Epilogue

Epilogue
I pushed open the doors to Azarius's study, the wood slamming against the wall with a sharp echo. He startled, his quill slipping from his fingers and landing on the parchment.
His head snapped up. "M-Mace?" he stammered, blinking as I strode toward him, my brow lifted in silent accusation.
My boots clicked against the marble floor until I stopped at the edge of his desk, arms folded. "You postponed the expedition," I said, voice calm but tight. "For months, Azarius. Because of me?"
His jaw tensed, but he gave a sheepish smile and scratched the back of his neck, as if that could explain away everything. "Come on," he muttered. "You know I can't just leave. Not without you."
I narrowed my eyes, still catching my breath from hurrying across the palace. "I was sipping tea with your mother when I overheard," I murmured, my voice lowering. "You didn't even tell me."
He stepped out from behind the desk, closing the distance between us with quiet steps. His hands found my belly—round, warm, and unmistakably full with our pup. He lifted it gently, instinctively, easing the weight from my back as I exhaled, relaxing into him despite myself.
His lips brushed my temple. "How could I leave," he whispered, "when my whole world is right here?"
"I'm only two months in, darling," I murmured, exhaling a slow, contented breath as his hands cradled my belly—the same comforting gesture he always did once it began to show. The warmth of his palms pressing gently against the curve made my back sigh in relief.
His touch hadn't changed, not through any of our pregnancies—now our fourth. The twins, Alethea and Azazel, were three and full of chaos, while Amaryllis had bloomed into a confident ten-year-old with a crown on her head and a mind full of questions.
I turned slightly, brushing his cheek with my fingertips. "You still do this," I said with a quiet laugh, pressing a kiss to his jaw. "Clinging to me like I might disappear the moment you blink."
Azarius didn't answer right away. His grip around my belly remained steady, his brows faintly pinched as if the thought alone tightened something in his chest.
"You've always come with me," he finally said, his voice low, edged with something more tender than fear. "Every time. I can't... I don't like it when you're not there."
His confession settled between us, heavier than the silence.
We used to take Amaryllis along on those long journeys, the three of us always a unit. But with her training as future queen becoming more demanding, she often stayed behind now, wrapped in palace life and the safety of family.
I met his eyes, understanding too well the shadows behind them. This wasn't about errands or expeditions. It was about that silent ache he carried. It was the one that whispered she might leave again.
My thumb stroked the hollow beneath his eye. I didn't chide him for it. I never did.
Instead, I leaned in, resting my forehead against his. "I'm here," I whispered. "I'm not going anywhere."
Azarius exhaled, the air catching somewhere in his throat. "Am I... overwhelming you?" His voice softened, fingers absently smoothing the fabric over my belly. "If it's too much, I'll try not to drag you everywhere. I'll ease off."
I shook my head, resting my hand over his. "It's not that, darling," I murmured, lifting my face to meet his eyes. "But postponing everything this early? You always do this... jump straight to panic."
I gave him a teasing look, my voice lilting with fondness. "You get all flustered every time I'm pregnant. And don't get me started on the delivery room. You nearly passed out last time."
I'll never forget the moment Alethea and Azazel were born. Azarius had stood by my side, his hand clasping mine tightly, whispering words of comfort through every contraction. The second the twins let out their first cries, he rushed to see them, eyes shining with awe and wonder. But the joy on his face quickly shifted the moment he glanced back at me, which I was pale, exhausted, bloodied.
Without a word, his knees buckled and he dropped like a stone, completely unconscious on the floor beside the bed.
Azarius groaned, his brows drawing together in mock protest. "You make it sound like I'm weak. I just wasn't ready to see—" He threw a hand into the air dramatically. "—all of that. It was... a lot, alright?"
I laughed, the memory bubbling back clear as sunlight. The image of his stunned face when the twins arrived—overjoyed one second, sprawled unconscious the next—was forever burned into my mind.
He huffed but smiled. "I'll send Alucard or my other brothers this time. I can't miss a second of this pregnancy. I want to be here... until our little one arrives, safe and sound."
A quiet warmth bloomed in my chest. No matter how often he panicked or fretted, he never ran. Not once.
I cupped his face, my thumb tracing the curve of his cheek. "I know. And that's why I love you."
The tension eased from his brow. "I love you more, and Hide and Seek is Over, my Luna Queen, isn't that right?" he whispered, brushing a kiss to my forehead. Then he pulled back slightly, a mischievous gleam in his eyes. "Now tell me. What's the craving today? Sour watermelon? Bananas dipped in peanut butter again? Something weird? Just say the word."
I arched a brow and pinched his side, making him yelp and laugh.
"Ow—hey!" he grinned, catching my hand. "You know I'll find it. Even if it's something ridiculous like candied anchovies or moonberry pie, I'll make it happen."
He winked, and despite the ridiculousness, my heart melted all over again.
I leaned in, my lips grazing the shell of his ear. "What if..." I paused just long enough for my breath to tease his skin, "...you're my craving today, Your Majesty?"
Azarius sucked in a sharp breath, a low sound of desire escaping him. His grin was immediate—wide, wicked, and thoroughly amused. "Ah," he murmured, voice laced with heat, "my Luna Queen's hungry for something other than sweets." His brow waggled. "Must be those pregnancy hormones again."
I was ready to retort—something just as wicked on my tongue—when the door burst open with a loud thud.
Both of us jumped apart like guilty teenagers.
"Father. Mother." Amaryllis stood in the doorway, arms crossed, a thunderous frown etched on her face. "We need to talk. It's about Alethea and Azazel."
I laughed awkwardly, smoothing down my hair while Azarius dragged a hand down his face with a groan.
