Alpha's Secret Bride-Chapter 89: The Luna’s Rise Before the Throne

It was Saturday already. The long-awaited day that had been making her wolf-heart beat madly. The soft rays of the morning sun streamed into her chamber, brushing against her skin like the Moon Goddess’s gentle touch and stirring her from sleep.

She opened her eyes slowly and looked behind her. She found out her mate was not in bed. Apparently, he had gone to the training grounds to work his strength or taken his wolves out for a morning run across the territory.

Her heartbeat quickened when she remembered the meeting she had with the council of elders and the Alpha King. She fixed her eyes on the window as she tried to steady her wolf and boost her confidence with silent, reassuring thoughts.

She shuddered when she heard a loud "bang" outside. She got down from the bed and looked through the window. The sound came from the King’s private flying beast that had just descended onto the estate grounds. Her heartbeat increased. For a fleeting moment, she considered supporting her mate’s decision, but she quickly encouraged herself again, refusing to waver.

She fixed her eyes on the massive winged beast, waiting for the King or whoever came with it to disembark. However, only men in military uniforms stepped out. After about twenty minutes, she saw the security warriors escorting Lunara toward the beast. Mrs. Thompson had told her she must be there ten minutes before time, so she quickly turned her head toward the wall clock in her bedchamber. It was just half past seven. The meeting was set for noon, and she wondered why she had to go so early. Apparently, the King could not wait to see her.

"Do not be dismayed by what you see. She is empty and powerless without love! You have stolen the heart of the kingdom’s first he-wolf—the most powerful Alpha in the land—and that makes you the strongest she-wolf in the entire kingdom! They fear you because only you can make him step down from his throne, and only you can turn his heart. Hold your power tight and do not let anyone intimidate you. Be fearless! Do not break the laws intentionally, but if you mistakenly cross any line, lift your head high like a true Luna as though nothing happened!"

"Thank you, Mrs. Thompson."

"One more thing, Emma. Do you know that a moment of contemplation before answering will help you shape your response wisely?"

"Of course."

"Very good. When you are asked a question, do not rush like an anxious pup. Take a moment to understand what is being asked. Be certain before you respond."

"Thank you very much. Please, do you have any idea where Paige is?"

"She is cleansing your bathchamber."

"Alright," she said and began to walk toward the bathchamber.

Paige returned to the closet after she had finished bathing, holding a white box. She carefully placed it on the table as though it contained something fragile and sacred. She was about to ask what was inside when Paige spoke first.

"Alpha’s mate, Naomi wishes to see you."

"Bring her in at once." Paige bowed and left. She still did not know how to stop her from bowing every time she saw her. She detested that gesture more than anything—it made her feel distant, not respected. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Paige led Naomi into the closet. Naomi’s face looked dull and lifeless. She guessed immediately that she had been punished again.

"Moonrise, Alpha’s mate," Naomi murmured softly.

"Naomi."

"Yes."

"What is it?"

"I overheard Lunara speaking through the communication device. She said they plan to humiliate you at the royal kingdom today."

"Is that all?"

"Yes, Alpha’s mate."

"Will that make her the Alpha’s mate?"

"No," she replied, and her face brightened slightly.

"Nothing will ever give her that title she desperately seeks. Keep watching her closely. I have a special task for you next moon-cycle, and if you do it well, I will free you from her service and restore your position."

"Trust me, Alpha’s mate; I will not fail you," she said, and they both giggled softly.

It was a few minutes past ten already. About one hour and forty-seven minutes to the meeting. She stood in her closet, about to dress, when her mate entered and threw himself onto the sofa. She remained in front of her clothes, pretending not to notice him.

"Moonheart..."

"No way!" she interrupted with a playful grin.

"What is it?"

"I just realized—you only call me that when you need something from me."

He grinned, rose to his feet, and pulled her into his arms, gripping her waist possessively. His intoxicating Alpha scent wrapped around her senses, making her wolf stir restlessly beneath her skin.

He opened the box Paige had brought earlier and took out the Heart of the Kingdom necklace he had given her moons ago. He stared at it briefly before fastening it around her neck. She turned to face him.

"This is the symbol of my love," he said softly. "I will always be the one to remove it. Wherever you go, remember that my heart beats with yours. Never take it off."

She lowered her gaze to the necklace and nodded, tears glistening in her eyes. He stepped closer, cupped her shoulders, and pressed a kiss to her forehead.

A burning hunger and deep longing surged through her wolf, demanding more than just a tender touch. She lifted her hands to his face, and their lips found each other instinctively. She kissed him with desperate need, pouring everything she felt into it.

His skilled touch ignited her senses, sending waves of pleasure through her wolf as her wolf melted completely under his dominance. In moments, her towel and his clothes lay scattered across the floor of the closet.

A storm of fire and ice consumed her wolf, drawing out heavy breaths, soft moans, and whispered desires from her lips as she surrendered completely to her Alpha.

