Alpha's Secret Bride

One moonfall, after they returned from another appointment, Emma was sitting at the table in their chamber sorting through a few reports while Brandon placed the healer’s notes beside her. She glanced at the papers, then at him, already knowing from his expression that he had something to say.

"We’re going abroad for the delivery."

She slowly set down the report in her hand. "For what?"

"For the pup."

She stared at him before pushing the papers aside. "Starlit, we’ve already discussed this."

"I know."

"And I’m not having a C-section just because you’re scared."

He pulled out the chair across from her and sat down. "I’m asking because I remember reading what happened last time."

Emma’s expression changed, but she didn’t look away.

"I wasn’t there," he continued. "I know that. But I read the report. I read how much blood you lost and how hard the healers had to work to stop it."

She lowered her gaze to the papers.

He reached for her hand. "I know what the report says. I know what could have happened."

She gently pulled her hand back. "And I know what happened to me. But that doesn’t mean I have to have a C-section this time."

"You almost died."

"I know."

"Moonheart, I wasn’t even there when it happened. I had to sit there and read about how close I came to losing you."

His voice tightened, and he looked away for a moment before meeting her eyes again.

"I’m not going to sit back and watch you go through hell if there’s a safer option."

She placed one hand over her stomach. "It’s my body, Your Majesty."

"I know."

"Then stop talking like you’re the one who gets to decide how I give birth. I’m the one carrying this pup. I’m the one who has to go through the delivery."

He nodded, though the tension remained in his face.

"You can worry about me," she continued. "You can hold my hand and stay beside me, but you can’t make the decision for me."

"I don’t want to lose you."

Her expression softened. "You won’t."

"You don’t know that."

"Neither do you."

They sat quietly for a moment before he reached across the table and took her hand again.

"Then let’s talk to everyone before you decide."

Emma gave him a suspicious look. "You already planned that, didn’t you?"

A faint smile appeared on his face. "Maybe."

A few days later, Brandon called a family meeting. Ashley arrived with Ken, while Luna Alexandra and Elara joined them in the private sitting chamber. Emma sat beside Brandon with one hand resting over her stomach as he placed her medical reports on the table.

"I want everyone to hear the same information before we make a decision," Brandon said.

Emma glanced at him. "Before I make a decision."

Brandon looked at her but didn’t argue.

Ashley picked up the reports and read through them carefully, his eyes moving over the details of Emma’s previous delivery. He already knew how serious it had been, but seeing the medical findings again made him pause. He lowered the papers and looked at Emma.

"I remember that moonfall," he said quietly.

"I understand why you’re worried," he said to Brandon.

Emma turned toward him. "Father."

Ashley reached across the table and placed the report down. "I’m not telling you what to do, sweetheart. But I was there when you nearly died. When things got worse, I had to call in gynecologists I trusted, and they came as quickly as they could to help save your life."

Emma’s fingers tightened around the fabric of her dress.

Ken leaned forward, his eyes moving between Emma and Brandon. "What are the healers recommending?"

Brandon glanced at the report before answering. "They’re not saying she can’t deliver naturally. They believe a planned C-section at a healing den with a full maternal and neonatal unit would give her the safest and most controlled delivery."

Ken was quiet for a moment before looking at Emma. "Then I’d choose the safest option, Moonlight. I was there when you nearly died. I remember how quickly everything changed, and I don’t want us taking that chance again when the healers have another option."

Emma lowered her eyes to the report on the table, running her fingers slowly along its edge. "I know what happened, Ken."

"I know you do," he said gently. "I’m not trying to make the decision for you. I’m just asking you to choose what gives you and the pup the best chance of coming through this safely."

Emma looked toward Alexandra. The older Luna had listened quietly throughout the discussion.

"What do you think?"

Alexandra folded her hands in her lap. "I think you should listen to the healers and ask every question you need answered. But the final decision is still yours."

Emma nodded slowly.

Elara reached across and squeezed her hand. "No one is trying to take that away from you."

Brandon looked at Emma. "I just want you here afterward."

She held his gaze. "I’ll be."

"But if the healers believe a planned C-section is safer..."

"I’ll consider it."

Brandon let out a slow breath.

She raised an eyebrow. "I said I’ll consider it. I didn’t say yes."

"I’ll take that."

Ken lowered his head, hiding a smile.

She noticed. "Don’t encourage him."

"I didn’t say anything."

"You didn’t have to."

