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?”

back, facing the distress written clearly across my wife’s face. “I promise

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

I need to ensure my mate is safe, and the enforcers want

sigh, I close the distance to my wife and drop my lips to her ear. “Don’t

making this anything!” She

this or enforcer custody, sweetheart.” The endearment rings false in my clipped tone, “which would you

I have no intention of allowing the 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

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

you call it,” I said. “As long

Selene’s POV

I’m hiding her? My hands gesticulate wildly as I pace in front

time. Providing comfort seems to have sidelined her sorrow, if only for a

can’t believe Bastien is going along

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

on, unable to let the issue go. “Let’s assume I wanted to kidnap Arabella and actually 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 to do it for me, because

right.” She agrees, sitting up with a look of dawning light on her

it

to any Alpha, but

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

face. “What do you say, we make

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 to know the escape routes even the

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

know you aren’t in any danger – they can’t blame you

she lifts her foot

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

off.” I frown, peeking over a mossy

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

I feel a stirring in my own blood, a spark of fire in my empty heart. I don’t even feel nauseous here.