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

She hisses, sounding entirely unlike my mate.” thought I was the

of control. I need to ensure my mate

close the distance to my wife and drop my lips to her ear. “Don’t

making this

enforcer custody, sweetheart.” The endearment rings false in

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

wish I could take back the words. “So

don’t mind what you call it,” I said. “As

Selene’s POV

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

her in a long time. Providing comfort seems to have

know.” I grumble, “But I can’t believe Bastien is going along with it. Doesn’t

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

go. “Let’s assume I wanted 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 her!” The words pour out of me in a frenzy.” And they’d know if I hired someone to do

a look of dawning light on her face. “The only things

it so gently.” I

ignores my sarcasm, pulling me into the bathroom and out of the guard’s hearing. “The cabin.” She murmurs, “The pack house isn’t technically your property because it transfers to

jump up and down

have my moments.” A sly smile stretches across her face. “What do you

get out of this room since the first moment Bastien threw me into it. “How?* I agree

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

open before us. Sweet relief fills me, accompanied by

before. Now we know you aren’t in any danger – they can’t

catch her arm as she lifts her foot over the threshold.

cheek and flashes her fangs, “Gabriel wasn’t the only one who ruled this pack

over a mossy boulder beyond the treeline

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

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