Alpha's Secret Bride-Chapter 94: The High Luna’s Dangerous Proposal

Brandon swiftly caught the High Luna’s wrist, his grip firm yet controlled, stopping her from advancing further in her rising fury. The air between them thickened instantly, laced with the sharp scent of her anger. She turned her head slowly, her eyes glowing faintly with a dangerous, predatory gleam—the most vicious look he had ever seen from her.

"Allow us to deal with this."

"You and who?" she asked, her forehead creasing as suspicion clouded her sharp gaze.

"The three of us."

"No," she snapped, shaking her head. She attempted to move past him, her aura flaring, but his next words froze her mid-step.

"Mother, don’t dive into this issue yet."

"Why?"

"She is very dangerous."

"What?"

"Moon-fall, my High Luna," Lunara’s voice flowed in, soft and calculated. She curtsied gracefully, wearing a flawlessly innocent smile that barely concealed the tension beneath. The High Luna’s eyes narrowed menacingly at her before she released a slow, irritated sigh. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"What is it?"

"I received your message earlier, and I obeyed it," Lunara said smoothly, "but the Alpha King insisted I must host the program." Without waiting for a response, she turned, her gown swaying as she began to walk away.

"Will you come back here?" the High Luna’s voice cracked like a whip. "How dare you walk away when I haven’t dismissed you? Are you stupid?!" Her eyes flashed, a fierce dominance surging through her wolf.

"I’m sorry, my High Luna. I...I..."

"Get out!"

"My Moon Prince, the Alpha King wants you to..."

"Are you deaf? I said get out!" the High Luna cut in sharply, her patience snapping completely.

Lunara turned stiffly and walked down the hallway, wiping at the tears that slipped down her cheeks. Her scent carried distress, but beneath it lingered something far more calculating.

"Brandon, get rid of this thing," the High Luna muttered with deep resentment. "I’m glad you see where she’s heading already. She wants to come between me and your father. Did you see that?"

"She won’t come between you and the King if you ignore her," he replied calmly. "Pretend you see nothing. Just allow us to serve her what she truly deserves."

"You have one full moon," she warned, her voice cold. "If she isn’t gone by then, I will throw her out myself—and face the King if I must." She turned sharply and stormed away, her presence lingering like a storm cloud.

He exhaled slowly before turning toward the quieter southern corridor. The silence there was almost unnatural, broken only by the distant echoes of the pack house. He pulled out his communication device, trying to reach his mate several times, but she wasn’t answering. His wolf stirred uneasily.

"Never leave your estate without your guards," a voice echoed behind him. He stopped, his instincts flaring as he slowly turned.

"Moon-fall, my Moon Prince," she bowed.

He gave a brief wave before looking away again, unwilling to meet her eerie, unsettling gaze.

"Are you avoiding your father?"

"No."

"But you’re about to leave without seeing him."

"It’s late already," he muttered, continuing forward. The truth sat heavy in his chest, but he refused to voice it.

"The King wants to see you. There is somewolf he would like you to meet."

He stopped again, his brows knitting as he considered her words.

"Where is he?"

"His usual place."

He changed direction immediately, heading toward the King’s cottage. As he approached, his steps slowed when he spotted a familiar figure seated with the King. His eyes narrowed slightly.

"Brandon Oliver!" Damon rose, stepping forward with a grin and pulling him into a side hug.

"What a surprise! Dam, it’s been a long time!"

"Darius," he corrected with a chuckle. Ever since they were pups, their identical features had made confusion inevitable.

"When did you return?" Brandon Oliver asked, smiling faintly.

"A few hours ago."

"How is Damon?" he asked, taking a seat.

"He’s likely wandering around the royal house."

"And your mother?"

"She’s well," Darius shrugged lightly. "How is your mating preparation going?"

"What brought you back after ten winters?" Brandon Oliver countered, ignoring the question entirely.

"I invited them," the King said calmly.

"Alright."

"They are mine as well," the King added, leaning back with a knowing grin. Brandon understood exactly what that meant.

"Lunara, leave us," the King ordered.

She gathered her gown and descended the steps carefully, her movements graceful. It was painfully obvious how comfortable she had grown around the king.

