INICIAR SESIÓNLeon whined anxiously, pushing against my consciousness, desperate to reach Sierra, to comfort our mate. I pressed my forehead against the door, struggling to find the right words, the magic combination that would make her let me in.
"I know what Simpson told you," I said finally. "About the footage. About how deliberate this all was."Another silence, then: "It doesn't matter. Nothing matters. Even if they prove it wasn't me, people will still believe it was.""That's not true," I argued, though part of me feared she was right. Public opinion had turned against her with frightening speed and conviction. "The truth will come out, Lola. We'll find who did this.""My own parents think I'm capable of it," she said, her voice hollow in a way that made my chest ache. "If they believe it, why wouldn't everyone else?"I closed my eyes, fighting back the wave of rage that rose whenever I thought of Lord and Lady Humphreys and their calculated betEmma smiled as she read Alpha Rodriguez's formal statement: "The Sierra Luna Pack celebrates this joyous news. These children will embody everything we have worked toward—a future where lineage matters less than character, where our differences strengthen rather than divide us."Her finger paused over another section, where Elder Moonshadow of the Eastern Forests Pack had described ancient werewolf traditions associated with twin births. "Twins are considered a powerful blessing," the elder was quoted. "In werewolf tradition, they represent balance—day and night, sun and moon, two aspects of a greater whole.""That's beautiful," Emma murmured, her voice soft with emotion. "I didn't know about that tradition.""Nor did I," I admitted. "We should invite Elder Moonshadow to perform a blessing ceremony."Emma nodded, her expression brightening with each positive reaction we read. She reached for one of the tablets, scrolling through social media posts
Sunlight filtered through the partially drawn curtains, painting golden stripes across our rumpled bedding. I'd been awake for nearly an hour, watching Emma sleep beside me, her dark hair splayed across the pillow, one hand curled protectively over the small swell of her abdomen even in slumber. The morning after our announcement felt strangely anticlimactic… the world now knew our secret, yet here in our private sanctuary, nothing had changed. Emma still breathed the same gentle rhythm, our children still grew safely within her, and I still marveled at the miracle of it all. But beyond these walls, I knew the kingdom churned with reactions both celebratory and venomous.Aeson stirred restlessly within me, his protective instincts heightened since last night's gala. He pushed images through our shared consciousness: standing guard, teeth bared at invisible threats, our mate and unborn pups shielded behind his massive form. His anxiety translated into physical restlessness,
I stroked his hair as he continued to listen, my heart so full it felt like it might burst from my chest. This private moment—so different from the public announcement, from the formal congratulations and political undercurrents—felt sacred in its simplicity. Just a father connecting with his children, a mate caring for his family."Hello, little ones," Theo whispered, his breath warm through the thin silk covering my skin. "It's your father."Artemis pushed closer to the surface, her golden-green presence responding to Aeson's proximity. Through our shared consciousness, I felt her joy at this interaction, her satisfaction at our mate's dedication to our growing pups."I know you can't understand words yet," Theo continued, his voice so soft it was barely audible, "but I want you to know how loved you are already. How wanted. How precious."His hand came up to rest beside his cheek, fingers splayed protectively across my abdomen. "Your mother and
I sank onto the edge of our bed, relief washing through me as I finally slipped off the elegant heels that had been pinching my toes all evening. The emerald dress, chosen specifically to highlight rather than hide my growing pregnancy, now felt constricting after hours of diplomatic smiles and careful conversations. Artemis stirred within me, her golden presence warm and satisfied at having our news officially acknowledged, but even she felt the bone-deep exhaustion that came from carrying twins while navigating a political minefield. Through the bathroom door, I heard water running as Theo showered, his low humming carrying over the sound. It was these quiet moments I treasured most; away from judging eyes and whispered comments, away from the politics that had transformed what should have been purely joyous news into something more complicated.My lady's maid had helped me out of the elaborate gown before discreetly withdrawing, leaving me to my own devices. I pulled on
The room erupted into applause, guests rising to their feet in a wave of movement and sound. Emma's grip tightened on my hand, her smile radiant though I felt the slight tension in her body through our touch. Artemis pushed forward, her golden-green presence visible in Emma's eyes for just a moment—pride and protectiveness mingling as she accepted the acknowledgment of her growing pups."To the royal heirs!" someone called from the crowd, raising a glass in toast. The sentiment echoed around the room, crystal flutes lifting in celebration."To new beginnings," I added, raising my own glass with my free hand, my other arm now wrapped protectively around Emma's waist.As we retook our seats, the room buzzed with excited conversation. Servers appeared with dessert—a simple lemon tart that had become one of the few sweets Emma could tolerate—and wine flowed freely. Pack leaders approached our table one by one to offer congratulations, each interaction carrying
I adjusted my collar for the fifth time, amber cufflinks catching the light as I turned before the mirror. Tonight, we would tell the world. The secret Emma and I had carried for weeks would become real, official, incontrovertible. My children—our children—would no longer exist only in hushed conversations and medical appointments but would become part of the kingdom's consciousness, its future made tangible. Aeson paced restlessly within me, his protective instincts flaring at the thought of so many eyes on our pregnant mate. *Must protect,* he insisted, though we both knew the real threats wouldn't come from tonight's carefully vetted guest list.The past week had been a blur of rage and strategy sessions since the mockery of justice at the Humphreys' trial. I'd spent hours with Simpson reviewing jury members' backgrounds, financial records, personal connections—anything that might explain the inexplicable verdict. So far, we'd found nothing concrete, though two jurors ha







