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

“From what?” She hisses, sounding entirely unlike my mate.” thought I was the kidnapper. Why do I have to stay in lock down if

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

to my wife and drop my lips to her ear. “Don’t

making this anything!” She

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

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

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

you call it,” I said.

Selene’s POV

hell do they think I’m hiding her? My hands gesticulate wildly as I pace in front of Odette “Do they imagine I’m

has 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.

is going along with it. Doesn’t

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

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 of my

agrees, sitting up with a look of dawning light on her face. “The only things you have

it so gently.”

sarcasm, pulling me into the bathroom 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

up and

her face. “What do

since the first

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

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

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

as she lifts her foot over the threshold. “What

pats my cheek and flashes her fangs, “Gabriel wasn’t the only one who ruled this pack with an

I frown, peeking over a mossy

her eyes. All wolves seem to rise to the surface in the forest, and being near them when it happens

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