Emma Greens sat quietly at the grand dining table of the Alpha's stronghold, waiting for Alpha Brandon to join her for the evening meal. Her gaze repeatedly fell on the glowing screen of her phone as she checked the time again and again. Regret gnawed at her heart as she remembered ignoring him earlier in the day.
After several long minutes, Beta Bernard entered the dining hall carrying a tray with her dinner.
"The Alpha said he is not hungry tonight," Bernard announced after arranging the dishes neatly before her. Emma lowered her head quickly so Bernard would not notice the tears clouding her eyes.
"Did he summon you?" Emma asked quietly, her voice sounding flat and distant.
"I reached him through the pack intercom," Bernard replied, his sharp eyes noticing the redness in her gaze. "Were you involved in another quarrel?"
"No."
Bernard sighed heavily. "You are making things difficult for me, Luna. If two warrior guards had accompanied you earlier, this situation would not have happened. The Alpha will be furious with me. It is my responsibility to ensure order within this pack house."
"Bernard, nothing happened today."
"Then why are you crying?"
Emma lifted her head slowly. "I want to speak with my alpha… please, can you call him for me?"
Bernard remained silent for a few seconds. "I'm sorry, Luna. That is not within my duties." He gently pushed the intercom device toward her.
"The green rune button will send a signal to the Alpha. Press it and wait for his acceptance."
Emma picked up the device slowly. "Did he leave the pack today?"
"No. Alpha Brandon has remained inside his chambers since morning."
Emma's voice dropped into a whisper. "So… he prefers her to me?"
Bernard frowned. "Prefers who?"
"The mysterious mate."
"Please enjoy your meal, Luna," Bernard said politely before bowing and leaving the dining hall.
Emma stared at the untouched food spread across the table. In that moment, she felt like a mate who had already lost her Alpha. She could not eat without him beside her. She tried to reach him through the intercom device several times, but Alpha Brandon never accepted the signal.
Slowly, Emma stood up and climbed the grand staircase of the Alpha's den. Her steps were slow and heavy while her eyes remained fixed on her phone, silently praying for a message from him. But no message ever arrived. Her body suddenly felt weak, as though all strength had drained from her bones.
"Luna, you need to bathe," Naomi said softly when Emma collapsed onto the bed.
"Naomi… please return to your quarters."
"No, Luna. If you are tired, I can assist you."
Emma ignored her and pulled the duvet over herself. Naomi slowly removed the blanket.
"Naomi!"
"Please help me, Luna. If you refuse, I might lose my job."
Emma sighed tiredly. "Don't worry. I will prepare a bath for myself."
"Alright, Luna," Naomi said with a respectful bow before leaving immediately.
A few moments later, Paige entered the room carrying a bunch of bananas and a glass of warm golden milk. She called gently for Emma's attention.
Emma accepted the glass of milk and drank from it slowly, hoping it would calm the storm of anxiety inside her chest. "I will eat the bananas later."
"Very well, Luna. Do you need anything else?" Paige asked.
Emma shook her head quietly.
"Good night," Paige said before leaving the chamber.
Emma stared at the glowing crystal chandelier above her bed for more than an hour. Sleep refused to come. Her thoughts were filled entirely with Alpha Brandon. The deep feeling of empathy and worry for him refused to leave her mind. Finally, she threw off the duvet and climbed out of bed.
She picked up her notebook and pen, hoping to write another chapter of her story. But the words refused to come. Her mind felt empty and her eyes seemed blind to inspiration. Frustrated, she tossed the notebook aside and fell back onto the bed.
When sleep still refused to come, Emma left the chamber and walked through the vast halls of the Alpha's den, heading toward the strategy chamber in hopes of finding Alpha Brandon there. The massive stronghold, decorated with glittering crystal chandeliers and precious stone fixtures, shone brightly in the night. Yet the ghostly white walls made the mansion feel strangely eerie after midnight.
After finding the strategy chamber empty, Emma wandered through several other rooms in the enormous house, searching quietly for the chamber that belonged to Alpha Brandon.
A painful realization struck her suddenly. Alpha Brandon had been right earlier. She claimed to love him, yet she did not even know which chamber belonged to him. If she truly cared, she would have known.
"I will make it up to him," Emma whispered to herself. "If I ever find him, I will prove my love to him… even if that mysterious woman is watching."
She continued wandering through the mansion until she eventually discovered a massive basement nearly ten thousand square feet wide. The underground level contained a luxurious resort-style spa, a sauna, and a steam bath. There was also a private movie theater, a bar, and an indoor sports court.
Emma sat down on one of the tall bar chairs and absentmindedly poured herself a glass of champagne. One glass quickly became another. For a brief moment, it felt as if a veil had fallen over her sadness, and she could no longer feel the heavy sorrow weighing down her heart.
She did not remember how many glasses she drank, nor how she returned to her bedroom afterward.
When Emma woke the next morning, she was lying in her own bed. Her body felt weak, yet she looked clean and refreshed. The translucent forest-green nightdress she wore clung beautifully to her figure, giving her a strangely seductive appearance.
Emma frowned slightly as she studied the nightdress. She did not remember owning such clothing.
It was obvious she had bathed the previous night, yet she had no memory of doing so. Still, she felt relieved that she had eventually washed and rested well.
"Luna…" Naomi's voice began as she entered the chamber.
"Do not say anything," Emma interrupted immediately. Naomi swallowed the rest of her words.
Emma slowly climbed out of bed and walked toward the bathroom. Naomi remained standing in place, staring at her sadly instead of following.
"Naomi, what is it?" Emma asked weakly.
Naomi's voice trembled. "We… have been dismissed from service."
Emma froze in shock. "What?! Who dismissed you?"
Naomi lowered her head and began to cry.
"Talk to me, Naomi. What happened?"
"We failed to finish our duties before returning to our quarters last night."
Emma frowned. "What duties do you have besides taking care of me?"
Naomi sniffed quietly. "You refused dinner, but Beta Bernard sent you milk and fruit. That helped him avoid the Alpha's anger. When you refused to bathe, we did not force you. We returned to our quarters instead."
Emma blinked in confusion. "But I did bathe."
Naomi shook her head slowly. "You did not. The Beta said you were found asleep in the basement with a bottle of champagne."
"Oh… my… goddess!" Emma gasped.
"And then what happened?"
"I do not know. The Beta did not tell me."
Emma covered her mouth with her hand as panic rushed through her mind. She imagined what Alpha Brandon would think if he heard such embarrassing news.
"Where is Paige?" Emma asked, leaning against the wall with folded arms.
"She is packing her belongings in the servants' quarters. We were paid and dismissed."
Emma sighed deeply. "Please call her here. I want to speak with both of you."
Naomi wiped her tears again.
"Naomi, it will be alright. I will speak with Bernard on your behalf. Please stop crying and go call Paige. I need to know exactly what happened last night."
"Yes, Luna," Naomi said before bowing and leaving the room.
Emma walked slowly back to the bed and sat down. Embarrassment burned inside her chest, yet despite everything she still felt a powerful urge to find Alpha Brandon and make sure he ate something.
She was grateful that morning had arrived. Bernard knew exactly which chamber belonged to the Alpha, and he would surely appear soon. Emma only hoped Alpha Brandon would never hear about the humiliating incident that happened in the basement the previous night.