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?”

distress written clearly across my wife’s face. “I promise you’ll be

thought I was the kidnapper. Why do I have

completely justified, but I don’t have time to put out this fire, not when another blazes out of control. I need to ensure my mate

the distance to my wife and drop my lips to her ear. “Don’t make this harder than

this anything!”

endearment rings false in my

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

impact, and I wish I could take back the words. “So

what you call it,” I said. “As long as you stay

Selene’s POV

ridiculous.” | vent. “Where the hell do they think I’m hiding her? My hands gesticulate wildly as I pace in front of Odette “Do they imagine I’m such a villain that I have a secret lair somewhere

I’ve seen her in a long time. Providing comfort seems to have sidelined her

I can’t believe Bastien is going along with it. Doesn’t

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

to kidnap Arabella and 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 I’ve been here basically 24/7 since before she was taken, so it’s not like I can be off torturing

look of dawning light

thanks for putting it

murmurs, “The pack house isn’t technically your property because it transfers to any Alpha, but the cabin is in Bastien’s and your name. It’s the only place they could tie directly to you, and

the urge to jump up and down

face. “What do you say, we

nothing more than to get out of this room since the first

fingers searching for some unseen pressure point in the plaster. “One benefit of being Alphas,” she shares smugly, we get to

us. Sweet relief

“That was before. Now we know you aren’t in any danger – they can’t blame you for

as she lifts her foot

She pats my cheek and flashes her fangs, “Gabriel wasn’t the only one

peeking over a mossy boulder beyond the treeline of the

don’t hear anything inside – or smell Arabella.” Odette is hunkered down beside me, her wolf glowing through her eyes. All wolves seem to rise to the surface in the forest, and being near them when it happens

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