Alpha's Secret Bride

The Blood Moon hung over Santorini like a crimson warning.

Inside the underground headquarters, however, no one was watching the sky. The long conference table was covered with official files, financial records, security reports, and witness statements gathered during the fight to expose Samuel’s crimes. The room was quieter now, but the work had not stopped.

Samuel was dead.

There was no longer a king to overthrow, no army waiting for his orders, and no resistance left to organize. The fight was over, but the kingdom still had to be put back together. The work in the chamber had changed from bringing Samuel down to preparing the kingdom for the new king.

Nelson closed the last evidence file and pushed it across the table toward Brandon. "We have everything documented," he said. "The financial records, security footage, witness statements, and forensic reports have all been reviewed and verified."

Brandon opened the file and went through the pages one more time, his eyes moving over each report before he finally closed it and rested his hand on the cover.

"Good. Make sure copies are secured in the royal archives, and make sure the independent investigators receive everything they need."

Nelson nodded and gathered the remaining papers into a neat stack. "Already arranged. The council also wants the full report presented before the coronation."

Emma looked across the table at the stacks of documents, then back at Brandon. "Then the people will finally know what happened to King Eldric."

"They will," Brandon replied. He reached for another report and turned a few pages before setting it down. "But we also need to be careful about what comes next. Samuel’s death doesn’t erase the damage he left behind."

Before anyone could respond, the large doors to the conference room opened.

Everyone at the table turned toward the entrance.

An elderly Moon Priest stepped inside, leaning slightly on a carved wooden staff. His silver hair fell to his shoulders, and the dark ceremonial robes around him brushed against the floor as he walked. A palace guard followed a few steps behind him and quietly closed the doors.

Brandon straightened in his chair.

"Moon Priest," he said, recognizing him. "What brings you here?"

The old priest stopped at the end of the table and looked directly at Brandon.

"You need to prepare for the throne, My High Alpha King."

Brandon’s eyebrows drew together. "We are already preparing for the coronation."

The priest shook his head slowly.

"Not soon enough."

The chamber fell silent.

Nelson lowered the file in his hands while Emma looked from the priest to Brandon.

"What do you mean?" Brandon asked.

The Moon Priest lifted his eyes toward the ceiling, as if he could see through the stone above them and into the sky.

"The Blood Moon has not faded."

Captain Victor glanced toward the others. "Is it still red?"

"It has remained red because the kingdom’s rightful heir has not yet taken his place."

Brandon leaned back slightly. "You believe the moon is waiting for a coronation?"

"I believe the Moon knows when its kingdom is out of balance," the priest replied. "For winters, the throne was held by a king who had no right to it. Now that he is gone, the throne remains empty."

He tightened his fingers around his staff and looked directly at Brandon.

"You are the heir who belongs there."

Brandon exchanged a brief look with Emma before turning back to the priest.

"Samuel is dead. The kingdom is safe. Why can’t the coronation wait until everything is properly prepared?"

"Because the Blood Moon is not waiting."

The priest’s voice remained calm, but the seriousness in his expression made the chamber quiet again.

"Until you take your rightful place, it will remain in the sky. The Moon will not return to its normal light while the throne remains without its rightful king."

Emma looked toward the priest. "How long can it remain like this?"

The old priest’s gaze shifted to her.

"As long as it takes."

Brandon slowly closed the report in front of him.

"And what are you asking me to do?"

The priest took one step closer.

"Get ready for your coronation, Your Majesty. As soon as the council can complete what is necessary, you must take the throne."

Brandon looked toward the documents covering the table, then toward Emma.

"We’ll move the preparations forward."

The Moon Priest lowered his head.

"That is what the kingdom needs."

He turned toward the doors, but Brandon’s voice stopped him.

"Moon Priest."

The old man looked back.

"If the coronation happens, will the Blood Moon disappear?"

The priest held his gaze for a moment before answering.

"When the rightful king stands where he belongs, the Moon will know."

Then he turned and walked out, leaving the chamber in silence.

Captain Victor leaned forward, resting both hands on the edge of the table. "Several territories are still waiting for new administrators, and some of the former officials don’t know whether they’re being retained or removed."

"Then we settle that before the coronation," Brandon said.

He picked up another report and handed it to Nelson. "Start with the territories that lost their leaders. I want qualified administrators appointed there, but every appointment needs to be reviewed by the council."

Nelson took the file and nodded. "I’ll have the first list ready by tomorrow."

