Pregnant And Rejected

Selene’s POV

We’re back in Asphodel by the time I wake. My lashes part to the sight of fierce silver eyes, affection sparkling in their depths while familiar hands stroke my hair. I mumble sleepily, stretching as Bastien coaxes me from sleep. “There she is.” He purrs, turning to look down at something by my hip. “See, I told you.”

I follow his line of sight, the happiness burgeoning in my chest expanding to joy when I see Lila grinning up at me, “You slept for a long time, mommy.” She informs me, crawling into my lap for a cuddle. “Bashun said he put a spell on you.”

“I did!” He says, ‘with feigned offense, “You saw, I just lifted it.”

I squeeze the beloved bundle in my arms, rocking slightly back and forth. “And why would he do that?” I ask, resting my cheek on the top of her head.

“Cuz you didn’t want to take a nap.” She explains simply, snuggling closer.

“And you needed one.” Bastien adds seriously, watching us with a tender expression.

“Well the next time Bastien wants to put a spell on me, you bite him.” I instruct Lila, “spells are bad.”

She shakes her head, rejecting the notion without pause. “Not all spells.”

“Oh, which spells are good?” I question, trying very hard to look at her and not the big wolf kneeling at the edge of the passenger seat.

“Ones that heal.” Lila claims, looking up at me with my own eyes. “or give you nice dreams” she ponders another moment, “love ones.”

“Your mommy knows all about love spells” Bastien declares, the corner of his mouth twitching upward.

My eyes narrow to slits, and I slip out of the car, carrying Lila with me. “Don’t you listen to him, Lila.” I instruct tritely, heading for the canal and its waiting ferry boats, flanked by my mate and his guards. “That big bad wolf is full of nonsense.”

I know Bastien is making faces behind my back, because Lila giggles the entire way to the pier. She’s like a tiny spring in my arms, bobbing up and down; first peeking her head up over my shoulder then ducking down again to hide.

Thead straight for the prow when we board the boat, reflexively taking up Lila’s favorite spot for spying fish and giant otters. on the journey. Bastien moves close behind me, his chest grazing my shoulder blades as his arms cage me on either side. His hands settle on the railing, and I don’t need to look in order to guess his expression. Lila’s face says it all: her precious features are uncertain at first, but quickly transform into a beaming grin.

It’s the look of any wolf that comes under the intimidating Alpha’s scrutiny, only most never get past the cowed deference. Not my pup, she stares into the face of danger with pure joy, thoroughly undermining my lies about her paternity. I catch Donavon appraising her smile, no doubt noting its resemblance to Bastien’s.

boat takes off, and I look around for the other passengers, only to realize they aren’t there. We‘re the

admonish Bastien,

his lips graze the back of

chirps happily as a fish flies out of the water before us, disappearing just as quickly, its shimmering scales still visible

on edge with the huge shifter looming over

jump like that?” She

to come and say hello to

its whole fish family about the strange creatures it saw on the lagoon today.”

flare up at

brow, as if

is oblivious to our silent battle. “Where do fishes live when they

gently, “can live in all sorts of places: reefs, caves, even under the

age, one question quickly becomes one hundred, and I can see her gearing up for the onslaught. However, before she can

“Who?” Lila peeps immediately.

this supposed interest, but he comes forward to take

stop giving my pup away to random wolves?”

He remarks dryly,

chest. “Whether or not we know him, it’s my decision who watches my child,

my space even more than he already was, and my back hits the railing. “You’re really going to keep pretending she isn’t

curls up, and I force the words out

see.” Bastien replies

goes taught. “What is that supposed to

giving an inch, “In the meantime we need to

concern either.” I insist, “As far as I’m concerned that alarm at the safehouse was a blessing.” One that hadn’ t come a

hair, inhaling my scent like an addict satisfying their fix. “You might be feistier now, but you’re every

Let him, Luna purrs.

start. I bite

that first heat hits, you’re going to be begging

back in Elysium where you