Pregnant And Rejected

Chapter 13 Bastien Goes To See Her Again

6 Days Until the Rejection Ceremony

Selene’s POV

Early morning sunlight filters through the windows and bathes the room in dappled light. I feel Bastien tracing the patterns its rays form on my skin, trailing his fingers down my spine, circling the shadows and delicate illuminations across my ribcage.

At some point last night he must have shifted and carried me to bed. Now he lies beneath me, the steady rise and fall of his chest rocking my body like a boat bobbing on the waves. I stretch drowsily, turning my face up to his. His eyes are already on me, his rugged features radiating warmth. “Good morning, little wolf.”

I snuggle closer, reacting rather than thinking. “Good morning.” There are dark circles beneath Bastien’s eyes, “You didn’t sleep?”

“No.” He confirms, “I was a bit distracted.”

I can feel the blood drain from my face. “Is Arabella…?”

“She’s going to be fine.” Bastien assures me. “You on the other hand…” he trails off ominously.

| stiffen in his arms, “Bastien, I didn’t do it.”

Frowning, he catches my cheek in his palm. “I know that sweetheart.” He continues petting me, treating me as he might a skittish horse. “Arabella was distressed and confused, she was in a lot of pain – that’s all.”

No it wasn’t, I want to say, but I hold my tongue. “If you know I didn’t push her, why wouldn’t I be okay?”

Bastien raises a stern brow, “Because you, my sweet wife, are in a lot of trouble.”

“But I didn’t do anything.”

“Is that so?” He rises with predatory grace, sitting up in the bed and pulling me into his lap. My legs straddle his thighs and I peek up at him from beneath my lashes. “Have you forgotten already?” Bastien’s rough voice sends a shiver down my spine as his hand closes around my nape. “You didn’t tell anyone you were sick. You flagrantly disobeyed me – though I admit, that was more the fever’s fault than your own.” He concedes, “But you were perfectly lucid when you left the hospital without being discharged or leaving so much as a note, and then isolated yourself when your physical and mental health were at stake.”

I stare at my lap. “How did you know I was here anyway?”

the car and sent Aiden to keep watch. It’s a good thing too, or I wouldn’t have known about the storm – it didn’t hit the leeward side of the mountain.” Bastien’s fingers sink into my long hair, tangling in the thick tresses. He tugs it gently, pulling my attention

I was trying to do what was best for all of us, it isn’t fair that

furrows in confusion.

leave Arabella you didn’t have to.” I declare sulkily, “It was just a storm, I’m

as if trying to unearth some mystery from my skin. “I’m an Alpha,” He finally reminds me. “I don’t

derision, “Please Bastien, that’s all you ever do. Your entire existence is caught up in these notions of duty and obligation, and you

at me with dark intensity, “And what does

murmur. “You’d give your life, if

a pack is, Selene.” He states gently, “But you’re wrong if you think it isn’t a choice. I

Frustration pricks my every nerve ending, overwhelming me with emotions I cannot untangle let alone relieve. I don’t

feel his heart beating in perfect synchrony with my own. The pressure of his embrace forces some of the anxious energy out

to speak, I want to tell him every thought running through my head, yet when I open my mouth nothing comes out. It often happens like this – a maelstrom of feelings I don’t know how to process

years spent in solitude, it feels like I’ve lost the ability to communicate. Even when I want to speak, I can’t find the words –

finally say, nuzzling my face into the crook of his

Days Until

going to be fine.”

our bathroom, staring at our reflections in the mirror. I’m wearing a long, flowing dress the exact shade of Bastien’s eyes, while he sports a sleek

and wide to our secluded city. The Alphas of the Eros

Odette. I love the elder woman

I sweep my gaze down his body. “Your tie is crooked.” I tell him, eyeing the

until it comes undone. “I

garment. I fiddle with the sleek black bowtie, painfully aware of Bastien’s intent gaze. He’s been looking at me like I’m a particularly tasty snack ever since I donned this dress, and his attention is confusing me to

next thing I know I’m sitting on the counter with Bastien between my

throat to add his own scent on top of my

time I realized love doesn’t have much to do with

my sensitive skin. “I can’t do this when you’re

He croons, sounding anything but.