"Sunshine," I said sweetly, trying to recover, while my mate mumbled under his breath, already bracing himself. "What is it?"
"Sweetheart, Amaryllis... how many times have I told you to knock before coming in?" he asked, pinching the bridge of his nose as his gaze shifted to the boy behind her.
Darien, standing frozen and mortified, dipped his head. "I deeply apologize, Your Majesty. Her Highness insisted—"
"Please do not scold my knight, Father," Amaryllis interrupted sharply, storming forward with her chin high. "This is urgent. My siblings have been drawing strange runes on the wall near my chambers again." Her eyes narrowed. "They even used glow-in-the-dark ink this time."
Azarius groaned louder while I tried not to burst into laughter.
Azarius ran both hands down his face, muttering something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like "my pups are plotting witchcraft now." He straightened, fixing Amaryllis with a look that was half stern king, half exasperated father.
"Runes again?" he asked, glancing between her and me, as if silently asking how two tiny creatures had inherited so much mischief in such compact forms.
Amaryllis nodded with all the gravity of a council report. "And they were humming, Father. Humming something weird while they did it. I think they're trying to summon something."
That finally broke me.
A soft laugh escaped before I could stop it, one hand covering my mouth. "Sweetheart, they're three. You were like that before." I shook my head and tapped Azarius' shoulder.
"I don't know, Mother," Amaryllis huffed, adjusting her sash like a commander mid-briefing. "Alethea said the symbols meant 'Queen of Shadows shall rise.' And Azazel told her the moon told him how to write it."
Azarius and I exchanged a look.
He tilted his head, whispering out of the corner of his mouth, "Is it too soon to have the palace warded again?"
"Maybe," I whispered back, lips twitching.
Darien cleared his throat, clearly trying not to crack. "There was also... glitter. Everywhere, Your Majesties."
Amaryllis sighed as if her siblings' antics personally tarnished the royal lineage. "The royal corridor looks like a fairy exploded."
Azarius pinched the bridge of his nose again. "I should've known this would happen the moment we let them watch that enchanted puppet play. Azazel's been speaking in riddles since."
"They're creative," I offered, failing to keep the fondness out of my voice. "They take after you."
He gave me a look. "They take after your side of the bloodline. The dramatic side."
"I heard that," Amaryllis said.
Azarius turned to her, brow arching. "Sunshine, I want you to go back and make sure they aren't currently drawing portals into the dining hall. And for the Moon Goddess's sake, no more glow ink." He looked at Darien. "And next time—knock."
Darien bowed. "Yes, Your Majesty."
I looped my arm through Azarius's and gave him a look. "Come on. Let's check on the twins instead of her before our eldest turns into a full-blown lecture."
From behind us, Amaryllis let out a scandalized gasp. "Mother!"
But before I could turn, I felt her small arms wrap gently around my belly. She pressed a soft kiss against the curve, her cheek resting for a moment against the fabric.
"I hope it's a sister this time," she whispered with a grin, her voice sweet and mischievous. "That way, Father will have double the trouble keeping up with us."
Azarius reeled back like she'd just cast a curse. "Did you hear her, Mace?" he cried, clutching his chest in mock betrayal. "That's treason. Absolute treason."
Amaryllis only giggled, clearly delighted by his wounded theatrics.
I ran my fingers through her hair, smiling. "You're just like your father, you know. Full of drama and chaos." I glanced up at Azarius, raising a brow. "Didn't I warn you? What you did as a pup is coming back to haunt you."
Azarius huffed, throwing his hands in the air. "The Moon Goddess has a wicked sense of humor."
And judging by the sparkle in our daughter's eyes, she was only getting started.
"Fine. We must see them," Azarius decided and took my hand. "After you, my Luna Queen." I smiled at him. 
"Much appreciated, Your Majesty," I teased, offering Azarius a playful curtsy before turning my attention to Darien.
"Darien, sweetheart," I said with mock seriousness, "I heard someone's been making you run laps around the palace for absolutely no reason."
His confident posture faltered just a little.
I shifted my gaze to Amaryllis, arching a single brow. She immediately looked away, suddenly fascinated by the tapestry behind me. That same guilty dodge. It was exactly how Azarius used to look when he was caught redhanded for escaping from his responsibilities.
Darien cleared his throat, clearly scrambling to maintain composure. "I assure you, Your Majesty, it was nothing. Merely a misunderstanding. I... may have failed to please Her Royal Highness."
"No, that is not right." I turned slightly, elbowing Azarius in the ribs.
He let out a low whistle, staring up at the ceiling as though the conversation had nothing to do with him.
I gave him a knowing look. "Don't you dare play innocent. This is what happens when you spoil her rotten. Now she's got her poor knight running military drills."
Azarius chuckled under his breath. "She's just thorough. Like her mother."
I ignored that and turned to our daughter, folding my arms. "Amaryllis, remember. Darien isn't just your sparring partner or someone to tease when you're bored. He's your knight. He's sworn to protect you, not to play fetch."
Amaryllis gave a small pout but nodded, her fingers toying with the sash at her waist.
Since Azarius and I had granted her a royal playmate when she turned nine, we picked Darien McGregor from the aristocratic society with a good background. It was already a tradition that each royal lycan would be granted a royal playmate. 
Azarius and I had agreed, choosing Darien McGregor from an aristocratic line known for loyalty and sharp minds.
And while Amaryllis was growing into her role as a crown princess with grace, there were still moments, like now, where her royal streak leaned just a bit too dramatic.
"Father! Mother!"
I got distracted when the chirping voices of Alethea and Azazel hung in the air. Azarius knelt and opened his arms as our twins were running towards us while their nannies were behind them.

