Alpha's Secret Bride

Gregory studied her face. She looked as though she hadn’t slept in days.

"You didn’t have to trouble yourself," he said. "I was already planning to come see you."

She looked up at him, surprise flickering across her face.

"You were?"

"Yes." Gregory folded his hands together. "I know this hasn’t been easy for you or your family. I wanted to check on you and make sure you were doing alright."

A faint smile touched her lips, but her eyes carried a hint of worry.

Gregory shook his head slightly.

She looked away for a moment, holding back her emotions.

"Thank you, Gregory," Eira’s mother said softly. "Whatever happened between you and Eira, I know you treated her well. "I know you were concerned about her."

Gregory lowered his gaze, his fingers tightening slightly at his sides.

"I was concerned about her," he admitted. "I only wish things had turned out differently."

A painful silence settled between them.

Eira’s mother looked toward the boxes being carried out of the mansion. "She made her choice, and I’ll spend the rest of my life wondering if there was something I could have done to stop her."

Gregory looked back at her.

"Please don’t carry that burden alone," he said quietly. "Eira was loved. She knew that."

Her eyes filled with tears, but she nodded.

"Thank you for saying that."

The last box was carried toward the door. She watched it disappear before turning back to him.

"I heard you’re traveling soon," she said. "That’s why I came today. I didn’t want too much time to pass and leave me with regrets. I wanted to see you before you left."

"You didn’t have to worry about that," Gregory replied. "I was already planning to come and check on you."

A faint smile appeared on her face.

"I know. But I didn’t want you to change your plans because of me."

"You’re Eira’s mother," Gregory said gently. "I will never forget that."

She nodded, holding back her tears.

"Take care of yourself while you’re away."

Gregory gave her a small smile.

"I will."

She thanked him once more before leaving the mansion, and Gregory stood there for a moment after the door closed, watching the empty space where Eira’s belongings had been.

She left the mansion with one final glance behind her, carrying the last pieces of her daughter’s life with her.

Gregory glanced at his watch.

"It’s a little after eight," he said. "If we’re going to catch our four o’clock flight, we should leave for the skyport around one."

"Are we still traveling? I thought we needed to..."

"She made her choice," Gregory said.

Scarlet looked at him for a moment, then gave a small nod. She didn’t say another word.

She tucked the last few things Gregory had given her into her suitcase and pulled the zipper shut. She had packed only what they needed. The rest of their belongings would be shipped later.

Gregory glanced at her.

"You remembered your passport?"

A smile spread across her face. She patted her handbag.

"I checked three times."

He chuckled.

"Good. I’d hate for us to discover it’s missing at the check-in counter."

He lifted her suitcase and carried it to the door. Before leaving, he walked through the apartment one last time. He made sure the windows were locked, switched off the lights, and let his eyes sweep across the quiet chambers. Then he stepped back into the living chamber.

He picked up his device and called his driver.

"We’re still leaving at one."

"Yes, sir," the driver replied. "I’ll be ready."

Gregory ended the call and checked the latest flight updates. After scrolling through the screen for a moment, he slipped the device back into his pocket.

"Everything’s on schedule."

With nothing else left to do, they sat together in the living chamber with fresh cups of tea. They talked quietly about Eira for a while. When the conversation finally faded, they agreed to get a few hours of rest before heading to the skyport.

Their flight to the Santorini Kingdom was scheduled to depart at four o’clock that moonrise. Scarlet had booked both tickets under the same reservation, making sure they would be seated side by side.

Their flight took off at exactly four o’clock at Moonrise.

Scarlet claimed the window seat. Every few minutes, she looked out at the clouds drifting past, then turned to Gregory with another smile. She tried to hide how excited she was, but the sparkle in her eyes gave her away.

Hours later, the plane landed in the Santorini Kingdom as Moonfall approached.

They stepped off the aircraft, followed the signs to baggage claim, and waited as suitcases circled the carousel. Gregory lifted their luggage onto a cart, and together they made their way toward the main terminal.

Willow was already waiting near the exit.

The instant she saw Scarlet, she waved both hands high in the air and hurried over. Scarlet had barely set her suitcase on the floor when Willow wrapped both arms around her.

