Alpha's Secret Bride

Brandon was the first to wake. He gently tapped Emma’s shoulder.

"It’s time to get ready."

Emma let out a soft groan and buried her face against his chest.

"Can we have five more minutes?" she mumbled.

He smiled and kissed the top of her head.

"I’d give you five hours if I could, Moonheart. But our little miracle isn’t going to wait."

She sighed dramatically before lifting her head to look at him.

"You’re impossible."

"That’s one way to put it."

He brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear, his gaze lingering on her face.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Anything."

His thumb stroked her cheek.

"Do you believe in soulmates?"

She held his gaze for a moment before a soft smile spread across her face. Her fingertips traced lazy circles over his chest.

"I never did," she said quietly. "Not until I met you."

He smiled but didn’t answer right away. Instead, he drew her a little closer and rested his chin lightly against her head. Their favorite song drifted through the chamber, filling the silence between them. She settled comfortably against him, listening to the steady beat of his heart. A faint shiver ran through her, and he pulled the duvet a little higher before brushing a gentle kiss over her hair. Neither of them felt the need to say another word. The quiet was enough.

Nearly an hour passed before a soft knock broke the silence.

"Come in," Brandon called.

The chamber manager stepped inside carrying several shopping bags. He bowed respectfully and was about to speak when Brandon gave him a small nod.

"Just leave them on the table."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The manager carefully placed the bags where Brandon had instructed, bowed once more, and quietly excused himself, closing the door behind him.

She watched him leave before turning back to Brandon, curiosity written all over her face. "What’s all that?"

A smile spread across Brandon’s face. "A surprise for you and my pup."

She laughed softly and looked at him with raised brows. "Our pup," she corrected, gently tapping his chest with her fingertips.

Brandon chuckled and caught her hand in his. "You’re right," he said. "A surprise for you and our pup."

He kissed her forehead before slipping out of bed and offering her his hand. "Come on, Moonheart. It’s time to get ready. We need to be in the delivery chamber before seven."

This time, she didn’t argue. She slipped her hand into his, and he helped her to her feet before leading her into the bathchamber. They lingered in the warm water, talking about the little one they would soon see. They wondered whose eyes the pup would inherit, whether the tiny nose would resemble Emma’s or Brandon’s, and laughed over the possibility that the pup might inherit Emma’s stubbornness.

By the time they finished, another gentle knock sounded at the door. Brandon answered, and the chamber manager entered once more, this time carrying a carefully protected garment bag. He laid it neatly on the bed, bowed respectfully, and quietly left without another word.

Brandon walked over and unzipped the garment bag. Inside was a custom delivery gown, specially designed for Emma by one of Monaco’s finest designers. Every detail had been tailored for comfort without sacrificing elegance.

He smiled as he imagined seeing her wear it when they welcomed their little miracle into the world.

He slipped one arm beneath Emma’s knees and the other around her back before lifting her out of the bathtub. He wrapped a soft towel around her and gently dried the water from her skin, taking his time as if he wanted to remember every moment. A strange feeling settled in his chest, one he couldn’t quite explain, and he pushed it aside with a quiet breath.

He opened the garment bag and carefully helped her into the custom delivery gown. Once he finished adjusting the last fold of fabric, she turned toward the mirror. A smile spread across her face as she admired her reflection. Her rounded belly stood proudly beneath the elegant gown, making her look every bit the beautiful queen she was.

Brandon forgot to breathe for a moment.

He stood there with his eyes fixed on her, unable to look away. She caught his reflection in the mirror and laughed softly, the sound warming the chamber more than the candlelight ever could.

A few minutes later, a gentle knock sounded at the door. After Brandon answered, the resting den staff wheeled in their dinner and quietly arranged it beside the floor-to-ceiling window before leaving them alone.

The candles flickered softly as the moonlights shimmered across the blue water below. From where they sat, the glass stretched from the floor to the ceiling, making it feel as though the sea reached right up to the chamber.

She admired the view for a long moment before turning back to the table. When her eyes met Brandon’s, she caught him staring again. A playful smile curved her lips as she lowered her gaze.

