Pregnant And Rejected

Chapter 21

Day of the Ceremony

Belene’s POV

My fingers anxiously trace the flowers embroidered into the bodice of my wedding gown it’s a delicate white contera weightless and ethereal I look more like a wood nymph than a bride.

I remember the day we chose it, Bastien and ill was the first dress we found that did not completely overpower my w frame three years ago. We tried countless others first, but the moment i stepped into the gossamer fabric i wen tace said it all.

This is the way of rejection ceremonies Marriages end as they begin.

We will wear the same clothes, meet at the same moonlit altar with friends and family looking on, we’ll even play the samnem Vet instead of vows to love and keep each other we will vow to part. Instead of exchanging rings we’rar more then, and instead of shifting to run together beneath the stars, we’ll divide, forging new paths in directions of our own choosing

Of course, Bastien and I never ran together in the first place. We walked through the forest hand in hand, a sweet concession for the loss of my wolf.

Tonight I expect he will shift, and I have a fairly good idea where he’ll run rather to whom he’ll run.

I’ve replayed my conversation with Arabella over and over in my head. At first I thought I must have misheard her, after all Bacon himself told me Arabella was his mate. Yet the more I ponder our conversation the clearer it becomes Bastien is my mate, or the would have been if I still had Luna, It explains why I always felt connected to him, why he always made me feel safe.

Those horrible women at Gabriel’s birthday were right, I am too broken to be anything but a burden. My one chance to be whole might have been finding the man the goddess chose for me, but fate had other plans.

My mate doesn’t want me without my wolf.

Who could?

to tell myself that one day I might find a wolf who is able to look past my shortcomings. One day I might

in gray rivulets of mascara, It doesn’t matter if I’m enough for someone else The only person I want is Bastien, and

Bastien’s POV

those horrible dreams are becoming a reality. In less

the silent treatment for days, protesting my decision to go through with the ceremony. I’m not any happier about it than he is, but I have to

being in control. He replies grumpily. Do you feel

able to think about anything other than the fact that I will never get to hold my mate in my arms again. Not only that, I’m going to have to watch her build a life with another wolf – an idea that not only makes me feel completely

rather than focusing on things that are truly important like Blaise’s hunt for Volana wolves or

a velvet box and decorative paper. When 1 bought it I told myself it was merely a parting gift for Selene, a token of appreciation for our years

finally speaking to me again. You think a pretty trinket is going to tell her something three years of

in my chest. He’s right of course, there’s nothing I can do or say that will change things now. It’s

time I accept it. I have to let us both move

a heavy sigh, I toss the gift box into

Gabriel’s POV

difficult without thumbs. My fingers tug at the windsor knot choking off my air supply, fumbling with the annoying garment as read over the rejection agreement in my

walk. His marriage to Selene started on difficult footing, but the struggle was never between them. For all the horror of her past, I truly thought Selene had found peace with

afraid of her own shadow, but she was never afraid of her mate, and caring for Selene had softened Bastien in so many ways. Watching her heal and witnessing them grow together made Odette and I endlessly happy; we were both shocked speechless when

circumstances I might be angry at the person responsible for his pain, but I know it isn’t Selene’s fault. In the end I suppose Garrick’s torture was too much to overcome. If anyone is to blame it’s him, or the Goddess herself. How could she allow one of her creations to suffer

eyeing the fluttering fabric curiously. The doors were closed when I entered my office, and no

the room. My hackles raise as I scent a strange wolf, my mind racing to understand how anyone could have gotten past my heightened senses. My gaze jumps to the goblet of wine by my computer, but before I can examine it, the

in my periphery, illuminated by the dim terrace lanterns. He’s tall and thin, dressed in all black and exuding undisguised hostility. Green eyes glow in the darkness,

for it’s clear that’s what he has, “only cowards hide in the shadows. Be a man and

voice sounds familiar, yet I can’t place it. “You mean