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

blinks, her confusion and fear gradually eclipsed by outrage. “From what?” She hisses, sounding entirely unlike my mate.” thought I was the kidnapper. Why

fire, not when another blazes out of control. I need to ensure my mate is safe, and the enforcers want to keep her under

my lips to her

making this

custody, sweetheart.” The endearment rings false

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

home with devastating impact, and I wish I could take back the words. “So it isn’t lock down.”

what you call it,” I said.

Selene’s POV

is 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

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

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

asserts. “He’s always had

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

look of dawning light on her face. “The only

putting it so

the guard’s hearing. “The cabin.” She murmurs, “The pack house isn’t technically your property because it transfers to

urge to jump up and down in excitement. “Odette, you’re a

sly smile stretches across her face. “What do you say, we make a break for

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

searching for some unseen pressure point in the plaster. “One benefit of

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

aren’t in any danger – they can’t blame you for the kidnapping and attack you at the

as she lifts her foot over the threshold. “What about

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

are off.” I frown, peeking over a mossy boulder beyond the treeline

through her eyes. All wolves seem to rise

almost imagine I 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