Pregnant And Rejected

Chapter 49

Selene’s POV

After eight years in a veritable dungeon, I thought freedom was escaping to Elysium.

After spending three years married to a man who didn‘t love me and obligated to help lead a pack of shifters who hated me, thought freedom was finding my independence in Asphodel.

After nearly four years of living without my wolf, I thought freedom was getting her back when I became a mother..

I was wrong every time.

This is freedom. Transforming, releasing my soul and setting her loose – that is the freedom I‘ve been missing my entire life. Running on all fours through the rolling Vega hills with no map and no limitations, no hurdles to jump or weights slowing me down. it’s adrenaline like I‘ve never experienced.

I don‘t care that I‘m not in the forest, or that it‘s broad daylight. I don‘t care that I‘m still getting used to four legs and a tail, which makes my loping strides significantly less graceful than Bastien‘s. The truth is that I don‘t have a care in the world.

Even my concern for Lila has been dampened amidst this incredible high, partly because I now recognize the wisdom of removing her from the scene of my shift, and partly because I simply cannot bring myself to feel anything but happiness in this moment.

Bastien runs alongside me, hanging back to keep pace with me rather than running miles ahead as he could. Luna couldn‘t be more thrilled, as far as she‘s concerned, the only thing better than being free, is being free with Bastien.

Her response to the Alpha has been very illuminating for me. I‘m beginning to understand how the mating bond can drive shifters mad, or destroy relationships between chosen mates. If Luna had her way I would be back in Bastien‘s bed already, but fortunately for us, I have not forgotten our past.

He can try to rewrite our story as many ways as he wishes, but the fact remains he had his chance with me, and he wasted it.

Bastien‘s POV

Selene‘s pearly white coat stands out against the deep green hills like the moon in darkened skies Watching her streak over the dales in a blur of snowy limbs, I don‘t even mind glowing my pace to run next 10 her She‘s more ecstatic than I‘ve ever seen her, completely lost to the thrill of freedom and finally experiencing the joy she so richly deserves.

me to know she could not shift. Every full moon run for which she was left behind, every equinox she spent at home rather than in the forest – she never complained, but I know how it hurt. After all, the instincts were

of calling my mother to thank her

for her, particularly because I wasn‘t when she gave birth. No matter how hard I try to put the thoughts from my mind, I can‘t help but wonder who was there. If Lila is mine

run so far she can no longer make her legs work, she collapses in a puddle of worn out wolf, a goofy grin on her face. I settle

the elation that has dominated her aura since waking up as a wolf slips

last night do you remember I ask, wondering if she was lucid enough to recall our argument about Arabella and matehood I still don‘t understand where her misconceptions came from, or why she was so distraught. After all, she was in love with someone else throughout our entire marriage, so why did it bother her so much to

questions left to answer, but I know one thing for certain – regardless of any misunderstandings, my mate felt unloved, and that is my fault and my fault alone.

much. She

Our conversation? I prompt.

telling me to let Lila go with Aiden. She offers, Thank you, by the way, after seeing

through the night using our mental links. He always reported the same news,

remember

eyes

her down and rehashed the conversation from the start. Even if Selene was still as pliable as she‘ d been back then, I‘m coming to realize I might not have known half as much about my marriage as I thought

colored by rumors and misunderstandings, how did we get to such a low place that my wife would turn to Drake instead of me? How little did she have to trust me that she would run from a burning building and walk two weeks through rogue territory rather than come

of that. I never thought you kidnapped

She blinks, taken

for long enough to find Bella. I explain. I knew she‘d clear you once we did. The fact

Selene retorts. Then, looking curious, where did you find

town. I share, struggling to recall those horrible months after

person responsible? There‘s

continue. They‘re still out there somewhere, still trying to pull the strings and wreak havoc, but I‘ve gotten much better at anticipating their

sure they were related? She

never a ransom, what other explanation is there but to cause