Emma Greens quickly tidied herself up when Naomi left the chamber, ready to meet Bernard. She jerked and turned when her chamber door swung slowly. Bernard stood in the doorway and two wolves stood behind him.
"Bernard, I want to talk to you," she said.
"I'm sorry, Luna, I can't come in," he replied.
Emma walked slowly towards the door.
"Moonrise Luna," the two wolves that came with him bowed and greeted her. Emma looked at them and fixed her gaze on Bernard.
"They are your new maids," he explained.
"Please, wait in the lounge; I'll talk to you later," Emma waved at the wolves as though she despised them. However, she didn't; she was still confused over what happened last night. She turned and fixed her gaze on Bernard when the wolves left the scene.
"Mrs Thompson has the answer to your question. I called her when I saw you in the basement," Bernard said. Emma guessed he had figured out why she wanted to speak with him. His response was a relief, and she heaved a sigh.
"Alright, but I don't want Naomi and Paige to go."
"The logistics manager has paid them off already; they will no longer work on this pack," Bernard replied.
"I'm your alpha's Luna," Emma Greens said.
"I'm aware," Bernard nodded.
"And you are working for us?"
"I know," he said.
"The she-wolves stay," she confirmed.
"Alright, Luna," Bernard said.
"Is my alpha aware of what happened last night?" she asked.
"No," Bernard shook his head.
"Good, please do not breathe a word to him," she said firmly.
"Okay. I guess you don't need the new wolves then?"
"I don't need them," Emma Greens replied, walking down the stairs. Bernard followed silently behind her.
"Bernard, did you send some fruit to him last night?" she asked.
"No," he replied.
"Why?"
"He didn't want anything."
"I didn't want anything last night, but you sent some fruit!"
"Luna, your case is different. He will sack me if he finds out you didn't eat your dinner," Bernard explained.
"What makes you think I can't sack you? If my alpha goes to bed without food again, I'm going to relieve you of your post! I don't care how long you have worked for him," Emma Greens said sharply.
"I'm sorry, Luna," Bernard murmured.
"Have you served him his breakfast?"
"I'm going to serve him now."
"Alright, come with me," she commanded.
Bernard walked silently behind Emma until they reached the bar in the basement.
"What's his favorite wine?" she asked, looking at the wine cellar.
"The Hermitage," Bernard grinned widely. He was clearly excited. Emma looked at him, a question forming in her mind, but she ignored it and read the names on the wine bottles, fishing The Hermitage out.
"Does he drink it in the morning?"
"No, but he drinks Screaming Eagles any time because it is dealcoholized," Bernard replied.
"I want to know him as well as you do," Emma Greens whimpered after bringing a bottle of The Hermitage down from the wine cellar.
"He doesn't drink it in the morning," Bernard grinned again.
"He is going to drink it for me," she said, adding Screaming Eagles for herself and headed toward the exit.
She halted when a question she wanted to ask him popped into her mind again.
"Bernard, you gave me this awkward and weird grin the second day I saw you, and you did it now; what does it mean? Please do not lie to me, I'm serious."
"I thought you were a fictional character or product of imagination. I never knew you were real," he grinned again, and she frowned.
"When I saw you that morning, I was shocked," he admitted.
"You've said this before. What made you think I could be a fictional character?" she asked.
"My alpha reads a lot, so when I… I… will explain everything to you later. I need to serve my alpha," he said.
Emma smiled and waved at him. He clearly had nothing to explain—he was just purposely acting weird.
They assembled the food securely on a sturdy tray. Emma grabbed some silverware and a napkin and fixed them properly. Bernard lifted the tray.
"Don't worry, I'll take it to him. Just lead the way," she said, taking the tray from him.
"Luna…."
"Lead the way!" Emma commanded.
Bernard shrugged and led the way. He halted when they reached the high-tech door and looked at her. Emma Greens was determined to see Brandon and the mysterious mate he hid in his private chamber.
"Bernard, please, open the door. I don't care if he keeps a mystery mate there; I want to see him and make sure he is fine."
"Alright," he responded and moved his palm towards the scanner.
"Wait! Will he get mad at you?"
Bernard kept quiet for a few seconds, confusion written on his face.
"Open the door," Emma said with determination.
Bernard placed his palm on the scanner. The twenty bolts on the door rapidly disengaged at once.
"Thank you," Emma Greens whispered and walked into the elegant chamber. Her heart was racing, but she was determined.
Her eyes went straight to a beautiful painting hanging on the top rail of Brandon's headboard. She tried to comprehend the Soulcrafter message but couldn't. It depicted a young she-wolf standing in a valley, a teenage he-wolf stretching his arms to pull her closer, with a beautiful lake between them.
Emma Greens caught sight of bigger paintings on the wall and her eyes widened. She slowly dropped the tray on the bed and stood with hands on her hips, staring at craft.
"You can leave now," a voice said. She quickly turned to see Brandon standing there; she hadn't realized he'd been watching all along.
She looked down at his drawing board and was shocked. He had a magic touch! But why did he paint only this particular she-wolf? Every painting in his bedroom featured her. Emma lifted her gaze to another painting behind the door, marveling at his skill. Goosebumps ran across her body.
"I think I just found out why Bernard thinks I'm a fictional character or product of imagination," she murmured.
"Oh my moon goddess… now I know why he was acting weird that morning," she added.
"Emma, please go," Brandon said in a low, composed voice.
Emma Greens began walking coldly toward the door, lifting her stubborn legs with all her energy. She ran out of strength, and her legs refused to move. She turned and stared at him, his attention absorbed in the painting.
"You know… I… have been wondering…how you know almost everything about me," she said softly, narrowing her eyes. Brandon ignored her and continued drawing.
"You know this is an obsession, right?"
"I know," he breathed out. His words were followed by a long silence; Emma was at a loss for words.
"I think you need help Brandon," she added.
"I don't need help," he replied.
"Oh yes, you need help."
"I don't need help, please, leave my chamber," he said firmly.
"How long has this been going on?" She asked.
"Ten years," he whispered.
"What!! You were fifteen??"
"Yes, and you were thirteen," Brandon murmured. Emma blinked rapidly.
"Oh my moon goddess! You are doing it again. Please, stop it!" she said loudly, stepping backward. Brandon lifted his head and fixed his gaze on her. She couldn't understand what he was trying to convey. She braced herself and moved closer to him.