Alpha's Secret Bride

Madison and Darius slowed as they approached the palace entrance.

Madison looked up at the tall stone pillars and then at the wide steps leading to the main doors. The palace looked nothing like she remembered. The gardens had been carefully landscaped, the stone walkways were spotless, and warm lights had been placed along the exterior walls, giving the palace a welcoming glow even in the moonfall.

Darius let out a quiet whistle as he took in the sight.

"Brandon really changed this place."

Madison nodded, her eyes moving across the grounds. "It’s beautiful."

Before they could say anything else, the palace doors opened.

Emma stepped outside with Brandon beside her.

"Welcome," Emma said warmly.

Brandon walked straight toward Darius and pulled him into a firm hug.

"It’s good to have you here."

Darius returned the hug with a smile. "It’s good to be here."

When they stepped apart, Brandon turned toward Madison and gave her a respectful nod.

"Lady Madison."

Madison smiled and dipped her head slightly. "Your Majesty."

Emma walked over and reached for Madison’s hands.

"Come inside. You must be tired after the journey."

They followed Emma and Brandon into one of the palace reception chambers, where refreshments had already been prepared. Tea, fresh fruit, pastries, and small plates of food covered the table. Soft music drifted in from the adjoining hall while servants moved quietly around the palace hall, setting out cups and pouring tea.

Madison looked over the table, then back at Emma.

"You prepared all this for us?"

She smiled as she guided her toward a seat. "Of course. You’re family."

Madison’s smile softened.

They spent the rest of the day talking over tea and catching up. Darius and Brandon discussed the journey, while Alexandra ,Emma and Madison spoke about the changes Madison had noticed around the palace. By the time they retired for the moonfall, the formal welcome had given way to the easy warmth of old allies and family.

A few days later, Brandon sat with his mother in one of the palace sitting chambers. He lifted his cup, took a slow sip, and placed it back on the table.

"I want to celebrate something."

Luna Alexandra looked up from her tea. "What?"

He leaned back in his chair.

"You and Madison’s union."

Alexandra’s eyebrows lifted slightly.

"After everything that happened?"

Brandon nodded. "Darius has been through enough. I don’t want their return to feel like another judgment. I want them to know they’re welcome."

Alexandra watched him for a moment, then a small smile appeared on her face.

"I think that’s a wonderful idea."

When Madison heard about the celebration, she covered her mouth with one hand.

"A celebration?"

Emma nodded.

Madison blinked several times, her eyes filling with tears. "I thought you were bringing us before the council."

Emma stepped closer and squeezed her hand.

"No. We’re bringing you home."

Madison lowered her hand and pulled Emma into a tight hug.

"Thank you."

During the preparations, Darius caught Brandon alone in one of the palace corridors.

"There’s something I want to ask."

Brandon turned toward him. "Go ahead."

Darius hesitated, then rubbed his palms together.

"My twin brother, Damon. I know what he did, and I’m not asking you to forget it. But if there’s any chance you can reconsider his sentence, I’d be grateful."

Brandon studied him for a moment before looking away.

"I’ll look into it."

Darius nodded slowly. "Thank you."

What about Daniel?" Emma asked.

Brandon didn’t look up. "He stays where he is."

She nodded. "As you wish Your Majesty."

Emma reached for his hand and smiled. "I don’t want him anywhere near our family again."

The necessary legal and palace procedures were completed over the following days. The council reviewed Damon’s case, the required documents were signed, and his release was approved.

A few days later, Damon was brought to the palace.

He stepped out of the car and stopped when he saw Brandon waiting near the entrance.

Damon lowered his head. "Your Majesty."

Brandon looked at him for a moment before nodding.

"Welcome home."

Damon swallowed and glanced toward the palace doors.

"I don’t know if I deserve to be here."

Brandon kept his eyes on him. "That isn’t for me to decide."

He slowly raised his head.

"I’m sorry, Brandon. For everything."

Brandon was quiet for a moment.

"You should ask Emma for forgiveness first."

Damon nodded.

"And if she forgives me?"

Brandon held his gaze.

"Then I will forgive you too."

Damon lowered his head again.

"I understand."

