Chapter 41
When Rhianna walked through the door, the air inside the house felt wrong. Too many voices, too many eyes.
Tia rushed to meet her halfway. “You might want to prepare yourself,” she whispered. “Brittany came.”
Rhianna froze. “Why?”
“She said she wanted to see Sebastian.” Tia hesitated. “She’s been here for a while.”
Rhianna’s heart sank as she heard the familiar, honeyed laughter drifting from the living room. That voice always carried confidence—no, arrogance. Brittany never sounded unsure of anything.
Rhianna stepped inside, keeping her face neutral. Brittany sat comfortably on the couch, one hand resting on her stomach, her golden hair arranged like she’d spent hours perfecting it. She looked up slowly, a satisfied smile curling her lips.
“Well, if it isn’t the lady of the house,” Brittany said sweetly. “I was beginning to wonder when you’d show up.”
Rhianna’s tone was calm. “What do you want, Brittany?”
“Oh, nothing dramatic,” she replied, tracing circles on her stomach. “It’s just that… the baby’s been restless lately.” She sighed dramatically, eyes glancing toward the door. “And I thought maybe—just maybe—he misses his father.”
The words sliced through the silence like knives.
Tia’s eyes widened. “Brittany—”
But Brittany continued, her expression all innocence. “You wouldn’t understand, of course,” she said softly, turning to Rhianna again. “You’ve never been pregnant. You don’t know how strong the bond is between a mother and her unborn child.” Her smile sharpened. “It’s… a feeling only a real woman can relate to.”
Rhianna’s throat tightened, but she didn’t speak. The pack members exchanged awkward glances, tension building in the air.
Moments later, the front door opened. Sebastian stepped in, followed by two pack guards. His presence filled the room, but Brittany didn’t flinch. If anything, her smile grew.
“Sebastian,” she breathed, standing up. “There you are.”
He frowned slightly. “Why are you here, Brittany?”
“Because our baby wanted to see his father,” she said softly, resting her palm over her stomach again. “You’ve been so busy lately. And I thought… you might like to feel him move.”
Rhianna’s hands curled into fists at her sides. Her wolf stirred weakly inside her, but she stayed silent. She refused to break—not in front of Brittany, not in front of anyone.
Sebastian exhaled heavily. “This isn’t the time, Brittany. We talked about this.”
“Why not?” she asked innocently. “You’re my Alpha. The father of my child. The healer says I need peace, safety, and support. Where better than under your roof?”
Sebastian’s jaw flexed. “We’ve discussed this. You have your own quarters in the pack chambers.”
“I moved my things,” Brittany replied, lifting her chin. “That place is cold, Sebastian. The baby—our baby—needs warmth, attention. I can’t risk him being away from you.”
Her words made the pack murmur uneasily.
Then she looked at Rhianna again — and her smile turned sharp.
“You wouldn’t understand, of course,” Brittany said softly. “You’ve never been pregnant. You don’t know what it feels like when life moves inside you — when every heartbeat feels like a blessing.” Her eyes flickered with mock pity. “It’s something only a real woman can experience.”
Tia stiffened. “Brittany—watch your mouth.”
“Oh, I’m only speaking the truth.” Brittany sighed dramatically. “You can’t expect her to understand. She’s never carried a child. Never felt that connection — the way a mother’s body changes, the way her instincts awaken. It’s… magical.”
Rhianna stood still, every word like a blade cutting deeper. Her wolf whimpered faintly inside her, too weak to rise.
Sebastian’s eyes darkened. “Enough, Brittany.”
But Brittany only smiled, tilting her head innocently. “Oh, don’t be upset. I’m not trying to offend her. I just wish she knew what it’s like — to truly give you something as precious as a legacy.”
Rhianna’s throat tightened, but she forced herself to speak evenly. “You can stay in the east wing, Brittany. That’s where you belong.”
“I belong wherever my child’s father is,” Brittany replied smoothly. “And if that happens to be this house… then I suppose I’ll make myself comfortable.”
Sebastian looked torn, his expression unreadable. He didn’t argue, didn’t force her out — and that silence was worse than any insult.
Rhianna swallowed hard, forcing herself to hold her ground. “Do whatever you want,” she said quietly. “Just don’t expect me to care.”
Then she turned and walked away before anyone could see the tremor in her hands.
Behind her, Brittany’s voice carried softly, laced with venomous sweetness.
“Poor thing. She’s trying so hard to stay calm. But you can’t really blame her—she’s never known what it means to be… chosen.”
Tia glared at her. “You’re vile.”
Brittany smirked. “No. I’m a mother.”