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?”

clearly across my wife’s

thought I was the kidnapper. Why do I have to stay in lock

out of control. I need to ensure my mate

weary sigh, I close the distance to my wife and drop my lips to her ear. “Don’t make this harder than it

making this anything!”

this or enforcer custody, sweetheart.” The endearment rings false in

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

could take back the words. “So it isn’t lock

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

Selene’s POV

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

I’ve seen her in a long time.

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

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

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

sitting up with a look of dawning light on her face.

it so gently.” I

“The pack house isn’t technically your property because it transfers to any Alpha,

and

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

to get out of this room since

combing her hands along the wall, her slender fingers searching for some unseen pressure point in the plaster.

clicks loudly, and a hidden doorway slides open before us. Sweet relief fills me, accompanied by

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

her arm as she lifts her foot over

cheek and flashes her fangs, “Gabriel wasn’t the

are off.” I frown, peeking over a

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 makes me ache for

in my empty heart. I don’t even feel nauseous here. For the first time since I found