The family union celebration brought nearly everyone together.

Lunara and Gregory arrived with their daughters, while Elara came with Bernard and their two pups, Zoey and Prescott Junior.

The celebration filled the palace with laughter and conversation. Family members who had been apart for winters finally sat together again, sharing meals and catching up as the moonfall stretched on.

Emma remembered one afternoon when she had found Elara sitting quietly beside the garden fountain, the sound of running water filling the space around them. She had lowered herself onto the bench beside her and noticed the way Elara kept looking down at her hands.

"You’ve thought about trying again, haven’t you?" Emma had asked.

Elara had rubbed her thumb slowly across her palm before finally answering.

"I have."

Emma had stayed quiet, giving her time to say what was on her mind.

"But I’m scared."

She had reached over and taken her hand, gently closing her fingers around it.

"What if it happens again?" Elara had whispered.

"Then we’ll face it together," Emma had told her. "But don’t let what happened before decide what happens next."

Elara had turned toward her and held her gaze for a long moment.

"You really think I should try again?"

Emma had shaken her head.

"I think the choice should be yours. I’m only reminding you not to make that choice because you’re afraid."

Elara looked toward the fountain, watching the water ripple across the surface.

After a moment, she nodded.

"I’ll think about it."

Emma gave her hand a gentle squeeze.

"That’s all I’m asking."

She nodded.

Eventually, she decided to try again with Bernard. Around the time of Zoey’s sixth birth moon, they welcomed another pup into their family, Prescott Junior.

When Emma saw the two pups sitting together, she smiled.

"They’ve grown so much."

Elara laughed as Prescott Junior reached for her hand.

"They grow too fast."

"Yeah."

Later in the day,Brooklyn arrived with Ken and their boys. Ashley and Emily came together, while Nina and Evan also joined the celebration. Brandon and Emma had sponsored Nina and Evan’s matebond ceremony, and the couple were both happy to be part of the family gathering.

The palace halls remained busy throughout the day. Pups ran between their parents, servants carried trays of food from table to table, and old allies who had once kept their distance now stood together, talking and laughing.

Later that afternoon, Emma found Lunara standing alone near one of the palace windows.

She walked over and stood beside her.

"You should talk to your father."

Lunara’s expression tightened.

"After everything?"

Emma reached for her hand.

"You don’t have to forget what happened."

Lunara looked down at their joined hands.

Emma gave her fingers a gentle squeeze.

"But you can choose what happens next."

Lunara stayed quiet for a while. Then she slowly nodded.

"I’ll talk to him."

The conversation eventually brought Lunara back together with her stepsister, Penny.

Other old wounds began to close as well.

Allison eventually became mates with Jason’s father. When their pup was born, they gave him Jason’s name.

Raven and Rivena found each other too. In time, they became mates and started building a life together.

The celebration ended with laughter echoing through the palace halls as family members and old allies gathered around the tables. Pups chased one another between the chairs while their parents called them back, and conversations continued long after the last dishes had been cleared away.

Later, Madison and Alexandra sat together in a quiet corner, each holding a warm cup of tea.

Alexandra smiled across the table.

"Do you remember when we used to spend hours talking like this?"

Madison let out a soft laugh.

"I remember."

Alexandra reached across the table and took her hand.

"Then let’s not lose it again."

Madison turned her hand beneath Alexandra’s and squeezed her fingers.

"Moonallies?"

"Moonallies."

They smiled at each other.

Meanwhile, Brandon had something else in mind.

He called Darius and Damon into his study and waited until the door closed behind them.

"You’re both old enough now to find your own mates. When you do, we’ll celebrate your matebond ceremonies properly."

Darius blinked.

"Excuse me?"

Brandon leaned back in his chair.

"You heard me. When you find your mates, I’m sponsoring both ceremonies."

Damon glanced at his brother before looking back at Brandon.

"Your Majesty, you don’t have to do that."

"I know."

Darius laughed and shook his head.

"And what if we don’t have moonmates?"

Brandon raised an eyebrow.

"Then find them."

Darius rubbed the back of his neck before a grin spread across his face.

"Could Emma help?"

Brandon smiled.

"Ask her."