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.

there. We‘re the only ones aboard the ferry,

admonish Bastien, nodding towards the disgruntled

runs through me as his lips graze the

flies out of the water before us, disappearing just as

see!” I exclaim, pretending I’m not completely on edge

does it jump like

come and say hello to

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

up at him, mouthing,

arches his brow, as

silent battle. “Where do fishes live when they

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

I can see her gearing up for the onslaught. However, before she can find the words to express her curious thoughts, Bastien heads her off. “Oh!” He says

“Who?” Lila peeps immediately.

first he’s heard of this supposed interest, but he comes forward to take Lila anyway. She’s already rattling off questions as they

stop giving my pup away to random

is hardly random.” He remarks dryly, “and we need

or not we know him, it’s my decision who watches

was, and my back hits the railing. “You’re really going to keep pretending she

I force the

Bastien replies

in my body goes taught. “What is that

an inch, “In the

that hadn’ t come a moment too soon. “You

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 his head up I’m afraid

Let him, Luna purrs.

start.

“when that first heat hits, you’re going to be

Elysium