hands long after the palace steward and the captain

, trying to make sense of the conver

waited years

in her mind like

the nam

n Mooncres

lders often spoke of her beauty and intelligence, while the younger wolves admired the fierce confidence she carried into every gath

Border Wa

rfang

ed without leavi

eved she

passed, replaced by new stories, new celebrati

r questioned t

about youthful friendshi

ven her a reason to

her before the

the Eternal Flame

thing more than welcoming the daugh

ad to

the glowing crystal re

ly returned

uld oversh

d memory from

arrying t

warmth so powerful that every linger

ore before carefully wrapping th

ht before announcing the news," the

look

ton

ments beneath the evening moon. It has long

a sm

that tra

cted you

binet and retrieved a

they shall remain sealed until His Maj

no

him before any

shoul

ur Majesty should avoid unnecessary stress

e I'll be

erely, excitement already urged he

verything to

ed with their usua

acks while cooks stirred fragran

sted apples, and honey dri

aused to bow as

rnoon, You

smile that had earned her the affection of nea

before her, Elara knew t

mbered b

ed cooks

njured guards

come warmer becau

the servants often whis

ed forward, wiping f

special you'd like u

e cheerful kitchen bef

rprise for H

maids exchanged

e?" one asked before

. I shouldn'

aughed

all

aned c

small moon

odded enthu

esty's f

like sil

of the ro

nd

ng shy despite the joyful sec

corate it with t

weathered fa

nest cake this kit

uietly leaving, unable t

felt diff

orridors see

ing outside so

felt softer ag

experienced the moment she learne

ng happiness and fierce protect

rested one hand

e whispered so quietly tha

your fathe

Council Chamber echoed

pha Throne at the head

early every av

agre

r rep

t proj

m neighbori

ed council meetings w

ion drifted more than once

rly Beta

stracted, Yo

efore looking ba

ept p

ething h

N

er came

quic

been restle

gered beneath his skin

sn't

xcite

lt al

cipa

moving pieces across a game boar

his thoughts, another a

ve arr

m fell

members exchange

ly rose fro

he eastern

visor

lready be

Kaelen walked toward

cil members atte

ds lined the stone pathway lea

rough the entrance beneath banners bea

s stopped before t

nt lowered

ained perf

ge door sl

pped gracefully onto

he afternoon sunlight, while a sapphire tr

ad chan

f with greater con

eyes remained exactl

moments, neithe

she s

you would still

urned a po

agined you

her d

nts quietly watc

smi

s whi

ad suddenly b

eps toward him before stopp

med of com

nodde

e to Mo

of the reunion ta

ng flowers inside the royal cha

s she glanced to

returned before

lt unusu

maids entered car

d unusual

Maje

es

ourtyard became quite

look

happ

rom Silverf

smiled in

ajesty personal

nued arrang

was the prope

y used to know eac

diately cover

ldn't g

ed a reassu

rm in welcoming

ed before exc

ed over the r

berry cake resting carefully

ened beautifully benea

d white baby booties she had found

sed them witho

e unde

elen opening th

uld cross hi

reali

n j

d softly t

very royal responsibility

warmed h

eps echoed thro

ro

ea

ili

rightened

finall

hamber door, excitement

handle just as voices dr

belonged

belonged t

a pa

n laughe

as w

orta

ed between people who alr

aelen

ed the west

plied gently. "It already

mile slow

clutched in her hands, while the voices continued farther down the c

y cake remai

been waiting all day to c