Alpha's Secret Bride

Chapter 191: The Moment He Walked Away

On Wednesday at moonset, Emma’s father sent a convoy of cars and security officers to pick Brooklyn up from the skyport. As the High Fang Regent’s daughter-in-law, she traveled with tight security wherever she went.

Emma and Elara stood outside the house, eyes fixed on the gate. Brooklyn had only been gone a few weeks, yet it felt much longer.

At 4:30 p.m., a line of vehicles rolled into the driveway.

"Brooklyn!" Emma shouted.

"There she is!" Elara cried.

The moment Brooklyn stepped out, she hurried toward them. The three ladies crashed into each other and hugged tightly.

Brooklyn pulled back first. Grinning, she dropped to one knee and rested her ear against Emma’s stomach.

Emma laughed and tapped the top of her head.

"Get away from her."

Brooklyn rubbed her head dramatically.

"How’s he doing?"

"She’s doing fine."

Brooklyn pointed at her stomach. "It’s a he, Emma."

Emma folded her arms. "No, Brooklyn. It’s her."

The two stared at each other before breaking into smiles.

Elara looked from one to the other. "Wait... what’s going on?"

Brooklyn rolled her eyes and jerked her thumb toward Emma.

"You didn’t tell her?"

Elara’s mouth fell open. She grabbed Emma’s arm.

"Emma, are you hiding something from me?"

Emma scratched the back of her neck.

"I... well..."

"You seriously haven’t told them?" Brooklyn asked.

Emma shook her head.

"I wanted to tell everyone after the mating ceremony."

Brooklyn winced.

"Oh. Then I just ruined your plan."

She turned to Elara and pressed a finger to her lips.

"You heard nothing. Let’s keep her little secret."

Elara nodded, but the grin spreading across her face made it clear she was already bursting with excitement.

Brooklyn dug through her bag when her device rang. She pulled it out and answered, talking to her mate as they stepped into the house. Naomi followed behind, carrying her small suitcase.

She stopped mid-step.

"Who are those?" she asked, tilting her head toward the voices drifting from the reception chamber.

"The Royal Affairs Planners," Elara said without slowing down. "They arrived three hours ago to discuss Emma’s upcoming royal mating, but she hasn’t been in the mood to see them."

Brooklyn lowered her device.

"She knows they’re here, right?"

She planted a hand on her hip as if Emma wasn’t standing a few feet away.

Elara glanced over her shoulder at Naomi.

"Give me that."

Naomi handed over the briefcase. Elara nodded toward the hallway.

"You can go."

As soon as Naomi disappeared around the corner, Elara turned back to Brooklyn.

"Emma knows they’re here. Naomi informed her through the intercom." Elara’s mouth tightened. "She just wasn’t eager to discuss a mating ceremony that got turned upside down by a heartless sibling and her moonmate."

Brooklyn’s eyes widened.

"What?" she blurted out.

A grin tugged at the corners of her mouth.

Emma leaned closer to Elara.

"My walls have ears now," she whispered.

Elara’s grin spread.

"Right. I almost forgot we’re living with spies."

She rubbed her temple and let out a long breath.

Brooklyn turned to Emma.

The smile vanished from her face.

"Emma," she said, narrowing her eyes. "What exactly is going on?"

Her fingers curled at her sides. One look at her was enough to know some wolf was about to have a very bad day.

"Brooklyn, you need a shower and some rest," Emma said, taking her hand. freeweɓnovel.cøm

Her gaze dropped to the small suitcase Elara was carrying. Her brow furrowed.

"What is really going on here?" she asked as they started up the stairs.

"Nothing." Elara lifted the suitcase slightly. "And this bag isn’t heavy."

Brooklyn shot her a look but kept climbing.

The moment they entered the chamber, Brooklyn dropped onto Emma’s bed and stretched out with a groan.

Emma hurried into the bathchamber and turned on the water for her.

She couldn’t sit still.

She paced from the bed to the window, then back to the door. Every few seconds, her eyes drifted to Brooklyn. A smile kept sneaking onto her face.

Finally, she left Brooklyn and Elara in the chamber and dashed downstairs to the cookhouse.

Soon, the scent of dinner filled the air.

By the time Brooklyn came down, freshly bathed and rested, Emma was already setting dishes on the table. Somehow, with Brooklyn and Elara nearby, the knot that had been sitting in her chest all day felt a little lighter.

