Alpha's Secret Bride-Chapter 91: The High Luna’s Suspicion

"High moon, my high Luna," Emma greeted, her voice carrying the respectful cadence of a wolf acknowledging the authority of the pack’s highest-ranking she-wolf. The Luna turned her head toward the voice behind her, her gaze sharp as she peered over her glasses as though no fragile barrier was needed for true dominance to be felt. She turned away again, continuing her task without granting Emma a response. Emma felt no sting—her wolf already understood the Luna’s long-standing disdain. She made several attempts to leave the chamber, but Princess Elara kept halting her with subtle gestures. At last, she managed to take a few steps toward the exit of the Luna’s chamber.

"Where is my Moon Prince?" the Luna asked after what felt like three long minutes of deliberate silence. Emma did not realize at first that the question was not meant for her.

"He is at his estate."

"I didn’t ask you."

"I’m sorry, Luna," Emma replied, bowing her head slightly before glancing at Princess Elara.

"Elara, where is your sibling?"

"She said... he’s at his estate."

"Which estate is she referring to?"

"Nightclaw Estate, of course."

"I do not believe her. Brandon cannot come here and leave without seeing his mother. I know we had conflict during his last visit, but we have spoken many times through the communication crystal. I am certain he is not angry with me."

"He didn’t come with me, Luna."

The Luna dropped her pen, removed her glasses, and turned fully this time. Emma instinctively lowered her head as the weight of the Luna’s gaze pressed down on her like an Alpha’s command.

"Where is Prince Brandon?" This time, the question was unmistakably directed at her.

"He does not leave the pack house on rest days. He is at home, my high Luna," Emma answered, her head still bowed in submission. When no response came, she slowly lifted her face and met the Luna’s eyes. The meaning hidden within that stare was clear—and Emma deciphered it instantly.

"I know he does not go out on rest days, but he has never refused his father’s summons. Perhaps you were unaware of when he left the den."

’I refuse to be toyed with,’ she told herself, steadying her wolf. Just then, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the chamber. She turned and saw Lunara approaching swiftly, followed by five broad-shouldered guards.

"Seize her!" Lunara commanded sharply. The guards approached Emma but hesitated, unable to act without clarity. Clearly, Lunara had not specified her target.

"Please, come with us," one of the guards said respectfully.

"Leave her!" the Luna intervened, her voice cutting through the tension like a blade.

"My high Luna, the Alpha King warned her never to lay her filthy hands on me. Look at what she did," Lunara said, her tone dripping with feigned vulnerability.

"My high Luna, I am certain the Prince never left his pack house. He is at home," Emma said firmly, locking eyes with Lunara, her meaning clear.

The Luna briefly touched Lunara’s face as if inspecting it, then withdrew her hand and gestured dismissively.

"Go. I will see you later."

"My high Luna—"

"Lunara, go!" Her voice rose, filled with authority.

Lunara cast Emma a venomous glance, sighed, and turned away, her guards trailing behind her like shadows.

"Lunara!"

"My high Luna," she stopped, bowing slightly.

"Do not attempt that again."

"I am sorry, my high Luna," she replied, her head still lowered.

"Go."

"Thank you."

The Luna lifted her gaze once more and fixed it on Emma, her expression unreadable.

"What time did you last see my Prince?"

"Eleven thirty, my high Luna."

"Do you know where he was before then?"

"He was in my bedchamber, requesting my attention... and I gave it to him. That is why I arrived late," Emma said, her voice steady despite the boldness of her words.

"Are you certain of what you are saying?"

"Yes, my high Luna."

The Luna turned her chair, picked up her glasses and pen, and resumed writing as though nothing had transpired. Emma remained still, waiting for dismissal, her wolf calm but alert.

"Tell my Prince I wish to see him before moonfall."

"Yes, my high Luna."

"You may leave. Elara, see her out."

"Yes, Mother," Princess Elara said brightly, immediately taking Emma’s hand.

"What were all those questions about?" Elara asked once they stepped out.

"Nothing."

"Emma!" Princess Elara stopped abruptly, refusing to move another step. Emma quickly realized she had no knowledge of the royal paths and could not leave alone.

"The Prince suspects Lunara is entangled with a servant, while the high Luna believes she shares a bed with the Prince," Emma finally revealed.

The Princess covered her mouth in shock, then quickly grabbed Emma’s hand again, pulling her along. They walked in silence until they exited the royal mansion.

"The Luna believes this because every intercom crystal in the royal mansion connects to her chamber. She hears every whisper, every rumor carried through these halls. She has heard Lunara’s... moaning s... several times," Elara whispered.

"Apparently, she heard it again today and assumed my mate had returned to the royal mansion. Lunara knew the King summoned him, but she did not know he would refuse to come."

The Princess pulled Emma into a warm embrace, her affection genuine and comforting.

"Thank you, Emma, for speaking to her without fear. I trust my mother—she will halt the mating arrangements until the truth is uncovered. Lunara believes she can deceive everyone. Only the Moon Goddess knows the identity of that servant... she has doomed him."

"Doomed him?" Emma frowned.

"Yes. The Luna will show no mercy to anyone impersonating the Prince. She has invested greatly in the mating preparations, believing the Prince desires Lunara and may one day mark her with a pup," the Princess explained, and they both burst into quiet laughter.

"Well, the high Luna does not need to know his identity. Lunara is single and of age—she is free to choose her partners," Emma said with a shrug.