"Oh, our little bubbly stars, come here to Father!" he said as they giggled when they were inside his arms. "I heard that you caused trouble to your older sister again." He lifted them up to his arms. "Did you summon anything?" 
"Mother, why is Father not scolding them?" Amaryllis frowned.
Azarius lifted the twins into his arms like they were feathers instead of wriggling bundles of mischief. Alethea immediately looped her tiny arms around his neck, planting a sloppy kiss on his cheek, while Azazel beamed, holding up a small glowing rock like a prized jewel.
"We didn't summon anything, Father," Alethea insisted with innocent eyes that fooled no one. "We were just... experimenting."
"Yeah," Azazel chimed in, holding the glowing stone higher. "The moon said it would light up if we hummed the right way. And it did, Father!"
"See? Science," Azarius declared proudly, like his children had just discovered a new realm.
Amaryllis groaned, dragging a hand down her face. "Why do they get praised for summoning glowing rocks and scribbling runes while I get lectures for strategic discipline?" She looked at me, scandalized. "They used glow ink, Mother. Again."
I walked over and wrapped an arm around her shoulder, pulling her close as she huffed. "Because, sweetheart," I whispered with a smile, "they're still young. And a little magic at that age is better than none at all."
"They said they were summoning the 'Queen of Shadows,'" she muttered darkly. "That doesn't sound like harmless magic."
Azarius chuckled, nuzzling Alethea's curls. "They're artists, Amaryllis. And dreamers. Maybe even a little prophetic."
Amaryllis arched a brow. "So if they open a glowing portal and summon a shadow queen into the castle, are we still calling it art?"
"Depends," he said with a grin. "If she's friendly, I'll knight her too."
"Azarius!" I swatted him on the arm, laughing, before turning back to the twins. "Alright, glowing moon rocks and mysterious humming aside, let's keep the magic drawings on parchment, not palace walls. Agreed?"
The twins nodded solemnly, their big eyes wide with pretend understanding that wouldn't last past supper.
"Good. Now, off with the glowing stone. Let's not teach the guards how to panic today."
Azarius placed the twins gently down. They scampered back toward their waiting nannies, who looked both apologetic and completely used to this chaos.
I turned to Amaryllis and brushed a curl from her face. "You're doing well, you know. You're taking responsibility. That's part of being a future queen."
She blinked at me, cheeks pinkening. "You think so, Mother?"
I kissed her forehead. "I know so. You're like your father."
Azarius wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "We're proud of all of you," he said, glancing at each of our pups—the future of our royal palace, our legacy. "Even when you're casting imaginary spells and staging knight marathons."
He looked down at my belly with a soft smile. "And one more on the way. Moon Goddess, help us."
"Maybe this one will be the calmest," I teased.
"Or the wildest," Azarius muttered under his breath.
Our eyes met, laughter bubbling between us before he leaned down to kiss my temple once more. The palace around us buzzed with distant voices, the setting sun casting golden light through the tall windows. And amidst the quiet chaos of our children, our titles, and our unpredictable lives, we stood steady and rooted in each other.
Family. Whole. Messy. Magic.
Home.
.
.
.
.
.
.
THE END

Mystique Luna's note:

Thank you so much for reaching until the end! Hide and Seek is Over, My Luna Queen is now finished! So much things had happened, and happy ending is here for Azarius and Macedonia! I am so happy that I completed this book today!. Please don't forget to like my FB page: Mystique Luna so you can be updated with my future books. <3 You might want to read Alucard's story entitled: Lycan Prince with Benefits and Atticus entitled: The Luna's Pet.

See you next time, my dear Lunas! xoxo