Brooklyn’s device rang again.

She glanced at the screen and grinned.

"It’s Ken."

Emma quickly wiped her damp hands with a towel and slid into the seat beside her.

The screen lit up with Ken’s face.

"Moonlight." He grinned and waved.

"Moonfall, Ken." Emma waved back.

"How are you doing?"

"I’m good. How about you?" freewebnoveℓ.com

"I’m fine." He pressed a hand dramatically to his chest. "But I already miss my mate."

Brooklyn rolled her eyes.

Emma laughed.

"I’m sorry..."

"No, don’t be." Ken waved it off. "I’ll be there next week. We’ll all head back together after the royal matebond."

Emma’s face brightened.

"I can’t wait to see you, big sib."

"Me too."

"Is Brandon back?" he asked.

"Yes. He came back a few minutes ago."

"Is he there with you?"

"No."

There was a brief silence.

"Alright. I’ll call him."

Emma handed the device back to Brooklyn.

They wrapped up the conversation, exchanged a few final words, and disconnected.

Brooklyn slipped the device into her pocket and glanced around.

"Elara, where’s Bernard?"

Elara shrugged lightly. "Probably at his house."

Not long after, Emma helped set the table.

Once everything was ready, she carried a tray toward the feeding chamber.

The moment she stepped inside, she slowed.

Brandon was already there.

He sat alone at the feeding table, his attention fixed on the device in his hand. The glow from the screen reflected faintly across his face. He didn’t look up when she entered.

Emma studied him for a moment.

Ever since they had returned from Milan, a shadow had settled over him. She knew why.

The secrets she kept from him had driven a wedge between them. But tonight seemed different. He looked even more withdrawn than before.

She placed his dinner in front of him.

"You don’t look happy."

Brandon’s jaw tightened. For a moment, he said nothing. Then he lowered the device and finally met her gaze.

"I’m not happy because you’ve been miserable for days," he said quietly. "And then Brooklyn shows up, and suddenly you’re smiling again."

His eyes searched hers.

"Am I not making you happy anymore when I’m around?"

The question landed harder than she expected.

Guilt twisted inside her chest.

She reached for his hand and laced her fingers through his. Then she leaned down, resting her forehead gently against his.

"Starlit... I’m sorry."

His hand remained still beneath hers.

"I don’t need an apology."

His voice was calm, but it carried an edge that made her stomach tighten.

"I want the truth."

She closed her eyes for a brief second.

"I’m sorry," she whispered. "I can’t."

He let out a short laugh that held no amusement. He pulled his hand away and leaned back in his chair.

"Fine."

The word fell heavily between them.

He rubbed a hand over his face before speaking again.

"The royal matebond is in two weeks."

Emma remained silent.

"The event planners came today." He looked at her steadily. "They wanted to meet you. You didn’t even say hello."

Still she said nothing.

Brandon’s expression hardened.

"Are you not interested in the royal matebond anymore?"

The silence stretched.

At last, he shook his head.

"This whole royal ceremony is what you wanted, Emma."

His fingers drummed once against the table before going still.

"I never asked for any of it."

He looked away from her and stared at the untouched meal in front of him.

"The civil matebond we had a few months ago was enough for me."

"How can you turn your back on the royal matebond when it’s only two weeks away?" Brandon demanded. He pushed his plate aside and fixed his eyes on her. "Emma, if you’re no longer interested, just tell me. I can call it off and do it when you’re ready. We can forget about it completely." His jaw tightened. "Or are you planning to cancel the matebond and leave me for Evan?"

Emma’s eyes widened.

"I’m not turning my back on it, and I’m not leaving you." She shook her head. "I just have a small problem to deal with. It’ll be over soon."

Brandon studied her face for a moment.

"Are you going to tell Brooklyn what the problem is?"

Emma lowered her eyes to her food.

The guards stood around the feeding chamber as they always did. She could feel them there without looking. Every word spoken in this chamber had ears listening.

When she didn’t answer, Brandon leaned forward.

"Are you going to tell Brooklyn?"

Her fingers tightened around her fork, but she remained silent.

"Answer me!"

His palms slammed against the feeding table.

The sharp sound echoed through the chamber.

She flinched but kept her lips sealed.

For a few seconds, neither of them moved.

Brandon pushed back his chair and stood.

"Enjoy your dinner, Emma."

She froze.

Brandon hadn’t called her that in a very long time.

Not since everything changed.