Alpha's Secret Bride

Dinner with the pups lasted longer than Emma had expected.

Bryan spent most of the meal telling Brandon about something that had happened at school during vacation, pausing every few minutes to show him exactly what he had done. Charlotte kept interrupting to correct his version of the story, while Elyon reached across the table whenever someone had something he wanted.

"Elyon," Emma said, catching his little hand before it reached Brandon’s plate.

He looked at her, then slowly pulled his hand back.

A moment later, he reached toward Charlotte’s plate instead.

Charlotte quickly moved it out of his reach. "That’s mine."

Elyon frowned.

Brandon laughed under his breath. "You want more? Here." He added another serving to Elyon’s plate, and Elyon’s face lit up as he immediately reached for his fork. When it came to food, Elyon was exactly like Emma. He could eat more than anyone else at the table.

By the time dinner was over, Emma was ready for bed.

She helped Elyon finish his drink before the pups left the feeding chamber with Mrs. Thompson. Bryan was still talking as he walked, waving his hands as he tried to finish his story. Charlotte kept interrupting him, insisting he had gotten part of it wrong.

Elyon shuffled along behind them, rubbing one eye.

"I’m not tired," he mumbled when Mrs. Thompson reached for his hand.

Emma pressed her lips together to keep from laughing.

Elyon yawned.

"I saw that," Brandon called after him.

"I didn’t yawn."

"You did."

Elyon shook his head and kept walking.

Emma watched them disappear down the hall before letting out a long breath.

"That was exhausting."

Brandon slipped an arm around her waist. "You enjoyed every minute of it."

"I did." She leaned into him. "But I’m still tired."

"Come with me."

She looked up at him. "Where?"

"You’ll see."

She narrowed her eyes. "That’s suspicious."

Brandon’s mouth curved into a smile.

He took her hand and led her away from the dining chamber. Instead of turning toward their usual private chamber, he continued down the palace’s private wing.

She glanced at him, then at the corridor ahead.

After a few more steps, she realized they had already passed their usual turn.

"Starlit, where are we going?"

"Just keep walking."

She squeezed his hand. "You’re definitely hiding something."

"I might be."

She laughed softly and followed him.

They finally stopped in front of a pair of tall glass doors at the end of a quiet corridor. Emma had passed this part of the palace many times, but she rarely had a reason to come this far.

She looked at the doors, then at Brandon.

"What is this place?"

"An old private royal chamber. It’s been renovated."

He placed his palm against the security panel. A soft chime sounded, and the doors unlocked.

They stepped inside.

The chamber was larger than their usual bedchamber but felt much quieter. Thick walls surrounded the chamber, and the windows were sealed against outside sound. There was a sitting area, a large bed, a private dining table, and a screen mounted across from the bed.

She turned slowly, taking it all in.

"You brought me here?"

Brandon closed the door behind them.

"This chamber is far enough from the family wing that the pups won’t be wandering past the door every few minutes."

She laughed. "You really thought about that."

"I had to."

He pointed toward the door.

Brandon couldn’t be blamed. Every now and then, one of the pups would wake up and interrupt them in the middle of moonfall, climbing into bed and squeezing between them. There was always one story or another—a bad dream, a sudden fear, or simply a pup who had decided they didn’t want to sleep alone.

"The security system also keeps the chamber sealed once we’re inside. The door won’t open unless someone is properly authorized and close enough for the system to recognize them."

She walked closer to the wall and glanced around the quiet chamber, running her fingers lightly over the smooth surface before looking back at him. "So nobody can hear us?"

"Not from outside."

A small smile touched her lips. "That sounds nice."

Brandon watched her for a moment before reaching into his pocket. "Before we settle in, I want you to make a wish."

Emma turned toward him, her brows lifting slightly. "A wish?"

"Anything you want."

She looked at him for a moment, as if making sure he was serious. "Anything?"

He nodded, his eyes staying on hers. "Anything."

She studied his face for a moment, trying to figure out where this was going. "What if I ask for something impossible?"

"I’ll find a way."

She laughed and shook her head. "You’re making a dangerous promise, Your Majesty."

"I know."

She folded her arms and gave him a playful look. "What if I ask you to give me the moon?"

"I’ll find a ladder."

She burst out laughing, and Brandon laughed with her before reaching for her hand.

"But seriously, Moonheart. Whatever you want, I’ll do my best to give it to you."

