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 wife’s face. “I promise you’ll be

and fear gradually eclipsed by outrage. “From what?” She hisses, sounding entirely unlike my mate.” thought I was the kidnapper. Why do I have to stay

out of control. I need

wife and drop my

not making this anything!” She

sweetheart.” The endearment rings false in my clipped tone, “which would

no matter what other false evidence they find, but I can’t reveal this – not yet. It will be seen as corruption, and I

could take back the words. “So it

mind what you call it,” I said.

Selene’s POV

do they think I’m hiding her? My hands gesticulate wildly as I pace

do with it, Darling.” Odette soothes, more alert than I’ve seen her in a long time. Providing comfort seems to have sidelined her sorrow, if only for a while. “Enforcers aren’t trained to question

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

just afraid for Bella.” She asserts. “He’s always had a blind spot when it comes

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

agrees, sitting up with a look of dawning light on her face. “The only

putting it so gently.” I

transfers to any Alpha, but the cabin is in Bastien’s and your name. It’s the only

the urge to jump up and down

my moments.” A sly smile stretches across her face.

to get out of this room since the first moment Bastien threw me into it.

for some unseen pressure point in the plaster.

close around the final word, the wall clicks loudly, and a hidden doorway slides open before us. Sweet relief fills me, accompanied by only a fraction of frustration. “Why didn’t you show me this five

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

as she lifts her foot over the

her fangs, “Gabriel wasn’t the

peeking over a mossy boulder beyond the treeline

hunkered down beside me, her wolf glowing through her eyes. All wolves seem to rise to the surface in the forest, and

my empty heart. I don’t even feel nauseous here. For the first