried when she saw me."

"I can just imagine the look on her face," Scarlet said between laughs. "You waited all those winters for the freedom to choose your own hairstyle, and the first thing you did was shave your head?"

She laughed so hard she had to catch her breath. Gregory joined in, shaking his head at the memory.

They turned the pages of the album one by one, laughing harder with every picture. Gregory had been an adorable little pup. Some photos showed him making funny faces, while others caught him striking dramatic poses that made Scarlet laugh until her stomach hurt.

He reached for another album and opened it.

The smiles faded.

The first photo showed everyone dressed in black. Another showed flowers covering a casket. Then came a picture of Gregory standing beside his mate’s grave, his face empty, his eyes swollen from crying.

Scarlet’s vision blurred. A tear slipped down her cheek before she could wipe it away.

Gregory looked over and chuckled softly. "What the heck is the matter?" he asked. "I’m the one who should be crying."

Scarlet wiped at the corner of her eye and smiled.

"I know," she said with a small laugh. "I just can’t help it. Seeing you laugh about it now makes me feel better."

She quickly brushed her tears away.

He closed the album and stood. "Come on. Let’s go to the garden."

He laughed again as they left the private chamber together.

The garden stretched out before them, peaceful and elegant. Neatly trimmed hedges bordered stone paths that wound through flower beds in perfect patterns. Colorful blooms brightened every corner, while old stone planters and fountains gave the place a timeless charm. The cobblestone paths crunched softly beneath their feet as they wandered deeper into the garden.

Scarlet strolled between the trees, stopping now and then to pinch off a dry leaf or straighten a drooping branch. A few yards away, Gregory wandered into the game area and amused himself.

After a while, he waved her over.

"Pick your favorite game."

She smiled but shook her head. She knew he was still trying to make her relax enough to open up. Instead, she settled into one of the garden chairs and looked around.

A gentle breeze stirred the trees, making the leaves whisper overhead. Her eyes drifted to a cluster of bright flowers blooming at the foot of a tree, and for the first time that day, she let herself sit quietly and enjoy the peace.

A few minutes later, his device rang. He glanced at the screen before lifting it to his ear.

"Hi, Amaris," Gregory said.

Scarlet’s heart skipped.

I hope this isn’t a setup.

Her eyes stayed on the device in his hand. Gregory looked at her for a brief moment, then turned his attention back to the call. Her heart pounded a little faster.

"Greg, you didn’t come by this moonrise."

"No," Gregory replied.

"Are you coming to see me this Moonfall?" Amaris asked.

"No. I have a guest, and she’ll be sleeping over."

He looked at Scarlet and gave her a teasing wink.

Scarlet immediately shook her head.

Gregory chuckled.

"What are you laughing at?" Amaris asked.

"She just shook her head," Gregory said with another soft laugh. "I guess that means she isn’t staying here this moonfall."

There was a brief pause.

"Are you seeing anyone?" Amaris asked from the other end.

"No."

Another silence stretched between them before Amaris spoke again.

"I’m still wondering what I did to you."

"Don’t worry. I’ll be there on Monday moonris," Gregory replied, steering the conversation away from her question.

"I’m talking about our last discussion," Amaris said, her voice quieter than before. "I’ve been trying to get close to you, but you act like you hate me."

"You know I don’t hate you. You’re my best moonally, Ama. You’ve always been there for me, and I promise I’ll always be there for you too. I’ll see you on Monday," Greg said before ending the call.

Scarlet looked away at once. Her eyes drifted to the window, but she wasn’t really looking at anything.

"Is something wrong?" Greg asked.

She gave a small shake of her head and stayed silent.

He moved in front of her and crouched down, gently taking both of her hands. His thumbs brushed across her fingers as he searched her face.

"You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met," he said softly. "I wish I could read your mind and find out what’s weighing on you."

Her eyes dropped to their joined hands.

He slipped a finger beneath her chin and gently lifted her face until she looked at him again.

"Please talk to me. What happened to your mother and father?"

She pressed her lips together and said nothing.

He waited for a moment, watching her face. When she didn’t say anything else, he tried a different approach.

"Alright," he said gently. "Do you have any siblings?"

Scarlet nodded. "I have a sibling."

"When was the last time you talked to her?"

"Two months ago."

Greg studied her for a second. "Did you two have a fight?"

She slowly shook her head.

"No."

He pushed back his chair, walked over, and sat beside her. Turning slightly toward her, he rested one arm on the back of the couch.

"Did you call her and she didn’t answer?"

She shook her head again.

"No."

Greg frowned. "Then why?"

"She’s a very kind person," Scarlet said quietly. "I took advantage of that kindness more times than I can count. I put her through so much." Her fingers tightened around each other in her lap. "I don’t want to do that to her anymore. That’s why I changed my device number as soon as I came to this country. I didn’t want her to be able to reach me."

Greg was quiet for a moment before asking another question.

"Is she older than you?"

Scarlet nodded. "Yes. One winter older."

"Is she mated?"

"Yes."

He leaned back against the couch, his eyes never leaving her.

"Would you mind if I talked to her mate?"

She lowered her gaze and slowly shook her head.

"No."

"Then let me talk to him." His voice stayed calm, but there was quiet determination behind it. "Scarlet, you need your family. Give me your sibling mate’s number."

She stared at her hands for a long moment before answering.

"I’ll call them later."

Greg watched her for a few seconds. He could tell she wasn’t ready to say more. Instead of pushing, he gave a small nod.

"Alright."

For a few moments, neither of them spoke. She finally broke the silence.

"I guess Ama was the one who helped you when you were mourning your late mate."

He let out a quiet chuckle and shook his head.

"No."

She turned to look at him.

"Then who helped you?"

Gregory looked at her for a long moment, his expression unreadable.

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