The Hidden Luna Queen 2

KENNETH

POV

I'd always been of the belief that if one is persistent enough and puts in the hard work to achieve something, good things would surely come.

I used to think I knew what that meant.

Not becoming alpha until I turned thirty had certainly tested my patience well enough. As did my daughter's mission to catch the eye of Alpha Prince Henry. But this...?

I'd waited twenty years for these dominos to fall, watching as each piece began to topple, one by one. Some took their time, and some landed askew... but in the end, they all landed exactly where they were supposed to. And now, I'm closer than ever to finally realizing what would soon be my greatest legacy to date.

I'm done with hiding and waiting. You have no idea of what's to come, but soon, you'll be mine.

Maeve.

MAEVE POV

I lifted my head, unable to hide my smile. "Yes?"

"So, you are aware, then?" Xaden murmured with a smirk as he towered over my seated body, tracing his thumb along my jaw. "Just how adorable you look right now?"

It was just after one o'clock, and my second obstetrician appointment would begin any minute. We hadn't been waiting long and, thankfully, hadn't encountered anyone who seemed to recognize him yet.

Because of the nature of today's outing, Xaden opted to wear a plain gray, long-sleeve shirt with a pair of nice black trousers. And his hair, which was normally combed back and picture-perfect for the public view, hung loosely in his perfectly handsome face. A sight that made my heart skip a beat every time I saw it.

At first glance... well, he still looked like a wealthy and important alpha, but at least now, he could blend in with the "common people" more seamlessly. And he did so, knowing it would help me feel more at ease.

The gesture, although simple, made me fall for him for the thousandth time. Such was part of the reason why I almost gave in to his teasing. However-

-the examination room at Dr. Meadows's clinic was definitely not the place for it!

"You really are something else," I giggled, flustered with the onslaught of his doting attention. "We're supposed to be waiting for the doctor, and you're busy ogling at my less-than-impressive outfit." I gestured to the outfit in question: a loose, white V-neck shirt and blue leggings.

"What can I say?" he asked innocently as he leaned in close, his lips brushing over my forehead, slowly skirting down my face. "You're tantalizing, no matter what you wear."

Oh... he was good. It was impossible to deny him when he talked like this.

When the tender touch of his lips against mine, I found myself unable to fight him any longer. I melted into his kiss, wrapping my arms around his neck-

And then a knock on the door quickly jolted my muddled mind awake.

I gasped, pushing him away with an embarrassed blush. "Come in!" I quickly stammered, wiping my hands over my reddened cheeks.

Xaden grinned, but didn't try again, and moved to grab the nearest chair.

The examination room door pushed open to reveal the familiar face of Dr. Meadows, bright-eyed and ready for today's appointment. "Hello Maeve, and welcome back!" she greeted kindly. "Did you have a nice-" Her gaze flitted to the back of Xaden's figure.

"Oh-!" she exclaimed, looking slightly startled before turning back to me. "I see you're with someone this time."

"Ah, yes... this is-" I quickly cut myself off before I could reveal his name, although I knew I only had moments before she undoubtedly figured out who he truly was. In the end, I ended up saying: "He's my fiancé."

Xaden was already facing the two of us, having pulled the chair closer to where I was seated. If he was uncomfortable with the sudden attention, he didn't show it. Instead, he leaned against the backrest, casual and confident, as if he owned the room without even saying a word.

And yet, the second the word 'fiancé' left my mouth, the air around him seemed to soften.

"How wonderful!" Dr. Meadows beamed as she stepped closer to shake hands with Xaden. "And what's your

44

The rest of her question died in her throat, filling the room with an unexpected silence as she fully took him in for the first time. It must have only taken two seconds at most, but to me, it felt like an eternity. "Is there something on your mind, Doctor?" he asked pointedly. The handshake he shared with her was short, formal- completely different from the way he touched me mere seconds ago.