Alpha's Secret Bride

The following days settled into a quiet routine at the healing den. Emma attended her scheduled checks, met with the obstetrician each moonrise, and followed the instructions given to her by the medical team. Her condition remained stable, and with the delivery date already scheduled, there was no reason for her to remain confined to the bed.

Brandon, however, seemed to have trouble sitting still. He kept his device nearby in case the healers needed him, checked the schedule more than once, and asked about every appointment even after she had already told him what was planned. Whenever a healer from the medical team entered the chamber, his attention immediately shifted toward them.

On the third day, she closed the book she had been reading and watched him check the same message for the second time.

"Starlite."

He looked up from his device. "Hmm?"

"You’ve checked that message three times."

Brandon glanced at the screen again before setting the device facedown on the table. "I know."

She watched him for a moment. "Is there something else?"

"The surgical team confirmed everything for tomorrow," he said, leaning back in his chair. "The operating chamber is ready, the specialists have gone over your records, and they’ll be waiting for us at the moonrise."

She nodded. "You really have checked everything, haven’t you?"

"I just want to make sure nothing has been overlooked."

She smiled and reached for his hand. "Nothing has been overlooked."

He looked at her, then down at their joined hands. "You’re enjoying watching me worry."

"A little."

He gave her a look, and her smile widened.

He shook his head, but the smile remained as he moved closer to the bed. She reached for his hand and laced her fingers through his.

"You’re more nervous than I am."

"That’s because you’re the one who keeps pretending tomorrow is just another appointment."

"It isn’t."

"I know."

She squeezed his fingers. "Then stop looking like you’re waiting for Luna Alexandra to tell you the kingdom is under attack."

He laughed softly and sat beside her.

"I’ll try."

"You said that yesterday."

"And I’m still trying."

She rested her head against his shoulder. For a while, neither of them spoke. The chamber remained quiet except for the occasional footsteps of patients passing outside and the soft sounds of the healers moving through their duties.

After a few minutes, she looked down at her stomach and gently placed her hand over it.

"Do you think he’ll look like you?"

Brandon looked at her. "Who?"

Emma gave him a look. "Our pup."

"Oh." A smile spread across his face. "I hope he gets your eyes."

"Why?"

"Because they’re my favorite thing about you."

Emma rolled her eyes, but the smile on her face remained.

"Your eyes are what attracted me to you in the first place."

Brandon turned toward her. "And?"

"Your smile."

"And?"

She pretended to think about it.

"Nothing."

He narrowed his eyes playfully. "Nothing?"

Before she could answer, he leaned in and kissed her lips.

She smiled against his lips before pulling back slightly.

"You’re trying to distract me."

"Is it working?"

"No."

He leaned closer again and kissed her forehead.

"Worth trying."

The next moonrise, the medical team came in early to prepare her for the procedure. A healer reviewed the instructions with her, checked her vital signs, and went over the final details before the obstetrician arrived.

Brandon stayed beside her through everything, answering only when a healer asked him a question and leaving the medical team to explain the procedure directly to Emma.

When the obstetrician finished, she looked at her.

"Do you have any questions before we begin?"

She glanced at Brandon, then back at the healer.

"No. I understand."

The healer nodded and stepped away to finish the preparations.

Brandon looked at her once they were alone again.

"You’re sure?"

She nodded. "I am."

He took her hand and pressed his lips against her knuckles.

"Then I’m right here."

She smiled and squeezed his hand. "With you here, I’m strong."

He brushed his thumb over her fingers.

"Don’t worry. This will be the last time you’ll have to go through this."

Emma turned her head toward him.

"What if I change my mind?"

"About what?"

"Having another pup."

Brandon stayed quiet for a moment, then looked at her with a faint smile.

"Let’s talk about that later."

She burst out laughing, and he looked at her in surprise.

"What?"

"You’re already planning how to avoid answering me."

"I’ve learned from you."

She shook her head, still laughing as a healer returned a few minutes later and began preparing to take her to the operating chamber.

She checked the IV once more, adjusted the blanket over Emma’s legs, and made sure everything was in place before signaling to the attendants.

Brandon stood as the bed was moved toward the door. He walked beside Emma, keeping one hand around hers while the medical team guided the bed down the quiet hallway.

