Alpha's Secret Bride

She looked at the caller ID. Lunara. Her lip curled, and she set the device back on the hanger without answering.

The next day, after their bath, they got ready to visit Nicole Spose—one of Italy’s best-known bridal boutiques, famous for its romantic mating dresses.

She was recommended to them by the high Luna Alexandra. Nicole Spose’s bridal boutiques

was located in central Milan, near Porta Romana and not far from the Duomo area. The boutique is one of the most famous bridal stores in Italy for luxury mating gowns.

Elara stepped into the chamber dressed in a flowing Milan-inspired gown of deep velvet, the fitted bodice tracing her figure before the fabric spilled softly to the floor. A delicate lace veil rested over her hair, framing her face without hiding the calm in her eyes. The gold embroidery along the sleeves caught the light each time she moved.

For a second, Emma forgot to breathe and just stood there, her eyes following her across the chamber.

"Perhaps you could change into something like this too," she shrugged. When Emma could not take her eyes away...

"I heard Milan families can be strict about appearances." she glanced down at her outfit, smoothing her hands over the fabric. "Did I break some kind of dress rule?"

"No, there is nothing wrong with your dress, but when you go to Rome, you dress like Romans."

"Does it mean their authorities frown on western dress?" She further inquired.

"No," Elara said with a faint smile. "But the first time I came to this city, a moonally wore a Western-style dress to a royal gathering and it caused quite an uncomfortable scene." Her fingers lightly adjusted the cuff at her wrist. "I learned my lesson after that. With old Milan families, it is always wiser to be careful than disrespectful."

She glanced at her briefly. "We are royals, after all. Custodians of tradition and law."

"You are right. Do you have more of this?" She asked, since they were of the same height and stature except that she is thinner.

"Of course, I got two for you. I guess you haven’t unpacked your bag yet."

"Did you put the clothes in my bag?"

"I gave them to Naomi and I’m sure she put them in your bag."

She ran towards the closet and ransacked her bag. Lo, the clothes were carefully folded. She picked up the rich dark emerald green with gold embroidery details and passed it through the automatic iron. The iron straightened the gown up. She dressed up and tied the wool shawls the way Elara did hers and they were good to go. She took out delicate rimless sunglasses with gold accents and gave it to Emma.

"Wow, you look good!" Brandon smiled as soon as he came out of the bathchamber.

"Where is Bernard?" He asked Elara.

"He is in the chamber," she replied. "Are you not going with us?"

"No," Brandon responded...

"Why?" she questioned further, frowning a bit.

"The managing director of DE Brandon is coming to see me this moonrise. I’ll join you guys there when the meeting is over."

"We are going alone then because the last time we visited here, you never followed us anywhere. You focused on the business you have here until the vacation was over. Bernard can help you with all the things you need for the royal matebond. Just give us the list," Elara said, holding Emma’s hand.

Emma looked around the chamber, her gaze drifting over the closet before it landed back on him. A small smile pulled at her lips.

"So this is why you wanted us to shop here?" she said, folding her arms loosely across her chest. "You’re really here for business."

"He called a few hours ago," Brandon said, slipping his device back into his pocket. "Said he wanted to come over to Santorini for a meeting, but I told him I was already here."

Emma frowned and shook her head. "Then cancel it. That’s not why we came here."

"It’s not." A smile pulled at the corner of his mouth. "But trust me, it’s part of the shopping."

She walked up to him and caught his arm before he could move away.

"I’m not leaving without you," she said softly, her fingers tightening around his sleeve. "I need you with me."

"No, I’ll meet you guys there."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes," he responded as he dialed Bernard’s number. "Bernard, where are you," he asked.

"I’m in the bar."

"Would you accompany the ladies to the bridal boutique?"

"Elara said I’m not qualified to go with them."

"They want you now," Brandon let out.

"I’ll meet them in the parking lot," Bernard said. He looked up at them and shrugged.

"Bernard, don’t listen to him, he’s..."

Elara’s words broke off as Brandon pulled the device from his ear and ended the call.

He slipped it into his pocket, a faint grin still on his face while Elara stared at him.

"Shop till you drop, ladies," he called as they started toward the door.

They laughed, giving him a small wave as they stepped out.