She glanced down at their joined hands, her fingers resting comfortably between his. "All right. I’ll think about it."

"Good."

She looked around the chamber again, taking in the quiet space, before turning back to him. "But what about you?"

"What about me?"

"If I’m supposed to make a wish, shouldn’t you get one too?"

He smiled. "If you’re asking me to make one, then yes."

She stepped closer, watching his face. "What do you wish for?"

His expression softened as he looked at her. "You."

She smiled, but shook her head. "That isn’t a real answer."

"It is to me."

He lifted her hand and pressed a kiss against her knuckles.

"I want one full day with my mate. No meetings. No council. No palace business. No visitors. No one knocking on our door because they need the king or the queen."

Emma’s smile slowly widened. "Just us?"

"Just us."

She glanced toward the door before turning her attention back to him. "What about the pups?"

"Mrs. Thompson has them."

She let out a soft laugh. "They’re going to come looking for us."

"I know."

"Bryan will want to know why we’re hiding."

"I know."

"Charlotte will probably try to convince Mrs. Thompson to let her come in."

"I know."

"And Elyon won’t give up."

Brandon laughed. "That’s why I gave Mrs. Thompson a twenty-four-hour assignment."

She shook her head, looking at him with a smile. "You really planned everything."

"I wanted to make sure nothing interrupted us."

He pulled her gently into his arms, and she settled against his chest as his arms wrapped around her.

"I called it ’A Moment Alone With My Queen."

She rested her hands against his chest and looked up at him. "You named our private day?"

"Yes."

She laughed. "You’re unbelievable."

"Is that a yes?"

She held his gaze for a moment before her smile returned. "Yes."

He kissed her forehead. "Then the day begins now."

She smiled against his chest, her arms slipping around him. "I think I’m going to like this."

"I hope so."

He took her hand and led her toward the bed.

A few minutes later, she was curled comfortably against the pillows while Brandon brought over the tray that had been prepared for them. Their favorite foods were arranged beside small desserts and drinks, with a bowl of fruit in the middle.

She looked over the spread and then back at him. "When did you arrange all this?"

"While you were finishing dinner with the pups."

She picked up a piece of fruit and turned it between her fingers. "You were planning this while Bryan was telling you about school?"

"I’ve learned to listen and plan at the same time."

She laughed. "Poor you."

"I survived."

He settled beside her, and she rested her head against his shoulder. They chose a movie and settled beneath the blankets, sharing the food from the tray as the scenes played across the screen. For once, she could simply enjoy the moment without worrying about the time or what awaited them when the movie ended.

As the movie continued, her head grew heavier against Brandon’s shoulder. She shifted closer without opening her eyes, and before long, she had drifted off without even noticing.

When the movie ended, Brandon lowered the volume and looked down at her. "Sleepy?"

She opened one eye. "A little."

He smiled and reached for the music system. A familiar song filled the chamber, and she lifted her head.

"Chicago?"

Brandon nodded. "Everybody Needs a Little Time Away."

She smiled, looking at him for a moment. "You really did plan everything."

He held out his hand. "Dance with me."

"Here?"

"Here."

Emma slipped her hand into his.

They stood beside the bed as the music played. Brandon pulled her gently against him, and Emma slipped her arms around his neck. They moved slowly across the chamber, barely more than a gentle sway, their steps falling into the rhythm of the music.

She closed her eyes for a moment and rested her cheek against his shoulder. "This is nice."

He kissed her temple. "It is."

She opened her eyes and found him watching her. "What?"

"I love you."

Her lips curved into a smile. "I love you too."

He brushed his thumb across her cheek. "I love you, Moonheart."

She leaned into his hand. "You’ve told me that already."

"I know."

"And you’re going to keep saying it?"

"As many times as I can."

She laughed softly, her arms tightening around his neck. "Then I’ll keep listening."

He kissed her forehead. "I love you."

She wrapped her arms around him. "I love you too."

They stood together in the quiet chamber, the movie forgotten on the screen behind them. She rested against him, listening to the steady beat of his heart as his fingers gently moved through her hair.

She lifted her head and looked at him. "What are you thinking about?"

He smiled and brushed a strand of hair away from her face.

"Just you."

She gave him a curious look. "What about me?"

He held her gaze for a moment, then gently touched her cheek.

"There’s so much I love about you, Moonheart."