Betrayed By My Mate, Claimed By His Lycan King Uncle
Chapter 169: Pregnant Mamas.

Chapter 169: Pregnant Mamas.

Six Months Later~

A young woman dressed in a bright blue gown, adorned with delicate golden jewelry on her neck and ears, sat gracefully on a wooden bench. A serene smile curved her lips as one hand rested gently on her rounded belly....seven months pregnant and glowing with maternal joy.

She was Anaya. It had been six months since the news of her pregnancy was announced, and now she was entering the final stretch. The once timid and uncertain days had blossomed into peaceful anticipation.

"We’re back!" came Kisha’s cheerful voice, laced with amusement and warmth.

Anaya looked up from her belly, her smile deepening as her gaze landed on Kisha and the man beside her....Rhys, her lawfully wedded husband.

After her pregnancy was first announced, Anaya had been determined to raise the child alone. She was strong-willed and independent, hesitant to rely on anyone. But Rhys had surprised her. He showed genuine interest...not only in the child but in her well-being. Over time, feelings bloomed. What began with cautious conversations and small gestures of care had grown into a deep, undeniable love.

Eventually, they chose to marry. Kisha had proudly stood by them as their witness. Surprisingly, Anaya’s royal aunt, who had once sent guards after them, had since gone quiet. The pursuit had ceased entirely. It left the three of them to believe that perhaps she had chosen to forgive and forget the past transgressions.

Rhys approached with a warm, boyish smile on his face. He leaned down, planting a soft kiss on Anaya’s cheek before bending further to press another gentle kiss on her belly.

"How are you doing, my darling?" he asked with tenderness in his voice. "And how are you two doing in there, little ones? I hope you’ve been treating your mother kindly today."

Anaya chuckled softly, brushing her hand over the curve of her stomach as she felt a soft thump beneath her palm.

"They’re good," she replied, her voice carrying a musical lilt. "Although I sometimes wonder if they’re always fighting in there. One of them kicked me again just now. Honestly, it feels like a tiny battle is going on."

"They’re not fighting, sweetheart," Rhys replied with amusement as he kissed her belly again. "They’re probably just impatient...eager to meet their amazing mother and their incredibly handsome father."

Anaya laughed, shaking her head at his comment. "It still feels surreal. Only a little more time to go. Just one more month....if the babies decide to come early."

Rhys smiled, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Twins usually come in the eighth month or later, right?"

"Yes. It’s either the eighth or the tenth month, depending on how well they’re doing," she replied, a faint sigh escaping her lips. Her expression turned a little glum as she added, "But honestly, I hope they come at eight months. I look like a giant pregnant watermelon. I can barely see my feet anymore. I really want my body curves back."

Rhys lifted her hand and kissed it gently. "I love you no matter what shape you are. Pregnant, curvy, tired, or glowing....you’re still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen," he whispered, then began peppering her with light kisses....first on her hand, then her cheek, then her neck.

Just as he leaned in to kiss her lips....

Ahem!

Kisha cleared her throat dramatically, causing both Anaya and Rhys to turn their attention to her.

She stood a few steps away, holding up two large, glistening fish in each hand. "We’re outside, please," she said, her voice serious but clearly teasing. "If you two want to do that, kindly take it indoors. And by the way....what should we cook tonight? I caught two big ones."

Rhys chuckled, remaining on one knee beside Anaya. Instead of answering immediately, he rose to his feet with a small groan, then reached down, lifting Anaya effortlessly into his arms. She let out a soft squeal of surprise, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Do whatever you like with the fish, Kisha," Rhys called out over his shoulder with a grin. "I want to get busy spending time with my wife... and our babies."

Without waiting for a response, he strode back toward the house with Anaya in his arms....just as he had done many times before. Kisha stood behind, shaking her head with a sigh and an amused smile.

"These two," she muttered with affection, before turning back toward the fish in her hands. "I guess it’s grilled fish night, then."

***

Meanwhile, back at Dimitri’s palace...

Empress Luna Mellisa was now nine months pregnant or so the public believed. Because of her alleged delicate condition, the entire palace remained on edge, with every servant and guard alert, awaiting the moment of her supposed labor.

