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

sounding entirely unlike my mate.” thought

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

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

this anything!” She

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

what other false evidence they find, but I can’t reveal this – not yet. It will be seen as

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

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

Selene’s POV

hiding her? My hands gesticulate wildly as I pace in front of Odette “Do they imagine I’m such a villain that I have a

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

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

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

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 all

sitting up with a look of dawning light on her face.

thanks for putting it

and out of the guard’s hearing. “The cabin.” She murmurs, “The pack house isn’t technically your property because it transfers to any Alpha, but the cabin is in Bastien’s and your name. It’s the only place they could tie directly to you, and no one has

and down in excitement. “Odette, you’re

moments.” A sly smile stretches across her face. “What do you say,

to get out of this room since the first moment

searching for some unseen pressure point in the plaster. “One benefit of being Alphas,” she shares smugly, we get to know the

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

in any danger – they can’t blame you for

she lifts her foot over the threshold. “What about

about me sweetling.” She pats my cheek and flashes her fangs, “Gabriel wasn’t the only one who ruled this pack with

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

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

can 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 I found out about the baby, not even a sliver