I mildly scoff, “‘Selflessly’? Really; Rhi?”
She quickly responds; while sounding a bit defensive, “Yes, selflessly … I’m willingly giving up my carefree days of youth, and single-life freedom; and, enter into an arranged marriage just so my sister doesn’t have to. What could possibly be a more selfless act than that; huh?”
I can’t help but to laugh. Rhiana looks as if she’s annoyed by this; and, huffs…
“I don’t see what’s so funny; Rai. … And, besides; I’m not just doing Pomona a favor … I’m also doing this for Casper Whitmore’s sake, as well. Face it; I’m obviously the better choice, and better suited to be a billionaire CEO Alpha’s wife than Pomona.”
“Wow … boast much?”
“I’m just stating the obvious. … And, when it comes down to it; this is going to be a win-win situation for Pomona. She won’t have to marry Casper Whitmore; but, will still have all the perks that come along with being kin to him.”
“I see … so; you’re not planning on totally cutting Pomona out of the spoils gained from the marriage?”
“Seriously, Rai; what kind of a gold-digging, she-wolf do you take me for? I absolutely intend on sharing the wealth with all of my darling sisters. … Trust me; you’re all going to get a piece of the pie.”
I grin, “And, since I’m your dear twin sister, I’m gonna get the biggest piece of that pie; right?”
“Of course; my dear twin sister … well; at least, bigger than theirs. … I’m keeping the biggest piece for myself; of course.”
“Of course.”
We laugh. But then, I suddenly recall a disturbing comment…
“I can understand why you’d want to make him your husband; and, can’t blame you for it … but; to purposely get yourself pregnant by him? … Rhi; what about what he said?”
“What? What did he say?”
“He said that if you got pregnant … he would rip the fetus out from your uterus.”
Rhiana’s momentarily silent; while a sudden, concernedly troubled expression overtakes her visage. Then, while sounding a bit unsure herself; Rhiana lowly utters…
“That was probably just some nonsense he was spouting out in the heat of the moment. I really don’t think that’s something he’d do … not to his own unborn child.”
“Are you sure about that; Rhi? I hope you’re right.”
Back in Rainier Pack Territory…
**Pomona’s POV**
Bellona and I remain lovingly embraced in each other’s arms, affectionately nuzzling our noses together; like we often used to do years ago, when we shared a room together.
Up until she went off to the DSD training academy, Bellona and I were the ones sharing this bedroom; and, Helena shared the other bedroom with Raina and Rhiana, while looking over them. But, when Bellona went away, Dad had me switch rooms with Helena; giving Helena her own bedroom, while having me share a room with the twins.
And, even though Bellona and I wanted to; Dad refused on letting us go back to sharing the bedroom again, when she returned. He claimed that the two of us … in his opinion … were too attached to one another, as it was; and, now that Bellona was a member of the DSD, she should focus her attention to that responsibility, and stop having me … in his words … ‘being so co-dependent on her’. He said that I would only keep Bellona from advancing in the DSD if we continued on being so close.
Despite all of his grievances; Bellona and I remain deeply attached to one another, and are extremely close … although; we’re still forbidden to share a bedroom together. Dad remains unyielding on this.
Sadly, nowadays; these nuzzling sessions are fewer and further apart … typically reserved to comfort and cheer one another up during those times when we’re feeling either really sad or depressed; or, in this case, as a method to sincerely apologize.
“As much as I’d love to spend the whole day here with you; I think it’s about time I get out of bed. …”
Bellona delivers a few, quick wriggles of her nose across mine, then sits up; immediately followed by guiding me up into a sitting position. She drapes her arm over my shoulders, and smiles…
“Well, it took you long enough; you don’t know how hurtful and exhausting it is to be disappointed and staying mad at you. … It really killed me when I just stood by biting my tongue when Dad said that you were useless, last night. So; I’m finally relieved and happy that you decided to admit you were lying to me … even though I already knew about it.”
Yeah; it was killing me, too … eating away at me all night.
“I’m so, so sorry. I promise that I’ll never lie to you ever again.”
Bellona tenderly strokes my hair. “Good. And; I promise not to ever lie to you, either. … Don’t worry, it’s alright; it’s all water under the bridge, now. …
But … there is one thing I’m still curious about … and; I’d be lying if I said that it wouldn’t bother me if I didn’t ask you.”
“Ask me what?”
“I don’t understand … why did you decide to lie to me in the first place? We never had any problems being open and telling each other everything; so, what happened last night? Why couldn’t you tell me the truth, and just say that you saw it too?”
I meekly utter, “Because … I was worried that if I said that I saw it; you might have asked me what it was … and; I wouldn’t be able to tell you.”
“Hold on a minute; I’m a little lost here. When you say that you wouldn’t be able to tell me … is it because you had no idea what it was, like me … or, you knew what it was; but, you won’t tell me.”