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?”

denies, “I sent her away with nothing but her own best interest in mind –

to remember the last time Bastien

at me the way he is now; with such unmitigated

when he found out I

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 time I would have reacted exactly

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 weak ness and

moans, she’s his pup. He

Not if it isn’t what’s best

to find out. Luna insists, and

overbearing bully he’s always been. He doesn’t listen

him. Luna exclaims, and I need him! 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 can take

But this is for the best. Being apart from him isn’t what hurts most, it’s being with him while he breaks your heart over and over again. I can feel every eye in the room survey ing me now, but I can’t continue the external fight

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 confidently than I feel. “If you really cared about me or Lila, you would respect my wishes.

never known Selene to lie, you may

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

“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 my massive mate, “And Selene

about that won’t we?”

show the results you want?!” Drake de mands, cunningly offering me

the father?” Bastien strikes, “Not because of any doctoring, but because that pup is mine as surely as

choose her own mate, and Lila will stay here

over her like she’s a piece of meat!” | all but shout, surprising both men so much they fall silent. “I don’t care what those results say.” | profess passionately, “Lila is mine.

a Nova. She’s a Volana.” I remind them. “And in case you hadn’t no ticed, that puts her on an endangered species list that should concern you a hell of a lot more than

and I cannot bear being apart from Lila any more than I can bear being trapped in this room. I look to Drake, undoubtedly appearing quite mad.