The Lost Queen

Chapter Nineteen

Daya's P.O.V.

A soft giggle tickled my ears, stirring me from sleep. A strange, warm sensation pressed against my nose, followed by something damp. I opened one eye groggily, only to be met with the sight of Aiden's big, curious gaze as he gnawed on my nose with his tiny gums.

A sleepy chuckle slipped from my lips as I lifted him into my arms, settling him on my chest. He babbled happily, his little fingers tugging at the collar of my shirt, his chubby cheeks glistening with drool.

"Good morning, Aiden," I murmured, brushing a hand through his soft curls. He responded with a string of incoherent baby talk, drool slipping down his chin.

I turned my head to the side and smiled at the sight beside me. Malik was curled up against Kaden's chest, his head tucked under Kaden's chin, while Kaden's arm was draped protectively over him. The sight was so heartwarming it made my chest ache.

I carefully reached for my phone on the nightstand—one I had barely had time to use since I got it. With a soft smile, I snapped a few pictures of the two sleeping boys, then turned the camera toward Aiden, who was now sucking on his fingers, completely lost in his own world.

9:24 AM.

I placed the phone back down and gently slid out of bed, wrapping Kaden's robe around me before heading downstairs with Aiden in my arms.

The warm scent of breakfast filled the air as we entered the kitchen, where Thomas, Bella, my parents, and a few other pack members were already gathered.

"Good morning," I greeted, placing Aiden into a high chair.

"Good morning," they responded in unison.

I smiled at them before fixing Aiden a bottle. As I worked, I heard the soft thud of small feet padding down the stairs. Turning, I saw Kaden descending the stairs with Malik by his side holding onto his hand. The little boy rubbed his eyes before spotting me, his face instantly lighting up with a smile. He slipped away from Kaden's hold, then ran toward me.

I scooped him up effortlessly, settling him on my hip.

"Good morning, Malik," I cooed, playfully pinching his chubby cheeks. He giggled and mimicked my actions, pinching my own cheek in return.

Kaden approached from behind, his warm presence making me shiver. He pressed a lingering kiss to my cheek before whispering in my ear, "Good morning, love."

A soft sigh escaped me as I turned to face him. "Good morning, Kaden." I leaned in and pecked his lips before refocusing on Malik.

I set him down on a stool and slid a bowl of cereal in front of him. As I reached for Aiden's bottle, a warm hand gently stopped mine.

"We'll take the boys off your hands for a while," my mother said, plucking the bottle from my grasp and offering me a knowing smile. "Go spend some time with your mate, sweetheart."

I hesitated, glancing at the boys. I knew it might seem like I was moving fast, but my connection to them ran deep—deeper than I ever expected. I wanted to give them the love, stability, and security that I had once longed for when I was in their situation. A part of me already felt fiercely protective, almost maternal, over them. And it wasn't just me—I could see it in the way they gravitated toward Kaden and me, the way they clung to us, trusting us without hesitation. A bond was forming, something unspoken yet powerful. 

"She's right, Daya," Destiny chimed in, her gaze soft. "A lot has happened in the past few weeks. You and Kaden need time to talk."

"Or do other things," James added with a smirk, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively at Kaden and me.