However, despite repeated visits from skilled physicians sent by the Royal Palace, her family, and even the Empress Dowager herself, Mellisa had turned them all away. She had only accepted the care of one particular doctor....the only one who knew the truth about her fake pregnancy.

Now, she sat with strained elegance on her golden feathered chair, though the expression on her face was anything but composed. Impatience and flickering anger marked her eyes and tightened her jaw.

Before her sat three others....Dimitri, regal and unreadable; Sorayah, the poised and ever-watchful head of the harem; and the Empress Dowager, cloaked in dignity and authority. All eyes were now on the doctor, who had just finished examining Mellisa and was carefully packing away his instruments.

"What is the situation, Doctor?" the Empress Dowager asked, her tone polite but laced with unease. "Is Her Highness in good condition?"

The doctor straightened, his posture humble as he offered a respectful bow. "In reply to Your Highness... Her Majesty the Empress Luna is in stable condition. There are no signs of immediate labor. She still has approximately one week before her expected delivery date. In fact, her walks outside the palace should be considered healthy exercises. They may assist her during childbirth."

"Are you certain about that?" Dimitri asked, one brow raised in doubt as he leaned forward slightly. "Her belly is unusually large. She appears as though she could go into labor at any moment. Are you absolutely sure she should be wandering around right now?"

"The doctor said I’m fine," Mellisa cut in sharply, her voice firm as she slowly stood with the assistance of her ever-loyal maidservant, Nyla. "I won’t give birth until I return from the sacred praying ground," she declared, her voice rising slightly in defiance. "I only intend to pray for a safe delivery. I know there are those who do not wish me to bring this child into the world peacefully."

As she spoke, her gaze darted subtly but deliberately toward Sorayah and the Empress Dowager.

"Doctor," Sorayah spoke up then, her voice soft, melodic, but clearly laced with intention. Her eyes locked onto the physician, who remained composed despite the enormous lie he was protecting. "Since Her Highness has placed her trust in you above all others, it would only be right for you to accompany her on this journey and monitor her closely."

Sorayah paused briefly, then continued with a small sigh, folding her hands elegantly in front of her. "As the head of the harem, I am responsible for the safety and welfare of every member under this roof. Should anything happen to the Empress Luna, I would be held accountable. And while no one is perfect, and even the best doctors can miscalculate... well, no one is an island of knowledge. Your certainty might be misplaced."

She straightened slightly. "Which is why I must insist: you will travel with Her Highness, accompanied by two royal guards and two palace maids. That, I believe, is already considered a ’small’ group, Empress."

"I refuse!" Mellisa snapped, her tone sharp with frustration. "I don’t want to be surrounded by too many people. The fewer I take with me, the more sacred my prayers will be."

"Doctor, two guards, and two maids is already considered small," the Empress Dowager interjected sternly as she rose to her feet. "And unless you agree to these conditions, then forget about leaving the palace at all. We are talking about the safety of the royal prince, Mellisa. The child must be protected, and your whims cannot endanger the heir."

Her tone carried authority no one in the room could question. "Even your family opposed this journey, yet I am granting you permission. But if you truly wish to go, you will do so under supervision. That is final."

Mellisa swallowed hard, her fists clenched at her sides as she forced herself to nod. "Very well... I will accept Your Highness’s conditions for the sake of the royal prince."

"Good," the Empress Dowager said simply, then turned and strode out of the Empress’s chamber, her presence lingering even after she was gone.

"I’ll be attending the royal court meeting now then," Dimitri announced, rising from his chair. His tone was calm, but there was a distant tiredness behind it. "Take care on your journey, Empress."

"I will, Your Highness," Mellisa replied with a small, controlled bow.

Dimitri then turned his gaze to Sorayah. "Let’s get out of here."

"I still have a few words to discuss with the Empress, Your Highness," Sorayah said with another gentle bow. "I’ll join you shortly after I make sure everything is in order for her departure. I want to ensure she leaves the palace peacefully and perfectly."

Dimitri gave her a brief nod, then exited the room in silence.

As the door closed behind him, Sorayah’s smile faded just slightly. She turned back to Mellisa, her gaze calm but unreadable.