Outside, the air hit Emma hard—sharp, almost biting. She slowed for half a step, fingers curling into her sleeves. The warmth from inside vanished behind her.

Good thing the gowns were thick.

A few steps more and she would’ve been shivering in that thin crop top from earlier.

The parking lot stretched out in front of them.

Bernard, Leo, Teddy, and the chauffeurs stood waiting beside the Rolls-Royce Phantom.

Bernard slid into the front seat while Emma and Elara settled into the back.

The door closed with a soft thud.

The car rolled forward.

Emma leaned back against the seat, then turned slightly toward her. "Did you enjoy yourselves at the beach last moonfall?"

Elara’s eyes lit up. "Oh my goodness, Emma, we danced like crazy." She stopped mid-thought, biting her lip, then glanced at her.

Emma waited.

Elara exhaled slowly, fingers tightening in her lap. "Can I be honest with you?"

Emma gave a small nod. "Sure."

"I’m kind of obsessed with him right now after the last moonfall."

"Did you watch him burn again?"

"Why would I?" she said, letting out a small laugh. "I wanted him just as much as he wanted me. We were together all through the last moonfall."

"I’m happy for you guys." Emma took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"It was... intense." She lowered her voice, a soft laugh slipping out. "Pain and passion all mixed together. One didn’t cancel the other."

They both laughed under their breath.

"It feels good," Emma said, leaning her head lightly against hers. "When you’re with your

Moonmate... some wolf you really love."

The car slowed and pulled in front of the boutique.

Emma stepped out first, pausing as the city opened up around her—tall buildings rising above them, glass catching the moonrise light.

She looked up, taking it in.

"Do you want to go to the top floor of the boutique tower?" Bernard asked from beside her.

"Can I go up there?" she asked, her eyes widening a little.

"Yeah." He followed her gaze toward the tallest building ahead.

"Let’s go then."

"I’ll arrange it," he said, already stepping away.

Emma stayed by the car for a moment, still looking up at the skyline, while the others leaned back against the doors, taking in the view with her.

Emma was still looking up when Elara let out a soft laugh.

"Look at you," she teased, nudging her shoulder. "You’re staring like the building is going to bite you."

Emma blinked and laughed a little, embarrassed. "It’s just... really tall."

"Really tall?" Elara repeated, leaning back against the car with a grin. "You should’ve seen me the first time I came here."

Emma turned slightly toward her.

Elara leaned her shoulder against the car, fingers resting lightly on the door frame. Her eyes stayed on the tower ahead, but her smile went distant, like she was looking somewhere else entirely.

"My father brought me here when I turned fifteen," she said quietly. "Said I had to pick my own birth moon dress from the boutique tower."

She shook her head, laughing under her breath. "I walked in like I owned the place. Two steps in, I froze. I just stood there looking up like..." she tilted her head back dramatically, eyes wide.

Emma burst out laughing.

"I didn’t even know where to start," Elara continued, wiping the smile off her lips. "I kept pretending I wasn’t impressed, but I was completely lost."

The laughter faded into something softer.

Emma’s smile thinned a little as she looked back at the tower.

Elara noticed. Her hand slid over, squeezing Emma’s lightly. "Hey."

Emma didn’t answer right away.

"I thought every wolf had moments like that," Emma said quietly. "Where some wolf shows up... for you."

Elara’s expression softened.

Before she could answer, Bernard returned from the entrance.

"They’re ready for us," he said. "The top floor has been cleared."

Emma blinked. "Cleared?"

"For privacy," Bernard replied simply.

Elara gave a low whistle. "See? Royal treatment."

Emma laughed softly, but it faded when she noticed the way the workers near the entrance suddenly straightened.

A few of them lowered their heads.

Some wolf was coming out.

The boutique doors opened again.

A guy stepped out, adjusting the cuff of his dark coat as another worker followed behind him carrying shopping bags.

He barely looked around at first.

Then his eyes landed on Emma and Elara.

And stopped.

The smile on his face disappeared slowly.

Emma frowned a little, instinctively stepping closer to Elara.

The guy did not move.

Neither did Bernard.

The air around them shifted so suddenly that even Teddy looked up from his device.

Elara’s teasing expression was gone now.

She stared at the guy for one long second before muttering under her breath,

"...Why is he here?"