"Luna Emma, you should not be doing this," Bernard said, pointing at the used platters she was carrying from the Alpha’s grand feeding chamber. "The Alpha will grow furious with if he sees you performing oga duties."
"He did not trust enough," she murmured, her wolf unsettled beneath her calm exterior.
"What did Alpha say to you?" Bernard asked, gently taking the ceremonial dishes from her hands.
"He insisted I sit beside him. He would not taste the al unless I joined him at the feeding chamber," she replied, lowering herself onto a carved chair while Bernard restored order to the Private Hearth. His movents were swift and precise, like a Beta trained to guard his Alpha’s dignity.
Silence stretched between them as he continued cleaning. She wanted to reopen the earlier discussion, but hesitation tightened around her ribs.
"Who has been speaking into your ears, Luna?" Bernard asked without turning.
"I have ford new alliances within the Pack maids already," she answered carefully.
"Which of them told you about the Alpha’s hidden mate?"
"I will not reveal their nas. But tell the truth—did he confine a she-wolf inside his private chamber?"
"Luna Emma, that mystery lies beyond my rank. Please, do not drag into the Alpha’s secrets."
She rose and stepped closer, her Luna aura sharpening.
"Did he imprison a she-wolf in his chamber? Yes or no?" she demanded.
"No," Bernard replied calmly. "But there is a truth you must uncover yourself."
She caught the slight shift in his scent. Her wolf recognized evasion.
"You are lying. Soone heard her voice last night," she pressed.
Bernard remained composed. She drew breath to repeat herself, but he spoke first.
"Whose voice did your informant claim to hear?"
"The she-wolf’s voice! He was bonding with her against her will!" she exclaid.
"Lower your voice," Bernard whispered urgently. "I am not supposed to discuss the Alpha’s private life. But I am saying this for him... and for you. He has not shared his bed with any she-wolf since the day he found his fated mate. He is loyal to her."
"Lies! Is that what he told you? He left the intercom stone active last night!" she shot back, ignoring his warning.
Bernard continued cleaning in silence.
After a mont, guilt softened her tone. "Bernard... I am sorry. I am confused."
He nodded faintly.
"When did he et his fated mate?" she asked quietly.
"I do not know. But it has been few winters ago," Bernard replied.
"Why would he confine her inside his chamber?"
"She is in a better position to answer that question. You need to see her. Speak to her yourself. No explanation from will satisfy you. You need to face the she-wolf he calls his own."
"That is exactly what I want. How do I see her?"
Bernard wiped his hands and joined her at the round stone table.
"You want to et the she-wolf he is obsessed with?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"I want to set her free."
Bernard studied her carefully.
"She is inside his chamber. But the voice your informant heard last night was not hers."
"Then whose voice was it?"
"I do not know," he admitted with a grin. "You ask too many questions."
She exhaled in frustration. Even her mother had warned her that not every curiosity should be satisfied. Yet her wolf refused to rest without answers.
"One last question. What should I do?"
"Go into his chamber and find out for yourself," Bernard said slyly.
"I understand. Thank you, Bernard."
He bowed respectfully and exited the Private Hearth.
Left alone, she lowered her head onto the table, trying to reconcile Richard’s earlier explanation with Bernard’s words. Slowly, she convinced herself there was no hidden she-wolf. Perhaps jealous tongues within the Pack had crafted the tale.
The scrape of a chair startled her.
"I see you like him," Brandon’s deep voice echoed. He sat beside her, sipping from a cup of steaming chamomile infusion. Fresh from the bathing chamber, his mint-and-dominance scent wrapped around her senses.
"Alpha Brandon... I—"
"It is fine," he said, his tone gentle but possessive. "I went to your chamber, but you were not there."
"I wanted to speak with my pack-kins. May I use your communication device?" she asked quickly, deflecting.
"Of course," he replied, sliding it toward her.
"What happened to your device?"
"I did not co with my belongings. What is the code?"
"Use my face recognition," he said calmly, taking another sip.
She lifted the device. It unlocked instantly.
She dialed her mother’s number.
"Hurry. The ogas must retire soon. I will be waiting for you," Brandon said before standing and leaving the hearth chamber.
Her gaze followed him until he disappeared.
"Moon fall, Mother."
"Emma?"
"Yes, Mother."
"Are you watching Lunara’s broadcast Inside the Alpha’s Keep’?"
"No."
"Oh, I forgot. Your mate’s den probably does not entertain such broadcasts. Goodnight. I do not want to miss a single mont."
The call ended.
She climbed the staircase to dismiss her maids. The device nearly slipped from her grasp when she entered her chamber.
Soft candlelight filled the room, scented with floral oils she loved. Nostalgia swept over her, awakening mories she had buried.
"You may retire to your quarters," she told the she-wolves.
"No, Luna. You must bathe first," Naomi replied.
"Are you going to bathe as well?"
"It is our duty."
They giggled.
She placed the device on the bed and entered the master bathing chamber. One of the she-wolves followed with white towels. Emma removed her garnts and handed them over.
"Thank you, Paige. Leave the towels and go."
"Yes, Luna."
"Switch on the vision Hearth screen. I want to watch sothing before I sleep."
"As you wish."
Emma soaked in the warm bath, wondering how the Alpha planned to celebrate their mating bond under the moon.
Suddenly, the sharp voice from "Inside The Alpha’s Keep" filled the chamber.
She stepped out quickly, drying herself and wrapping a towel around her chest. She needed to change the channel before secrets resurfaced.
But she froze.
Alpha Brandon lay sprawled comfortably on her mating bed, his eyes fixed on the vision hearth screen as though he were thoroughly entertained.
Her wolf stirred uneasily, a quiet fear creeping in at the thought of what Lunara might say about her. Whatever Lunara says about her will mark the beginning of the Alpha’s true trial—and there will be no turning back tonight. It either strengthen their mating bond or shatter it completely.
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