Alpha's Secret Bride

Chapter 170: She Said It Was Just a Break... He Knew Better

She didn’t answer right away. Her gaze lifted slowly until it met his.

"Bernard, is that true?" she asked softly.

Bernard kept wiping the table, a faint smile tugging at his mouth like he wasn’t interested in getting dragged in.

"He’s the interior administrator," Brandon said. "Who’s going to handle the house?"

"He’ll lock it up," she said, already folding the list.

"Lock our house up how?" Brandon tilted his head, eyes narrowing slightly.

"I mean..." she hesitated, fingers picking at the edge of her sleeve. "Another wolf could replace him until we come back."

Brandon leaned back in his chair, fingers tapping once against the armrest, then stopping.

"Alright," he said at last, leaning back again.

"Bernard, you’re coming with us," she said.

Her eyes stayed on him a second longer.

The corner of his mouth twitched. He tried to hide it, but it stayed there anyway.

He gathered the used plates without a word and slipped out of the feeding chamber.

Brandon watched him go, then tilted his head slightly. "He hates traveling with me... so why does he look happy?"

She blinked, caught off guard. "You noticed that?"

"He did."

She glanced toward the door Bernard had just walked through. "It’s been a while since he last traveled with you. That’s probably it."

Brandon leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping once against the armrest.

"Yeah..." His eyes narrowed slightly. "Maybe there’s more to it." A faint smirk pulled at his mouth. "And I’m gonna find out soon."

Emma tilted her head, the corner of her mouth curling slowly.

"Find out what exactly?" she asked, eyes glinting with mischief.

His eyes moved back to her. "Why are his name and your maid’s on the list?" He tapped the paper once. "Are they seeing each other... or am I missing something?"

She let out a short laugh, shaking her head.

"No."

He kept looking at her.

"They just need a break," she added, sliding the paper aside.

She raised a brow. "So your policy says workers can’t even like each other now?"

"No, he’s free to date any female staff he likes," he said, rising from the chair. "Except my sibling Elara. She’s not part of that. She’s a princess"

Emma’s eyes stayed on him. She didn’t look away this time.

"A princess still has feelings," she said quietly. Her fingers slid off the table edge.

"And she still gets to choose who she wants."

She lifted her gaze as he stood over her.

"You still haven’t told me why you want him on board. Did he ask for a break?" Brandon asked.

"No." She tilted her head slightly, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Bernard is like a sibling to Elara. She’ll need a wolf to talk to when things get busy."

She gave him a quick wink.

Brandon let out a short laugh.

"Alright," he said, eyes locked on hers.

He gave a small shake of his head, then stepped back. "Just be careful... don’t start a war you can’t fix."

He got to his feet and reached for the buttons on his shirt.

Emma stood right after him and stepped in before he could button the first one. Her fingers moved over the fabric slowly, fastening each button while Brandon watched her with quiet amusement.

She adjusted his tie, fingers quick and practiced, then tugged his belt into place.

He looked down at her, unmoving, letting her finish.

When she finished, he adjusted his collar and turned toward the door.

Emma followed close behind. Without looking back, Brandon held out his hand. Her fingers slipped into his, and together they walked toward the exit.

"I love you," he said quietly, a smile breaking through.

"I love you more," she murmured, her thumb brushing slowly across his knuckles as he held her hand tighter.

"Get Elara’s permission fast," he added. "And tell me what’s really eating at her."

"Sure," she said.

She rose onto her toes and pressed a soft kiss to his lips.

Outside, Leonard, Maximus, and the rest of the guards were already waiting as he stepped out of the feeding chamber.

She walked down the hallway toward the cookhouse, the sound of faint clinking plates already drifting out.

Inside, Bernard sat close to Elara, their hands loosely joined across the table.

The moment Emma stepped in, his hands slipped away. He pushed back his chair and stood too fast, turning straight to the sink.

Water ran, plates rattled, his focus suddenly on the stack in front of him. frёeweɓηovel.coɱ

Emma watched him for a second, then stepped in and took a seat.

"Bernard," she said, lifting a hand slightly.

The plate in his grip paused mid-wash. He set it down, grabbed a dish towel, and walked back.

He stopped near the table, waiting.

"As the interior administrator," she said, leaning back slightly, "there are things you need to stop doing."

Bernard stood still, a dish towel hanging from his hand. Water from the sink ticked steadily into the metal basin behind him.

