Emma’s breath hitched as her fingers clenched more firmly around the device.

"I want to see you," she said after a few seconds, urgency slipping into her tone.

"Then what is the problem?"

A tightness seized Emma’s chest, her hold on the device sharpening with tension.

"I have a lot of things on my mind right now," she admitted, exhaling softly.

"Things like what?" the High Luna asked, her curiosity sharpening.

"Saturday’s council meeting," she replied, her voice lowering.

"The meeting is the reason why I invited you. I wanted us to discuss," the High Luna reminded her, slightly puzzled.

"Can we discuss that on the device?" She asked carefully.

"Yes, if you are less busy," the High Luna agreed. Let’s see if you can actually focus this time."

"I’m free," she said quickly, though her mind was still divided. At least for this moment... She can manage.

"Alright, where is my prince?" the High Luna asked, shifting the topic. He should be involved in this too.

"He is not back yet," Emma replied, glancing toward the door. Brandon is still away... probably dealing with his own burdens.

"Is he still in the duty chamber?" The High Luna followed up.

"Yes," Emma began, her attention drifting slightly as the call continued.

She kept quiet for a few minutes and she could hear the sound of her chair. It was as if she adjusted to a more comfortable position within her royal chamber.

"I wrote an exemption letter to the council on your behalf," the High Luna said firmly, her tone leaving no space for argument.

"My High Luna, no," Emma replied quickly, tension rising in her chest. She can’t just remove her from this... she needs to be there.

"I have sent the letter to them already," the High Luna added, as though the decision was already sealed.

"I want to attend the meeting," Emma insisted, her voice tightening with determination. If I’m excluded now, I lose control of everything I’ve been trying to hold together."

"Now listen, let me tell you the reasons why you need to boycott the meeting," the High Luna said, her tone shifting into caution. She has no idea what’s being planned behind those doors.

"Did your mate tell you what your pack-kins are planning to do?" she asked seriously, watching for her reaction. Brandon must have warned her... or at least hinted at it.

"Yes, Luna," Emma answered quietly, her expression tightening as the weight of it settled in. So it’s worse than she thought... and she’s already in the middle of it.

"Very good! The royal pack-kin stays away from any drama that inevitably captures packwide attention. As the mate of the moon prince, you must remain pure without blemishes.

I tried to talk to Daniel Greens not to proceed with the testimony, but his terms are difficult and I can’t guarantee any, so I decided to handle it the way I feel would be best for everyone. They won’t testify against you in your absence."

"What are his terms?" she asked, her brows knitting slightly, curiosity picking at her chest as she held the device tighter to her ear.

A brief silence stretched through the line.

Emma exhaled slowly.

The High Luna paused briefly before continuing, her voice steady but heavy, as though even she disliked the words she was about to speak.

"He wants you to apply for bond severance and move on," she said at last, her voice lower now, measured.

"But I know Brandon won’t accept it... talk less of signing it," she added quietly, almost like she was speaking to herself, her fingers curling faintly at her side as though the thought alone unsettled her.

Another silence followed—heavier this time.

She kept quiet and couldn’t say anything.

"Emma," she called when she didn’t hear anything from her.

"My high Luna, I’m not boycotting the meeting. I want to hear their testimonies and defend myself."

"Nobody will believe you if you don’t have evidence that can prove them wrong!"

"I’m not boycotting the meeting. This is my decision—whether there’s evidence or not."

"Emma, do not make me believe everything I heard about you is true," she said.

"Listen, your father and council members are going to hear what they are not supposed to hear. You are the Prince’s mate for Moon Goddess’s sake and I don’t see him leaving you for another. It is impossible! The earlier I start supporting his decision, the better for all of us. When you are humiliated, he is also humiliated."

There was a long silence.

"Emma, we have zero regard for the word ’in-law’. It doesn’t exist here in our kingdom. You are my moonpup and not my in-law. You are a Princess, the mate of a king. You picked up this title the moment you signed the legal papers under the Moon Goddess. I don’t want them to humiliate you." She kept quiet again, waiting for her to talk, but she kept quiet. She found her words so amazing and she didn’t want to say anything that would make her feel bad.

