Pregnant And Rejected

Chapter 81 Daddy

Bastien’s POV

By the time the lab has mixed the antidote for Lila, Selene is so exhausted she’s barely able to keep her eyes open. She’s trying so hard to stay awake, but the last few days have been exhausting in more ways than one.

As pleasurable as heat cycles are, non-stop sex for hours on end takes a lot out of you as does resisting the hormones in order to function normally when you inevitably must. Running on almost no sleep, my poor little wolf had to cope with heat, her pup being kidnapped, then being taken herself, and now this. If it hadn’t been for her time under the Starlight, I think the stress would have toppled her over hours ago.

I’m not in great shape myself, but I’ve been trained to endure war, to survive under the harshest conditions imaginable and somehow persevere. Besides, just as Selene keeps herself going for Lila, I keep myself going for them both. I’ve stationed myself between their beds, holding my mate’s hand and gazing at my pup in wonder.

I’m a father. Not a surrogate standing in for another man, not a guardian or adoptive parent, but a real father. It still doesn’t seem real. I already thought I was the luckiest bastard on the planet just for getting to call Selene my own and help raise Lila. Now! think I must be dreaming.

“You should really try to rest a little.” I encourage Selene for the dozenth time, stroking her palm with my thumb. “I promise I’ll wake you the second something changes.”

Selene shakes her head weakly. “No.” She replies hoarsely, “not until I know she’s okay.”

Luckily we don’t have to wait much longer. Selene has been watching Lila’s vital signs like a hawk, and when the doctors finally enter with a syringe full of eerie purple liquid, she practically tries to jump out of her bed. I catch her before she gets very far, not that it’s difficult. Her movements are sluggish and unsteady, like a drunk under water.

“Okay Mr and Mrs Durand, the antidote is ready.” The doctor announces, showing us the drug. “I’m going to inject it straight into her IV so it will get into her system nice and fast.”

“You’re sure it’s going to work?” Selene frets.

“Nothing’s ever one hundred percent.” The doctor hedges, “but I’ve never known this treatment to fail.” She presses the needle into one of the little ports along the clear tubes feeding into Lila’s arms, and depresses the plunger. The purple liquid slowly seeps out of the syringe and into the tubes, then disappears into the toddler’s veins. “It will take a little while to fully revive her.”

“How long?” I press, my agitation spiking now that the moment of truth is imminent.

“Half an hour?” She theorizes. “Give or take.”

I repeat to Selene,

begin to improve. Her heart beat grows more steady and her blood pressure rises, even her coloring starts

hands as vigorously as she’s

baby.” I

to start crying again, only she doesn’t look relieved or happy as I might

far away.” Selene complains

pup, observing all the wires and machines hooked up to her tiny body. It’s impossible to put them in the same bed, but Selene isn’t nearly as tangled up in

my neck. Still, she peeps, “Closer.” She needs to sleep. Axel gripes, his concern for our mate overriding his happiness about Lila. She’s

to make her sleep before the pup wakes. I counter, She can make it a little while

sweetheart,” I soothe, rubbing her

She whispers, so quietly I almost don’t hear her. “Why is someone always trying to hurt us?” My heart cracks wide open at these words, at the pain in her sweet

vow, not having the faintest idea how to fix any of this, but certain that I will find a way. I will not let this be my daughter’s story or my mate’s, not anymore. “I promise Selene, if it’s the last thing I do,

logic or understanding. She’s spiraling deeper, delving into dark thoughts

happened to you, Selene. Do

this way.” I soberly

nuzzles her face into my neck, “I’m

a tiny voice

attention snapping to the bed. Lila’s two-toned eyes are blinking blearily, and

She immediately answers, reaching for the child. Standing, I balance Selene on the edge of the bed, keeping her weight braced against me

at the various tubes connected to her

leave those alone.” Selene tells her. “I know

while ago, even though I recognize what’s coming. Lila begins to cry, overwhelmed by the

minutes I have