The silver icing on the moonberry cake had begun to harden by the time the voices outside disappeared into the western corridor. Elara remained standing beside the chamber door, her fingers wrapped tightly around the small wooden box containing the pair of knitted baby booties. The warmth that had carried her through the entire afternoon slowly faded, replaced by a feeling she could not quite explain. She wasn't jealous. Not yet. She trusted Kaelen. She trusted the vows they had made before the Eternal Moon Flame, where the Moon Goddess herself was believed to witness every promise exchanged between destined mates. Even so, the image of another woman walking beside her husband settled uneasily in her heart. She took a slow breath and gently shook her head. "You're overthinking this." The words sounded convincing enough to ease her own doubts. Lady Selene had survived a war everyone believed had claimed her life. She had returned to the kingdom after years of hardship. It was only natural that Kaelen would personally welcome the daughter of a former ally. That was the Alpha King speaking through duty. Not the man who had kissed her forehead that very morning. A soft knock interrupted her thoughts. "Come in." The door opened, revealing one of the younger palace maids. "Your Majesty, His Majesty has returned." Elara's face brightened immediately. "Is he alone?" The maid hesitated for the briefest moment. "Lady Selene accompanied His Majesty to the royal sitting room. The council requested a private discussion before supper." The smile on Elara's lips weakened slightly. "I understand." "The dinner has been delayed by an hour." "Thank you." After the maid left, Elara glanced toward the beautifully decorated cake. An hour wasn't long. She could wait. After all, she had waited three years for this miracle. Another hour meant nothing. The royal sitting room overlooked the western gardens, where ancient moon lilies bloomed beneath the evening sky. Kaelen stood near the fireplace while Selene examined the familiar room with quiet nostalgia. "So little has changed," she said softly. "The palace has been carefully preserved." "I remember climbing through that window to escape etiquette lessons." Kaelen couldn't help smiling. "You were nearly caught every time." "Nearly." Her laugh carried the same confidence he remembered from years ago. For a brief moment, it felt as though the war had never happened. Until she rolled back the sleeve of her traveling cloak. A jagged scar stretched from her wrist almost to her elbow. Kaelen's smile disappeared. "Who did this?" Selene looked down at the scar before pulling her sleeve back into place. "It doesn't matter anymore." "It matters to me." She met his eyes. "The people responsible are already dead." Silence settled between them. Finally, Kaelen gestured toward a chair. "You've been through more than anyone should endure." "So have you." "No." His voice carried unexpected weight. "I was fortunate." "You became Alpha King." "I also lost many people." She watched him quietly. "Did you ever think I'd survived?" Kaelen hesitated. "At first." "And later?" "I buried that hope." Selene nodded as though she had expected that answer. "I don't blame you." Several corridors away, Elara wandered toward the palace nursery. Although the room remained empty, she visited it often. The previous Luna had planned for future generations long before Kaelen inherited the throne. Tiny cribs stood beneath moon-shaped windows. Handwoven blankets rested inside polished wooden chests. Stuffed wolf toys occupied neatly arranged shelves. Elara smiled as she imagined a little boy chasing wooden wolves across the polished floor. Or perhaps a little girl with Kaelen's silver eyes. She laughed quietly. Maybe both someday. Her hand drifted instinctively toward her stomach. "I'm going to tell your father tonight." She imagined his expression again. Shock. Joy. Disbelief. Then overwhelming happiness. Nothing could replace that moment. Nothing. Dinner finally began well after sunset. The long royal dining table, usually reserved for state banquets, had been prepared for only four people. Elara paused just inside the entrance. Four? She hadn't expected guests. Kaelen immediately rose from his chair. "There you are." His smile remained warm, though she noticed the faint exhaustion beneath his eyes. He crossed the room and gently kissed her forehead. "I'm sorry for keeping you waiting." "It's all right." He rested a reassuring hand against the small of her back. "I'd like you to meet someone properly." Her gaze shifted toward the elegant woman standing beside the table. Selene stepped forward gracefully. "It's an honor to finally meet the woman who captured Kaelen's heart." Her smile appeared sincere. Elara returned it politely. "The honor is mine." Kaelen looked between them with visible relief. "I was hoping the two of you would get along." Selene laughed softly. "I don't