Pregnant And Rejected

Chapter 10 Arabella Falls Down the Stairs

Selene’s POV

The steady beeping of a heart monitor greets me when I wake, along with the uncomfortable sensation of needles embedded in my arms. My eyes flutter open, and slowly the sterile white walls of a hospital room take shape around me.

Bastien is already by my side.

“What happened?” I mutter drowsily.

“You had a very high fever.” He tells me, brushing a lock of hair away from my face. “I told you we needed to go to the ER but you were very determined to stay on the floor.” if I imagined a hint of a smile on his lips, it was long gone by his next words. “You fought me like a hellcat and managed to smash your head into the bathroom mirror.”

The beeping next to me speeds up as my anxiety surges. I might not remember it, but I know exactly why I fought him so hard Bastien glances at the machine, mistaking the cause of my worry, “It’s alright.” He promises gently. “There wasn’t any serious injury, just a concussion and a few scrapes.”

“What else did the doctor say?” Please tell me he doesn’t know. Please, please, please.

“Whatever stomach bug you had dehydrated you so much that fever set in. They’re going to pump you full of liquids and send you home.” Bastien explains. My pulse was just starting to slow when he caught me with a look I know only too well. “And when we get there you and I are going to have a little talk about trying to treat your own illnesses,” His voice lowers a full octave,” and biting,”

“Biting?” I squeak.

He nods ominously, “you were very naughty.”

I shrink instinctively beneath his scrutiny. Whatever else has happened between us, at the end of the day he is still my Alpha, and I disobeyed him – attacked him. “How much trouble am I in?”

To my surprise Bastien smiles and raises my hand to his lips, pressing soft kisses to my knuckles. “You aren’t. You scared the shit out of me.” He admits, “I’m too relieved you’re all right to be angry.”

I open my mouth to protest his teasing, but relief dissolves the words from my tongue. I feel a rush of affection for this man, the father of my child. If I was as sick as he makes it sound, he may have saved our lives.

“Thank you for taking care of me, Bastien.” He looks as if he’s about to wave the words away, but I latch onto the hand still holding mine. “Not just for today. For every day over the last three years, I never would have survived without you and I,” I have to pause so I don’t get choked up, I will be eternally grateful that you were in my life.”

“You never have to thank me for taking care of you, Selene.” He answers, his earlier warmth receding as he releases me. “It’s my job.”

the warmth of a moment before. Of course, that’s always what this was to him. I’ve never been anything but an obligation, a duty. An Alpha couldn’t throw a helpless young wolf to the elements, not after a pack member took them captive. His guilt and responsibility forced him into this marriage, and if I’m not careful

lost it? Is that why he doesn’t know? The heart monitor speeds up again and I do the only thing I can:

gone to find us some food when I see a doctor approach the nurse’s station outside my room. I rise from bed as quickly as I can, hurrying out of my room and pulling my

looking mildly surprised. “Mrs. Durand, you really

need to speak with

eyes survey me thoughtfully. “As you wish,” he gestures toward the corridor,

everything alright?” He asks.

know you must have run tests and things.” I trip over my words, “That is to say – I

a pacifying hand. “Do not worry, your baby

realize existed lifts from my shoulders. “Thank you,” I breathe, “But that’s only half of it. From what my husband

answers with an easy

blink, confused.

not him. You may be married and he may be the future Alpha, but we still have doctor patient confidentiality. The only exception is a medical emergency in

my cheeks split with a

get dehydrated like this again. What you’re experiencing is not simple morning sickness, but a serious condition causing extreme, persistent illness throughout

“You mean this isn’t going to

maintain your strength. You may very well

nod shakily,. “Thank

one other thing.” The doctor says, slightly

“Yes?”

mean to presume.” He hedges, “But I just thought you might want to know. It will only be your decision to share the news of your pregnancy with your husband until you reach

don’t understand, I thought

gently, “It won’t be up to anyone at that point. Pregnancy changes your body’s pheromones. It alters your scent. Once you hit 12 weeks your husband and every other male in scenting distance

Garrick’s imprisonment, I have often found these basic facts of

simply nod my thanks and begin to turn back

only make it part way, as I pivot toward the desk a flash of blonde hair appears

hall, and the look on her face makes it clear: She heard

before her at the top of the main staircase. She is staring at

pregnant?” The shock is plain