"If you desire the Alpha, stop pretending and go to him," Richard said, his voice calm but firm inside the quiet quarters of domestic workers in alpha's stronghold.
Emma's gaze dropped to her hands. "The high-ranking she-wolves… I cannot compete with them. I feel small when I see them. I think Brandon is not proud of me."
Richard shook his head slowly. "He is, Alpha's mate."
"Then why does he not present me to them as his mate?" Emma asked, the question raw.
"How can he when you keep pushing him away?" Richard replied gently. "Perhaps he fears your rejection more than his own embarrassment."
"I pushed him away because I believed he was a ruthless Alpha who ruled through fear," Emma whispered.
Richard leaned back. "Tell me, Emma — have you ever chased what your heart wanted?"
Emma hesitated. "No."
"Would you ever?"
Emma swallowed. "No… but I would claim what belongs to me."
Richard's expression sharpened. "Brandon is your fated mate by law and bond. His body, his wolf, his future — they are tied to you. Claim him. Stop standing at the edge like a frightened pup. This territory respects strength. If you cannot fight for what you want, do not mourn when others take it."
Emma licked her lips and lowered her gaze, the truth of his words settling heavily in her chest.
"This is my weakness," she admitted. "I admire from afar. I hesitate. My unknown origin, the rejections, the failures — they guide my steps. I allow fear to choose for me. Will I ever overcome this?"
"You will," Richard said without hesitation. "The worst regret is not failure — it is never trying. You care about him now, don't you?"
Emma's voice was small. "A… little."
Richard said nothing, only watching her with patient understanding.
Emma exhaled. "Fine. A lot. He feels like a packmate I lost and somehow found again. He is the mate I could spend my life beside… but…"
Richard tilted his head. "Was a guidance Luna not assigned to you?"
"She was."
"She is not fulfilling her role."
Emma shook her head. "I cannot speak freely with her."
Richard smiled faintly. "We all choose one person we trust. You may speak to me, Emma. I will not mislead you."
Emma studied him, then asked quietly, "Your daughter dislikes me. Do you know why?"
"You will learn soon," Richard replied.
Emma's stomach tightened. "That answer frightens me. Please tell me."
Richard's smile carried something heavier beneath it. "Truth never remains hidden."
Emma's voice dropped. "Does it involve Brandon?"
"Yes."
"She believes he should not have claim me?"
Richard did not answer directly. "Let us pause that discussion. What happened to your face?"
Emma's jaw tightened. "She wanted him to choose one of the powerful she-wolves… didn't she?"
"What happened to your face?" Richard repeated.
"My mother struck me," Emma said softly as her communicator vibrated in her palm.
"Answer it," Richard said.
Emma stared at the screen. "It might be my father using another frequency. I silenced his contact… every call makes my heart race."
"Do you fear him?"
Emma nodded. "Brandon reported my sister to the High Council. Her Wolf Sentinels were withdrawn."
A sharp, contemptuous sound cut through the lounge. Richard's daughter — Thalia — exhaled loudly from the balcony.
"Thalia, enough," Richard snapped.
Emma glanced toward the balcony. "I think I understand why she hates me. She watches that pack broadcast — the one inside the Alpha court."
Richard sighed. "She admires Lunara."
Emma nodded slowly. "Lunara is my sister. Thalia believes everything Lunara says about me. She thinks I am unworthy and Brandon made a mistake."
"You are correct," Richard said. "But that is only part of it."
Emma's brow furrowed. "How did she know I was Lunara's sister?"
"She lives on her communicator. Your image is everywhere now," Richard replied. "Why did Brandon report Lunara?"
Emma's hands trembled. "Her Sentinels assaulted me."
Richard's expression hardened. "What?"
"My father demands her Sentinels be reinstated… or they will reveal the truth about my birth during a territory broadcast."