"The flight crew will be here in the next hour," he said, his fingers brushing over the necklace resting against her neck, a symbol of their unbreakable mate bond.

"I want to go in one of your cars."

"One of our cars," he corrected smoothly. "You are not going alone; I hope you know that."

"I know."

"It is either you go with the flying beast or you go with a convoy."

"I’ll go with the convoy."

"Oh...my...Moon Goddess!" She screamed when she checked the time. She couldn’t believe their heated moment had lasted more than sixty minutes. She quickly got down from the sofa, grabbed her towel, and wrapped it around her chest before moving toward the clothes hanger, trying to avoid stirring his desire again. However, his pupils were still dark and dilated as he stared at her. He clearly needed more of her.

She removed the long gown Mrs. Thompson had chosen for her from the hanger and began to dress. She shuddered slightly when she stepped back into the bedchamber and saw Mrs. Thompson waiting to style her hair. A wave of embarrassment washed over her. She had whispered far too many shameless things while her mate claimed her moments ago. She wondered if Mrs. Thompson had heard everything. Sensing her unease, Mrs. Thompson teased her lightly with playful words until she relaxed, and soon they were both giggling.

Brandon stepped out of the closet, fully dressed, as though nothing had happened. He stood beside her, admiring her hair silently, his hands tucked into his pockets.

"Has the shooter said anything yet?"

"No," he replied.

"He is trying to protect the one who sent him."

"Obviously... but let’s see how long his loyalty holds."

"Perfect!" He smiled the moment Mrs. Thompson stepped away from her. He reached for her hand and gently pulled her up from the sofa. Mrs. Thompson smiled knowingly and left the chamber, clearly unwilling to witness another intimate scene. Brandon’s hand slid to her waist, holding her firmly as their eyes locked.

"Trust is fragile. Once broken, it never returns in the same form," he said softly. "But my trust in you is different. It is unshakable—like stone. It will never break. Never think, even for a moment, that I do not trust you. I do... but I do not trust those you are going to face. That is why I objected."

She nodded slowly, lowering her gaze.

"Knowing and believing in yourself is the beginning of wisdom," Brandon added as he led her out of the chamber. "When you stand before them, I want you to feel superior—like the true Luna you are."

About ten armed warriors in military uniforms stood in the lobby, waiting. The moment they passed, the worriors fell in line behind them. Emma’s nerves tightened, but every time she met Brandon’s eyes, her wolf calmed instantly.

Brandon’s chief chauffeur smoothly reversed a limited edition Bugatti toward them. The door slid open silently, and she stepped in with the grace of a High Luna. The convoy rolled out of the estate slowly before picking up speed. Within minutes, the rear section where she sat became utterly silent—like a sacred chamber.

She reached into her bag when her device chimed with a message. It was from her mate. A soft smile spread across her lips as she read it.

"Are you aware that Oliver loves you?"

"Yes," she replied.

"Do you love him?" She burst into laughter, grateful she was alone in the executive privacy suite, completely soundproof. The chauffeur could not hear anything unless she activated the intercom. Even the movement of the car was undetectable.

"Of course, he’s my Starlit in Moonlight."

"My moonblessed one, you never asked me why I fell in love with you ten winters ago."

"Oh my Moon Goddess! I didn’t know there was a reason! Tell me—what is it?" she replied quickly, anticipation rising within her. Truly, she had never considered there might be a reason.

"I’ll be right back. I need to consult my heart... to know if I should tell you!"

She laughed again, completely forgetting her destination for a moment. "The playful Oliver I know hasn’t changed," she murmured softly.

"I didn’t understand what it meant to be mated to your best moonmate until I was bound to you. Every day feels alive, Starlit," she typed, her eyes glued to the device as she waited for his reply.

Finally, it beeped again.

"Look up, My moonblessed one."

"What?" She lifted her head and noticed a black button with a blinking green light. She pressed it immediately.

"Alpha’s mate, we have arrived at the royal kingdom," the chauffeur’s deep voice echoed.

"Oh my Moon Goddess!" she exclaimed. She hadn’t even realized the car had stopped. "How long have we been here?"

"Not long. About ten minutes."

"What? Please, open the door!"

The door slid open smoothly. She stepped out and immediately saw Princess Elara watching her with concern—likely due to the delay. Emma smiled and waved, but Elara quickly approached with a serious expression and grabbed her hand.

"Emma, you are five minutes late! The High Fang Regent and several Keepers of the Moon Seal are already inside, but the King has not entered the Throne Hall yet."

"What? I—I..."

"Don’t worry. Go. I’ll see you after the meeting."

"Alright," she said with a smile, waving lightly. She wasn’t sure why, but a sudden wave of fearlessness surged through her wolf.

One of the guards at the entrance of the Throne Hall guided her toward the automatic door Mrs. Thompson had described. She stepped forward boldly, and the heavy door slid shut behind her.