Chapter 192: The One Who Walked Into Silence
He turned and strode out of the feeding chamber. The guards followed at once, their footsteps fading into the hallway’s silence.
The moment the doors closed behind them, she let her forehead drop onto her folded arms.
A sob escaped her.
She couldn’t remember the last time he had called her Emma.
Her device suddenly beeped.
She lifted her head and quickly wiped her eyes. Her heart skipped when she saw the sender.
Lunara.
The number she had unblocked last moonfall.
With trembling fingers, she opened the message.
"You are doing great, Emma. Remember, you have just forty hours to come and see us."
Emma stared at the screen.
Then everything clicked.
The spy had reported the argument.
One of Brandon’s guards had heard every word and passed it on.
She straightened in her chair.
Her gaze drifted toward the doorway.
Leonard?
Or Teddy?
She replayed every conversation she had had with them, every glance, every strange moment, searching for something she might have missed.
Nothing stood out.
Still, a spark of excitement stirred inside her.
For the first time, she felt close.
Very close.
If she could identify the mole, she could cut off the flow of information to the traitor. Then she could finally sit down with Brandon and tell him everything.
The thought sent her to her feet so suddenly that her chair scraped loudly across the floor.
She spun around—
And froze.
Bernard and Mr. Richard stood a few feet behind her.
Both men wore the same worried expression.
She blinked.
She hadn’t heard them come in.
Judging by the looks on their faces, they had been standing there long enough to see far more than she would have liked.
"Alpha’s mate, what happened? We heard the alpha’s voice. Is everything alright?" Bernard asked, stepping closer, his gaze scanning her face.
She waved a hand like it meant nothing. "Everything is fine," she said, voice flat.
She turned on her heel and started down the corridor.
Her steps slowed when Brooklyn and Elara appeared at the far end, their voices overlapping as they rushed toward her.
Emma’s eyes stung before she could stop it. She blinked hard, but it didn’t help. Brooklyn reached her first and pulled her into a tight hug without a word.
She stayed still for a moment, then melted into it. Brooklyn guided her gently down the hall and into her chamber, closing the door behind them.
Inside, Brooklyn stepped back and planted her hands on her waist, studying her face.
"Why were you guys fighting?"
She let out a quiet breath. "Lunara and her new moonmate are blackmailing me."
Brooklyn’s brows shot up. "What?"
"Yes."
She scoffed under her breath, shaking her head. "I’m not surprised. She’s evil. Just like Daniel. What does she want from you?"
Emma looked away for a second before answering. "Her moonmate wants to see me."
"Why?"
"He said he has two intentions," she said slowly, fingers tightening at her sides. "And I have to choose one."
Brooklyn’s expression hardened. "And what are they?"
"He didn’t say."
Brooklyn gave a short, disbelieving laugh. "He needs to state his terms properly."
Emma’s jaw tightened. "He said I should meet him first. Then I’ll hear everything."
"And?" Brooklyn pressed.
She finally met her eyes. "One of his conditions... is that I call off the royal matebond."
"What? I thought Elara was joking when she said some heartless he-wolf and a sibling hijacked your matebond date. I didn’t know she actually meant it."
"Brooklyn... I’m confused."
She leaned in slightly. "What does Lunara have on you?"
Emma swallowed. "An old video."
"Of you?"
"No. Her... and Brandon."
Brooklyn froze. "They had an affair?"
"Yes. Three winters ago. The same day I kissed Evan. He wanted to move on with her, but he couldn’t."
Brooklyn’s face tightened. "And now?"
"Now Lunara wants to leak it. Make it look like she was used... then thrown away."
"Oh my Moon Goddess." Brooklyn spun away toward the window, fingers pressing against the frame. After a moment, she turned back, eyes sharp.
"Why is Brandon angry?"
Emma shook her head. "They told me not to say anything to him. Lunara and her moonmate."
She stepped forward. "Emma. You have to tell him."
"If I do, they’ll post it. Online."
Brooklyn let out a short laugh, disbelief written all over her face. "You’re talking like Brandon is being watched. Is he?"
"Not him." Emma’s voice dropped. "But my walls... have ears."
She frowned. "What does that even mean?"
"A spy’s feeding them everything that happens around me."
Brooklyn’s hands curled into fists. "I swear to the goddess, I’ll tear apart whoever’s doing it." She paced once, sharp and restless. "Do you have anyone in mind?"
Emma hesitated. "Yes."
"Who?"