"Free, yes—but not within the royal grounds! They could have taken a resting den instead."

"She is a known figure. If she were seen entering a resting den with a wolf, it would spread across every pack like wildfire. Your kind has no privacy," Emma replied as she stepped into her carriage.

They exchanged waves as the door closed gently behind her. Determined not to repeat her earlier mistake, Emma left the intercom crystal open, ensuring she remained connected to the intercom.

Since she had just two moon cycles to find her blood mother or father, her wolf-heart urged her to begin the search without delay. She instructed the chauffeur where to take her, and he steered the vehicle in that direction while other cars followed in silent allegiance to her trail. She pulled out her communication device to inform her mate and was startled to see she had missed his calls. Quickly, she dialed his number to find out why he had reached out and to tell him she was on her way to their old packhood.

"My moonheart," his cold voice echoed through the link.

"My Starlit in moonlight."

"Where are you?" he asked.

"I’m on my way to our old pack. Are you in transit?" she asked, sensing through their bond that he was behind the wheel.

"Yes."

"To where?"

"The High Luna summoned me. She said it was urgent, so I couldn’t wait for the flight crew."

"Oh, Moon Goddess!"

"Don’t forget—I’m behind tinted glass. No one knows I’m the one driving," he chuckled softly. "My Starlit, why are you heading to your old pack?"

"I need to see the old she-wolf."

"What happened at the kingdom?"

"Starlit, you never told me I was meant to go with my blood mother or father."

"Oh, Moon Goddess! Starlit, don’t tell me you’ve already begun searching for your mother."

"That is exactly what I’m doing!"

Brandon chuckled and sniffed. "Did you speak with the High Luna?" he asked, but she ignored him as the chauffeur announced their arrival.

The rear door slid open slowly, and she stepped out. Her gaze fell upon their old pack house, and instantly, her puphood memories rose before her like spirits awakened by moonlight. She couldn’t believe it had been over nine winters since they had left the packhood. A deep sadness settled in her chest as she stood face-to-face with echoes of her past.

The only memory that glowed warmly within her was of when she and Oliver were young. She could still see his chubby face, his innocent gaze, and the soft smiles that once sent wild flutters through her wolf-heart. She remembered their first kiss, carving deep, lasting grooves of nostalgia into her mind. Those memories deepened further as she recalled the first time he visited her—wearing a loose t-shirt, his scent rich and unforgettable.

Her eyes remained fixed on the building before her, yet no one could tell she was lost in the depths of memory. As she stood there, waiting for Oliver, silent moon-fall cries stirred within her, forcing tears down her cheeks once more. She had completely forgotten that her wireless receiver was still resting against her ear.

"Starlit, are you there?" His soft, innocent voice broke through, freeing her from nostalgia’s grip.

She remained silent for a few seconds.

"Starlit, I miss you," she sniffed, tilting her head like a lonely pup, wishing he were beside her so she could rest against his shoulder.

"Nostalgia," he murmured after a pause.

"Yeah."

"Hurry home," he whispered.

"Alright."

"Did you tell the High Luna anything?"

"Yes."

"What did you say?"

"She asked where you were, and I told her you were home."

"Okay... please hurry."

She sniffed and nodded, forgetting he couldn’t see her. Removing the receiver, she noticed Brooklyn approaching her with a look of surprise.

"Emma, what happened?" Brooklyn frowned.

"Nothing."

"Why are you crying? And why are you here?"

"I came to see the she-wolf."

"You didn’t tell me you were coming."

"I assumed you’d be at work."

"I’m on the moonrise shift."

"Why do you want to see her?"

"I need her permission to search her entire house."

"Emma!"

"The King gave me fourteen moon-cycles to find my blood mother."

"Is he mad? Why would he give you just fourteen days?"

"We’ll talk about that later. Will you help me convince her?"

"Are you crying because of the fourteen moon cycles the King gave you?"

"No."

"Then why are you crying?"

"The nostalgia... it made me long for the good old moon cycles."

"Good old moon cycles?" Brooklyn frowned. "Did you even have such a time?"

"The first moon cycle he visited me here."

"That wasn’t a good one—that was when your sibling saw him and became obsessed with him."

"Oh,My Moon Goddess, Brooklyn! Did you just ruin the sweet memory I’ve been holding onto since I arrived?" she asked.

"Why do you want to search her house?" Brooklyn asked, ignoring her complaint.

"She never knew the letter she gave you was hidden beneath her bed, so I thought..."

"Emma, she won’t agree."

"I know, but I want to try. Let’s speak to her first—she might surprise us."

"Alright."

"Is that her by the window?" she asked, noticing a figure peeking through a half-open curtain in what used to be her mother’s chamber.

"Yes," Brooklyn replied without even looking.

They walked to the main entrance and rang the bell once. After about five minutes, the door creaked open slowly.

"High moon, she-wolf," they greeted in near unison.

She nodded, narrowing her eyes as she studied Emma closely.

"You are the lady in the picture I gave her a few moons ago?" she asked with a smile, pointing at Emma.

Emma smiled gently and shook her head.

"I am the pup."

"Woohoo!" the old she-wolf exclaimed, pulling her into a warm embrace as though she had found a long-lost pup.

"Come inside... come inside," she urged repeatedly, leading them toward the living chamber.

She walked slowly, her wolf bent under the weight of severe moonbend curse, and this gave Emma the chance to take in the pack surroundings as they followed quietly behind her.