"Thalia," Emma Greens called as soon as she stepped out of the sleek black vehicle parked inside the Alpha's den.
Thalia kept her head straight and continued walking toward the servants' quarters without acknowledging her Luna.
Emma stood still, watching the little she-wolf's retreating figure with confusion, wondering why the young wolf was being so rude.
Suddenly, Thalia stopped and turned to stare at Emma with open disbelief.
"I want our spirits to walk as allies," Emma said with a small shrug and a soft smile, trying to sound warm despite the tension between them.
Thalia scoffed loudly.
"Lunara is right; you are dumb!"
Emma frowned slightly, surprised by the blunt insult.
"What did you say?"
"You are dumb!" Thalia repeated without hesitation.
Emma's expression hardened.
"Listen, I can tolerate many things from you because of your father," she said firmly. "But insults are an exception."
Thalia only smirked in response.
Emma noticed the striking resemblance between the girl and her father—the same cold eyes, the same arrogant curve of the lips.
Emma frowned and turned to walk away.
However, Thalia's next words stopped her in her tracks.
Emma slowly turned her head.
"His heart is buried and sealed inside another Luna ," Thalia said coldly. "He cannot love anyone else. He is deceiving you with fake love. Alpha Brandon knows exactly where his heart lies."
She paused before adding with sharp sarcasm.
"The affection he shows you is no different from the kindness he shows the wolves working on this stronghold. Soon you will receive shocking news—since you refuse to use your brain and walk away."
Thalia sighed dismissively and began walking again toward the quarters.
Emma suddenly felt weak as the words settled in her chest like poison.
The sarcasm in Thalia's tone left her unable to move.
She opened her mouth to speak, but the words died before leaving her lips.
"Your father's parenting skills are questionable," Emma muttered quietly to herself. "Perhaps he needs my assistance raising you."
Yet Emma noticed something strange.
Thalia's words about Alpha Brandon did not shake her heart the way they should have.
Instead, she felt strangely calm.
"As for his heart," Emma murmured softly while still watching the direction Thalia had gone, "if it truly is buried somewhere… then I will dig it out myself."
"You must understand that not everyone will love you," a voice said gently behind her.
Emma turned quickly and saw Richard . He approached with a warm smile.
Emma attempted to smile back, but the effort failed.
She was still troubled by what she had just experienced.
More than that, she was not impressed with Richard's parenting methods.
And she could not hide that feeling.
"Did your mother hit you again?" Richard asked with concern.
Emma shook her head slightly.
"No. My sister tried… but she didn't succeed."
Richard sighed.
"Honestly, my dear, it is time you establish emotional boundaries and accept reality."
He gestured toward the estate around them.
"They are not your true family. We are. Your pack is your family now."
His tone softened further.
"Alpha Brandon is your closest family. Stay by his side and give those who do not value you the distance they deserve."
Emma lowered her gaze.
"I love my mother."
Richard shook his head gently.
"She does not love you the way you deserve. But we do."
Emma hesitated before speaking again.
"Alpha Brandon and I had a small misunderstanding this morning."
"I know," Richard replied calmly.
Emma looked up in surprise.
"He told you?"
Richard chuckled softly.
"No. I simply figured it out."
"How?" Emma asked.
"Because I know him very well."
Emma frowned slightly.
"Then how did you know we argued?"
Richard folded his arms thoughtfully.
"Alpha Brandon has remained inside his room since morning," he said slowly. "He is probably angry with himself… and doing the one thing that always brings him joy."
Emma's eyes narrowed immediately.
"What could that be?"
Richard ignored the question.
"Set aside whatever happened and reconcile with him."
Emma stood silently, staring at him.
She could not help wondering what could possibly give Alpha Brandon more joy than spending time with her.
"Will you do what I just advised?" Richard asked.
Emma sighed quietly.
"Yes," she muttered.
She suddenly felt guilty for ignoring the message Alpha Brandon had sent earlier.
Right now, she needed his attention more than ever.
No matter what Thalia had said.
Emma could not imagine anything in the world bringing Alpha Brandon more joy than her presence.
"He—" Emma began.
"He is your mate," Richard interrupted gently.
Emma looked at him in surprise.
She knew exactly what he was implying, but that was not what she had intended to say.
Alpha Brandon was not the type to sit and gossip with servants.
Which made Emma wonder who exactly he had been spending time with.
"Where are the maids?"
"They are fired,"Richard declared firmly.
Emma blinked.
"I have not seen any of them since morning. Did you send them on an errand?" she asked with an amused grin.
Emma studied his expression carefully.
She knew Richard well.
He joked often and behaved playfully.
But he never lied.
"Brandon?" Emma asked.
"No."
"Then who did?"
Richard grinned mischievously.
"You did."
Emma frowned deeply.
"Me? When?"
Richard chuckled.
"Just now. Your gesture said everything."
Emma shook her head with a faint laugh.
"You are a puzzle, Richard. One day I will study you closely."
They both laughed quietly.
"Would you follow me to the lounge?" Emma asked. "I would like to speak with you."
"Of course," Richard replied, leading the way.
As they walked through the elegant hall of the Alpha estate, Emma spoke again.