bite." "That's reassuring." The conversation remained pleasant throughout dinner. Selene spoke little about the years she had spent away from Mooncrest. Whenever Kaelen asked questions, she gently redirected the discussion toward safer topics. She praised the palace gardens. Complimented the royal kitchens. Admired the annual Harvest Moon Festival preparations. Everything felt... normal. Yet something invisible lingered beneath the surface. Kaelen listened carefully whenever Selene spoke. Not with affection. Not with longing. Rather with the attentiveness of someone trying to piece together a story that had been shattered years before. Elara reminded herself that compassion wasn't betrayal. Even so, she found herself speaking less than usual. Her appetite had vanished. She barely touched the beautifully prepared meal. Kaelen noticed. "You aren't eating again." "I'm simply not very hungry." "You've said that twice today." She forced a reassuring smile. "I'll make up for it tomorrow." He studied her face for a moment before nodding. "If you're feeling unwell, Doctor Aldren should examine you again." "He already has." "And?" Her heart skipped. Now. This was the perfect moment. She opened her mouth. "I..." Before another word escaped, the palace steward hurried into the dining hall. "My King." Kaelen frowned. "What happened?" "The Northern Council delegates have arrived unexpectedly." "So late?" "They insist the matter cannot wait until morning." Kaelen sighed quietly. "I'll meet them in the council chamber." He turned toward Elara with genuine regret. "I'm sorry." She smiled despite the disappointment settling inside her chest. "Duty comes first." "It shouldn't have to tonight." "It's all right." He squeezed her hand gently. "We'll talk afterward." "I'll wait." "I won't be long." She believed him. She always believed him. Nearly two hours passed. The palace had fallen almost silent. Most servants had retired for the night. Moonlight spilled across the empty corridors as Elara carried the small wooden gift box toward Kaelen's private study. Perhaps he had finished his meeting. Perhaps they could still celebrate tonight. She reached the carved oak doors just as voices drifted from inside. "...there isn't another solution." She recognized Kaelen immediately. Another unfamiliar male voice answered. "The council won't support Lady Selene remaining inside the palace unless..." Silence followed. Then Kaelen spoke again. "I know." Another pause. Finally... "I'll speak with Elara myself." Elara frowned slightly. Speak with her? About what? The heavy doors opened before she could step away. Kaelen stopped in the doorway, clearly surprised to find her standing there. "Elara." She smiled softly. "I was looking for you." His expression warmed. "I'm sorry the meeting lasted so long." "I thought perhaps..." She glanced toward the small gift box hidden behind her back before deciding to wait just a little longer. "It can wait until we're alone." His smile faded. "There is actually something I need to discuss with you." A strange uneasiness settled inside her. "What is it?" Kaelen looked over his shoulder toward the still-open study doors before gently guiding her farther down the corridor. His voice became unusually careful. "Selene has nowhere else to go." Elara blinked. "I assumed she'd remain in the west wing." "She will." He hesitated. "The problem isn't the room." She waited patiently. "The council has concerns." "What kind of concerns?" "They believe her return may create political tension among the neighboring packs." "I don't understand." "They're demanding reassurance." She frowned. "Reassurance about what?" Kaelen exhaled slowly. "They want everyone to see that Mooncrest still honors the Ashbourne family." Elara nodded. "That seems reasonable." "It does." His silver eyes met hers. "They've suggested something." "What?" He remained silent long enough for her heartbeat to quicken. Finally, he spoke. "They want Selene to appear beside me during this year's Harvest Moon Festival." Elara stared at him. Her smile disappeared almost instantly. "The Harvest Festival..." He nodded. "As my ceremonial partner." The words echoed through the quiet corridor. She searched his face, waiting for him to laugh and admit it was some ridiculous misunderstanding. He never did. Instead, he looked genuinely conflicted. "I refused at first," he said quietly. "But the council insists it would strengthen our alliances." Elara's fingers slowly tightened around the small wooden box hidden behind her back. Inside it rested the tiny knitted booties meant to announce the happiest news of their lives. She had imagined countless reactions from Kaelen. Joy. Disbelief. Tears. Laughter. She had never imagined standing beneath the palace moonlight while her husband asked another woman to stand beside him at the kingdom's most sacred celebration. And she still hadn't told him... He was going to be a father.
