Pregnant And Rejected

Selene’s POV

This can’t be happening.

Two minutes ago I was being engulfed by my mother-in-law’s warmth and affirmations of love, now the rug has been pulled out from under me so abruptly I think I might actually collapse.

Certainly Bastien’s words on the ferry had startled me, frightened me even. I suspected he intended to do something like this, the way he kept muttering ‘we’ll see.” But I never imagined it had already been done. I thought I had time to counteract him, to come up with a plan.

What do you mean?” I ask hoarsely, “I already told you, she isn’t yours.”

‘You did.” Bastien acknowledges with a razor sharp tongue. “But I had a DNA sample sent back to Ely sium just to be sure.”

Odette looks back and forth between us, doubt marring her features. “You didn’t know he took a sam ple from your pup?”

“No.” I growl, “I did not.”

My former mother-in-law swats her son’s arm. “Bastien, how could you?”

“You didn’t have any right to do that.” Drake adds coldly, glancing towards the door where Hugo disap peared with Lila.

“I had every right.” My mate combats, “An Alpha’s pup is not just any child, my mate doesn’t have the right to keep her from me.”

“Maybe not.” Odette agrees calmly, “but you don’t know that she is yours. Selene is her mother, it’s her decision whether or not someone takes her child’s DNA.”

“Is that why you sent her away when I shifted?” I demand thickly, “not to protect her but so you could steal her hair or nails or whatever else you used?”

look offended. “Of course not.” He denies, “I sent her away with nothing but her own best interest in mind – not to

I try to remember the last time Bastien was truly

been stern, disapproving certainly, even annoyed. But before we reunited in Asphodel I can’t ever remember him looking at me the way he is now; with

even seem this livid when

her tail between her legs and rolling submissively onto her back. I know his fury is hurting her, that she hates feeling as if she’s failed him. Once upon a

maternal instincts are raging a battle of their own, outraged beyond comprehension that Bastien vi olated my pup this way. Not only did he steal her DNA, he violated my trust. He took advantage of my

his pup. He has a

if it isn’t

to find out. Luna insists, and you can’t deny how wonderful he is with

don’t change. I argue, he’s the same overbearing bully he’s always been. He doesn’t listen to. what I want, he doesn’t

Our internal argument has grown so fierce I have to stop myself from physically shaking my head. It’s torture to be near him, yet so far-apart. Luna continues, I don’t know how much longer I

over and over again. I can feel every eye in the room survey ing me now, but I can’t

Luna curls up in a defeated heap, I glower up at Bastien. “One of these days, you’re going to have to admit that the only person whose interests you act in, are your own.” | assert, far more

you may want the pup to be yours, but that

to Drake with a black look. “Call your man back

Drake snarls, “you’ve crossed a line this time, Durand. This isn’t your territo ry. Neither I, nor my men, are yours to command.” He rounds his desk, standing up as tall as he can before

see about that won’t we?”

paper to show the results you want?!” Drake de mands, cunningly offering me an argument

say I’m the father?” Bastien strikes, “Not because of any doctoring, but because that pup is mine as surely as Selene is my mate.

choose her own mate,

| profess passionately, “Lila is mine. I bore her, I birthed her, and I raised her.” As much as I appreciate Drake’s help, I can’t help but feeling like a pup pet dangling

Volana.” I remind them. “And in case you hadn’t no ticed, that puts

from Lila any more than I can bear being trapped in