Alpha's Secret Bride-Chapter 85: The Alpha’s Sacrifice: Love Against the Crown

Chapter 85: The Alpha’s Sacrifice: Love Against the Crown

Emma descended slowly from the bed, her steps quiet as she drifted toward the window. Brandon’s words echoed within her mind like a distant bell that refused to fade. She gazed at the sun as it slipped behind towering buildings, spilling golden light through the alleys. Tears gathered and traced a slow path down her face.

Brandon had already done so much for her. She knew how deeply he longed to become a Soulcrafter, yet he had abandoned that dream for her sake. They could not share a true royal mating bond, for his pack-kins would never accept her, so he had chosen a civil union instead. Now he was willing to surrender his birthright because of her. She would not allow him to sacrifice his future as the Moon Prince and the destined Alpha King. Never. Her tears fell harder, her chest trembling as sobs broke free. Brandon rose from the bed and moved to her side.

"My starlit, try to understand me," he whispered, his breath warm against her ear as he held her waist firmly. "I only want a packland where it is just you, me, and our pups. I refuse to let anyone control or harm you again."

"Abdication means giving up your birthright," she murmured, shaking her head. "My starlit, I cannot support that."

"I do not need your support for this," he replied firmly. "This is the only way to pull the gaze of my father and his manipulative council away from you. I have not yet challenged Lunara and placed her where she belongs because of my position. I refuse to drag my pack-kins’s name through the mud. But if they fail to correct her after I step away from the throne, I will have no choice but to disgrace her." He tightened his hold on her head, brushing his lips near her ear as he spoke.

"You are not stepping away," she insisted softly. "You have already done enough. Let me speak with them."

Brandon tilted his head back and laughed, and the sound pierced her heart. He had always trusted her strength, yet she could sense that her mistakes had dimmed his faith in her. She didn’t know how to restore it.

"My starlit, my decision stands. There is no turning back," he declared as he lifted her and walked toward the bathchamber. She sniffled, her expression pleading, but he remained unmoved. His mind was resolute.

"A meeting with the king is not the end," he said as he wrapped a pink towel around her. "You once ran away from me, and I cannot imagine what you might do after facing the High Fang Regent and the Keepers of the Moon Seal."

Nothing could erase the sorrow in her heart. She did not crave the title of future Luna, but she felt he had already sacrificed too much. This is his path. This is who he is. This is his destiny. She repeated the thought silently as tears continued to fall.

He leaned against the bath chamber wall, pulling her close and resting her head against his chest for long minutes. His rich, intoxicating scent filled the space, yet it could not calm her grief.

"I did not decide this overnight," he murmured. "When I opened my eyes on Moonday and found you gone, I knew I would find you again. But I refused to allow that pain to repeat itself."

She pressed her wolf closer to his, seeking comfort as he held her face gently.

"This is my choice," he continued. "A packland built only for you and me. I will remove anything that threatens our peace and unity."

She gave a small nod, though her heart remained conflicted. He lifted her again and carried her toward the closet.

"How many Chapters did you write today?" he asked.

"Three Chapters," she replied softly.

"Very good, my moonblessed one. You must increase your pace. I need you by my side in our pack enterprises. We are expanding each day, and I need someone I can trust beside me."

"How large have we grown?"

"We are now established across thirty-two territories. B&E has become one of the most powerful Alchemist Healing companies in all the packlands, holding over thirteen patents," he said as he held her waist. She adjusted her towel to keep it secure.

"I do not have knowledge of medicines."

"Do not worry. I will guide you," he assured her before gently capturing her lips. His kiss was firm yet warm, demanding and tender at once. For a moment, they melted into each other as the kiss deepened into something passionate. She rested her head against his chest, holding him close once it ended.

"Mr. Richard prepared dinner for us. We are to eat in the last chamber," he said.

She lifted her gaze, a soft smile forming. "Who told you he prepared it?"

"I intended to inform you that we would dine outside, but he contacted me before I could reach you."

"I would prefer we eat here," she admitted hesitantly, like a young pup seeking comfort. She remained nestled in his embrace, unwilling to let him go.

He led her to the cloth hanger, picked a short dinner gown, and began to dress her. She enjoyed his touch at her brassier hook and had wished he hooked and unhooked it as many times as possible.

