Alpha's replacement bride is destined mate-Chapter 138 The Border

"Emily, wake up." Klaus gently rocked Emily’s body until she opened her eyes and stared blankly at him.

"Klaus..." Emily scrutinized the face of the man before her; there was no blood, no scar from the flames.

He is complete.

"Are you having nightmares again?" Klaus’s brow furrowed, and he gently wiped the perspiration from her forehead.

Emily clung to Klaus, her head buried in his arms, listening to his heartbeat, feeling his warmth and breathing.

It was only when the mists of the nightmare had gradually cleared from her mind that she slowly let go of Klaus.

"Have you been having nightmares lately?" Klaus asked. "What did you just dream about?"

"Nothing," Emily replied calmly. "Maybe I’ve been too tired lately."

Should she have told him that she had dreamed of him being wounded by the enemy on the battlefield, consumed in flames?

Should she tell him not to go to war because it would be dangerous for him?

She couldn’t tell him everything, for she had promised not to distract him from his duties.

It’s just a nightmare, and it means nothing. Emily comforted herself again.

"Are you hungry?" Klaus said as he cleared the papers from the table. "Shall we go out for dinner?"

"But I haven’t finished reading this yet. I want to save time, so let’s just eat in our room."

"Don’t put too much pressure on yourself," Klaus said, closing Emily’s laptop. "Marx will help you with your work, and I used to delegate most of the housekeeping to him when I was preparing for my missions. Now, I need you to clear your mind for a moment and come out with me to get some fresh air."

"Okay."

Klaus was right; her mind was foggy now, and she really needed some fresh air.

Soon, Klaus drove Emily out of the palace. They had last been to the same suburban restaurant. This time, the restaurant’s owner had moved their table to the grass outside. The green grass was like a soft carpet, exhaling a fresh fragrance. The dining table was covered with a white cloth and adorned with fine cutlery. The candlelight, flickering in the breeze, cast a warm glow.

Delicious dishes were served one after another, with tantalizing aromas. They enjoyed a sumptuous dinner by candlelight.

A gentle breeze was blowing, carrying the fragrance of flowers and plants. Emily savored the moment in silence, no longer thinking about the nightmare.

As they made their way back to the palace, Emily drifted off to sleep in the car. She cracked open her eyes slightly as Klaus lifted her out, gazing at the man before her in a daze.

He was always so captivating, and she longed to rest in his arms forevermore.

.......................

A week flew by, and once Emily and Dolly had packed their bags, they, along with Marx, boarded a plane bound for the border.

Two hours later, the plane touched down at the border airfield. As soon as the plane doors swung open, a gust of frigid air swept over Emily, causing her to shiver despite herself; the frontier’s climate was colder than she had anticipated.

A sleek black limousine pulled up alongside, and a man in a long gray coat stepped forward, bowing slightly, and politely introduced himself to Emily, "You must be Luna Emily. I’m Alpha Andrew’s Beta, my name is Carl."

His voice was deep and mesmerizing, imbued with a unique charm.

"Nice to meet you, Carl." As Emily shook Carl’s hand, she distinctly felt the calluses on his palm—thick and rugged, seemingly testaments to the countless hardships he had endured. Emily couldn’t help but feel a twinge of awe and curiosity towards the man.

She began to scrutinize Carl. His skin was weathered, like leather that had been aged by time, and it was etched with fine lines. His brown hair was flecked with hints of gray, his face was angular, his eyebrows were thick and determined, and his eyes were deep-set and intense.

He spoke with a thick local accent, appearing slightly younger than Mr. Bauer, and the years had etched the lines of experience on his face, yet there remained a steadfast glint in his eyes, as if the years had never dimmed his fighting spirit and courage.

Steadfast and sincere, that was Emily’s initial impression of Carl.

Marx and Dolly then introduced themselves to Carl.

"Hello, my name is Dolly, and I’m Luna Emily’s Beta," Dolly said with a smile.

"Nice to meet you, Miss Dolly," Carl replied, a look of surprise fleeting across his face. "It’s an honor to meet the first female beta I’ve ever encountered."

"Hi, I’m Marx," Marx chimed in. "I’m a Beta at Alpha Klaus’s pack."

"Nice to meet you, Beta Marx," Carl said. "I’m Carl."

Once Marx had finished introducing himself, he glanced back at the black car. His gaze lingered on the vehicle, as if trying to peer through the tinted windows to see if anyone else was inside.

"Where’s Miss Susan?" Marx asked.

Susan was the daughter of Alpha Andrew and the sole heir to the Green Forest pack.

"Miss Susan didn’t come," Carl replied. "She’s still grieving."

"She should have come to greet Luna in person," Marx said sternly.

Carl didn’t respond to Marx, and the corners of his mouth, which had been lifted in a smile, drooped instantly, his face darkening like the sky.

"It’s alright. She just lost her father, and we need to give her some time," Emily said.

Emily understood how a young girl must feel after losing her father, and she didn’t want to burden her with anything.

"You’re so kind, Luna," Carl said. "Now, let me take you back to the pack."

Emily nodded, instructing Marx to carry the luggage to the trunk of the car, while Dolly went to assist him.

Emily looked perplexed when she saw Marx carrying a large black suitcase.

She recalled that she didn’t own a suitcase that size. "Wait," Emily halted Marx.

"This isn’t my suitcase," Emily asked Dolly. "Is this yours?"

Dolly shook her head. "No."

Emily told Marx, "Put it down."

Marx gently placed the black suitcase on the ground with a dull thud. As Emily approached the suitcase, she detected what seemed to be strange movements within. The movement was subtle, as if something were wriggling uneasily inside the box.

"Step back, Luna," Carl was instantly in front of Emily, his figure tall and resolute. His eyes were fixed on the black suitcase, filled with caution. As time passed, the movements within grew louder, the sounds seeming to test their nerves.

"Let’s handle this," Marx said solemnly to Dolly. "Dolly, take Luna to the car."

"Let’s go, Emily," Dolly grasped Emily’s hand tightly, a hint of nervousness in her grip. Dolly pulled Emily towards her and led her swiftly away from the unsettling suitcase.

Emily was reluctantly led away by Dolly, who kept glancing over her shoulder. Marx and Carl approached the black suitcase cautiously, their faces solemn, their sharp wolf claws revealed. The claws of the wolf gleamed in the dim light, eliciting a shiver.

Suddenly, the black suitcase toppled over with a loud thud. A faint cacophony of voices reached Emily’s ears, sounding like the cries of some living creature.

Marx glanced at Carl, their eyes meeting in the air, only to see Carl nod slightly, and they swiftly stabbed the suitcase with their wolf claws.

"Stop!" Emily cried, her voice echoing through the air, filled with anxiety and concern. She didn’t know what was inside the box, but her instinct told her that they couldn’t act rashly.