The Hidden Luna Queen 2

The three of us exchanged pleasantries before Princess Charlotte bid us farewell, needing to finish some business of her own, leaving Xaden and me to our own devices in that hallway. As soon as we were finally alone, he pulled me into a tight embrace, breathing in my scent with long and deep inhales. The sudden display of affection made my heart pound. "X-Xaden?" I questioned, startled but definitely not pulling away.

"I'm so sorry," he murmured, his low voice rumbling in his chest and reverberating throughout my body. It was strangely comforting, enticing me to wrap my own arms around him. “I did not think this would turn into an attack on you."

I frowned, digging my fingers into his shirt. My inner conflict was deeper than ever. Despite not having known him for long, I wanted nothing more than to be with Xaden and live happily and peacefully with our baby... but now that I was beginning to meet his family and I could see how deep the strain ran in their relationship, I couldn't help but feel like my presence was only making things worse.

I was far from an ideal mate for him. In more ways than one.

That was made very clear to me over the last few days that I'd spent with him, and this meeting only further solidified that fear. Fated mates or not, marrying me would only humiliate everybody. There was no doubt I was well beyond the point of hoping for anything salvageable with my own family, and I didn't want the same thing to happen to him.

He seemed to sense my mind was somewhere else, as he pulled away ever so slightly to look at me. "Talk to me, Maeve... what's on your mind?"

After taking a long breath, I finally spoke up. "I... I feel like I'm tearing you and your family apart."

Xaden's brow creased. "... What?"

"I-I am," I stuttered, feeling tears sting at the backs of my eyes. It felt like such a foolish thing to worry about now that it was being said out loud, but it was all I could think about at that moment. "Your father disapproves of our union, and-and I-I don't want you to fight b-because of="

"Maeve," he cut me off urgently, cradling my face between his large,

sturdy hands, "none of this is happening because of you. This all began long before you entered the picture. Don't even think about blaming yourself." I gulped. "But..."

"Listen," Xaden said, more gently than before, sliding his hands down to my arms. "My father, unfortunately, is king... and, as such, he believes he has a say in every aspect of our lives, even when it does not concern him. For as long as I can remember, he has preached about finding mates that he deems worthy of the crown, not caring if we found happiness with them or not."

I frowned, immediately recalling the bitter dispute that exploded between Isabelle and Prince Henry just minutes before. They had been so quick to turn on each other and throw accusations, despite being the only married couple in the room. I thought she might have been happy to become a Luna Princess, but...

I wasn't sure if the same could be said about her marriage behind closed doors.

"When I'm with you, I'm overwhelmed with feelings I never knew was possible." The warmth that radiated from him did wonders, but it was difficult to dispel the doubts that crept up in my mind. "That's why I don't care what my father thinks. As long as I have you, I'm content. Isn't that enough...?"

The question hidden within his words was apparent: Am I enough?

That was something I could answer without a moment's hesitation. Wealth or status or any of those superficial things didn't matter to me. As long as I was in the company of someone who cared about me and my baby, I would go to the ends of the world for them. I nodded. "You are," I murmured, and he visibly sagged with relief.

Xaden pressed a kiss to my forehead in response, not caring that we were still in the middle of an open hallway. At that moment, I didn't care either, letting him show his affection for me before resting my head against his chest.

I needed to make this work. After being deprived of affection all my and finally getting a taste for it, I'd become addicted.

I didn't know what I'd do if I lost what we had.

A few moments of peaceful bliss later, we began to leave the palace hand in hand, when, all of a sudden... life

"Xaden," a gentle, regal voice called out, effectively stopping us in our tracks. This was a voice I couldn't recognize, which set me on edge, my palms growing sweaty. I wasn't sure if I could take another critical family member, but Xaden seemed unfazed. "You aren't really going to leave without saying goodbye again, are you?"

His hand squeezed mine, a subtle reassurance for my slightly growing nerves.

"Of course not," he said, smiling softly as he turned to greet the mystery woman. "Hello, Mother."