"Are we still going out?" She asked when she stared at her gorgeous gown.

"I want you to meet my best moonally. He has been here since Sun-cycle but we haven’t really had time to talk. We are eating together this moon-fall," he smiled cutely.

He opened the section where some of his clothes were and dressed in simple tight black denim and a black t-shirt. His black attire gave him a powerful alpha-like aura, and she really loved it. He took her hand and they began to walk out of the chamber.

The chamber where the dinner was set was quite warm and relaxing. His moonally was already in the chamber flipping through the pages of an erotic magazine. He quickly tossed the magazine aside, stood up, and embraced his moonally. She smiled and waved at him. He tilted his brows significantly and fixed his gaze on her.

"Have we met?" He asked with an unsmiling face. She felt embarrassed because his face didn’t look familiar at all.

"No," she responded, shaking her head.

"I’m sorry," he smiled.

"Ken, that’s my mate."

"What??? You brought her back?"

"She came back."

"When?"

"In the early moonrise."

"We were in the gym this moonrise and you didn’t tell me?" He grinned, staring admiringly at her. She slowly sat down on one of the chairs and they followed along.

"My moonblessed one, meet Ken Ashford. He is the first he-wolf of Ashley Ashford."

"Ashley Ashford, the High Fang regent?" She asked. Ken smiled and nodded sheepishly.

"Nice to meet you, Ken." She stretched her hand for a handshake. He quickly grabbed her hand, held it so tight, and continued smiling. He was extremely excited and she thought he should have concealed it a bit. He kept stealing glances at Emma as they ate silently. This made her so uncomfortable.

"Ken," Brandon called and made eye contact with him when he could not stand the occasional glances he was throwing at Emma. She wiped her lips and stood up. She needed to give the two moonallies a chance to talk.

"I’ll be in the lounge," she announced. Brandon looked up at her and nodded.

"I’ll be with you shortly," Brandon said.

Brandon joined her in the exclusive lounge after a few minutes. He sat beside her and quickly snatched the two pictures she was holding. His face broke into a wild smile.

"She was just a young wolf when she had you," he kept smiling.

"More reason why I want to know what happened."

"I’ll tell you everything this moon-fall. Will you tell me why the King and Queen Luna want me to mate your sibling?" He whispered into her ear. She smiled and shook her head.

"Alright"

"I hope it won’t stop you from telling me everything that happened."

"No"

Mr. Richard joined them in the lounge after a few minutes. She invited him to help convince her mate not to take the step he wanted to take.

"Thank you Mr. Richard for the tasty meal," Brandon said, still staring at the pictures he was holding.

"Do you like it?"

"Yeah"

"I’m glad you like it," Mr. Richard grinned.

"Your mate told me you are exempting yourself from the throne; is it true?"

"Yeah."

"Don’t you think it’s a bad idea?"

Brandon lifted his head and fixed his gaze on him.

"I have never disobeyed my pack-kins. I mean I obey even the least rule in my pack."

"I know"

"When I was a pup, I was made to understand that pack-kins comes first. I tried to create a balance between my pack-kins and my love life by doing everything they wanted from me. Since the only criteria for accepting my mate is dropping my ambition, and staying away from her until I achieve success, I have no choice but to obey all with all pleasure," he lowered his head and continued staring at the pictures.

"You know the king will be devastated."

"I know and I’m just worried about him."

"Give me a month to talk to them. After one month and nothing is achieved, you can go ahead and reveal your plans to them."

"Starlit, no, you are not talking to anyone again," he said and pulled her closer to his chest as though she was leaving already.

"Prince Brandon, please listen to her."

"You don’t know my mate very well; I do. Okay, tell me, what would I have done if one of her maids hadn’t insisted on going with her?"

"Alpha’s mate, you know he is right."

"I...I..."

"You are not answering the summons and that is final. I couldn’t bear being kept away from the one that I love. As for abdication, they are going to hear from me soon," he said, stood up, and left the lounge. Mr. Richard looked at her and shrugged.

"I tried, but his mind is made up already."

"No, you didn’t; you supported him."

"My alpha’s mate, it is always better to be safe than sorry. I understood him and, to be honest with you, I supported him the moment you disclosed his plans to me."

"Do you think you can convince the royal council?"

"Yes"

"Then practice your convincing power on your mate." Mr. Richard said and left her too.