Chapter 159: What He Was Never Meant to Hear
She stared at him.
"Later?" she repeated softly.
Brandon nodded once and stepped back, but she caught his wrist before he could move away.
"You’re scaring me."
His eyes closed briefly at the tremble in her voice. Then he opened them again, a faint smile pulling at his lips.
"Am I ugly now?" he asked suddenly, clearly trying to shift the tension.
She narrowed her eyes immediately.
"You’re acting suspicious."
Brandon’s mouth twitched.
"Because if I tell you now," he murmured, thumb brushing her cheek, "you’ll never let me finish what I planned for this moonfall."
Her brows lifted slightly.
"And what exactly are you planning for the moonfall?"
A slow, mischievous smile spread across his face.
"To explore you like before."
"I’m being serious." Her brows pulled together. She shifted closer, eyes locked on his, like she was trying to read what he wasn’t saying.
He still didn’t say a word, She turned away at once and walked toward the window, folding her arms tightly beneath her chest.
He said nothing. Just stood there watching her, jaw tight enough for her to understand.
He followed her quietly this time, slower than before.
"There are a few things going on in the kingdom," he said.
She stopped and looked back over her shoulder.
"Like what?"
His jaw tightened. He dragged a hand over the back of his neck before meeting her eyes again.
"Promise you won’t get mad at me."
Her brows shot up immediately.
"I’m not promising anything until I know what this is about."
He studied her face for a long second, like he was trying to figure out the least dangerous way to say it.
"I told the king we’d go with his date."
He braced himself. Waiting for the argument. Waiting for that stubborn look she always got when she dug her heels in.
But Emma only turned toward him fully.
"Look, I didn’t mean to go against your..."
"I hope it helps bring the royal family together again," she said softly. "What did he say when you agreed?"
Brandon blinked, thrown off.
"He was happy," he admitted. "But he thought you’d refuse and stand your ground."
The corner of her mouth lifted.
"Well... if my alpha doesn’t see anything wrong with the date, then I’m okay with it too."
He crossed the space between them in one step.
He pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply, laughter escaping him against her lips. He looked seconds away from lifting her off the floor completely.
The bond between them pulsed warmly, stronger than before.
Emma laughed softly when he finally pulled back.
"Now tell me what you’re planning for this moonfall."
"I already told you," he murmured.
Before she could react, he lifted her into his arms, a dangerous glint of mischief flashing in his eyes.
"Do you think the High Luna will ever accept the king again?" she asked softly.
He brushed his fingers through her hair, holding her close against his chest.
"I’ll find out on Friday," he murmured.
Before she could say another word, he tilted her chin up and kissed her deeply. Slowly. Patiently. Like he wanted her to forget every worry in the kingdom for one moonfall.
Soft laughter drifted through the chamber while his whispers melted against her skin, every touch slower than the last. He held her like she was the only thing that kept his heart steady, promising her heaven and earth until exhaustion finally pulled them both under.
Much later, silence settled over the chamber.
He cleaned her up carefully, brushing the damp strands away from her face whenever they slipped loose again.
Afterward, he slipped one of the new nightwears he bought a few days ago over her head and adjusted it gently around her shoulders.
She barely stirred, already half asleep.
He climbed into bed beside her and pulled her against his chest immediately. She curled into him on instinct, her fingers resting lightly against his sleepwear while his arm tightened around her waist.
Within minutes, the chamber fell quiet except for her soft, steady breathing.
She slept peacefully against him while Brandon stayed awake a little longer, staring at the chandeliers in silence. His hand rested protectively on her belly, his thumb moving slowly against the fabric covering her skin.
Eventually, his eyes drifted shut too.
****************************************************
Friday arrived quietly with the first pale light creeping through the curtains. It was Brooklyn’s bridal shower day.
Brandon opened his eyes slowly and immediately realized Emma was already awake.
She sat beside him, knees drawn slightly to her chest, staring at the new portrait hanging across the chamber—the one he made last moonfall.
