Nurturing the Lupine Malison

POV Kali

I woke up alone again.

The empty space next to me in bed felt cold, like it had been cold for months now. Kastian hadn't slept here since I could remember. His pillow didn't even smell like him anymore.

I stared at the ceiling and tried to remember when things changed. Five years ago, on our third anniversary, he held me close after we made love.

He looked into my eyes as if I were the very embodiment of happiness itself. Then his lips curved into a boyish smile and he murmured,

“Oh wow… I just really want a little princess who looks like you. How about another round?”

Back then, our wolves could feel each other's emotions. When he was happy, I felt warm inside. When I was sad, he would find me without me even calling for him.

Now I couldn't even reach him through our mind-link.

Kastian? I tried, like I did every morning. Nothing. Just empty silence where our connection used to be.

"Luna Kali," my maid called from outside the door. "The celebration starts soon."

"Coming," I called back, though I didn't want to go.

The pack was celebrating another couple's new twins. I had to sit at the head table and smile while everyone whispered about why I still had no children after eight years of marriage. The great hall was full of laughter and joy, but I felt like I was watching it all from behind glass.

Kastian sat next to me, but he might as well have been sitting on the moon. He talked to everyone except me.

When Elder Thorne raised his cup and said, "To healthy babies and strong bloodlines!" Kastian lifted his cup too. But he didn't look at me. Not even once.

I remembered when I first came here eight years ago. I was eighteen and scared, but also excited about marrying Kastian. My father said it would make both our families stronger. Kastian would get money and land, and we would get protection and status.

For the first three years, we were polite to each other. But then something beautiful happened. We fell in love.

I still remembered the night we first changed into wolves together. His wolf was huge and silver, and mine was smaller with brown fur. But when we ran through the forest, we moved like we were one creature with two bodies. My precious, Chosen Mate.

Those were the best days of my life. We would sneak out at night to run together. He would tell me I was beautiful. I felt so happy I thought my heart might burst.

But then the months passed, and I didn't get pregnant. One month became two, then six, then a year. Kastian started getting worried. Then frustrated. Then disappointed. Now, after eight years, he barely looked at me.

I knew he had other women now. Young, pretty she-wolves who came to his room at night while I slept alone. I could smell their scent on him. Everyone in the pack knew and whispered about it.

"Luna Kali?" A sweet voice interrupted my thoughts.

I turned to see Mira, one of the young she-wolves who was always trying to get close to Kastian. She was nineteen, tall and thin, with the kind of sharp beauty that made men stare.

"Hello, Mira."

"You look nice tonight," she said, but her smile was fake.

"Thank you."

"I came to you with some rumors, my Luna. Have you heard things about our Lycan King?" She asked, making sure her voice was loud enough for other people to hear. "They say he can't have children either. He's had so many beautiful women, but none of them got pregnant."

My stomach felt sick, but I tried not to show it.

"Of course," Mira continued, "everyone knows the problem isn't with the King. It must be the women's fault. Just like here." She looked right at me. "Have you tried all the healing herbs, Luna Kali? Maybe moonflower tea? I heard it helps women who have... problems."

The words hit me like a slap. She was right, and that made it hurt even more. I couldn't argue because everything she said was true. I couldn't stand listening to more whispers and cruel words. I did what I always did - I ran away.

"Excuse me," I said, standing up as gracefully as I could.

I walked to my chamber trying not to cry. A young maid was waiting by my door with a letter.

"This came for the Alpha," she said nervously. "I'll take it," I said quickly. I needed something to think about besides my failures.