Hiraeth's Pov

“Mummy, Mummy! Hariett's been selfish again!”

I narrowed my eyes dramatically as the sound of my daughter's voice approached my chambers. And soon enough, there she was. Right in front of me, panting at the same time, frowning.

“Mummy didn't you hear me?” She pouted. “Harriet's been stubborn again, he wanted to take dad's birthday present to me, from me!”

I heaved a tired sigh, carrying her on my lap. “But you know he's your younger brother Harietta, you should be kind to him.” I cooed.

“Kind?” Her frown returned. “Kind enough to let him have my birthday present when he has his mummy? Never!”

A loud laugh nearly escaped me as her frown deepened and her hands flyed to her chest dramatically. But I knew better, for all I know Harriet could be lurking around. And no sooner did the thought reel in my head when the door creaked open and Harriet walked in, crying.

Goddess. Not the tears again. That was Hariett's very own key to fine tuning my heart into doing his biddings. And sometimes it worked on Harrietta too. I just hoped it'd work right now cause the day was going to be a long one. And I really didn't want to spend it trying to pamper two stubborn two year olds.

“M-mummy….” Harriet sobbed, hugging my legs. “Harietta doesn't want to give me her present.”

My gaze darted to Harietta and much to my happiness, her frown seemed to be stretching into a gloomy look, directed solely at Harriet. Before I could say anything, she jumped down from my legs, pulling him into a hug.

“It's okay Harriet, don't cry. You can have my present.” She swiped his tears with the back of her palm.

Harriet's expression morphed into a happy one instantly and a warm feeling breezed into my heart. Safe to say that I taught them well. That after that fateful night I ended up not getting taken by rogues as the Halo clan wolves had wished.

I was saved. Nurtured. Groomed and right now, wedded to the most amazing man ever. Harriet and Harrietta were a part of my world too now. A gift from the moon goddess to my womb that had been termed barren and filthy.

“And what are you so lost in thought about, my lady?” That was the unmistakable sultry voice of Malakai.

“Nothing serious.” I swerved around to meet his brown eyes gazing so softly at me. His lips stretched into a smile as he pulled me into himself, wrapping his hands firmly around my waist.

“Are you sure?” He whispered, trailing kisses from my neck down to my bare shoulders. “If it's about your anniversary celebration, best believe that I could postpone it if you don't want it.”

“Postpone it?!” I shrieked, chuckling. “So the elders would have my head on a platter and marry you off to someone else? Hell no.” I pulled back, planting a feathering kiss on his lips. “And if you'll excuse me, my Lord. I need to get dressed.”

He faked a crying sniff and after a lot of whinings and kisses from me, he finally left. Now alone, as I draped my special attire for the evening, a body con white corset gown with a slit in front, over my shoulders, the thought nudged at me again. Harriet and Harrieta.

They seemed to always remind me of Hector one day or the other. Harriet took Hector's eyes while Harietta took his fierceness. But only me could note all this: and that is because only me knew the truth of their paternity. They weren't Malakai's, they were Hectors’.

I discovered I was with child three weeks after Malakai saved me and made me his Luna queen. But how could I have disclosed such a thing to him? Our lives were perfect. I was perfect and okay with my new life as Malakai's queen and heartthrob. He loved me and I had grown to love him too, what more could I possibly want?

A knock on the door interrupted my train of thoughts. Tilting my head, I called. “Who's there?”

“The head maid, my lady.” A maiden voiced.

“You can come in.”

She did so, but to my utter shock, she wasn't alone. Behind her stood three other maids, holding in their hands the finest sets of jewelries I'd ever laid my eyes on.

“Your highness asked that these be brought to you. He hopes that you like them.” The head maid said, winking and gesturing to the other maids to stretch the jewelry to me.

“Like?” I practically screamed in excitement. “Are you kidding me?! I love them!”

The girls chuckled and serenaded me, each picking and pointing out bracelets, earrings, necklaces that will fit perfectly with my dress. And after countless trials and disagreements, we finally found them. The perfect ones.

“You look breathtaking, my lady.” The headmaid gushed. The others nodded in affirmation, smiling at me.

“I hope I'll get lucky in the festival today.” She added.

My brows arched. “Why? You'll be part of those paying homage to me today?”

“Yes, my lady. I, too, need a favor from the Royal family.”

I made to ask why, but on a second thought, I died the word on my lips. The tradition accompanying the Luna Queen's anniversary celebration wasn't one that allowed the Luna probe questions to those who intended to pay homages to her in exchange for a favor from her or the king himself, when the ceremony hadn't started. As a matter of fact, it was this very act that made the annual anniversary celebration a festival that drew in wolves from far and near.

Staring at myself one last time in the mirror, I took a long, deep breath before stalking out of my chambers. Ready to get the celebration started. As I stepped into the castle's hall, everyone stood to their feet, chanting happily. “Long live the queen!”

I smiled and waved as I took my seat beside Malakai, who was already seated, beaming with joy and exuding an authority that had my heart soaring. Goddess, how did I get so lucky? Malakai gently placed his palm on mine and a deep blush tinted my cheeks.

“Are you nervous?” He asked.

Now that he'd asked, a sudden feeling of dread enveloped me. I nodded shakily and he began kissing and rubbing my palm, until I felt myself go calm.

“Thank you.” I whispered.

“Anything for you, Hiraeth.” he shot me a smile – one that I returned with a kiss. But our joy was short lived when Koslov's voice reverberated from the center of the hall.

“People of Shadowfang pack. I welcome you all to the third anniversary celebration of our very own, Luna queen, Hiraeth!” He rasped.

The crowd roared into shouts and chants. Malakai glanced at me, shooting me a knowing look and I smirked playfully.

“And of course, how can I forget our guests who are here to pay homage to the Queen in exchange for a favour?”

Squeals of joy thundered in the air, and my eyes instinctively scanned amongst heads and faces for the head maid. I soon found her standing just beside the podium and I happily nodded.

“On that note, let the ceremony begin!”

In an instant, the people formed a line, each with an item, either carried by them or their animals. As I had hoped, the head maid was the first on the line, but just as she neared where I was seated, a loud cry echoed from the entrance of the hall. It sounded feminine and somewhat….familiar.

“Pleas….please we have to see the Luna Queen.” a lady dressed in shabby clothings, sobbed.

Because of the distance, her facial features weren't recognizable by me, but the feeling that I knew her nudged at me like a tornado.

“You can't see the queen dressed like this woman! Go home and return when you're properly dressed!” The guard at the entrance thundered.

“Please…my mother and I are part of those seeking for the Queen's favour.” This time it was a man speaking. And yet again, it sounded familiar. Really familiar. The guard insisted that their appearance had to be fixed, but somehow the man and the lady pushed past the guard, coming straight to the front of the line. And that's when their faces grew clearer.

While the whole room was a flourish of hisses and snorts, especially from the head maid, my eyes widened in abject realization. The woman in shabby clothings was….by the lights! Luna Amelda?! And the man….Hector?!

That revelation took me by utter surprise as I'd never dreamt of a day where I'd set my eyes on them. Curious, I risked another glance at them.

It can't be.

No, it's not possible.