Alpha's Secret Bride-Chapter 83: Lunara Tasted Emma’s Wrath

Naomi rushed toward Emma the moment she caught sight of her ascending the staircase to retrieve the image Brooklyn had given her. Brandon had insisted on seeing it before returning to his Alpha duties.

"Highmoon, Alpha’s mate," she greeted, her voice laced with sorrow.

"Naomi, where have you been?"

"We have been at the cookhouse since moonrise, assisting the cooks she brought in, until Bernard drove us away."

"Didn’t Bernard tell you that I’m back?"

"Honestly, Alpha’s mate, he didn’t. But the moment I sensed your moonally, I knew you had returned," she lowered her head. "Please... I want to come back to you."

"Why not?" Naomi glanced around cautiously before lifting her gaze again. Emma smiled knowingly; Naomi would never change.

"The fake fated m...made me her personal maid.

Alpha’s mate, she lashed me mercilessly last night. I wanted to fight back, but I feared the royal court."

"Naomi, never lay your hands on her. She is older than you."

"The difference is just two winters!"

"Come to my chamber tonight; we will talk."

"She doesn’t allow me out of her sight. I’m only here because she is speaking with the Alpha."

"I’ll be in the study chamber this moon-fall. Meet me there if you can."

"Alright."

"Where is Paige?"

"She returned to her quarters after Bernard drove us from the cookhouse."

"Tell her I’m back."

"Alright."

Naomi turned and descended the stairs, only to pause as Lunara’s sharp voice echoed through the lounge. Emma’s brows knit slightly. She wondered how her mate endured such disrespect. Lunara had no right to raise her voice at him.

"I don’t want to see her here!!!" Lunara shrieked the instant Emma stepped into the lounge.

Emma ignored her entirely and walked to Brandon, who stood by the window, hands tucked into his pockets as he gazed into the distance. She leaned back against him, pressing lightly against his wolf, and they both chuckled softly.

"Where is the picture?"

"Come to my chamber tonight if you want to see it," she replied gently.

"No. You are staying in my chamber tonight," he said as he turned to face her.

"Brandon, I’m still talking!" Lunara snapped, frustration rising in her tone.

"And I’m still listening," Brandon replied calmly.

They both turned to face her.

"Brandon, we called you before the engagement ceremony four winters ago and you gave your consent! You told us to proceed! Do you think you can turn your back on me now after all these wasted winters? I waited patiently while she jumped from one wolf to another!"

"Tell me—why should I interfere with your engagement? This is misplaced priority. That conversation should be between you and the wolf who bound himself to you four winters ago."

"The proph—"

"Return to the royal den," Brandon cut in immediately, already moving toward the exit. He knew what she intended to say and had no desire to hear it.

Lunara quickly blocked his path, forcing him to halt.

Emma’s vision spun with rage. Her wolf surged violently beneath her skin. Before she could restrain herself, she stepped forward and delivered a sharp, echoing slap across Lunara’s left cheek. Lunara staggered back. Emma advanced again and struck her right cheek just as fiercely.

"How dare you! Do you even know who he is? If you ever stand in his path again, I swear by the Moon Goddess, I will leave your face unrecognizable! Id!ot!"

Brandon said nothing. He simply grasped Emma’s wrist and pulled her back against his chest. He hated seeing her anger flare so wildly.

"My moonblessed one... it’s alright," he murmured, holding her head firmly.

Lunara screamed and fled the lounge. The frantic thudding of her footsteps echoed as she raced up the stairs. Emma knew exactly where she was headed—the bedchamber she had claimed earlier that highmoon—to report everything to the Alpha King and High Luna. She was ready for whatever came.

"Remember, you’re sleeping in my chamber tonight. I want to hold you... to feel you close," Brandon whispered into her ear, studying her expression. She was still simmering, unable to smile.

"I never realized how beautiful you look when you’re angry," he added softly.

A faint laugh escaped them both, and just like that, the storm faded from her face.

"Close all the windows and curtains. Turn off the lights and let the writer’s candle reveal its magic. Its scent will awaken every memory. Leave nothing buried—tell your story fully. I trust the writer’s clock... it will guide you when to rest."

He pressed a kiss to her lips before walking toward the lobby, his guards falling in step behind him.

Emma stirred awake after a brief rest on her soft bed.

Through the window, the sun’s fading rays stretched the shadows of trees and pack houses across the estate. Though it was only 4:05 PM, the atmosphere carried the weight of dusk.

Brooklyn had already left, promising to return by moonrise. Princess Elara had gone back to the royal den after lunch, explaining she had only accompanied her sibling to shield him from Lunara’s manipulations. Now that Emma had returned, she saw no reason to linger—but promised to visit often.

Her communication device blinked with five notifications. One came from the visitor’s administrator. Relief washed over her—the new device and line had been successfully activated within the pack’s network. She immediately initiated a call.

"Who is there?"

"He claims to be your father."

