Chapter 88: Ticking Clock
Kiri was running out of time.
The slight padding had worked for a while, creating the suggestion of a bump that was just visible enough to pass in dim light and at a distance.
But the other females already had large bellies, and she could only boast for so long about how her belly was delicate and didn’t grow as large as the others.
It also did not help that the other females compared sizes, discussed symptoms, and complained about backaches with the casual intimacy of women sharing a common experience.
And every time they turned to include Kiri, she had to deflect.
"Kiri doesn’t look like the others."
"She’s still so small."
"Maybe fox females carry differently."
"But the shiftless fox already has a big stomach. Maybe she’s not really pregnant?"
That last whisper had been the most dangerous. Kiri didn’t know who had said it, but the words had burrowed into her skull like a splinter.
It had especially wounded her pride.
Why was she being compared to that worthless one?
She needed to get pregnant. Now.
But every attempt had failed.
The young males she approached were always interrupted, and it was even to the point that Feron had been involved too, diverting attention away from her.
It started to look like everyone was actively trying to make her plan fail.
If she didn’t get pregnant soon, everyone would know she had lied. And the consequences would be severe.
Xavi would be furious, the clan would turn on her, and the shiftless female would paint her as a schemer.
Tera had been coming to speak with her more frequently, always with that warm, concerned smile and always asking about the pregnancy in a way that made Kiri’s skin crawl.
"How is the little one today, Kiri?"
"Are you feeling any kicks yet?"
"You should really join the exercises. They are very beneficial for the cub."
Each question was a needle, and Kiri was becoming convinced that Tera knew the truth. But she had no way to confirm it without exposing herself.
Desperation made people stupid, and Kiri proved this on a crisp morning when Xavi assembled a hunting party.
"I want to come," she announced, stepping forward with her chin raised.
Every head turned. Xavi looked at her with immediate suspicion.
"You are with cub," he said, and the slightest emphasis on the last two words made Kiri’s stomach lurch. "Females should not risk their lives in hunts, especially pregnant ones."
"I am not heavily pregnant. I can still move quickly, and my nose is sharper than most of the males here. I would be useful."
Xavi studied her. His golden eyes moved from her face to her belly, which was notably less prominent than every other pregnant female in the clan. As much as he didn’t want to find this predicament of Kiri’s stomach appearing so small, it was odd.
He had long lost patience for this female, especially with her antics towards his mate. She was lucky she was with a cub.
He shook his head. "No."
"But leader—"
"No." His voice was final. "Stay in the settlement and rest."
Kiri seethed but retreated with a forced smile and a gracious nod.
She watched the hunting party leave, her claws digging crescents into her palms.
Shortly after, she shifted into her fox form and slipped into the forest after the hunting party.
If she couldn’t find a male in the settlement, she would follow the hunting party at a distance. The males would split up during the hunt. She only needed one of them alone for long enough.
She was a fox. She was fast, silent, and nearly invisible when she wanted to be. They wouldn’t notice her until it was too late. But she had to put her worry about him away, he was the most perceptive.
She tracked the hunting party’s scent trail through the trees, keeping to the undergrowth, her russet fur blending with the shadows.
She had been following for nearly an hour when a massive hand closed around the scruff of her neck.
Xavi lifted her off the ground in her fox form, holding her at eye level.
He did not look amused.
"What did I say?"
Kiri dangled, her legs pedalling uselessly in the air.
Xavi actually carried her that exact way back to the clan, and when they arrived, he deposited her in front of everyone.
Tera’s smile was radiant.
"Oh, Kiri! You should be resting! Please, sit down. Can I get you anything?"
Kiri wanted to scream.
Xavi alerted the rest of the clan to properly monitor Kiri so she wouldn’t endanger herself and her future cub.
The irony of being imprisoned by her own lie was not lost on Kiri, and she hated it.
She was watched constantly after this, and it gave Kiri no ammunition to complain without looking paranoid or ungrateful for the protection the clan leader had arranged.
And through all of it, the shiftless female continued her infuriating campaign of kindness.
Tera brought her fruit and kept asking about her pregnancy, offering belly-soothing techniques, which Kiri had to decline because allowing someone to touch her padded stomach would end everything.
"I am just shy about being touched," Kiri had explained, wrapping her arms protectively around her midsection.
"Of course!" Tera had chirped. "Everyone is different. Just let me know if you change your mind."
[Host’s psychological warfare continues to be highly effective]
[Kiri’s stress levels have increased by 300% since Host began her kindness campaign]
’I am simply being a caring clan member.’
[Host is a menace]
[This system has never been more proud]
But even Tera’s meddling wasn’t Kiri’s worst problem anymore.
It was already the fourth month, and after this the females would be delivering anytime now. Kiri’s acting like her body was too heavy could only go so far now.
The comments had moved from casual observation to quiet confusion and concern.
"Kiri, are you eating enough? You look so slim for how far along you are."
"My mother carried small. It runs in the family."
"But your belly hasn’t grown since last month."
"I said it runs in the family."
Kiri had considered every option.
Faking a miscarriage was the most obvious escape route. She could claim the exercises caused it, or that lifting something heavy had triggered it. But the other females would want to help, and they would see that the blood wasn’t coming from her private area, which would expose that lie quickly.
But one evening, an opportunity appeared.