Alpha's Secret Bride

"Yes, Alpha."

Brandon turned to the warriors gathered inside the chamber.

"I want every warrior in the eastern forest. Search every trail, every clearing, and every cave. Question everyone who saw her on this moonrise. I want every inch of that forest searched."

"At once, Alpha."

The warriors rushed from the chamber without another word.

A heartbeat later, emergency alarms echoed throughout Nightclaw Estate, and the entire pack sprang into action.

Warriors poured out from every corner of the estate. Within moments, search teams spread through the eastern forest. Some crouched to study fresh footprints pressed into the soil. Others followed broken branches, bent grass, and narrow animal trails that disappeared beneath the trees. Servants were stopped and questioned one after another, while Tom remained in the security chamber, trying again and again to reconnect to Emma’s tracking devices.

The entire estate buzzed with urgent voices, hurried footsteps, and blaring alarms.

Meanwhile, deep inside the Alpha’s Hearth, Emma had no idea the estate had been thrown into chaos because of her.

Silver moonlight streamed through the towering ancient trees, spilling across the forest floor in shifting patches of light. Birds sang from the branches overhead, and a cool breeze drifted through the woods, carrying the scent of wildflowers and fresh earth. The peaceful silence wrapped around her as she walked, making it feel as though the sacred forest had opened its arms to welcome her.

Her woven basket was already more than half full.

Fresh wild strawberries lay beside clusters of dark berries, golden forest plums, sweet figs, and several medicinal herbs the High Luna had carefully taught her to recognize during one of their private lessons. Every fruit looked plump and ripe, as though it had just been picked, far fresher than anything she had ever seen in the market.

Emma picked another ripe berry and brushed it clean with her thumb before popping it into her mouth.

Her eyes lit up at the sweet taste.

"They’re even sweeter than My high Luna said."

A smile spread across her face as she rested a gentle hand on her rounded belly.

"Your grandmother was right, little one. They taste so much better when you pick them fresh."

The pup answered with a tiny kick.

She laughed, her hand still resting on her belly. "Paige, did you see that?"

Paige grinned. "Yeah. Those kicks are amazing."

She giggled. "I knew he’d love them too."

She reached for another cluster of berries growing above her head, but Paige quickly hooked the branch with the long stick and pulled it lower.

"There you go," Paige said.

Emma smiled. "You’re making this too easy."

"That’s my job."

Emma picked a few more berries and dropped them into her basket. The two women wandered farther beneath the towering ancient trees, humming the same tune as moonlight filtered through the leaves above them.

Neither of them noticed how much time had passed.

Emma had no idea that beyond the sacred forest, Brandon was tearing through the estate searching for her. His eyes were bloodshot, his clothes streaked with dirt, and every passing moment tightened the fear gripping his chest. Across the kingdom, panic had spread. Everyone believed their future Luna had disappeared without a trace.

Several hours later, Mrs. Thompson returned to the estate. The moment she stepped through the gates, she slowed.

A few guards, servants, and warriors stood in small groups across the courtyard. No one was talking. The air felt heavy.

She looked from one worried face to another.

"What happened?"

One of the staff hurried over and told her everything, from the queen’s disappearance to the desperate search spreading across the kingdom.

Mrs. Thompson listened without interrupting. When he finished, she simply smiled, reached into her pocket, and pulled out her communication device.

"Alpha Brandon," she said after the call connected, "I know where Queen Luna is."

"I’m on my way," Brandon replied without a second’s delay.

A minute later, he rushed into the courtyard. His breathing was uneven, and his bloodshot eyes searched Mrs. Thompson’s face before he even reached her.

"Mrs. Thompson..." His voice was hoarse. "Where’s my Queen?"

"She’s in the Sacred Forest," Mrs. Thompson said gently. "She’s gathering wild fruits."

Brandon blinked at her, his jaw tightening.

"What?"

Mrs. Thompson gave a respectful bow.

"It’s an old Frostbane tradition. Every pregnant Luna enters the Sacred Forest before giving birth to gather wild fruits. The High Luna must have told her about it."

"I’ve never heard of that," Brandon said, his voice tinged with disbelief.

"Oh, you wouldn’t have, not until you witness it yourself," Mrs. Thompson said with a knowing smile.

He rushed into the Sacred Forest with a handful of guards close behind.

Before long, he spotted Emma and Paige sitting on a large flat rock beneath the ancient trees. A woven basket beside them was filled to the brim with freshly picked berries.

Emma was happily eating another handful. Purple-red berry juice stained the corners of her lips and fingertips.

The moment she saw Brandon, her face lit up.

"Starlit!" She waved excitedly. "Look what I found."

Brandon didn’t answer.

He crossed the distance in long strides and pulled her into his arms.

His grip tightened around her as his hands trembled against her back. He buried his face in her hair and held her without saying a word.

Emma blinked in surprise, then slowly wrapped her arms around him.

After a long moment, Brandon finally spoke, his voice low and rough.

"Do you have any idea what you put me through?"

