Chapter 427
Four hundred and twenty nine
Emma POV
The days before Isabella’s coronation blurred. By Friday evening, thousands of fairy lights hung across the central square. Council members, families, and everyone had turned out in their best clothes for Luna Isabella.
I adjusted the neckline of my plum velvet gown and checked my reflection again. The fabric fell loosely over my waist. Behind me, Anita pulled the zipper of her dress into place, muttering about how ugly she looked in it.
She’d returned from Haley’s pack the previous day, and since then she hadn’t stopped watching me.
“Charlie’s picking me up,” I announced.
She scoffed.
“What’s with his sudden fascination with being attached to your hip p>
I picked up my pearl earrings and clipped them into place. “He asked to be my plus-one for the gala. It’s not that deep p>
“It is deep,” Anita countered, crossing her arms. “The man is acting like he’s already declared you his future Luna. Ever since the news broke about your pregnancy, he’s been hovering like a hawk whose ego can’t handle the fact that a rogue got you pregnant p>
I sighed. “It’s not just his ego. He’s looking out for me p>
“Then why don’t you just tell him the truth?” Anita pressed. “Tell him Alexander is your fated mate. If Charlie knew the bond was involved, maybe he’d finally back off and help Alexander p>
“You better not tell him,” I warned, knowing she meant well, but she acted on impulse. And I hadn’t even told her I visited Alexander.
“Telling Charlie wouldn’t make him back off. It would only make Alexander a bigger target. If Charlie feels threatened or believes Alexander coerced me, he might align with Zachary to make sure Alexander never sees the light of day again. I just need to keep my head down and focus p>
Anita searched my face, sensing I was holding something back, but she shrugged.
Fifteen minutes later, Charlie’s car pulled up outside my apartment building. He stepped out in a tailored dark suit. When he saw me leave the lobby, he smiled, and a pang of guilt went through me.
He walked over and offered his arm. “You’re gorgeous, Emma p>
“Thank you, Charlie,” I said, placing my hand over his sleeve. “You look great as well p>
As we drove toward the banquet hall in the center of the territory, Charlie cleared his throat. His hand hovered near the gearshift.
A few months ago, sitting beside him as his date in front of the regional leadership would have made me want to disappear into the seat.
Tonight, I watched the lights of the banquet hall grow brighter through the windshield.
1/4
863
Murarne and twenty nine
+15 Bonus
Alpha Kieran’s table would put me close enough to hear things I wouldn’t normally have access to. I didn’t need Charlie to steal anything for me. I didn’t need to sneak into an office or pick a lock. I just had to sit beside him and pay attention.
When we stepped into the ballroom, the scale of the event took my breath away. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and uniformed servers moved through a sea of pack nobility. Charlie guided me toward a raised section near the head table, where his parents stood with a group of elder statesmen.
Alpha Kieran was a broad-shouldered male with silvering hair and gray eyes that seemed to measure everything in the room. Beside him stood his wife, Luna Susan, who clearly recognized me.
“Dad,” Charlie said, stepping up beside his father and drawing me into the circle. “You remember Emma p>
Alpha Kieran turned, a genuine smile breaking across his face.
“Emma! Of course I remember her.” He reached out and gave me a hug. “Charlie has been talking about you nonstop for weeks. I’m glad to see my son finally settling down with someone so close and safe p>
“Thank you, Alpha Kieran,” I said politely, dipping my head.
Luna Susan, however, offered a measured smile. Her eyes swept over me with the instinct of a mother who knew
her son’s tendencies all too well.
“Emma is a wonderful girl,” she said, her voice carrying a probing edge. “Though Charlie made it sound as if you two have made quite a firm commitment recently. If you’re truly sure about this, then we’re happy for you p>
“We are sure, Mom. In fact, we were actually thinking about discussing p>
“Charlie,” I cut in, tapping his wrist. “Let’s not overwhelm your parents with a long conversation right before the official toast. There’s plenty of time for all of that later p>
Luna Susan raised an eyebrow, then smiled. “Of course. The toast is about to begin p>
As his parents turned toward the main stage, Charlie pulled me a few steps toward the wall and leaned in so his voice wouldn’t carry.
“Emma, why did you cut me off?” he murmured, looking down at me with concern. “We could tell them about the pregnancy tonight. My dad would support us. I want to take responsibility for you and the baby p>
I looked up at him, seeing the sincerity in his face. He wanted a family. He wanted to be my husband.
“Charlie, you know I appreciate everything you’re offering. But I’ve told you before, I’m an adult. I have my family and my own standing in this pack, and I can raise this child on my own p>
Charlie frowned. “It’s not a burden, Emma. I love you. I want us to have a family. I don’t care how the baby got here. I want to be your husband, and I want to be a father to this child. Why won’t you just let me in p>
I couldn’t tell him that my soul was bound to another man.
“Everything is moving so fast, Charlie,” I said instead, looking away. “Everything in my life changed in a short while. Please just let me take this one step at a time p>
Hurt crossed his face, but he nodded. “Okay. One step at a time. But I’m not going anywhere, Emma p>
2/4
ass and twenty nine
+15 Bonus
I looked up to see Alpha Zachary walk in, unmistakable in his shiny suit. Walking arm in arm with him was a woman with short bob hair and a blood-red silk gown. As they approached the head table, Wesley stepped forward to greet them as host. His eyes flicked to the woman beside Zachary.
Zachary smirked, patting the woman’s hand. “Wesley, Charlie, meet my fiancée p>
Wesley blinked. “Fiancée? Weren’t you married to Vanessa p>
Beside me, Charlie winced and nudged Wesley’s elbow.
“Vanessa and I parted ways some time ago, Wesley. A matter of irreconcilable differences. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we must pay our respects to Luna Isabella and the elders p>
As Zachary and Harper moved away, Wesley smirked. I leaned closer to Charlie, my curiosity piquing. I remembered Vanessa and knew she and Zachary had seemed inseparable, devoted to one another.
“What happened to his marriage with Vanessa?” Wesley asked Charlie, who shrugged.
“Honestly? Nobody really knows. They were in love for years, and then it just collapsed. Zachary claimed she became unhinged and left the territory p>
“Alphas don’t just ‘let go’ of their wives,” Wesley said, watching Zachary across the room as he laughed at something Alpha Kieran said.
My mind flashed back to my conversation with Alexander in the prison cell. I’d asked him about his stepmother. He hadn’t known what Meridian was.
“Charlie…” I asked, keeping my voice casual. “Did Zachary’s family or his estate ever have any issues with Meridian p>
Charlie turned to me, and Wesley laughed.
“Come on, Emma. Meridian is an ancient, corrupt syndicate that infected the previous generation, and Wesley overcame his. Not every marriage breakdown or political dispute is some deep, multigenerational conspiracy p>
He smiled, wrapping an arm around my waist and drawing me closer.
“Right,” I murmured, forcing a smile.
But my mind refused to let go.
If Meridian was involved in Alexander’s family history, then Alexander wasn’t just framed by a bitter brother. He was trapped in a web that ran far deeper than the Regional Council realized.
“Emma?” Charlie asked, noticing my distant stare. “You okay p>
“Mhmm,” I said, managing a smile.
3/4
sad and thirty
Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.