Chapter 23: Vivienne's Astonishing Discovery!

 

Briar stared at her.

"What are you doing in my house," Briar said.

 Vivienne’s voice  was smooth and sweet like poisoned honey. "I’ve actually been staying here for the last three days. Don't be mad, sweetie. I’ve been having these terrible, awful nightmares lately. The doctors said it’s stress. Killian was so worried about me that he insisted I stay here. I feel so much safer when I’m close to him. I hope you don't mind."

"I do mind," Briar said. "I mind a lot, actually.You have your own house, You shouldn't be in my house. You shouldn't be in his bed."

Vivienne blinked. "Briar."

"Don't." Briar turned back to the stove because looking at Vivienne's face was making her chest tight with something hot and not entirely manageable. "Don't do the voice. I know what the voice is for."

Briar felt a hot flash of anger. It felt like a physical weight in her chest. A few weeks ago, she would have cried and asked Vivienne why she was taking her husband. She would have believed the lie about the nightmares. But she wasn't that stupid little girl anymore. She remembered the coffee. She remembered the names Vivienne had called her mother.

She was not confused about Vivienne anymore.

"You've changed," Vivienne said, from somewhere behind her.

"Yes," Briar said.

"It's interesting."

"I don't care if it's interesting to you."

Vivienne’s smile didn't falter, but her eyes sharpened. She set the mug down with a deliberate click. "Killian told me you were staying at Mabel’s. I thought you were done with this place. Why did you come back, Briar? Are you here to beg for more scraps?"

"Killian told me to come back," Briar replied. she straightened her shoulders, trying to look bigger than she felt. "He said I have to be here because I am still the Luna. And as long as I am the Luna, this is my kitchen, not yours."

Vivienne let out a soft, mocking laugh. "The Luna. You really love that title, don't you? Even though everyone knows you're just a placeholder. A temporary seat-warmer until the real Queen takes her place."

Briar didn't answer. She didn't want to play this game. She walked past Vivienne and started taking ingredients out of the fridge. Killian would be home soon, and he expected dinner. Her mind was racing. She needed to know how far Vivienne had moved into her life while she was gone.

"I’m going upstairs to put my things away," Briar said.

She went straight to the master bedroom. She needed to know if Vivienne’s things were in there.

The master bedroom was empty of people, but the scent of Vivienne’s heavy perfume was everywhere. It made Briar want to gag. She checked the closet. Vivienne’s dresses were hanging right next to Killian’s suits. Her jewelry was on the vanity.

"Looking for something?"

Vivienne was leaning against the doorframe, her arms crossed over her chest. The mask of the "kind sister" was gone. Her face was twisted with cold malice.

"How long are you going to keep doing this, Briar?" Vivienne asked. "How long are you going to pretend that he wants you? Just give up. When are you finally going to ac cept the reject and get out of our lives?"

Briar turned around. "That depends on Killian, doesn't it? He’s the one who called me back. He’s the one who won't let me go. Maybe he doesn't want you as much as you think he does."

Vivienne’s face turned red. She hated that Briar was talking back. She hated that she couldn't win the argument with the "idiot."

"You little bitch," Vivienne hissed. She walked into the room, her footsteps heavy. "You think you’re smart now? You think a few days away gave you a brain? You’re nothing but a fat, slow-witted charity case. Get your trash and get out of this house. Now!"

"No," Briar said. "I live here."

Vivienne lost her patience. She lunged forward, her hands reaching out to shove Briar toward the door.

But Briar saw it coming. She moved her body to the side and used Vivienne’s own momentum against her. She gave Vivienne a hard, two-handed shove right in the chest.

Vivienne screamed as she lost her balance. She tumbled backward, landing hard on her bottom on the plush carpet.

"How dare you!" Vivienne shrieked. She started to draw breath, ready to scream for help, ready to pretend that Briar had attacked her for no reason. She wanted the guards to hear. She wanted Killian to walk in and see her on the floor.

But then she stopped.

She watched Briar. Instead of acting proud or angry, Briar had turned away immediately. Her hands weren't in a defensive position. Both of Briar’s hands were clamped tightly over her own stomach. She was hunched over slightly, her face pale with terror, protecting her midsection as if it were the most precious thing in the world.

Vivienne was a wolf. Her senses were sharp. She saw the way Briar’s eyes darted down to her belly. She saw the protective instinct that overrode everything else.

Vivienne stood up slowly. The fake tears were gone. Her eyes narrowed into tiny, dangerous slits as she stared at Briar’s waist.

"Wait a minute," Vivienne whispered. "You aren't just getting fat, are you?"

Briar froze. She realized too late that she had shown her weakness. She tried to pull her hands away, but it was too late.

"Are you pregnant, Briar?" Vivienne asked. It wasn't a question. It was a realization. "Are you carrying his pup?"