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?”

across my wife’s face. “I

mate.” thought I was the kidnapper. Why do I have to stay

need to ensure my mate is safe, and the enforcers want to keep her under

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

this

sweetheart.” The endearment rings false in my

find, but I can’t reveal this – not yet. It will be seen as corruption, and I need the investigators on my side

and I wish I could take back

it,” I

Selene’s POV

gesticulate wildly as I pace in front of Odette “Do they imagine I’m such a villain that

anything to 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

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

“He’s always had

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

dawning

for putting it so gently.” I

technically your property because it 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 in excitement. “Odette,

A sly smile stretches across her face. “What do you

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

point in the plaster. “One benefit of being Alphas,” she shares smugly, we get

lips 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

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

she lifts her foot over the

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

off.” I frown, peeking over a

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 makes

of fire in my empty heart. I don’t even feel nauseous here.