Alpha's Secret Bride

Moonlight poured through the tall windows of Moon Estate, bathing the breakfast table in a warm silver glow. The feeding chamber hummed with quiet conversation as the servants moved between the table and the cookhouse, carrying fresh dishes and clearing away empty plates.

Bryan finished the last bite of his breakfast before reaching for his glass of fresh juice. Beside him, Charlotte hummed happily as she stacked slices of fruit into a small tower, carefully placing one piece on top of another until it wobbled and fell against her plate.

Across the table, Emma watched them with a small smile. It had been over two months since Brandon’s return, and somehow, life at Moon Estate had settled into a strange kind of peace. It wasn’t the same peace she had known before he disappeared, but she had slowly grown used to the familiar rhythm of his visits.

Just then, the familiar sound of engines drifted through the open windows.

Bryan’s face brightened immediately. He put down his glass and turned toward the windows.

"Father’s here."

Emma followed his gaze.

Right on time, as always.

A moment later, Brandon walked into the dining chamber. He greeted the servants with a polite nod before his attention settled on his pups.

"Moonrise Your Highnesses."

"Father!"

Bryan hurried around the table and threw his arms around him. Brandon caught him against his side and gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze.

Charlotte stretched both arms toward him from her chair.

"Father!"

He smiled and lifted her into his arms before kissing the top of her head. "And how is my little princess today?"

Charlotte held up both hands proudly. "I eat all."

Brandon glanced at her empty plate and laughed softly. "I’m very proud of you."

Emma quietly lifted her teacup and took a sip. Brandon’s eyes moved toward her, and for a moment, neither of them spoke.

"Moonrise."

She met his eyes briefly. "Moonrise."

That was all.

But this time, she didn’t immediately look away.

—

Breakfast had just ended when Elara arrived at Moon Estate with Bernard and their daughter, Zoey. The pups immediately hurried toward them, and Zoey ran straight into Charlotte’s waiting arms. "Zoey!" Charlotte squealed, wrapping both arms around her cousin while Zoey giggled. Bryan crouched beside them and looked at the beach bag in Zoey’s hand. "Did you bring your beach bucket?" Zoey nodded proudly. "And my shovel." Bryan grinned. "Good. I brought mine too."

Brandon stepped closer and kissed Elara’s forehead before shaking Bernard’s hand.

"Good to see you." Bernard smiled and returned the handshake. "You too." Elara looked toward the pups, who were already comparing their beach toys. "Are we ready?" Brandon glanced toward the servants gathering the beach bags, towels, toys, and cooler. "Almost. Give us a few minutes."

Everyone moved toward the front entrance as the servants finished loading the things they would need for the day. Emma stayed near the doorway, watching the pups chatter over which toys they wanted to bring.

A few minutes later, Emily, Nina, and Evan joined them. Emma looked up when she saw them approaching and paused, clearly surprised to see the three of them.

"I didn’t know you were coming."

Emily smiled as she slipped her hand into Emma’s. "Elara invited us. She said it’s a family hang out."

Elara gave them a small smile and glanced toward the waiting vehicles.

"All right. Let’s get going before the pups lose their patience."

Brandon looked over the group and nodded toward the vehicles. "All right. Let’s get everyone settled before we leave." The pups immediately began talking over one another about where they wanted to sit. Charlotte pointed toward Bryan. "I want to sit with Bryan." Zoey quickly nodded. "Me too." Bryan laughed. "There’s plenty of space." Elara looked at him and held out her hand. "Come on, your highness. You’ll ride with me." Bryan hesitated and glanced at Charlotte. "But Charlotte and Zoey want to sit with me." Elara smiled and gave his hand a gentle tug. "You’ll see them when we get there." He finally took his hand, though he kept looking back at Charlotte and Zoey who were busy with their toys.

Brandon had already lifted Zoey into one arm and Charlotte into the other. Charlotte immediately wrapped her arms around his neck. "I sit with Father." Brandon smiled. "Of course you do." Elara walked toward the second vehicle with Bryan while Bernard, Nina, and Evan followed behind them. Emma remained near the first vehicle, watching everyone climb inside before she turned toward Elara.

"I’ll ride with you."

Elara glanced into the vehicle, then looked back at Emma. She shifted slightly as though checking the seats again before giving her an apologetic smile. "Oh... we’re actually full." Emma frowned and looked inside. Elara continued, "Bernard, Nina, Evan, and Bryan are already here. I don’t think there’s another seat." Emma looked through the open door, then toward the other vehicle where Brandon was still standing with Zoey and Charlotte.

