The Hidden Luna Queen 2

Where had this fire come from?

Was it because we're fated mates? Or... was it because he was the first ever to show me what it felt like to be loved?

I was not sure what to believe anymore. It seemed nearly every part of my life was shrouded in some bizarre mystery somehow.

"It... it just hurt," I ultimately answered, trying to explain it in a way that didn't totally make me sound out of my mind. "I've never been with anyone like I have with him." Embarrassed, I tried to distract myself with the condensation that had begun to gather on my cup, smearing the drops of water with my thumbs. "I guess I hoped that maybe he would've... waited."

My blush deepened, mortified that I was actually saying any of this out loud.

"It's stupid," I said, letting out a short laugh. "Please just forget I said anything."

Charlotte shook her head. "It's not stupid at all. It's good that you're letting these feelings out."

"Miss," Maggie addressed me once more, sounding more like a mother than I'd ever heard from her before, "I've seen you two, and I've seen how he treats you, but I understand the heart is not something that can easily be persuaded. This is something you'll have to discover on your own. But if you feel this strongly about him, miss, you should not overthink things," she said, and the plea in her voice struck me. "Enjoy what you two have now. If you don't, then you will only come to regret it."

I was enthralled by her message, stuck on every word she said.

Although Xaden and I had moved past the situation, I hadn't quite found it in me to forgive him just yet. I wasn't sure if it was my jealousy holding me back or some petty side of me that was slowly unearthing itself, but it was raw and real and brought out a version of me that I didn't like.

I wasn't a fan of holding grudges. Not when such energy could be put toward something better. To hold a grudge against Xaden, of all people, for something he did before I even entered the picture...

I felt horrible about it.

"I understand..." I murmured, forcing myself to smile. "I'll... do my best."

Before anyone could say anything else, a young waiter wearing a black apron approached our table. "Hello, ladies," he politely interjected,

clasping his hands together in front of him. "Was everything to your liking?"

Charlotte immediately began gushing over the delicious food and lovely atmosphere, during which Maggie brought it upon herself to begin gathering our dirty dishes and silverware to make it easier for the staff to clean up.To access the complete chapters for free, visit Jo b ni b.com. While they were busy, I rubbed my hands over my skirts, both to wipe away any crumbs from my food and to straighten out the fabric.

And that was when I felt it again.

That burning sensation in the back of my head, like someone was close. Like someone was watching me.

With bated breath, I warily glanced around the dining area of the bistro, only to see other customers enjoying their food, and then switched my gaze to the busy street just beyond our table. Again, my eyes landed on nothing. Just a street full of happy passersby minding their own business.

By this point, the sensation all but vanished, leaving a void in the pit of my stomach where paranoia used to be, leaving me feeling like a fool.

Stop it, Maeve-l scolded myself. There's obviously no one there.

At the same time, I couldn't help but feel like I needed to leave. I enjoyed the company I found myself in, but I wasn't able to relax anymore.

Not amid all these strangers.

"Maeve?"

Startled, I whirled back around to see the very concerned face of Charlotte staring at me, as well as that of Maggie's. The waiter seemed to have been long gone, prompting me to wonder if I'd been distracted for long.

"That's the second time I've seen you do that today," she commented. "Is something wrong?"

"You do look rather pale, miss," Maggie added, visibly readying herself to get up from her seat. "Are you not feeling well?"

I smiled sheepishly at them. "I'm sorry," I said, rubbing at my temples." All of our shopping is starting to catch up with me. I think I just need to get home and rest."

Although Maggie was quick to gather our bags and went off to pay the bill, Charlotte did not seem so easily convinced. Worry prickled at my chest that she did not buy my little white lie. I wasn't sure how yet to explain these strange feelings I experienced, nor if it was something I could ever actually share without sounding insane.

"Alright," she ultimately murmured with a reassuring smile. "Let's get back home. I'm sure 'Burke' must be waiting for you."