His left hand had gone completely wild that moonfall, and somehow he ended up creating what she proudly called a masterpiece. She had been obsessed with it ever since and was already determined to show it off to the entire pack.
He moved closer to her and slowly moved his hands down to her lower abdomen. He loved feeling their pup and he couldn’t wait to have him in his arms. Ever since he started counting down to her delivery, nine moons had felt like nine winters.
He kissed her neck, and she grinned as she turned toward him. She tangled her legs with his and teased him lightly. He felt like he was tickled and chuckled.
"Have you seen the interior of Greendor Castle?" she asked.
"No, it was meant to be a surprise for me and you."
"We are going to make love in all the chambers on our mating moon."
"Moonheart, that castle has ten chambers."
"Just ten chambers," she said casually as she fondled his third leg. He grinned, pulled her closer, and began to devour her lips.
She leaned into his ear,"We are going sixty-nine this moonrise," her voice dropping into a slow whisper that made his breath catch.
For a moment, he didn’t move.
Then she smiled faintly, like she already knew the effect she had on him, and stepped even closer—closing every inch of space between them as if the pack outside didn’t exist anymore.
Because of her condition, Emma had been kept away from most of Brooklyn’s mating preparations. and the stress she had been through lately. Brandon noticed the few days rest helped her to regain enough energy and she had been displaying it on him. He totally loved it anyway.
They dressed up after a tasty breakfast made by Mr. Richard as they got ready to go to their respective locations. Emma had Brooklyn’s bridal shower to attend and Brandon needed to check on his parents to see how the reconciliation was going since he-wolves were not invited. Emma’s convoy drove out first. Brandon followed after a few minutes.
By the time he arrived at the palace, the moon was already high.He saw his father relaxing in his executive chamber, lost in his favorite news report. His face beamed with smiles as if he had some good news for him. His heart leaped with joy.
"Moonrise, my High Alpha King."
"High Alpha Brandon Oliver Frostbane!" he called out, his face lighting up.
Brandon laughed softly. "You look happy, Father."
"You have no idea what it does to me having you and Elara here."
"How’s the High Luna?"
"She’s fine." The king grinned again.
Brandon narrowed his eyes. "What happened?"
"She threw me out two moonfalls ago and banned me from entering her chamber."
Brandon barked out a laugh. "Did you go back?"
"No, but—"
Both of them looked up at the same time when a sharp voice ripped through the hall from inside Luna’s chamber.
"Who do you think you’re talking to me like that?!"
The king straightened instantly.
Brandon frowned. "Who’s that?"
"She invited Lunara a few minutes ago. They’ve been locked in there ever since."
Brandon frowned. "Why?"
The king lifted one shoulder and went back to the report in his hand.
"No idea."
A loud voice suddenly burst through the chamber doors.
"Oh, my Goddess..."
Brandon shot to his feet. Anger flashed across his face.
"I’ll be right back."
He hurried down the small staircase and stopped outside the High Luna’s chamber. One hand pressed against the wall as the shouting inside grew louder.
"I won’t testify against him!" Lunara’s voice cracked. "I can’t destroy him like that! You left him behind, and I was the one who took care of him!"
"You’re repeating yourself," the High Luna snapped. "Did I ask you to take care of him for me? Answer me clearly. Will you do it or not?"
"Why would you even ask me that?" Lunara fired back. "The whole pack already hates me, and now you want to drag me deeper into this? No! I can’t do it! You don’t get to use me again!"
"For the last time, stop shouting!" the High Luna roared.
Brandon didn’t fully understand what was happening, but one thing was clear—whatever this was, it needed to end.
The kingdom had barely started healing. Wolves were finally speaking to each other again without growling across chambers.
Even the king looked lighter these days.
He refused to watch the kingdom fall apart again.
His jaw tightened as he stepped forward.
"Lunara," he said calmly, "Please, go back to wherever you came from,"
The High Luna’s head sn
apped toward the door. Her breath caught.
Only Lunara had noticed him standing there the whole time.
Luna Alexandra froze.
"Brandon..."
Her voice lost its edge. "How long were you standing there?"