A hand snatched the device from her and saved her from drowning. Emma turned sharply, a breath leaving her lips as the connection broke.

"Mother, she isn’t boycotting the meeting," Brandon said. She quickly excused herself, not wanting the High Luna to request that he give her the device.

Her breath came in shallow pulls as she dragged herself up the stairs, each step heavier than the last. The corridor seemed to tilt, her vision blurring at the edges. She caught the railing just in time, fingers tightening around it as her knees threatened to give way.

A familiar scent reached her before his voice did.

"Moonheart..."

Brandon’s tone sharpened the moment he saw her. In two long strides, he was beside her, one arm sliding firmly around her waist. Without another word, he lifted her as though she weighed nothing, his jaw clenching as he carried her the rest of the way.

"Moonheart..." he murmured, lowering her gently onto the bed, his eyes searching her face. His thumb brushed lightly across her cheek, as if grounding himself. Are you certain you can handle the meeting?

Emma forced a faint smile, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. She leaned back against the pillows, her hand instinctively resting over her stomach.

"I’m okay... just a little fatigued," she said softly, her voice thinner than she intended.

Inside, she hated how weak she sounded.

Brandon exhaled slowly, his gaze darkening with concern. His fingers lingered on hers, unwilling to let go.

"Should I postpone the meeting to next week?" he asked, quieter now, like he was already leaning toward that decision.

"No." She shook her head quickly a flash of stubbornness cutting through her exhaustion. Her grip tightened around his hand. "I’m okay... don’t, please."

If she let this slip, she might lose more than just a meeting.

His eyes narrowed slightly, studying her—measuring strength against strain.

"What do you want to eat?" he asked after a pause, his tone gentler but firm, as though this was not a question she could easily dismiss.

Emma let out a soft breath, her lashes lowering.

"I’m not hungry... just tired..."

Her words faltered as a sudden wave of dizziness passed through her.

Before she could finish, a knock sounded, and the door opened almost immediately.

Healer Ben stepped in with quiet urgency, his presence calm but alert. His eyes moved swiftly over Emma before he reached for her wrist.

"Her pulse is weak," Ben said under his breath. "I’ll start with Elderroot Syrup... it should stabilize her. If that’s not enough..."

He hesitated briefly, his gaze shifting to Brandon, something heavier passing through his eyes.

"...we may need Luna’s Blessing Elixir," he added quietly. "She’s carrying a strong bloodline."

Emma’s gaze wavered briefly to Brandon at those words, something unspoken passing between them. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Minutes later, warmth slowly returned to her limbs, the fog in her head easing. Her breathing steadied, and a faint color crept back into her cheeks.

Brandon stayed close beside her, his gaze fixed on every small change in her expression, silent and watchful, his concern still deep and unwavering.

"You need to eat," he said firmly, already reaching for the tray that had been brought in without waiting for her response.

"I can manage..." she murmured, reaching for the fork, though her fingers trembled slightly, her free hand instinctively resting over her stomach.

"No." His voice was low but unyielding.

He gently took the fork from her hand, his gaze locking onto hers—softer now, but no less firm. His thumb brushed lightly over her knuckles, lingering there.

"I’ll feed you," he said quietly. "You’re carrying our pup... our blood. Let me take care of you."

For a moment, she hesitated—pride flickering, fragile against the warmth in his words.

Then slowly... she let him.

A few hours later, the strength she’d lost returned quietly, settling back into her bones as if it had never left.

Over the next two days, Emma moved in quiet focus, gathering every piece of evidence she would need.

She was unwell, but determined to correct her mistake.

So she didn’t allow her condition to hold her down.

Before Friday evening, she had gotten everything she needed for the meeting ready.

Brandon watched her without a word, his expression unreadable.

All he cared about was her and their unborn pup—the future of the royal bloodline. In silence, he tightened their security, making sure nothing would ever come close to the most important lives in his heaven.

Emma wasn’t waiting for humiliation.

She was walking straight into it... ready to end it.