More than three winters had passed since they had last seen each other. Willow, Tiara’s daughter and Theresa’s niece, had the same warm eyes and gentle smile as their grandmother. Since Tiara was Theresa’s younger sibling, the family resemblance made Scarlet’s smile grow even wider.

"Willow."

Scarlet hugged her tightly before finally easing back to look at her.

"Where’s Novira?"

Willow smiled. "She’s at home. She’s helping the maids get everything ready for dinner."

Her eyes drifted back to Scarlet, and the smile on her face trembled.

"Lunara..." Her voice caught. "I’m so happy you’re here."

She looked down for a moment before meeting Scarlet’s eyes again.

"I’m sorry we didn’t come after Theresa died. I was angry with her... for taking her own life."

Scarlet reached over and gently squeezed Willow’s hand.

"It’s okay," she said softly.

Willow gave her hand one last squeeze before turning to Gregory.

"I thought you deserved to know the truth."

Gregory nodded.

"Thank you for telling me."

Scarlet smiled and looked between them.

"Willow, this is Gregory."

Willow studied him for a second, then looked back at Scarlet with a curious smile.

"And who is he?"

Scarlet’s smile grew warmer.

"He’s my redeemer... and my best moonally."

Willow’s eyes widened. She pressed a hand against her chest.

"Oh, my Moon Goddess."

She stepped over without another word and wrapped Gregory in a quick side hug.

"I’m so glad you came with her."

Gregory chuckled softly, surprised by the warm welcome.

"I’m glad I did too."

She stepped back with a smile.

"I’m Willow."

"Gregory," he said.

She laughed and shook her head.

"I already knew that."

A grin spread across his face, and he laughed with her.

One of Brandon’s chauffeurs had already loaded their luggage into the trunk and was waiting beside the car. Willow slid into the front seat while Scarlet and Gregory settled into the back.

About thirty minutes later, the car passed through the estate gates and made its way down the long driveway toward the garage.

Scarlet rested her elbow on the window ledge and looked outside. The neatly trimmed lawns stretched across the estate, bordered by colorful flowerbeds and rows of towering trees. As the mansion came into view, she couldn’t take her eyes off it. It looked just as grand as she remembered.

The front door opened before the car came to a complete stop.

Emma stepped outside.

Scarlet froze for a moment.

Her gaze dropped to Emma’s round pup bump, and her eyes grew wide.

Emma looked at her, then down at herself. The corners of her mouth lifted.

A second later, Scarlet laughed.

Emma laughed too.

They closed the distance between them and threw their arms around each other.

"I’ve missed you so much," Emma murmured, holding her close.

Scarlet hugged her back just as tightly.

"I missed you too."

When they finally pulled apart, Emma turned to Gregory without hesitation and wrapped him in a warm side hug, greeting him like an old moonally.

"I’m so happy you made it here."

Gregory smiled at the easy welcome.

"Thank you. I’m glad to be here."

"I read your novel a few days ago," Gregory said with a smile. "I loved it."

Emma’s face brightened.

"Thank you. That really means a lot."

Naomi walked over and pulled Scarlet into a warm hug. Novira and others did the same.

"Naomi," Emma said, "take their bags up to the chamber."

Scarlet smiled and gave a small shake of her head.

"No, Emma. We’ll be spending the moonfall at our house."

Just then, Brandon walked over to them.

Scarlet looked at him for a moment. He was just as handsome as she remembered. There had been a time when the sight of him alone could make her heart race. Now she simply smiled.

Brandon stepped forward and gave her a quick hug before turning to Gregory. He held out his hand.

"It’s good to finally meet you."

Gregory shook it with a smile.

"Likewise."

The two men headed toward the house, talking easily as they walked.

Scarlet slipped her arm through Emma’s.

"How are Lyn and Ken?"

Emma laughed.

"They’re in Finland waiting for me. They want to be there when the pup is born. Elara and Bernard have already booked their flight."

Scarlet smiled.

"I’ve really missed all of you."

Emma gave her hand a gentle squeeze.

"They’ve missed you, too."

She glanced toward the living chamber, and a knowing smile spread across her face.

"Come on," she said. "Everyone’s been waiting for this moment."

Scarlet drew a slow breath before following Emma inside.

"Everyone?"

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