Betrayed By My Mate, Claimed By His Lycan King Uncle-Chapter 178: Congratulations Empress Luna.

The golden sun cast radiant beams through the high arched windows, spilling golden rays across the delicate face of a young woman who lay motionless upon the silken bed.

"When will she wake up, Doctor?" came Dimitri’s voice....cold, distant, and as unreadable as ever.

Oh please... what’s with the concerned questions like you actually care, Mellisa thought bitterly, though she remained perfectly still, feigning unconsciousness. You’re all hoping I don’t wake up anyway.

"Yes, Doctor... how is Her Majesty, the Empress, faring?" the Empress Dowager asked next, her voice laced with performative worry, a practiced frown tugging at her painted lips.

You wouldn’t even allow my family to enter my chambers, Mellisa continued silently, rage simmering beneath her calm façade. Because deep down, you hope I die... or worse.... you’re planning to kill me yourselves.

Beneath the velvet blanket, her fingers curled tightly into a fist.

Beyond the veil of false concern, the faint cries of two infants echoed in the background....soft, delicate sobs coming from the royal nursery where they lay in a cradle lined with silk and gold thread.

My precious little ones... Mellisa’s inner voice softened at the sound. Mother will wake up for you soon. Just a little more... Three... two...

"She is stable now, Your Highnesses. Her Majesty, the Empress Luna, will regain consciousness soon. She’s truly out of danger," the doctor finally replied, offering a small, respectful bow as he began to gather his medical instruments.

And just then... Mellisa’s eyelids fluttered.

With a soft, deliberate breath, she allowed her eyes to open slowly, lashes trembling as if from weakness.

"A....Alpha Emperor..." Mellisa whispered, her voice hoarse and trembling, as a single tear slipped from the corner of her eye....silent, perfectly timed.

"Empress Luna!" Dimitri exclaimed, quickly moving toward her. He sat beside her on the edge of the bed, slipping an arm around her shoulders to help her sit upright. His expression, though carefully arranged in concern, was too stiff, too rehearsed.

"Congratulations, Empress Luna, on the birth of the Prince and Princess!" came the collective chorus of the gathered servants and the doctor, all of whom instantly dropped to their knees in reverence.

"You’ve endured so much," Dimitri added with a faint smile that never quite reached his eyes. "But I’m relieved you survived... after the fire accident."

Mellisa gave a small nod, her lips trembling as more tears streamed down her cheeks. She clutched the blanket close to her chest, her breathing shaky.

"You should name the babies, Your Majesty," came the Empress Dowager’s voice again, this time laced with sweetness that felt like poison wrapped in silk. A forced smile was plastered on her aged face as she moved closer to the bed.

"No," Mellisa blurted out abruptly, her voice sharper now....cutting through the false harmony.

The air in the chamber shifted instantly. A wave of shock and tension rolled through the room. The Empress Dowager stiffened, and even Dimitri’s hand paused where it rested beside her.

Mellisa slowly turned her head, her eyes now open wide, unflinching and filled with raw defiance.

"I would prefer that my father name them," she said, her voice steady but firm. "I wouldn’t want to trouble His Majesty when these children are not even biologically his. They belong to the late Emperor, and now that he’s no longer with us... it is only right that my father, their grandfather, bestows upon them their names."

"You...."

Before the Empress Dowager could voice her displeasure, Dimitri cut through her silence.

"It’s fine then," he said calmly, his voice clipped but controlled. He rose from the bed, brushing invisible dust from his robe. "Your father can name your children. There’ll be a formal naming ceremony in the palace in nine days. Until then, rest well and regain your strength."

He turned to leave but paused briefly at the door. "And just so you know... those responsible for the fire accident....I will find them. And when I do, they will be punished."

"Thank you for your abundant grace, Your Highness," Mellisa replied softly. A warm, practiced smile spread across her lips as she bowed her head in mock respect. Beneath the surface, her heart burned with rage, but her expression remained perfectly composed.

With nothing more to say, Dimitri turned and exited her chambers, the heavy doors closing behind him as he made his way to Sorayah’s wing.