Emma leaned back slightly in her chair, eyes fixed on him.

"We have more than eight female domestic staff here," she continued. "I need two in this cookhouse. One will handle dishes, the cookhouse, and the dining area."

He finally looked up. "The Alpha and the King trust only me. I don’t think they’ll like that idea."

"My mate trusts my maids," she said, steady. "And I do too."

His jaw tightened a little, then eased.

"I’ll assign them the task," she said, glancing up at him, watching his face for a reaction.

"Thank you, Alpha’s mate." he said, turning slightly as if to leave.

"I’m not done," she said.

He stopped mid-step and turned back.

"From today on, dinner is mine," she said, setting the cup down on the counter. "If I’m too tired or unavailable, I’ll let you know ahead of time. Mr. Richard handles breakfast.

You only need to focus on lunch and the interiors."

Bernard’s brows pulled together slightly. "Did you discuss this with the Alpha?"

She leaned back in her chair. "This is my house, Bernard. While I was away, the Alpha handled things. I’m his mate and I’m back now, so I’ll handle my duties myself."

He held her gaze for a second, then dipped his head once. "Alright."

"And inform the four guards about the change."

He nodded, then paused near the doorway. "That reminds me. Why do you want me coming along?"

"Elara will need some wolf around during the vacation," she said. "And since you’re practically family to her, I couldn’t think of anyone better."

She watched him carefully.

A grin spread across his face before he looked away. "I see."

Then he turned and walked out.

Elara waited until his footsteps faded down the hallway before lowering her voice. "Did you tell Brandon anything?"

Emma shook her head. "Did you tell Bernard I know his secret?"

"No."

"Good. Don’t tell him yet," she said quietly.

"Are you still sad?"

"No." Elara shook her head once. "He said something earlier... It helped. I’m better now."

A brief silence stretched between them.

"Why were you sad?"

Elara’s grip tightened around the cup. "It comes and goes." Her gaze dropped to the table. "I deal with depression sometimes. Last moonfall... it came back."

She exhaled slowly, shoulders sinking a little.

"It felt like I was at the bottom of a well. No ladder. No light. Just... weight everywhere."

Her jaw worked as she looked away.

"Honestly," she let out a small, uneven laugh, "if I could choose where I’m born next time... I’d pick a commoner’s pup. Just to walk around without wolves watching. No pack stalkers. No paparazzi." Her fingers lifted slightly off the table, then settled again. "Not waking up to my face on every paper, every blog, every magazine."

Her voice broke on the last word.

Emma reached across before she could pull back into herself, wrapping her hands around hers. She held them steady, thumbs pressing lightly into her skin.

"It’s okay," she said, barely above a whisper.

A tear slid down Emma’s cheek. She didn’t wipe it away.

"Sometimes I just wanna run," she said, voice low.

Her fingers pressed against her forehead, then slipped down to her lap. Her chest lifted too fast, uneven.

"Or... just not be here anymore." She swallowed, eyes locked on the floor. "I can’t even breathe right."

Emma’s hand tightened gently around Elara’s.

"You don’t need to run away," she said, voice calm but firm.

Her thumb moved slowly over Elara’s wrist, steadying her.

"Just breathe... that’s all. In and out."

She gave a small nod, staying right in her space.

"Everything will be fine soon. I’m here with you."

Elara pushed back from the table and moved closer without a word. She sat beside Emma and leaned in, resting her head on her shoulder like it belonged there.

Across the cookhouse, Bernard kept working, but his hands slowed. Every few seconds, his eyes drifted back to them.

Emma noticed.

She turned slightly.

A hand landed on Elara’s shoulder.

Before she could react, Bernard stepped in, lifting Elara gently from the chair. She didn’t resist. He pulled her in, settling her against his chest, his grip firm like he was afraid she’d slip away.

The cookhouse stayed quiet except for the faint sounds of them kissing and holding each other too close, too long.

Emma looked away.

She leaned back in her chair instead, fingers loosening on the table edge. Her eyes stayed forward, but her thoughts didn’t.

Brandon’s words earlier pressed against her mind again, sharp enough to cut through whatever peace she had built.

Her jaw tightened.

She pushed it down.

A few minutes passed.

The cookhouse finally stilled.

Elara was still tucked against Bernard’s chest when Emma shifted in her seat and looked over.

"Guys," she said, voice steady, "we need to talk."