Before Emma could answer, Elara gave Bryan’s hand another little squeeze. "You’ll sit here with me, okay?" Bryan nodded and climbed farther into the seat. Emma looked toward Brandon, who had been watching the exchange from beside the other car. Emily had already taken the front passenger seat beside the driver.

"Looks like it’s just us," he said.

Emma gave Elara a suspicious look, but Elara only smiled innocently. "Enjoy the ride."

Emma didn’t answer. She simply walked toward Brandon’s vehicle. As soon as she reached it, Charlotte leaned out from Brandon’s arms and stretched both hands toward her. "Mother, come!" Emma climbed inside, and Brandon carefully settled Zoey into her seat before helping Charlotte in beside her. Once the girls were secure, he got into the car beside Charlotte and closed the door.

They had barely pulled away when Charlotte looked through the window toward the other vehicle.

"I want Bryan!" Zoey immediately agreed. "Me too."

Brandon glanced at them in surprise. "You were just with him."

Charlotte shook her head. "I want to ride with him." Emma was very surprised. "You two have been together all moonrise." Zoey folded her arms. "I still want to ride with Bryan." Charlotte turned toward the window and waved at the other car. "Bryan!" Bryan waved back. "I’ll see you at the beach!" Charlotte shook her head harder. "No!" She turned toward Emma with a very serious expression. "I will sit with Bryan."

Emma looked at Brandon, and he lifted one shoulder. "They’ve made their decision." The car slowed as they pulled over near the other vehicle. Charlotte and Zoey were already reaching for their tablets before the car had fully stopped. Brandon glanced at the girls and then toward the other vehicle. "We’ll switch." As soon as the doors opened, Zoey hurried out and ran toward the other car.

"Wait for me!" Charlotte called.

Bryan leaned toward the window and waved them over. "Come on!" Elara opened the door and helped the girls inside, settling them beside Bryan while Bernard shifted over to make space.

Emma glanced at him, then looked around the back seat. She folded her arms across her chest and fixed him with a displeased look. "We’re alone. All thanks to Elara."

Brandon’s lips curved into a small smile as he settled back beside her. "You think she planned this?"

She gave him a sideways glance. "I’m starting to think she did."

The driver pulled away from the estate, leaving them alone in the back seat.

For the next several minutes neither of them said anything. Emma looked out the window while Brandon kept his attention on his device. When they turned onto the main road, his hand shifted on the seat between them, and his fingers lightly brushed against hers.

She looked down.

He immediately moved his hand away. "Sorry."

She looked at him. "You don’t have to apologize."

His eyes flicked toward her for a moment before returning to the road. "I didn’t mean to."

A faint smile touched Emma’s lips. "Of course you didn’t."

He smiled too, and neither of them said anything more. She rested her hand on the seat between them, leaving it there as she looked out the window. A few minutes later, Brandon shifted slightly, and the side of his hand brushed against hers. Emma glanced at him, but he kept his gaze forward, pretending not to notice. She looked out the window again, though the small smile on her lips remained.

By the time they reached the restaurant, the pups were already eager to get inside. Bernard called Bryan back before he could run through the entrance, while Elara caught Zoey and Charlotte’s hands and gently slowed them down. "Walk, sweethearts." They obeyed, though they continued bouncing with excitement beside her.

Inside, the staff showed them to a large table near the windows. The three pups settled together on one side while the adults took the remaining seats. Brandon pulled out a chair for Emma before taking the seat beside her.

"Thank you," she said quietly.

Before anyone could place their orders, the restaurant doors opened again, and High Luna Alexandra stepped inside. Everyone at the table turned toward her and greeted her respectfully.

"Hei mother."

Alexandra smiled as she approached. "Please, don’t get up."

The pups immediately waved at her and called her name, making her laugh as she leaned down to greet them before taking the empty seat at the table.

Lunch quickly became lively. Bryan told Brandon about his latest science project while Charlotte and Zoey argued over who had the bigger piece of bread. Nina laughed when Evan tried to settle the argument, only for both girls to ignore him completely. Emily shook her head and reached for another piece of bread while the conversation continued around the table.

Emma reached for her glass, but before she could take a sip, she noticed Brandon watching her from across the table.

Their eyes met.

This time, neither of them looked away.

Brandon’s gaze softened, and the corner of his mouth lifted into a faint smile.

Emma felt her fingers tighten slightly around the glass.

She should have looked away.

Instead, after a moment, she smiled back.