I tried my best to hide my relief.

Yes... home sounded like a good idea. Regardless if I was going crazy or not, I needed to get out of here. I couldn't bear that ominous feeling anymore. And, as we left Mona Road, the question burned in my mind.

Was all of this just a figment of my imagination?

THIRD PERSON POV

Little did Maeve know that the answer to her question lurked closer than she realized.

As she and her two companions gathered themselves and left the bistro, Bella sat at a not-so-distant table, hidden in plain sight behind a large potted plant and a carefully placed menu. She watched as the three women left the vicinity, but did not make a move to follow them.

Once she was certain she was alone, she lowered her menu and huffed, struggling to make sense of some of what she overheard.

Without a doubt, that had been Maeve she had trailed for the past hour. That could no longer be put into question. And the older woman she was in company with was indeed Prince Xaden's housekeeper. Whether the third woman was, in fact, Princess Charlotte wa yet to be proven, though.

Not that it particularly mattered here. Bella was able to identify that Maeve was still located in the heart of the capital. But... there was something that she couldn't wrap her mind around.

A name, to be more specific. Burke.

It was a name she was very familiar with. Anyone who knew anything about the royal family had to learn what they could that pertained to them, whether that meant familiarizing themselves with their mannerisms, royal duties... or the people they surrounded themselves with on a daily basis.

Anyone who took the time to study Prince Xaden knew about his most trusted righthand man.

He was hardly ever seen in public without Prime Beta Burke, which put almost as big a target on his back as that of his superior, especially when it came to the young ladies of the kingdom. He was no alpha prince, but he was quite a looker himself.

With short hair the color of chestnuts in winter and bright brown eyes like molten chocolate, hidden behind thin-rimmed glasses, as well as a toned body that women would kill to touch, it was difficult not to pay attention to the beta, even with Xaden by his side. Yes, she was well aware of Burke... but his was not a name she expected to hear. Especially not when it came to Little Miss Mundy Mae.

Stumped, Bella crossed her arms, trying to make sense of things.

Her last encounter with Prince Xaden had left a lasting mark on her. She was made painfully aware that Maeve was not one to be trifled with, lest Bella wanted to get on the prince's bad side again.

For goodness' sake, he had admitted to the pregnancy, himself!

Why would he choose not to publicly acknowledge the woman whom he defended so fervently in his mansion that day?

Suddenly, Bella found herself venturing down a rabbithole that she was not eager to explore, but was something she could not just turn a blind eye to. Things that previously evaded her were now becoming clear, and that scared her. What if it was no coincidence that they could not get any dirt or information on Maeve?

What if the royal family's refusal to officially acknowledge her, as well as Princess Charlotte's silence, and now the abrupt mention of Prime Beta Burke was because Maeve was, in actuality, no longer involved with Prince Xaden... But rather, with his righthand man?

Of course, she could not ignore the rumors that circulated throughout the kingdom, but there were many, many women who matched Maeve's description. It would not be hard to find a woman with long black hair and blue eyes. And even if it truly was Maeve at the center of those rumors, all of those sightings dated back from weeks ago. There had yet to be a single rumor within the last few days that involved the two lovebirds.

It was almost as if... there was never anything between them.

And when Maeve had gotten up to leave, Bella made sure to pay very close attention to the area around her waist for any sign of a growing belly. It had been some weeks since she'd last seen her, and based on what Victoria had told her some time ago, the suspected conception date was roughly two weeks prior to Sarah's birthday party.

As a werewolf, her pregnancy was expected to last only about five months, so Bella had fully expected to see something.

But... as Bella realized with a sinking feeling, she was not able to definitively see proof of a pregnancy.

That damn black dress Maeve wore had made it virtually impossible to tell. For all she knew, the pregnancy was just very well hidden, but Bella could not afford to make assumptions, and it wasn't like she could just waltz up to her and demand answers. Not in a public space like this.