The moment his figure appeared in the hallway, Sorayah’s eyes snapped up. She straightened from her seat and dipped into a graceful curtsey. "Greetings, Your Highness," she said evenly. "What brings you here?"

"Why shouldn’t I be here?" Dimitri asked, arching a brow as he stepped closer. "Am I forbidden from coming to your room even though you couldn’t come to mine?"

"You haven’t been here since yesterday....neither last night nor all day today," Sorayah replied, her tone polite but cool. "Forgive me, I’m just surprised. How can I help you, Your Highness?"

"You’re playing hard to get," Dimitri said with a sly smirk as he reached for her waist, pulling her against him. "You’re driving me mad, even though you already know you’ve captured my heart."

"Playing hard to get?" Sorayah scoffed, trying to keep her tone casual as she swallowed hard. "Oh please, Dimitri. I’m not doing anything of the sort. You’re clearly busy, and I know better than to disturb you. Besides... the Empress Luna has returned to the palace."

Dimitri’s expression darkened, but only slightly. "Don’t you miss how I suck your sweet pink enclave until you’re trembling beneath me?" he asked, his voice low and intimate, sending a shiver down Sorayah’s spine.

"Y...Your Highness..." she began, startled.

"Don’t you miss how I fondle your breasts and suck them until you moan my name?" he continued, his voice huskier now. "Or how I slide my fingers into your dripping core... starting with one, then two, then three....fingering you until you’re shaking with pleasure?"

"Your Highness, what are you saying?" Sorayah asked in a breathless whisper, her voice trembling with disbelief. But before she could move away, he spun her around, her back now to his chest, her face pressed against the wall as her hips met his arousal.

"Don’t you miss the way I drive myself into you....my dragon pounding into your sweet depths until your legs go numb?" Dimitri murmured against her ear, his breath hot. "Tell me, Sorayah... don’t you miss me? Even just a little?"

"What’s wrong with you?" Sorayah asked, her tone half-scolding, half-confused. "I was just in your bed yesterday. And then we didn’t speak all day today. Does that warrant you coming here and saying all this?"

"Of course it does, Sorayah," he replied, his voice laced with emotion. "I missed you even for a moment....and yet you seem completely fine not seeing me. You don’t feel the same way I do... or maybe you do, but you’re hiding it. Pretending."

He turned her around to face him, lifting her with ease. Her legs instinctively wrapped around his waist as he pinned her gently against the wall, his eyes burning into hers.

"You should stop this, Dimitri. It’s not funny anymore," Sorayah whispered, trying to sound stern despite the heat pooling between her thighs. "Instead of being here... you should be worried about the babies the Empress Luna brought into the palace. Yes, I know they’re not her biological children....but believe me, those children are going to be used against you. You may not see it now, but they’re a threat. We should be worried about the dramas which is about to unfold in the palace soon."

"I know," Dimitri said seriously. "And that’s exactly why I want you to give birth to my child. Not just to counter that threat... but because I want a child with you, Sorayah. Sons and daughters who look like you. Beautiful, clever, and bold."

His gaze softened. "When I look at those two babies the Empress brought back... I can’t help but wonder how our own little ones would look. I imagine them, and I know....they’ll be perfect, Sorayah."

Sorayah stared at him, stunned. "You said just yesterday you didn’t want a child. You even made me drink the contraceptive. And now today, you want me to carry your baby?"

"Yes, Sorayah. I want a baby with you," he replied earnestly. "I’m sorry for the nonsense I said yesterday. I wasn’t thinking clearly. But I am now. Let’s make beautiful babies....ours."

"Oh, Dimitri, you..."

Before she could finish, his lips crashed against hers, stealing her words in a deep, possessive kiss. His hands slid beneath her gown, finding her soaked core with ease. He broke the kiss briefly, a wicked grin on his face.

"You’re already wet," he whispered with a chuckle. "Still going to deny you don’t want me?"

"Just shut up and fuck me," Sorayah breathed, pulling him back into the kiss with need burning in her veins.