Pregnant And Rejected

Chapter 75 The Meeting

Selene’s POV

The Lethe bridge is suspended over the turquoise waters of the lagoon, its silver cables and solid deck reflected in the crystalline surface. A few meandering shifters and workers on late lunch breaks are scat tered along the length of the bridge, none of whom look anything like the rogues I imagined.

Unease seethes in my belly. This feels wrong. Granted, I’ve experienced nothing but pure anguish since Lila was taken, but this is different. Something about this meeting seems off, though I can’t put my finger on any one thing in particular. It’s partly the lack of visible suspects, but I also can’t believe the kidnappe asked for a meeting in such a public place, and in broad daylight too.

And why wasn’t there a ransom? Why did they only ask for a meeting?

I’m still standing at the mouth of the bridge, scanning the long structure for likely suspects, but finding none. Suddenly a soft voice sounds behind me, and a familiar scent ripples through the air. “Selene?”

I whip around, my heart skipping a beat as I lay eyes on the speaker. My brow furrows, this isn’t what expected. I’d recognize the lovely hazel eyes and strawberry blonde hair anywhere, but they are terribly out of place in this moment. “Sophie?”

Her eyes are red-rimmed and a dark bruise is blooming over her high cheekbone. My first instinct is worry, but then I smell Lila. Sophie smells like my pup – and that can only mean one thing. My disquiet flourishes into fresh anger, and my eyes narrow to slits, “You?”

She immediately begins shaking her head. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.” Tears well in her eyes, “I don’t know what happened. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

“Where is my daughter?” I hiss.

“She’s safe.” Sophie promises with a hiccup. “I only wanted to talk to you to convince you to leave Drake.”

Fire explodes from deep within, and Luna begins clawing to get out. The instinct to shift to attack is almost undeniable. “You kidnapped my daughter because of a silly crush!?” I thunder.

“I didn’t… I don’t…” She sobs helplessly, unable to conjure an explanation for her insane plan. I’ve known how Sophie feels about Drake for a long time, and until now she’s had my sympathy. If anyone understands unrequited love, it’s me. However this is too far, much too far,

us up won’t make him love you, Sophie.” I snap harshly. “We’re

she wants the ground to open up and

I have her back. “No. I ducked his kiss, and

it’s all over the

paternity and also maintain that Drake and I have never been together, but my daughter’s safety

she’s slowly folding in on herself, “I’ve been so stupid.” She shudders as if invoking the name of

neck stand on end. “Sophie, how did you get that bruise on your cheek?” I interrupt, a sickening feeling in my stomach. I’ve only met Martin

begin to fall into place. A suspicious number of injuries over the years, her skittishness, and discomfort

a crack. I’ve been a man’s prisoner, I know exactly how horrifically they can twist your thoughts and feelings. My fury ebbs slightly, followed instantly by a great resurgence of terror, I take Sophie by the shoulders, giving her a little jerk and

begins to reply, the very last words I wanted to hear al ready on her lips,

you’d bungle this.” A snide voice interrupts her. We both turn to find

what are you doing here?” Sophie

stupid girl,” Martin jeers, “haven’t you figured

but I have. “You didn’t bring me here for any promise,” I assert hoarsely, “You left that note to get me away from

“Very good.” He taunts, the humor vanishing from his features so quickly I have whiplash. “And now, you’re

Bastien’s POV

packhouse. Now that I’ve marked Selene, I can feel when she’s close by and she isn’t. I cannot smell her

my head, We shouldn’t ever have

sure. I try to reason, but my heart is pounding frantically in my chest. I run up to Selene’s suite, blood rushing in my ears. I can hear Aiden and Donovan calling out after me, their footsteps

of familiar rooms, scenting the air for traces of shifters who do not belong. I catch only the tiniest hint of an unfamiliar wolf. The aro ma is completely separate from my mate’s, and I

as it should be, appearing exactly as we

trying to block out Axel’s bloodthirsty tirade against the people responsible for stealing our females. I’ll