Exiled Villainess: They Threw Me Out, Now Every Beastman Wants Me novel Chapter 88

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.

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.

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