Richard leaned forward, voice firm. "And you are afraid? Emma, do you understand the Alpha you are bonded to? Brandon could silence that broadcast permanently if he wished. Do not fear them. Stay beside your mate. Speak to your father without trembling. Brandon will not allow anyone to harm you. Neither will I."
Emma's communicator rang again.
"Hello," she answered.
"Emma, where are you?" Brandon's voice came through — calm, steady, impossible to ignore.
Emma's chest tightened despite herself. "I'm with Richard."
"Maxwell is on his way. You are going to the Stronghold healing wing," Brandon said.
"Why?"
"Healers are waiting."
"I'm fine. I don't need treatment," Emma replied, voice flat.
"Do not argue with me," Brandon said, sharper now. Silence followed — brief, heavy.
Then his tone softened. "Emma… I need you examined."
The gentleness in his voice weakened her resistance.
"I wanted to speak to you," Emma whispered.
"I saw you in my command office," Brandon replied quietly. "You left before I could speak."
Emma swallowed. "I…"
"We will talk tonight. Let the healers see you first."
"Alright," Emma whispered before ending the call.
She looked at Richard. "The healing wing… do you know where it is?"
Richard stood immediately. "I will take you."
Emma did not mention Maxwell was already coming. She did not want Richard to think she rejected his help.
As they walked, Emma replayed his earlier words — Brandon's power, the certainty in Richard's voice. The Northern Region followed a hierarchy older than memory, ruled by the High Throne led by Alpha King Eldric Frostbane II. Brandon was neither Alkar nor Lunvar. So why did everyone speak as if he could challenge the throne itself?
Emma's thoughts settled into a quiet decision — she no longer cared about titles. She cared about him.
Richard's vehicle stopped before the Stronghold healing wing — a structure blending stone authority with quiet luxury. Emma had never seen a healing den designed with such elegance. Her heart skipped when she noticed Brandon's vehicles and Wolf Sentinels stationed outside.
He was there.
Her emotions shifted instantly — anxiety melting into something softer, more vulnerable. She wanted to sit beside him, to be seen, to be held without words.
Bernard greeted her and guided her inside.
Brandon sat with the healers, posture relaxed, legs crossed, attention on his communicator. Power radiated from him even in stillness.
Emma sat beside him quietly. Without meaning to, her expression softened — the fragile honesty she tried so hard to hide surfacing again, as if he could see straight into the corners of her heart.
Brandon looked up. His gaze moved across her face, lingering on the bruise. His hand rose, settling gently on her shoulder.
Emma leaned into him instinctively — resting her head against him like a tired pup seeking warmth. Every nerve knew it shouldn't feel this right, and that made it all the more dangerous.
Her wolf quieted. Her breathing slowed.
For a moment, the world narrowed to his presence.
Emma realized something then — pretending distance hurt more than closeness.
"I cannot pretend anymore," she whispered.
Brandon did not respond immediately. His hand tightened slightly — not restraint, not possession… reassurance.
Across the room, the healers exchanged glances. Bernard looked away respectfully.
Emma felt safe — and that safety frightened her more than rejection ever had.
Brandon finally spoke, voice low enough that only she could hear. "Then stop drifting away."
Emma's breath hitched.
But before she could answer, one of the healers approached Brandon with a sealed diagnostic slate — expression tense.
Brandon's eyes darkened as he read.
Emma felt the shift instantly — the subtle tightening in his posture, the Alpha replacing the healer.
"What is it?" Emma asked softly.
Brandon looked at her — conflicted, protective, calculating.
The room grew too quiet.
Bernard stepped closer, waiting for orders.
Brandon closed the slate slowly.
"Emma," he said, voice controlled, "there is something we need to discuss tonight… immediately."
Emma's stomach dropped.
Because the way he looked at her was not fear.
It was preparation.
And Emma realized — whatever the healers had found was not a simple injury…
…it was a truth powerful enough to change the balance of the Northern Region — and Brandon was already deciding how far he was willing to go to protect it.