"You naughty man," she teased, a smile tugging at her lips. "Let me deliver our first pup before you start thinking about another one."

Brandon laughed, shaking his head as he reached for her hand. "You’ve already figured me out."

"Go ahead and eat," she said with a small smile. "I don’t think I should. The healer said I’ll have to stop eating and drinking before the C-section."

Brandon picked up the cutlery and shook his head. "Not yet. The instructions say you stop at six." He pointed toward the wall clock behind her. "You’ve still got time, so you’re eating."

She turned to look. When she saw the time, she let out an exaggerated sigh before reluctantly opening her mouth as Brandon held out the first spoonful.

"You bathed me, dressed me, and now you’re feeding me." She smiled and looked at him. "Are you planning to deliver our pup too?"

Brandon laughed under his breath but didn’t answer. Instead, he lifted another spoonful to her lips, determined to make sure she ate while she still could.

After they finished dinner, the chamber service staff quietly cleared the table, packed the used dishes, and left the chamber spotless. The soft glow of the scented candles still filled the chamber, while the fading moonlight reflected across the blue water beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows.

With nothing left to prepare, Brandon and Emma settled onto the large sofa. Neither of them spoke for a while. They simply sat together, taking in the peaceful view one last time before heading to the delivery chamber.

After a while, he shifted closer. He slipped an arm around her waist and rested his chin lightly on her shoulder. Emma leaned into him without thinking, her fingers finding his hand as they stood quietly watching the waves.

"Let’s come back here whenever we need a break from everything," she said softly.

He turned his head and brushed a gentle kiss against her temple.

"It’s a promise," he whispered.

She smiled and nestled closer, breathing in his familiar scent. They stayed that way for a long moment, holding each other in comfortable silence, knowing that before the day was over, their lives would change forever.

The bedchamber door opened, and Elara and Lunara stepped inside together.

"It’s time," they said in unison.

Emma slowly pulled away from Brandon and looked up at him. For a moment, neither of them spoke. Then they smiled at each other, and a quiet laugh slipped between them.

Brandon held out his hand.

"Shall we?"

Emma slipped her hand into his and nodded. Together, they walked out of the chamber.

Their chauffeur drove them to the healing den. When they arrived, Emma’s eyes widened with surprise. Lyn and Ken were already there, and seated beside them were the High Luna and Emily.

"You came?" Emma asked, her face lighting up.

The High Luna smiled warmly. "Did you really think we’d miss the birth of our little prince?"

Emma crossed the chamber and embraced them one by one. The knot in her chest eased. Seeing the people she loved gathered around her gave her the courage she didn’t realize she needed.

After exchanging greetings, they made their way to the maternity unit. The admission staff completed the necessary paperwork and guided her through the remaining preparations before wheeling her toward the operating theater.

Dressed in sterile surgical clothing, Brandon joined her inside. The moment he saw her lying on the operating table in her delivery gown, his chest tightened. He reached for her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"I’m right here," he whispered.

Emma squeezed his hand back.

Once everything was ready, the healers began the procedure. Brandon stayed by her side, never taking his eyes off her. Within minutes of the first incision, a tiny cry filled the operating theater.

Brandon’s breath caught.

Their handsome little Moon Prince had arrived.

After making sure the pup was healthy, the healers wrapped him in a soft blanket and placed him carefully into Brandon’s arms.

He looked down at the tiny face staring back at him. The little fingers curled around one of his, and his throat tightened. A smile spread across his face as his eyes glistened. He had never known a love like this.

He couldn’t take his eyes off the tiny face in his arms. He gently brushed a finger across his pup’s tiny hand before looking back at Emma.

"You did it, Moonheart," he whispered, even though she couldn’t hear him.

A few moments later, with the healers’ permission, Brandon carried their pup outside to the waiting family.

The moment everyone saw the tiny bundle in his arms, smiles broke across their faces. Some laughed, others wiped away tears, and the hallway filled with joyful congratulations.

Brandon beamed as he looked from his pup to the family gathered around him.

"Everyone..." Brandon said, his eyes shining with pride. "Meet our Moon Prince."