I thought back to the scentI’dbeen noticing all morning and felt my stomach tighten.Ithad been growing stronger—much stronger.
The breast pump in my hand suddenly seemed less embarrassing than alarming.Ifshe was producing enough nectar to order equipment to deal with it, then this wasn’t some minor hormonal fluctuation—this was serious.
And if things continued progressing, she could be in real danger.Afemale going through a powerfulHeatwithout relief could become ill.Inextreme cases, she could developHeatFeverand die.EveryWerechild knew that, though most people didn’t talk about it much because bonded females had mates to care for them.
Vivienne didn’t—at least not officially.
I drew in a slow breath and forced myself to think.Thesituation was becoming clearer now.Shewasn’t avoiding me because she didn’t want me.Shewas avoiding me because she was scared and because she had convinced herself that needing me would somehow put both of us in danger.Shewas trying to handle everything alone.
Well, that wasn’t going to happen—not ifIhad anything to say about it.
The problem wasn’t figuring out what was wrong anymore.Theproblem was figuring out how to help her without making her feel cornered, ashamed, or betrayed.
The last thingIwanted was forVivienneto thinkIwas using herHeatas an excuse to push past boundaries she had set.Iwould rather cut off my own arm than make her feel trapped the way my uncle had trapped her.
Still, one thing had become painfully clear—whatever was happening to her wasn’t going away and ifIdidn’t find some way to help soon, things were only going to get worse.
With that thought weighing heavily on my mind,Iput the breast pump back in the box, closed the trunk, and got behind the wheel of theMustang.
ThenIstarted the drive back toWolvertonManor, hoping like hellIwasn’t already too late.
THIRTY-SEVEN
VIVIENNE
My breasts were aching.
I had grown another bra size just sinceKorhad left the house and the nectar was trickling steadily from my tight nipples.
I was in so much painIwas actually crying whenIheard theMustang’srumbling engine driving up outside.Hastily,Igrabbed a paper towel from the roll and blotted my eyes.Icouldn’t letKorknow what was going on—he would want to help me, andIcouldn’t because it was wrong.
He came in with a look on his faceIcouldn’t quite interpret.Hehad the pile of packages in his arms, and he sat them down on the end of the kitchen island.
“Oh, thank you!”Isaid, jumping up.Butthe motion made my breasts jiggle, andIwinced with the sharp pain it caused.Ismoothed my face out quickly though, not wantingKorto see my distress.
“I hope they didn’t give you too much trouble at the post office,”Isaid, trying to make my voice sound light, instead of desperate which was howIfelt.“ThatBarbara—she thinks she should have been the one married toCarter.It’sone reason she’s always so nasty to me soIreally appreciate you going to get everything.”
“Sure, she had everything ready,” he said.Hewas watching me, his warm brown eyes looking worried again.“Sowhat did you order?”he asked casually.
“Oh you know—more clothes.”Ishrugged and then wishedIhadn’t.
Even small gestures caused my tender nipples to rub against the cloth of my gown.Thesoft cotton felt like sandpaper to my irritated peaks.Iwas lucky that the voluminous robeIwas wearing was dark blue and didn’t show stains, becauseIwas leaking freely under it.
Not thatIwas about to letKorknow that.
“Here,I’lltake those.I’dbetter put them away,”Isaid, coming around to gather the boxes in my arms—thoughIwasn’t sure howIwas going to carry them.Theywere going to press against my swollen breasts and that was going to hurt horribly.Iwould just have to tough it out,Isupposed.
But asIreached for the boxes,Kor’shand shot out and gripped me by the wrist.
“Hey, what—”Ibegan.
He gave me a stern look.
“Show me your breasts.”
“What?”Istared at him, uncomprehending.“Kor, what are you talking about?Thisisn’t like you!”Iprotested.
“Thisislike me—whenI’mfeeling protective and worried,” he countered.“Comeon,Vivienne—show me your breasts.Ineed to see what you’re hiding under that big robe.”
