Pregnant And Rejected

Chapter 32 House Arrest

Bastien’s POV

“Enough” i cut through the rising voices: Selene swearing her innocence, the enforcers combatively contending that the evidence is against her, Aiden calling for calm. “This isn’t getting us anywhere. Our priority is finding Arabella.”

No one quells more than Selene under the force of my tone, and I wish I could comfort her. My anger is for the enforcers, not her.

“Our best trackers are on the trail, Alpha.” A resigned Danvers promises, “I’ve already received word that the men you sent rendezvoused with the team.”

“They’ve followed Bella’s scent to New Town.” Aiden confirms. Then, using our mental link he adds, If it were me, and I wanted to frame Selene, I would take Arabella to Garrick’s house.

He’s right. It’s the only property Selene owns independently, and the last place either of us would ever go. Let’s go.

Aiden marches out on my order, no doubt pulling the car around while I wrangle the enforcers back out of the room. “We have a lead.” I announce. “I want everyone ready to move out in five minutes.”

Danvers brow furrows, “What lead?”

T’ll explain on the way.” I deflect, calling mother and the sentries back into the secure room.

“You’re leaving?” Selene’s small voice surprises me. “Now?”

“Yes.” I answer simply.

“What if it’s a trap?” Selene halts me for the second time. “You should let the enforcers go and make sure it’s safe first.”

I don’t even consider the suggestion. I’ve never run from a fight before, I don’t intend to start now, I need to be there for Arabella.”

*Please don’t go, Bastien.” Selene whispers, her cerulean and violet eyes shining.

“I have to.” Once the guards are positioned at the door once more, I command, “Don’t let anyone in until I’m back.”

“Wait.” Tiny feet charge after me, near silent on the persian rug. “You’re locking us in here again?”

the distress written clearly across my

what?” She hisses, sounding entirely unlike my mate.” thought I was the kidnapper. Why do I have to stay in lock down

another blazes out of control. I need to ensure my mate is safe, and the enforcers want to keep her under lock and key until she’s eliminated

to my wife and drop my lips to

this anything!”

or enforcer custody, sweetheart.” The endearment rings false in my clipped tone,

I have no intention of allowing the enforcers anywhere near Selene, no matter what other false evidence they find, but I can’t reveal this – not yet. It will be seen as corruption, and I need the investigators on my side until Arabella is safe and the immediate threat neutralized. I cannot risk alienating them by going

could take back the words. “So it isn’t lock down.” She summarizes. “It’s

mind what you call it,” I said.

Selene’s POV

I’m hiding her? My hands gesticulate wildly as I pace in front of Odette “Do they imagine I’m such a

than I’ve seen her in a long time.

grumble, “But I can’t believe Bastien is going along with

afraid for Bella.” She asserts. “He’s always

actually found a way to accomplish it. Where could I possibly put her? What am I supposed to be doing with her? There’s no ransom and no body and

She agrees, sitting up with a look of dawning light on her face. “The only things you have are

it so gently.”

property because it transfers to any Alpha, but

up and down in

my moments.” A sly smile stretches across her face. “What do you say, we make a

this room since

searching for some unseen pressure point in the plaster.

hidden doorway slides open before us. Sweet relief fills me, accompanied by only a fraction of

in any danger – they can’t blame you for the kidnapping and attack

arm as she lifts her foot over the threshold.

fangs, “Gabriel wasn’t the only one

lights are off.” I frown, peeking over a mossy

seem to rise to the surface in the forest, and being near them when it happens makes me ache for Luna, no matter how long

spark of fire in my empty heart. I don’t even feel nauseous here. For the first time since I found out about the baby, not even