nging the next morning a

o the phone, rubbing m

rt. The sleep vanished from my eyes and I steeled my

stuttered, getting out o

why you do not have a child. What responsible woman sleeps till nine in

to explain but

ant yet?” My throat tightened. I wanted to hide under the bed from the shame that washed over me.

she cut me off with a growl

ng to show for it.” Familiar words poured from her mouth. I hardene

explained but she snorted, th

ther? A barren woman like

imed, my mouth

nd disgrace you have brought to our family! Even his younger sister who has been mated less than a year is already expecting a child!” She yelled at me. I pictured her re

I bit

so do us a favour and leave him!” She ended the call with that and for a l

e Ja

e to leave him. Even before we mated, Luna

he was a hard man to dislike. His looks coupled with his easy-going personality made him even more perfect. He smiled a lot and was genuinely kind.

red myself lucky to be loved by a man like him. Even when people started to comment on my flat stomach, he stood by me b

not explain. I gave up everything to be with him. I chose him over my dream col

ld so I tried harder to conceive. Still, the goddess never looked my way once. The do

words that woke me and the building pain below my navel, my

et was my best friend and Jackson’s younger sister. We were inseparable a

greeting. “Mum just called and I know she said some hurtful words

ttered, folding my legs underneath me

’s all. You know things are hard for us all. Jackson is the Alph

tain and drink its blood. Things were tough for everyone but I was the one who had to endure the scornful looks from the pack members. I was the one at the receiving end of my mother-in-law’s insults. I was t

m leaking into my tone. “I have visited all the doctors in

the problem here?” Janet cut me of

visited the hospital with me once, the doctor sai

ing my brother is the one with

ulling at my hair in frustration. “

hirty years old without a child! What time will he raise his children? When he is old and weak? Do you realize the earli

“Janet, why are you sounding like this?" I asked in confusio

’s best for you, okay? Try to conceive as soon as possible if you care

flat belly and gritted my teeth as a sob threatened to break out. I closed my eyes to hol

s, I screamed until I became breathless. I screamed until my throat felt too raw for me to continue, until m

r the toilet as I retched, alone in the b

y eyes. I clenched and unclenched my fists, trying to be stron

as I pushed myself to my feet. I washed my face and looked back a

I decided then that I had to go to the hospital. The hospital was a nightmare for me. I hated

ed him as I panted for breath. I must have called him too many tim

self to th

g my stomach, I drove myself to the hospita

walked in. “Hey – Luna – Are you okay?” She rushed out of her sea

complete my sentence as the