"Bernard... and our personal guards."
Brooklyn stopped walking. "We have to tell Brandon, Emma."
She gave a short laugh, almost bitter.
"No, Brooklyn. He got mad because I kept what was bothering me to myself. After he left, Lunara sent a message—clapping at me for staying quiet." She held out her device. "She said I’ve got a few hours left to show up."
Brooklyn took it, read fast, then exhaled through her nose and tossed it onto the bed.
"Tell Brandon. And tell him there’s a spy in your house."
"He trusts all of them."
Brooklyn clicked her tongue. "Fine. New plan. Go take a bath. We’re catching this mole tonight."
Emma blinked. "How?"
"Shower first," Brooklyn said, already turning her toward the door. "Then we go to Elara’s chamber. We start with Bernard."
She didn’t argue this time. She slipped out, water running loud behind the door.
A few minutes later she came out fresh, dressed, hair still damp at the edges. Brooklyn was already waiting, arms crossed, tapping her foot once before nodding toward the hall.
Elara’s chamber was already alive when they walked in.
Steam still clung to Elara’s skin. She stood near the window, half-listening to a voice coming through her device. The moment she saw them, she lowered it.
"Mother, she’s here," Elara said, handing the device over.
Emma took it.
"Emma," the voice came sharp, "what’s going on? The royal planners I sent said you didn’t even meet them."
Emma’s grip tightened slightly. "I have a lot on my mind. Tell them to come back later."
Luna Alexandra kept quiet for a few minutes.
"Same thing Elara just said," the voice snapped. "What exactly is going on in that head of yours besides your special day? The royal matebond is two weeks away, Emma. You still haven’t focused."
"Can I call you back tomorrow?" she asked softly.
"No." The voice cut through immediately. "Yesterday you said the same thing. You never called back. Emma, what is going on?"
She pressed her lips together. "I’m sorry. I can’t tell you, my High Luna."
A long silence stretched between them.
"Fine. I’ll ask my Moon Prince then. Goodnight, Emma."
"Goodnight, my High Luna." She ended the call and lowered the device.
Brooklyn leaned in slightly. "Elara... she told you what’s going on, right?"
Elara nodded once. "Yeah. She did."
"Good." Brooklyn’s eyes narrowed. "Are you suspecting anyone?"
Elara hesitated. "Bernard."
Brooklyn tilted her head. "Why him?"
"He doesn’t have an evil mind," Elara said slowly. "But... I feel like he knows something."
Brooklyn turned toward Emma. "Anyone else?"
Emma’s fingers tightened around the edge of the table. "She suspects the guards too," Elara said before Emma could answer. "And she might be right. You can’t trust everyone right now."
Brooklyn exhaled and rubbed her jaw. "Brooklyn, I’m glad you’re here," Elara added. "The only option I see is going to Lunara and her moonmate—with my guards. I trust them, and..."
"No." Emma’s voice snapped clean through the chamber. "We’re not doing that without telling my mate."
Silence settled.
Then Brooklyn straightened. "I’ve got a plan."
Both ladies looked at her.
She turned to Elara. "Bernard is your moonmate, right?"
"Yes."
"Does he lie to you?"
"No."
"Good," she said. "Invite him here tonight. He answers everything."
Emma frowned slightly. "Brooklyn... what if he goes back and tells them?"
"He won’t." Brooklyn shook her head. "And if he does, he’ll only prove what we’re already thinking. He’s smart enough not to be that obvious."
Elara was already dialing. "I’m calling him."
The device rang once before a voice came through.
"Silverheart."
Elara leaned back a little. "Are you busy?"
"No. Why?"
"I need you in my chamber. Now. Can you come?"
A beat of silence lingered.
"Why not." His voice lowered. "I’ll come. But I’m not leaving tonight."
Elara’s mouth curved faintly. "I’m waiting."
The call dropped.
Brooklyn stepped closer, eyes sharp. "When he walks in, check him. No room for mistakes. No devices, no wires. Nobody speaks until we’re sure."
Elara gave a small nod.
"Got it."
Emma didn’t say anything. She just sat still, watching the door like it might open wrong.
Ten minutes passed.
Then the door finally clicked open.
Bernard stepped in.
His gaze moved in slow pieces—Brooklyn first, leaning by the window, arms folded. Emma next, seated on the sofa, quiet and still. Then Elara on the bed, watching him without a blink.
He stopped.
Just for a second.
And in that silence... something in his expression shifted.
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