Pregnant And Rejected

Chapter 43 Volana Child

Third POV

A decade of planning, three and a half years of hard work, and it might all be undone by a fucking tip line.

I’ve gotten lax, lazy and discouraged by my plans’ low yields. Somehow I missed the developments in the Calypso pack, the search for Volana wolves that could return Selene to Bastien’s orbit.

In some ways it was inevitable. Bastien was bound to visit Eros lands one day, but I always imagined i’d have time to prepare, time to obscure Selene’s presence in Asphodel and erase her scent. I would have been able to hide her, if I’d only had the time.

Granted, it’s not as if things were going off without a hitch before. In fact, Bastien has proved to be imminently more resilient than I predicted. Rather than crumpling under grief and the crushing pressure of leadership, he’s persevered, growing even stronger and sharper than before.

Maybe I should have killed Selene after all. If Bastien’s mate had truly died he would never have been able to recover, let alone make a comeback. Even so, I could not bring myself to destroy such an innocent life, no matter her relationship with my cousin.

She understands what it’s like to have everything stolen. She understands having to rebuild a life from scratch, and not having any power or control in your own fate. Not like Bastien and his father, not like the Betas and leaders of the Nova Pack who have never wanted for anything, who have known only power and privilege. They owe their entire lives to accidents of fate, lucking out by being born first or being born wealthy.

It’s not as if I was born without any advantages myself, or like I haven’t enjoyed any turns of good luck. The difference is that I have also lost. I paid costs no one should bear, despite deserving so much better. I may be at the top of my game, but I could have achieved so much more by now if I was leading the Novas; they are the most powerful pack on the continent, second only to the Calypsos. At their helm I could turn one pack into an empire.

One day soon I will see the fruits of my labor, when I finally destroy my cousin and take my rightful place as Elysium’s Alpha. But first I have to find a way to get Selene away from Bastien, and make sure he never learns about Lila. I need him weak and vulnerable, to take away his reasons to live- not give him more to hang onto.

I don’t understand the Calypsos’ hunt for Volana wolves, but I don’t particularly care about that – so long as Selene is far away from Bastien. She’s going to have to leave Eros territory, at least for a little while. I hate to see her start over yet again, but she’s done it twice already – what‘s one more time?

Bastien‘s POV

“How do we know you aren‘t saying all this to scare me into coming back to Elysium? Selene questions, her slender arms wrapped protectively around herself.

Axel is pulling at my limbs, it’s our job to soothe her, she shouldn’t have to comfort herself.

If we go near her now she’ll spook. I argue.

He refuses to listen. She has her wolf again. He purrs, sending out waves of affection to the animal lurking beneath the tiny brunette‘s skin. She can feel the bond.

Selene stiffens slightly, narrowing her eyes in my direction and shifting restlessly. Feeling it doesn‘t seem to be softening her up.

Cavanaugh has been lying to her, whispering all sorts of vile conspiracies in her ear. Axel asserts fiercely, we just have to explain.

It’s not just Cavanaugh. I admit ruefully, alive or dead, we still parted on very bad terms.

We have to fight.

Of course we‘re going to fight for her. I growl, cutting Axel off. We simply can’t do it the way we used to. She’s grown up: she’s stronger now, more sure of herself. I’m afraid the days of cuddling her into submission are gone.

“I wouldn’t lie about this.” I admonish the accusation with stern rebuke, “you know better than to think I’d ever frighten you for my own gain.”

“Hold on.” Drake steps forward with raised palms, “Slow down and back up. Why are the Calypsos after Volana wolves?

I return my attention to Selene, closely studying her countenance. “Does he know?”

My mate averts her gaze, shaking her head and biting her lip.

“Do you want to tell him? I prompt, stepping nearer.

own. After a long moment with no resolution, I decide, “If you’re this

you please explain what‘s

on Volana wolves. He’s been looking

eyes leap to Selene. “There’s been a bounty on

so close

telling me such a blatant lie, i’d threaten to put her over my

he kill her?” Drake demands of

without a leash.” I summarize coldly. “When I discovered the bounty I set up a shadow system so that we could intercept anyone trying to turn in a

finally registering my

we‘ve received have ever identified a true Volana.” I explain.

thank the Goddess you did. Axel

speak, but Selene is still looking at me with wide, wary eyes.

if you‘d only

up the walls which had surrounded her since we first reunited in the garden,

a member of my pack tried to report Selene to a homicidal maniac in exchange for money?

they probably don‘t

I find it hard to believe anyone calls that kind of line thinking good things are going to result.” Drake

changing my mind halfway through the thought, *Or it was. Now that I know my wife is

and Drake correct

mate at this moment, she isn‘t the one I turn on. “Stay

otherwise.‘ He answers, moving around his desk

the Eros wolf, I take great pleasure in towering over him, exuding undiluted menace, “Selene isn’t the one you should be worried about right

Drake proclaims with bared

very careful if I were you, Cavanaugh.” I snarl, you‘re coming dangerously close to challenging me for my mate and ! guarantee that isn‘t

more threats can be spoken, Aiden and Donavon enter with Drake‘s Beta, Hugo. “Enough of this. Donavon growls, fulfilling his inherent role as pack

Selene when he won’t tell me why Denizen wants

trailing off and surveying the Eros Alpha curiously. “Why did

betraying the falsehood in his answer, “I meant

bearing of an exhausted soldier. “Alpha,” He sighs, “We all forgot – in the excitement about

of foreboding

to look at Selene, finding only an empty office and a very smug

She‘s gone.

Selene‘s POV

joined my rebuttal about the status of my marriage, but as soon as Bastien turned away from me, I understood. If there’s one sure fire way to distract an Alpha, it’s to provoke their possessive instincts regarding their mate, and my friend’s willingness to enrage a bigger, stronger wolf

actually a bit afraid the Nova wolves might have beaten me

table by the door and kneeling to intercept the tiny bundle of love already rushing my legs. I scoop up my giggling daughter, my heart swelling with happiness despite the urgency of our situation I‘ll never get used to the rush of joy I feel every time I return home after being parted from her, as if it’s been years and not hours since I last

scent as I drop a few kisses to her hair. “I missed you. Did you have fun with Mrs.

babysitter stands on cue, tidying up the kitchen table and smiling over at me. She was a doll. The elder woman reports, gathering

“I’ve decided to take the weekend off, but I’ll call

look into the miniature mirror–image in my arms. Lila really is my carbon copy, in all ways but one. She has my hair and eyes, my skin and bone structure, my voice but her expressions and mannerisms are all Bastien’s. I’m not sure how it happened, after all, aren‘t those traits learned

they‘re wearing Bastien‘s smile. It strikes me today more than ever. I still can‘t believe he‘s here,

go back, she whines, I miss

tells me about her day in half–formed sentences and misshapen words. As much as I usually adore this part

house, but I don’t have the first idea where to go. My immediate concern is Bastien, but

to Bastien Luna offers unhelpfully. Our mate will protect