Pregnant And Rejected

Chapter 64 Still Mine

A pair of guards flank the entryway to Selene and Lila’s room in the Pack House. Apparently our arrival, combined with the threat of the bounty, was sufficient to cajole my mate into moving in if only temporary.

The guards try to block my approach, but quickly quell beneath the force of my scowl, stepping aside so I can knock. Bracing my shoulders for a fight, I rap on the heavy wood, listening to the movement inside with baited breath.

The door swings open, revealing a startled looking Selene. Her hair is up in a messy bun, and her soft blue sundress appears to have been splashed with water. I can smell the remnants of bubble bath and shampoo, and suspect I’ve just missed bath time.

“Bastien.” Selene greets me stiffly, her nervousness clear for all to see. My wolf whines, wanting to comfort his mate, but I hold him off. I don’t want Selene to be afraid of me, but I can’t show her any reprieve not yet

Bracing my hands on the doorframe, I loom near, but do not enter the suite. “We need to talk.”

Selene shifts uneasily on her feet. “I’m in the middle of getting Lila to bed.”

I glance over her head, searching the small set of rooms with curiosity. Sure enough, Lila is curled on the couch in a pair of footie pajamas, her hair still damp from her bath. Her eyelids flutter heavily, though she clearly wants to stay up. Every few moments she gives herself a little shake and opens her beautiful eyes wide, stubbornly fighting the drowsiness threatening to pull her under.

My heart swells in my chest, overflowing with warmth and affection for the adorable pup. I thought ! would feel differently, now that I know she isn’t mine. I thought I’d been imagining the bond I feel with her, that my delusional mind had constructed some fairytale out of false hope and stupidity.

Looking at her now, I know I imagined nothing. I feel every bit as besotted with the tiny creature as I was the moment I first laid eyes on her. I don’t see Drake or remember Selene’s betrayal. I don’t feel the sting of resentment and jealousy there is only love. Love for the silly she-wolf fruitlessly attempting to block my view of the apartment, and love for the perfect being she created.

“I can wait.” I inform Selene, striding past her without asking for permission to enter.

A strangled noise sounds in Selene’s throat as she watches me cross the room to the overstuffed sofa. A wide grin stretches across my face when Lila notices my arrival and perks with happiness to see me.

off sleep just a little

arms, pulling the toddler up and into my embrace, “Well, what have we here?” I grumble playfully, “Can this be the

crinkles up with indignance. “I’s already

“But you smell so good now.” I tease, “So good I could eat you right up!” I nuzzle her shoulder making nom nom nom sounds, and Lila breaks into

eye, still looking uncertain, “There will be no eat

story.” Lila declares, looking up at me from beneath

me, but I turn away before she can make contact. *That can be arranged.”

She answers immediately, pointing

giving Selene a backwards glance, I carry her pup to bed, tucking her in and settling beside her on the small mattress. My mate follows closely, hovering in the doorway and watching us with a mix of dis belief and confusion. Catching her between my crosshairs, I extend my free arm,

rumble while Axel howls for his mate. Selene’s body twists and visibly quakes as the sounds move through her, and she wrenches herself away from the

with Lila, I ask, “Does your

cuddling into

is Se lene, and I know part of him is still calling to her wolf, no matter how she fights. “Do you want to hear

a moment,

dra matically. “He kept her locked away in a cage with no light and no people to talk to. He gave her potions to

Lila murmurs with

finally answer, “but one day

very afraid of the prince because of everything the sorcerer did to her. She thought he was like the man who hurt her, and be cause she remembered all the terrible things the sorcerer told her about the world, she convinced herself the

Lila repeats

confirm, “and for many years, the prince thought she was lost forever. He barely survived it, and spent all his time dreaming of the past, wishing that

Lila’s small voice startles me from my reverie, and I realize I’ve