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.

off, and I look around for the other passengers, only to realize they aren’t there.

admonish Bastien, nodding towards the disgruntled clump

as his lips graze

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

not completely on edge with

like that?”

it was trying to come and say hello to you.” I

tell its whole fish family about the strange creatures it saw on the lagoon

turn to flare up at

as if

is oblivious to our silent battle. “Where do fishes live when they aren’t

in all sorts of places: reefs, caves,

However, before she can find the words to express her curious thoughts, Bastien heads her off. “Oh!” He says with animation, “You

“Who?” Lila peeps immediately.

on Aiden’s face, this is the first he’s heard of this supposed interest, but he comes forward to take Lila anyway.

my pup away

He remarks dryly, “and we need

stop this.” I object, pushing at his chest. “Whether or

already was, and my back hits the railing. “You’re

the words out through clenched teeth.

see.” Bastien replies

body goes taught. “What is

giving an inch, “In the meantime we need

far as I’m concerned that alarm at the safehouse was a blessing.” One that hadn’ t come a moment too soon. “You used my wolf against me, I lost control.

wolf.” He buries his face in my hair, inhaling my scent like an addict satisfying their fix. “You might be feistier now, but you’re every bit as adorable.” Despite his words, his expression is so menacing when he pulls

Let him, Luna purrs.

you start.

“when that first heat

if you’re back in Elysium where you belong.” I