"And the exiled packs?" Emma asked.

Nelson glanced down at his notes before answering. "Most of their representatives have already agreed to return. They’re waiting for confirmation that the new administration is ready to receive them."

He looked toward Nelson.

"Then give them that confirmation."

Nelson nodded and reached for his communication device.

Brandon turned toward the communication officers seated along the far side of the chamber. "Send a message to every territory."

The officers straightened and waited.

"I want every citizen of Santorini to know that they are welcome to return home for the coronation," he continued. "No matter how long they’ve been away or why they left, they should know that the kingdom is ready to receive them."

One of the officers picked up a tablet and began typing. "Would you like the message sent only to the territory leaders?"

"To the territory leaders, pack representatives, and every royal communication channel we have," Brandon replied. "I want the announcement to reach the people themselves, not stop with their leaders."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Brandon looked toward Nelson. "Make sure the returning citizens have safe passage. Speak with the guards and territory administrators. No one returning for the coronation should be stopped at the borders unless there’s a legitimate security concern."

Nelson nodded. "I’ll have the instructions sent out with the announcement."

Another officer looked up from his screen. "What should the official message say?"

Brandon was quiet for a moment before answering.

"Tell them their king is waiting for them."

Emma’s eyes softened.

Brandon continued, "Tell them this isn’t a coronation for the palace alone. It’s for the people of Santorini. Those who were forced into exile, those who stayed behind, and those who left because they no longer felt safe. I want all of them to have the chance to come home and witness the beginning of a new reign."

The officer quickly added the words to the proclamation.

"And have it read publicly in every territory," Brandon added. "Send copies to the local administrators and pack leaders so they can announce it to their people."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The officers immediately began sending the orders through the kingdom’s communication network.

Nelson watched the screens as the first confirmations appeared.

"The message is going out."

Brandon nodded and looked around the table.

"Then let’s give them a coronation worth coming home for."

Emma smiled, her fingers curling gently around Brandon’s hand.

"They’ve been waiting a long time to come home."

Brandon reached across the table and took her hand, his thumb brushing slowly over her knuckles.

"They won’t have to wait much longer."

The chamber grew quieter as everyone looked toward the documents spread across the table. For several winters, their attention had been on surviving Samuel’s rule and proving what he had done. Now, with Samuel gone, the papers on the table were no longer about bringing him down. They were about what needed to be done next.

A kingdom had to be rebuilt.

The following days passed in a blur of meetings and preparations.

Inside the Royal Palace, workers moved through the grand halls from early moonrise until late in the day, carrying supplies, polishing the floors, and checking every detail for the coronation. The royal banners were replaced, the throne hall was cleaned from floor to ceiling, and the ceremonial platform was inspected before the royal guards began rehearsing their positions.

The council met every moonrise.

Ministers reviewed appointments, restored government departments, and worked through the territories that had been neglected under Samuel’s rule. Representatives from the exiled packs arrived one after another, bringing their families and belongings home. Some returned with only a few bags, while others arrived with wagons loaded with everything they had managed to preserve during their winters away.

Across Santorini, people slowly began to return to their normal lives. Shops reopened their doors, families returned to homes they had been forced to leave, and the streets that had once been filled with fear gradually became busy again.

For the first time in winters, the kingdom was preparing to witness the beginning of a new reign.

A few days before the coronation, Brandon stood inside the throne hall with Emma beside him.

The chamber looked completely different from the last time he had seen it. The old royal banners were gone. Fresh ones hung from the tall walls, and the throne stood beneath the kingdom’s emblem, polished and ready for the ceremony.

Emma ran her fingers lightly over the edge of one of the ceremonial chairs before turning toward him.

"A few days from now, you’ll sit there."

He looked toward the throne, his gaze lingering on it for a moment.

"I never imagined I’d want it."

She turned to him. "You don’t want the throne?"

"No." He looked back at her. "I want what it represents."

She slipped her hand into his, and their fingers intertwined.

"A kingdom that belongs to its people."

Brandon smiled and squeezed her fingers.

"And a future where our pups never have to live through what we did."

The doors opened behind them.

Nelson stepped inside carrying a small black case. He stopped a few feet away and looked between them before lifting the case slightly.

"The crown has arrived."

Brandon’s eyes settled on the case, then shifted toward Emma.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

In just a few days, the kingdom would finally have its rightful king.

And this time, no one would be taking the throne by force.

Brandon would receive it before the people he had fought to protect.

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