"I am fully aware," the King began, his tone turning sharp, "that the gold-digger you keep in your estate will soon convince you to abandon your throne." He smiled coldly. "I brought Darius and Damon here to remind you—our bloodline has wolves ready to take your place if you fail your duty. The mating bond will happen—with or without you."

Brandon Oliver clenched his jaw but held his tongue. He had already given his mate time. When that time ran out, the King would hear everything.

"Brandon Oliver, how can you reject such a refined and obedient she-wolf?" Darius continued where the King stopped, glancing toward where Lunara had gone.

"I already have a mate."

"You are a Moon Prince!" the cousin snapped. "You do not choose love. You fulfill duty. Your life belongs to the kingdom, not your emotions! She was raised for you. The purpose of mating is to produce a worthy heir!"

"Darius, stop," Brandon Oliver cut in coldly. "This speech isn’t for me. Save it for yourself."

The King stared at him, clearly taken aback. Before he could respond, Brandon Oliver’s communication device rang. He stepped aside and answered.

"Starlit... where are you?" his mate’s trembling voice came through. He could hear her sniffle—she had been crying.

"I’m at the royal house. Why are you crying?"

"I found a letter."

"From Emily Hale?"

"Yes..."

"Does it have an address?"

"Yes. And a number. My heart races every time I look at it."

"Why?"

"I can’t believe I might hear my mother’s voice today."

"Don’t call her yet. I want to be there."

"Please... come home."

"I’m on my way," he said instantly, already moving.

"I want to talk to you," Lunara’s voice came suddenly—from inside his car.

He ignored her, focusing on his mate.

"My moonblessed one, stop crying."

"I’m trying..."

"Where are you?"

"On my way home."

"I’ll meet you there in twenty minutes," he murmured softly.

"I’ll be waiting..." she whispered before ending the call.

"Get out of my car," he said coldly, gripping the steering wheel.

"What did you tell the High Luna about me?"

"Congratulations, Lunara. You and your kin have the King dancing to your tune."

"What are you saying?" she asked, her confidence wavering slightly.

"Darius and Damon."

"Brandon, when will you stop accusing me? I had nothing to do with that!"

"Get out of my car."

"I’m not leaving until you tell me what you said to make the High Luna hate me!"

"She never liked you."

"She loves me!"

"That was before she saw who you truly are."

"Brandon..." her voice softened, desperate now. "We are getting mated soon. Whether you like it or not, it will happen. The King has made it clear. If not you, then Darius will take your place—but I don’t want that."

She leaned closer, her tone turning persuasive.

"Emma is wasting her time. She will never be accepted. Even if she finds her mother, it won’t matter."

He said nothing, his silence heavy.

"I thought of a solution," she continued. "Go through with the mating bond. Keep your title. I will stay here... and you can stay with Emma at your estate. I will bear the heir."

He turned his head slowly toward her.

"What would you be to me?"

"Your true mate."

"And Emma?"

"Your secret bride, mistress... your secret, anything."

She swallowed before adding, " Why does this feel like I’m giving him away with my own hands? She whispered to herself.

"You can be with her if you want. I won’t interfere. Just... give me an heir."

"Say it like it doesn’t hurt... say it like it’s nothing," she told herself, even as her chest tightened.

"I only want the bond to happen as planned. My followers are waiting. And you deserve your birthright—not Darius."

If I don’t push this now, everything will fall apart... and I’ll lose him anyway, she thought, forcing her voice to stay steady.

Silence filled the car.

Why isn’t he saying anything? Did I go too far? Or... is he already choosing her? Her fingers curled tightly in her lap.

"I’ve heard you," he said finally, his voice low and unreadable. "I’ll tell you what I think later."

Later? That’s all I get? Her heart sank, but she forced a small nod.

She nodded eagerly, stepping out of the car.

Don’t look back. If you look back, you’ll break.

The moment the door shut, Brandon ignited the engine and sped off, his wolf restless beneath his skin.

"What kind of weird choice are you asking me to make?" he thought, gripping the wheel as his wolf snarled inside him, torn between duty... and the one mate he couldn’t let go.

All he wanted now was to hear Emma’s voice again, soft and calming, like it always made him feel at peace. He wanted to hold her close in his arms and forget everything else, just the two of them together as one. She was the only she-wolf who could make his heart beat so fast, the only one he couldn’t resist.

"If I could just see her for a moment, he thought, everything would feel right again."