Emma looked at him as they reached the operating chamber.

"You’re coming with me, right?"

Brandon squeezed her hand. "Every step. I’m not going to miss this one."

The doors opened, and the medical team moved her inside. He followed after completing the required preparation with the surgical staff. Unlike the delivery of their second pup, he would be there this time, and he kept his attention on Emma as the obstetrician and nurses prepared for the procedure.

She lay beneath the surgical lights while the team worked around her. Brandon remained beside her, dressed in surgical clothing, his hand resting over hers whenever the staff allowed it.

"You’re quiet," Emma murmured.

Brandon looked down at her. "I’m trying not to annoy you."

"That would be a first."

A small smile appeared on his face.

The obstetrician glanced toward them before returning her attention to the procedure. "Everything is going well."

Emma nodded, but her fingers tightened around Brandon’s hand.

He noticed and moved closer. "I’m here."

"I know."

He brushed his thumb across her knuckles and stayed beside her as the anesthesiologist administered the spinal anesthetic before the procedure began. Within minutes, Emma’s legs became warm and heavy, and the medical team checked her sensation before positioning the surgical drape.

Unlike the first C-section, she remained awake throughout the procedure, with Brandon beside her and her hand resting in his. She could feel pressure and movement as the healers worked, but there was no sharp pain.

"How are you feeling?" Brandon asked quietly.

She looked at him. "I’m fine. Just nervous."

He squeezed her hand. "I’m right here."

She nodded and turned her attention back toward the medical team.

After several minutes, the chamber suddenly filled with the sound they had both been waiting for.

A newborn’s cry rose above the quiet voices of the medical team. Emma’s eyes opened wider as she turned toward the sound, tears quickly gathering in her eyes. Brandon looked toward the pup as one of the nurses lifted him for his initial checks.

Their pup had arrived.

For a moment, Brandon simply stared at the tiny pup until the obstetrician confirmed that he was breathing well.

"Your pup is doing well."

Brandon looked back at Emma, and the tension that had held his face for months finally eased. She turned toward him, tears slipping down her cheeks as she smiled.

"He’s here," she whispered.

He lowered his head and kissed her forehead. "He’s here, Moonheart."

The nurse brought the pup closer after the initial assessment, allowing Emma to see him.

She looked at the tiny face and reached out carefully.

"Oh, my pup."

Brandon bent closer, his eyes moving between Emma and their pup.

"He’s perfect."

Emma smiled weakly. "You haven’t even held him."

Brandon glanced at their pup before looking back at her. "I know. I just wanted to make sure you were okay first."

The nurse finished the pup’s initial checks and, after confirming that he was doing well, carefully placed him into Brandon’s arms while the medical team continued working on Emma. Brandon looked down at his pup for the second time, his expression softening as the tiny pup settled against his chest.

Emma turned her head toward them, a tired smile appearing on her face.

"He’s so small," she whispered.

Brandon looked at her, then down at the pup in his arms. "He’s perfect."

He kept one hand securely beneath the pup’s head while his other hand remained within Emma’s reach. She curled her fingers around his, and for a few moments, the three of them stayed together while the medical team finished the procedure.

"You were right," she whispered.

Brandon looked down at her. "About what?"

She glanced toward their pup sleeping nearby, then back at Brandon. "About bringing me here. He was worth all those arguments."

A quiet laugh escaped him. "I’m not going to remind you that I told you so."

"You’d better not."

"I won’t," he said, still smiling.

Once the procedure was complete, Emma was moved to the recovery chamber. The medical team continued checking her blood pressure, pulse, and incision while another healer examined and weighed their newborn pup. Brandon remained close, asking questions whenever the healers gave him an update and making sure Emma had everything she needed.

After the final checks, the healer assured them that Emma was recovering well and that their pup was healthy. Brandon finally let out the breath he seemed to have been holding since the surgery began.

He looked from Emma to the tiny pup sleeping nearby and gently squeezed her hand.

"He’s finally here."

She smiled weakly. "Our little Prince."

Brandon leaned down and kissed her forehead. "And you’re safe."

Emma closed her eyes, letting herself relax for the first time that day.

Outside the recovery chamber, footsteps approached.

Neither of them knew yet that their quiet moment would not last long.

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