"I don’t wish to see anyone."

"Alpha’s mate... he has been waiting here for over three hours."

"...Send him in," she said reluctantly. She already knew why he had come. The untouchable had finally been touched.

She descended the stairs and headed straight for the study chamber.

The writer’s clock mounted on the wall immediately caught her attention—it was mesmerizing. She paused, smiling faintly as she observed it.

Following her mate’s instructions, she shut all the windows and drew the curtains. Darkness swallowed the chamber instantly.

She opened the moonlit box and retrieved a candle along with its stand, placing it carefully on her work table before lighting it.

In that moment, it felt as though all her senses gathered in one place, waiting to be awakened. The fragrance of the candle wrapped around her, deeply tied to memory—so vivid it felt like her past stood before her.

Tears welled in her eyes as she sat down and pulled her notebook closer.

The clock ticked sharply the moment she settled, marking the beginning.

She lifted her pen and began to write, her wolf-mind humming with restless energy. She kept flipping the pages of the notebook as memories from the pack house and whispers of recent chaos flooded her thoughts, and her right hand moved with the swift precision of instinct. She didn’t even remember someone was waiting for her beyond her chamber door.

The clock chimed again, its echo like a distant howl, and she looked up. Her gaze caught the words "take a break," and she grinned faintly. She couldn’t believe she had been writing for two full moon cycles of time. She quickly rounded up the Chapter she was crafting, leaned back into the chair, and began to proofread. Tears flowed freely down her cheeks as she read, each line tugging at something deep within her wolf soul.

She opened the door and saw Naomi and Paige standing guard behind it like loyal she-wolves. They bowed their heads immediately in respect.

"Please, stop," she grinned softly.

"Alpha’s mate, I’m glad you are back," Paige said excitedly, but Naomi remained downcast. She had noticed earlier that something weighed heavily on her spirit.

"Naomi, what is it?" she asked, her tone sharpening with concern as she saw the tears in her eyes.

"I don’t want to serve her. Please, take me back."

"Come with me," she crooked her fingers and led her back into the study chamber. "Sit," she gestured, settling down like a Luna ready to command.

"Naomi, I want you to continue serving her. Watch her closely, uncover what she is plotting, and do not hesitate to report to me. Be loyal—convincingly so—so she never suspects your true allegiance."

"This is exactly what I told her a few moments ago," Paige added.

"I hate her!"

"I know," she said calmly, her wolf steady, "but do this for me, Naomi." Naomi nodded reluctantly. "Where is she?"

"She and your father have been waiting for you in the sitting chamber."

"Paige, wait behind my door. My chamber needs tending."

Paige bowed and left, but Naomi lingered. The tension in her scent revealed there was more to say—gossip, perhaps. She too was curious. She glanced at the door to ensure no one lingered nearby before speaking again.

"She has a lover," Naomi whispered, her voice trembling. Emma frowned slightly, masking the fact that the revelation did not entirely surprise her.

"Who told you that?"

"I heard strange sounds coming from your closet. I was furious, thinking the Alpha had betrayed you. I crept closer and saw her engaging in an indecent video call with a he-wolf. The male noticed me and called her attention immediately."

"What did she do?"

"She beat me mercilessly, stripped me, and took compromising pictures. Then she forced me to sit before her device and staged everything from behind, making it appear as though I was the one involved with the he-wolf. She twisted the entire scene as if she had caught me in the act."

"Why would she do that?" she asked, her brows knitting together.

"She said she would release it to the whole packland if I ever spoke of what I saw. Alpha’s mate, I trust you... please don’t tell the Alpha. I can’t let those images be released," Naomi fell to her knees, pleading desperately.

"Naomi, sit," she said firmly. "Do you trust me?" Naomi nodded quickly.

"Wipe your tears," she instructed. There was no need to reveal her plans yet—Naomi’s loose tongue could be dangerous.

"Did you see the male’s face?"

"Yes. She forced me to sit facing him. He mocked me openly."

"Do you know him?"

"No. His scent and face were unfamiliar. He is not from our lands—he is a Guyanese.."

"Alright. Which chamber is she using now?"

"The last chamber on the second level," Naomi replied, glancing nervously at the door again. "I liked what your friend did to her today. She ran off crying like a wounded pup. She has already reported you to the High Luna."

"And the new workers I saw earlier?"

"Bernard ordered them to wait outside the estate. She has no authority to make changes here without the Alpha’s mate’s consent. Alpha’s mate... she fears Bernard," Naomi added in a hushed tone.

"Why?"

"I believe Bernard knows something about her—something even the royal den is unaware of."

"That will be all, Naomi. Keep watching her," she said as she rose, adjusting her clothes, her posture shifting into that of a Luna ready for confrontation. She already knew why her father had come. He had never shown mercy whenever she touched his favored she-wolf. A faint, dangerous anticipation flickered within her. "Use his belt on her in her own pack house? He wouldn’t dare!"