Book definition of a queen: She-cats expecting or nursing kits.
A queen is a warrior she-cat that is expecting or has recently given birth to a litter. Queens reside in the nursery one to two moons before giving birth and begin to have their food delivered to them by their Clanmates as they become less mobile. This continues for a few moons while they are nursing their kits to ensure proper care and education. The queens remain in the nursery until their kit(s) are named apprentices, typically around six moons (It is possible, but unknown, whether a queen may leave the nursery before her kit(s) become apprentices). A queen may request to stay in the nursery after their kit(s) are apprenticed. Goldenflower often helped out when needed in the nursery. When a queen is unable to produce enough milk to feed her kits, another queen who has plenty of milk to spare will help her nurse until the kits are ready for fresh kill.