POV Kali
I barely slept. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Kastian's face when Zion claimed me, heard my mother's warnings about family honor, felt that overwhelming connection that changed everything.
Zion had been called away for emergency council sessions that lasted all night, leaving me alone with my racing thoughts and the whispers of servants in the hallways.
A soft knock interrupted my worries. "Come in," I called, expecting a maid with breakfast.
Instead, an elderly woman with kind eyes and silver hair entered, carrying a tray. "Luna Kali," she said with a respectful bow, "I am Healer Morwyn. His Majesty asked me to attend to you and explain your situation."
My heart jumped. This was the healer I'd hoped to find. "You're the royal healer everyone talks about?"
"I am," she smiled warmly, setting down the tray. "But first, let's get you properly dressed. These clothes should fit you better."
As she helped me into a simple but elegant gown that actually fit my curves, I worked up the courage to ask what I'd been dying to know.
"The illness that's been killing the King's... companions. The women who died carrying his children. Do you know what causes it?"
Morwyn's hands stilled on the dress fastenings. "Why do you ask, child?"
"I've been feeling weak lately. Tired all the time. I thought maybe..." I trailed off, embarrassed.
She turned me to face her, studying my face with professional eyes. "The symptoms you describe could have many causes. But in your case, I suspect you were simply with the wrong mate. Your wolf knew Kastian wasn't your destined partner, and it was making you sick trying to force a bond that was never meant to be."
"But could it be the same thing that killed them?"
"I don't know," she said honestly. "The illness only appeared in women carrying the King's child. It seemed to drain their life force from within. But you're not pregnant, so..."
She paused, then continued more carefully. "The Lycan King maintains what we diplomatically call his 'court companions.' Twelve of the most beautiful, accomplished she-wolves from across the continent, all hoping to bear the royal heir."
The words sent cold fear through me. "A harem."
"Yes. They've been here for years, competing for his attention and the chance to become his queen."
"Where do I fit in this?" I asked, though I wasn't sure I wanted to know.
Morwyn's expression grew troubled. "You're his fated mate, which changes everything. But those women have expectations, and they won't give up easily."
As if she'd summoned them with her words, the chamber doors burst open. Three of the most beautiful women I'd ever seen swept in like they owned the place.
"Leave us," the leader commanded Morwyn with icy authority.
She was tall with dark hair, emerald eyes, and the kind of perfect features that belonged in paintings. Morwyn shot me an apologetic look before hurrying out.
"So you're the married failure who's caused all this chaos," the brunette said, looking me up and down like I was something unpleasant on her shoe. "I'm Lady Vivienne, senior member of the King's companions."
The blonde beside her was lean and sharp, with cold blue eyes that looked like they could cut glass. "Lady Celeste," she introduced herself with a predatory smile.
The redhead completed their formation, her smile sweet but calculating. "Lady Serena. How interesting to finally meet you."
All three were everything I wasn't - confident, stunning, and clearly used to being the center of attention. They moved around me like hunters circling prey.
"The King may think he's found his mate," Vivienne continued, "but fated mates are rare. Often mistaken. And certainly not worth destroying years of careful planning."
She stopped right in front of me, close enough that I had to tilt my head back to meet her eyes. "You're already proven barren, and frankly plain by court standards. What exactly do you think you offer that we haven't already provided?"
"I... the mate bond—" I started weakly.
Celeste laughed, the sound like breaking glass. "Eight years married with no children? Please. Even if the mate bond is real, what good is a mate who can't produce heirs?"
"We've been the King's favorites for years," Serena added, her voice dripping false sweetness. "We know his body, his preferences, his needs. We've given him everything you clearly couldn't give your own husband."
Their words hit every insecurity I'd carried for years. "But none of you have gotten pregnant either," I pointed out quietly.
Vivienne's perfect mask slipped slightly. "That's temporary. The King has been selective, waiting for the right moment. But we're still here, still trying, still competing for the honor."
"Between us girls," Serena leaned in like she was sharing a secret, "the King is desperate for an heir. He might think he wants you now, but when reality sets in - when he realizes you're just as barren here as you were with your husband - he'll remember why he needed us."
"You don't belong here," Vivienne said with finality. "This is our world, our competition, our king. You're nothing but a temporary distraction."
Before I could find my voice to respond, the doors burst open with enough force to rattle the walls. Zion stood in the doorway, his silver eyes blazing and his whole body radiating fury. Even from across the room, I could feel his rage through our mate bond.
"I felt your distress," he said through the mindlink as he stepped into the room.
The temperature seemed to drop as his gaze swept over the three women, taking in their positions around me like predators who'd been tormenting their prey.
"Ladies," he started, his voice carrying deadly promise, "I don't recall giving you permission to enter my guest's chambers."
The three women immediately changed, their aggressive stances melting into seductive poses like actresses switching roles.
"Your Majesty," Vivienne purred, "we were simply welcoming your guest—"
But Zion's attention was completely on me. His silver eyes took in everything - my tense posture, the way I couldn't quite meet his gaze, probably the scent of my distress through our bond.
"Are you all right?" he asked me gently, ignoring the three women entirely.
I nodded but couldn't look at him. Everything they'd said was echoing in my head, confirming my worst fears about myself.
His fury became a living thing filling the room. When he turned to Vivienne and her companions, they actually stepped backward.
"Consider this your only warning," he said quietly. "Touch what's mine again, and you'll discover exactly how expendable you really are."