"How old is Thalia?"
"She is fifteen," Richard answered.
Emma frowned.
"You are not raising her properly. She is extremely rude. Perhaps you should send her to live with her mother… or allow me to help discipline her."
Richard's expression suddenly darkened.
"Her mother passed away last year. The pup is still mourning."
Emma froze slightly.
"Oh… that is unfortunate."
"It is alright," Richard said quietly.
"Please sit."
He gestured to a sofa behind her.
Emma sat down slowly.
She was startled by how quickly his mood had changed.
"You loved her very much," Emma said gently.
"Yes," Richard replied in a faint voice.
"And she loved me as well."
Emma's heart softened.
"Please… forgive my words earlier."
Richard waved it away.
"Do not worry about that. Tell me what is truly troubling you."
Emma hesitated before speaking.
"This morning… some she-wolves told me Alpha Brandon already has a mate."
She looked directly at him.
"Is it true?"
"Yes," Richard replied calmly.
Emma immediately looked away.
The single word struck her ears like a gunshot.
"Why did you lie to me?" she whispered.
"I never lied to you."
"Then where is his mate?" Emma asked slowly.
Richard smiled lightly.
"I am speaking to her right now."
Emma looked at him in disbelief.
"Richard, please be serious for once. You know what I mean!"
"I am serious, Luna."
Emma shook her head.
"Even your daughter says Alpha Brandon already belongs to another mate."
Richard sighed.
"Thalia knows nothing. Do not take her words seriously."
Emma clenched her hands together.
"Alpha Brandon himself admitted he has a mate."
"He was probably joking," Richard replied casually.
"He told me to apply for Bond severance," Emma said quietly.
Richard's eyebrows lifted.
"Oh… then your quarrel was more serious than I assumed."
He smiled slightly.
"Still, I am glad you recognized it as a joke."
Emma shook her head slowly.
"He was serious."
Richard studied her carefully.
"I know you well. If you truly believed he meant it, you would have left the pack already."
Emma swallowed hard.
"I am still here because I love him. But why would he say something like that?"
Richard tilted his head slightly.
"Did you ask him who the mate is?"
Emma hesitated.
"No."
"Then ask him when you see him again."
Emma sighed.
"I feel completely confused."
Richard leaned forward gently.
"You do not need to be confused. What matters is that Alpha Brandon loves you."
Emma looked uncertain.
"Do you truly believe he loves me?"
Richard nodded confidently.
"You already know how he feels. You sense it whenever he is close to you."
He looked directly into her eyes.
"But your insecurities are drowning out that truth."
Emma remained silent.
"You feel he does not love you," Richard continued. "But that is your anxiety speaking."
"Pay attention to your heart… and to his emotions. Ignore everything else."
"There is nothing about Alpha Brandon that you cannot handle," he added firmly.
"Trust me."
Emma felt tears forming in her eyes.
Her past had been filled with cruelty and rejection.
Because of that, she had never believed good alpha could truly belong to her.
"Dry your tears, Luna," Richard said gently.
"Go and reconcile with your alpha. It does not matter who started the argument."
He smiled warmly.
"Alpha Brandon will make you the happiest Luna alive. Believe me."
Emma wiped her tears slowly and looked at him again.
"Thank you."
"You are welcome. Now go upstairs and make peace with him."
Emma hesitated.
"I heard Alpha Brandon does not allow anyone into his private chamber… because of the strange mate he keeps there."
Richard burst into laughter.
"You are not just anyone, Emma. You are his Luna."
Emma bit her lip nervously.
"I am still afraid."
"Afraid of who?" Richard asked with amusement.
"The mysterious mate?"
He laughed again.
"What if…" Emma began uncertainly.
Richard took a deep breath and stood up.
"If you truly love him, then be brave enough to face the truth."
He paused before adding quietly.
"Let me give you a little help."
Emma leaned forward eagerly.
"Alpha Brandon wants you to figure something out on your own," Richard said slowly.
"He refuses to go beyond what he told you the day you signed the mating contract."
"I have tried several times to explain things to you," he continued.
"But he refuses to allow it."
Emma's eyes widened.
"Please… tell me something that will help me solve this mystery."
Richard nodded.
"Very well."
He leaned closer and spoke softly.
"That strange mate inside Alpha Brandon's bedroom holds answers to some of your questions."
"Not all of them… but some."
Emma's heart pounded.
"If you truly want to know why he claimed you," Richard finished quietly, "go to his room and ask her."
With that, he slowly walked away.
Emma stared after him in stunned silence until he disappeared from view.
"What is going on?" she whispered to herself.
She pulled out her phone and quickly sent a message.
"Alpha Brandon, I want to see you now."
Emma stared at the screen with tear-filled eyes while waiting for a reply.
But none came.
"Perhaps he is busy doing the one thing that gives him joy," Emma sniffed sadly as tears began flowing again.
She left the lounge and hurried upstairs, her steps quick and uneven.
"I must see her tonight," she whispered.
Emma tossed her clutch bag onto the bed and wiped her eyes again.
"Alpha Brandon is my source of strength and happiness," she murmured.
"And I must confront his mystery mate tonight."