The discussion continued for some time as they went over everything they already knew from Emma’s previous delivery and the recommendations in her medical report four winters ago. Emma picked up the report and read through the healer’s notes again, stopping at the parts that concerned her most. She wanted to know more about the risks of another natural delivery, what recovery from a C-section would be like, and what would happen if labor started before the planned date, but Brandon reminded her that they could ask the obstetrician when they went for her next appointment.

"I want to hear all of this from the healer myself," Emma said, closing the report. "If I’m going to agree to surgery, I need to understand exactly why it’s the better choice for me and the baby."

Brandon nodded. "We’ll ask every question you have."

This time, he didn’t try to convince her. He simply stayed beside her and listened as she went through the concerns she wanted to raise at the appointment.

By the end of the meeting, the reports were still spread across the table, but Emma was no longer fighting the idea simply because Brandon had suggested it.

A week later, she sat with Brandon in the healer’s chamber while the obstetrician went through the delivery plan. They discussed the date, the tests Emma would need beforehand, what time they should arrive at the healing den, and what signs would mean she needed to come in earlier.

She listened carefully and asked questions until she was satisfied. When the appointment ended, she stood beside Brandon and slipped her hand into his.

"We’re doing it."

Brandon turned toward her. "The C-section?"

She nodded.

The tension that had been sitting on his shoulders for months finally seemed to ease.

"But you’re not allowed to use this as proof that you were right about everything."

Brandon smiled. "I wasn’t going to."

"You were thinking about it."

He couldn’t hide his grin. "Maybe."

Emma shook her head, but she was smiling too.

The weeks that followed were filled with preparations. They chose a healing den abroad with the specialists and equipment Emma’s healers wanted available for the delivery. Her medical records were sent ahead, the surgical team reviewed her history, and the healing den arranged everything they would need for her admission and recovery. Brandon also arranged their travel early enough that they could arrive well before the scheduled date instead of waiting until the last moment.

When departure day arrived, Bryan and Charlotte stood near the palace entrance with their bags beside them, both clearly hoping they would be allowed to go with their parents.

"We’re coming too," Charlotte announced.

Brandon crouched in front of them and adjusted Bryan’s jacket before looking at them. "Not this time. Mother needs to rest when we get there, and the healing den isn’t a place for all of you to stay."

Charlotte’s face fell. "Why can’t we go?"

"Because you need to stay here until your mother is ready for visitors."

Bryan looked toward Emma. "When can we see her?"

"After the pup is born and the healers say she’s ready," Brandon told him.

"And our brother?" Charlotte asked.

Brandon smiled. "I’ll bring you both to meet him."

Charlotte turned to Emma. "Promise?"

Emma slightly bent down and pulled her into a hug. "Promise."

Bryan stepped closer, and Emma wrapped an arm around him as well. "Take care of your sibling while we’re gone."

Bryan looked at Brandon and nodded. "I will."

Brandon smiled and rested a hand on his shoulder. "I know you will. You’re the oldest, so I need you to help Charlotte while we’re away."

Bryan straightened proudly. "I will, Father."

Emma kissed the top of his head. "And listen to Mrs. Thompson."

"I will."

Charlotte reached for Emma’s hand. "You promise you’ll come back soon?"

Emma pulled her into another hug. "As soon as we can."

They finally stepped back as a palace attendant gathered their bags and carried them toward the waiting private jet.

The journey abroad was quiet. Emma rested for most of the flight while Brandon sat beside her, occasionally checking their travel documents and staying in contact with the healing den. The private jet had everything they needed for the journey, and the palace staff traveling with them handled the luggage and other arrangements. Emma watched Brandon make the final checks before leaning back in her seat and closing her eyes.

When they reached the healing den, a medical team was already waiting for them. She went through the admission process, had her vital signs checked, and spoke with the healers about her medical history before they showed her to the private chamber prepared for her.

The staff carried their bags inside and placed them beside the bed. Emma sat against the pillows and looked around the chamber before letting out a quiet breath.

"So this is where you’re going to spend the next few days worrying."

Brandon looked at her. "I’ve been worrying for months."

She smiled and held out her hand.

He came to the bedside and took it, settling into the chair beside her.

"I know you didn’t want this," he said.

She looked down at their joined hands. "I didn’t."

Brandon waited.

"But I know why you wanted it."

His thumb moved slowly across the back of her hand. "Thank you."

She leaned back against the pillows. "Don’t thank me yet. You’re still going to annoy me before this pup gets here."

Brandon smiled. "I’ll try to behave."

"You won’t."

He laughed quietly and leaned back in his chair.

Outside their chamber, healers moved through the hallway as they continued their moonrise routine. Inside, Emma rested her head against Brandon’s shoulder while he kept her hand in his, both of them waiting for the day their third pup would arrive.

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