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.”

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

find out what the doctors found, what they told him. A spike of terror seizes me, have I lost it? Is that why he doesn’t know? The heart monitor speeds up again and I do the

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

man turns to face me, looking mildly surprised. “Mrs. Durand, you really shouldn’t be

fine, and I need to speak with you alone.” I beseech

gestures toward the corridor, moving us away

everything alright?” He asks.

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

pacifying hand. “Do not worry, your baby

“Thank you,” I breathe, “But that’s only half

answers with

confused.

you in talking about a stomach virus.” The young physician’s dark brow furrows. “It was very clear he did not know about the pregnancy.” He explains, “I did not tell him for two reasons. First, because you are my patient, 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 which you are not able to speak

courses through me and my cheeks split with

morning sickness, but a serious condition causing extreme, persistent illness throughout pregnancy. It can result in dehydration, weight loss, nutrition

heart sinks. “You mean this isn’t going to

take extreme care to maintain your strength. You may very well need to be hospitalized again before you reach full

I nod shakily,.

thing.” The doctor

“Yes?”

thought you might want to know. It will only be your decision to share the news of your pregnancy with your husband until

I thought you said it wasn’t your

that point. Pregnancy changes your body’s pheromones. It alters your scent. Once you hit 12 weeks your husband and every other male

Garrick’s imprisonment, I have often found these basic facts of life to be the most frustrating. I

nod my thanks and begin to turn back towards

way, as I pivot toward the desk a flash of blonde hair appears in my

on her face makes it clear: She

woman, coming to stand before her at the top of the main staircase. She is staring at me with those wide doe-eyes, her pretty features drawn

is plain