The news spread through the palace before moonrise. Queen Luna Emma was carrying another pup, but instead of the celebration everyone might have expected, Nightclaw Estate remained unusually quiet.
She stood alone in the nursery with one hand resting on the cradle Brandon had bought for Bryan before he was born. She could still remember how excited he had been when it arrived. He had refused to let anyone else arrange it, laughing when the servants offered to help and insisting that Bryan Oliver wouldn't want anyone but his father putting the nursery together.
Emma's fingers moved slowly along the edge of the cradle.
A tear slipped down her cheek.
This pup was his.
And Brandon didn't even know.
The royal physician continued to visit every few days. Each time, she found another reason to remind her to slow down.
"You need more rest, Queen Luna."
Emma would give her the same answer. "I'll be fine."
"You've barely been eating."
"I'll eat."