Emma looked up at him, then reached into the basket and picked up a cranberry. She brushed away a speck of dirt with her thumb.

"Starlit, try this."

Before Brandon could refuse, she popped the berry into his mouth.

He bit down.

The sharp, tangy taste hit him at once.

His eyes squeezed shut, and he shook his head as a shiver ran through him. His face twisted in exaggerated misery.

Emma burst into laughter.

He opened one eye, stared at the berry still in her hand, then looked back at her.

"Pregnancy has officially won," he said, still making a face. "There’s no other explanation for anyone enjoying something that tastes like that."

Emma blinked at him, then looked down at the cranberry between her fingers.

"It’s just a cranberry, Starlit." She shrugged with a smile. "It’s tangy, juicy, and delicious. I don’t know why you’re acting like I just fed you poison."

She popped another berry into her mouth and chewed happily.

Brandon watched her for a second before letting out a quiet laugh. He shook his head and pointed at the berry still in her hand.

"I’m convinced pregnancy is the only reason anyone would eat something that is sour and call it delicious."

Emma laughed.

He slipped an arm around her shoulders and glanced around the peaceful forest.

"But tell me something, my Moonblessed." His eyes returned to hers. "Why were you so determined to come all the way out here just to pick wild berries? We have orchards at the estate with the finest fruits money can buy."

Emma rested her hand over her belly and smiled.

"My High Luna told me every pregnant Luna should visit the Sacred Forest at least once." She gently rubbed her belly as she spoke. "She said it’s an old Frostbane tradition for expectant Lunas to gather wild fruits."

She looked around at the towering trees, their branches swaying softly overhead.

"She said the fresh air, the peaceful walk, and the fruits from the forest were believed to give strength to both the mother and her pup."

Brandon closed his eyes for a second. Then he let out a long sigh and dragged a hand down his face.

"So that’s what happened," he murmured.

He looked at Emma, then slowly shook his head.

"My mother is going to answer this."

Emma smiled to herself, picked up another cranberry, and held it toward his mouth.

"One more."

Brandon’s eyes widened. He leaned back so fast she couldn’t reach him and threw both hands up in surrender.

"Nope. Not happening."

Emma giggled and tried to follow him with the berry, but he kept pulling away.

"I survived the first one," he said, pointing at the cranberry. "I’m not putting that thing in my mouth again."

She laughed so hard her shoulders shook. Without another word, she popped the berry into her own mouth, chewing happily while Brandon watched her in complete disbelief.

"You really enjoy those?" he asked, staring at her. "I still can’t figure out how."

She only grinned as she reached for another handful.

He smiled and stepped closer. "It’s time to go home."

Before she could react, he slipped one arm behind her back, the other beneath her knees, and lifted her into his arms.

Emma squealed and burst into laughter, giving his shoulder a light slap.

"Starlit, put me down! I’m supposed to be doing this without interruptions, but you just had to stick your nose into my little secret."

Brandon laughed as he carried her toward the northern trail.

"Next time, shift first," he teased. "If you’d done that, I wouldn’t have caught your scent."

"Oh, really?" Emma laughed even harder. She gave his back a playful smack. "Put me down, you idiot!"

Brandon only laughed and tightened his hold for another second before finally setting her on her feet.

Their laughter drifted through the trees as they made their way back toward the estate.

A few minutes later, they stepped into the front courtyard.

Several maids stood in a quiet line outside the mansion with their suitcases beside them. A few workers were loading luggage into waiting vehicles while the newly appointed interior administrator, Diego, watched over everything. One of the maids had just settled into the last car when Emma slowed to a stop.

She looked from the luggage to the frightened faces.

"What happened?" she asked.

Diego lowered his head. "They’ve been dismissed, Queen Luna."

She turned to him in surprise.

"Dismissed?" Her eyes searched his face. "Whose order?"

Diego hesitated before answering.

"Alpha Brandon’s."

Before he could explain further, Brandon walked over. His gaze swept across the vehicles still waiting outside.

"Why haven’t they left yet?" he asked.

Emma looked up at him.

"Starlight... what’s going on?"

"They knew where you were," Brandon said. "When everyone was searching for you, they lied and said they hadn’t seen you. I can’t trust people who would do that."

He shifted his gaze to the driver. "Maxwell, take them home."

Maxwell quickly reached for the door.

"Starlight, wait."

Emma hurried in front of Brandon, blocking his path. She caught his hand before he could walk away.

"It’s my fault," she said quietly. "I told them not to tell anyone where I was. They were only doing what I asked. Please don’t punish them because of me."

Brandon looked at her without saying a word.

After a long moment, Brandon looked past her and spoke to the driver again.

"Move."

Emma’s heart sank. She searched his face, hoping he would change his mind, but his expression remained unreadable.

He held her gaze for a moment before speaking.

"Next time, think about the consequences before asking people to keep something like this from me."

Then he turned and started walking away.

Emma drew in a slow breath, lifted her chin, and spoke just loudly enough for him to hear.

"If they leave because of my mistake..." she said softly, "then you’ll have to fire me too."

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