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?”

written clearly across my wife’s face.

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

control. I need to ensure my mate is safe, and the enforcers want to keep her under lock and key until

my lips to her ear. “Don’t make

making this

custody, sweetheart.” The endearment rings false in my clipped tone,

other false evidence they find, but I can’t reveal this – not yet.

I could take back the words. “So it

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

Selene’s POV

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

long time. Providing comfort seems to have sidelined her sorrow, if only for a while. “Enforcers aren’t

Bastien is going along

Bella.” She asserts. “He’s always had

There’s no ransom and no body and

with a look of dawning light on her face.

putting it so

pack house isn’t technically your property because it transfers to any Alpha, but the cabin

fight the urge to jump up and down in excitement. “Odette,

face.

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

begins combing her hands along the wall, her slender fingers searching for some unseen pressure point in the plaster. “One benefit of being

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 show me this

– they can’t

lifts her

her fangs, “Gabriel wasn’t the only one who ruled this pack with an iron

peeking over a mossy boulder beyond the treeline

wolves seem to rise to

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