Chapter 27: Unexpected Visitors

Two weeks later, Mira was reviewing territory maps in the great hall when the urgent sound of hoofbeats reached her ears. She looked up from the documents spread across the table, one hand automatically moving to support her back as she shifted in her chair.

"Luna," a breathless scout burst through the doors. "A delegation approaches from the east. Three wolves, traveling under a white banner."

Lucian appeared at her side almost instantly, his protective instincts sharp. "Frostmoon?"

"No, Alpha," the scout replied, still catching his breath. "The banners bear no pack crest I recognize. And sir... one of them appears to be pregnant."

Mira felt a jolt of surprise, her hand tightening over her belly where the baby responded with a particularly strong kick. "Pregnant?"

"Yes, Luna. Heavily so. They're requesting immediate audience with you specifically."

Lucian's jaw tightened. "It could still be a trap. Why would pregnant wolves be traveling in winter?"

"Because they're desperate," Mira said quietly, understanding flooding through her. She struggled to her feet, waving off Lucian's attempt to help. "If what Frostmoon claimed is true, if there are other Luna bloodlines in hiding..."

"They might be seeking sanctuary," Lucian finished, his expression grim.

Healer Thorne hurried into the hall, his face grave. "Alpha, Luna—the delegation has reached our borders. The pregnant female... she's in labor."

Mira's breath caught. "Bring them in immediately. Prepare the healing chambers."

"Mira—" Lucian began.

"No," she said firmly, her Luna authority strengthening her voice despite her own physical discomfort. "If she's giving birth, she needs help. Politics can wait."

Within minutes, the great hall was filled with controlled chaos. The delegation was escorted in—two men supporting a young woman whose face was tight with pain and exhaustion. Mira felt her heart clench at the sight. The woman couldn't be more than twenty, her dark hair matted with sweat, her eyes wide with fear and determination.

"Please," one of the men said, his voice hoarse. "We've been traveling for days. She needs—"

"Help. Yes." Mira stepped forward, her own pregnancy making her movements slow but purposeful. "I'm Mira, Luna of Blackpine. You're safe here."

The pregnant woman's eyes locked onto hers, and Mira felt something electric pass between them—a recognition that went deeper than sight.

"Luna blood," the woman gasped between contractions. "I can feel it. You're... you're real."

"So are you," Mira replied softly, understanding dawning. "What's your name?"

"Lyra," the woman managed before another contraction seized her. "Lyra of... of nowhere. We've been hiding so long..."

Healer Thorne and his assistants moved efficiently, preparing to transport Lyra to the healing chambers. "Luna, she needs immediate attention."

"Go," Lucian said to Mira. "I'll speak with her companions."

Mira nodded, following as they carefully moved Lyra. As they walked, she caught fragments of the young woman's story between gasps of pain.

"Thought we were the only ones... father kept us hidden... said the wars killed all the Luna families... but the dreams started... dreams of silver light calling us home..."

In the healing chamber, Mira found herself in the strange position of coaching another woman through labor while being heavily pregnant herself. But there was something about Lyra's presence that felt right, as if this meeting had been destined.

"You're doing beautifully," Mira encouraged, holding Lyra's hand as another contraction peaked. "I can feel your strength."

"Is it true?" Lyra asked during a brief respite. "Are there others? Other Lunas?"

"We're trying to find out," Mira admitted. "But you're not alone anymore. Never again."

Hours passed. Mira's own back ached terribly, and the baby seemed to be responding to the labor happening nearby with increased activity. But she refused to leave Lyra's side.

Finally, as dawn light crept through the windows, a baby's cry filled the chamber.

"A daughter," Healer Thorne announced, placing the tiny, perfect infant in Lyra's arms. "Strong and healthy."

Mira felt tears spring to her eyes as she watched Lyra cradle her newborn. The baby had the distinctive silver-flecked eyes that marked Luna bloodline.

"She's beautiful," Mira whispered.

Lyra looked up at her, exhaustion and joy warring in her expression. "Will you be her godmother? In the old way? Luna to Luna?"

Mira felt the weight of tradition and hope settle around her shoulders like a mantle. "It would be my honor."

As the sun rose fully, painting the healing chamber in golden light, Mira realized that everything was changing again. The world was bigger than they'd imagined, and their responsibility was growing.

Lucian appeared in the doorway, his expression a mixture of awe and concern. "How are they?"

"Perfect," Mira said, though she accepted his help getting to her feet. Her back was killing her, and the baby was moving restlessly. "What did you learn from her companions?"

"There are at least six families in hiding," he said quietly. "Scattered across the northern territories. Some have been in exile for decades."

Mira felt the future shifting around them like a living thing. "Then our work is just beginning."

As if in agreement, the baby in her belly delivered a particularly emphatic kick, making her gasp and clutch Lucian's arm.

"Easy there," she murmured to her unborn child. "Your world just got a lot more interesting."