Pregnant And Rejected

Chapter 95 Welcome Home

Bastien’s POV

I’m tempted to have Selene and Lila enter the house through the garage, bypassing the gathered councilors and going straight up to our apartment. However I know such a diversion would be seen only as weakness, and more than anything else, I refuse to give the men that kind of power over me. We’ll enter through the front door with our heads held high and if I have to incapacitate every last elder in order to do so, I gladly will.

Our small gathering exits the side door, moving down the walk towards the front of the house. Aiden and Donovan flank Selene and Lila while I stride ahead, bracing myself for whatever unpleasant news awaits.

“Gentlemen,” I greet the assemblage without any hint of a smile, “to what do we owe the pleasure.”

They are all looking past me, surveying my mate and pup with undisguised curiosity and, in some cases, distrust. “You’ve been gone nearly a month, Alpha.” The chief elder states, “And we’ve heard nothing but outlandish rumors from Asphodel though it appears at least one tale was true.” He acknowledges, nodding toward Selene.

Extending my arm to my mate, I encourage her to come forward. She does so slowly, holding Lila tightly in her arms and instantly leaning into my side when she reaches me. “As you can see, the Goddess has smiled on us.” I announce loudly enough for all to hear, “By beloved mate is alive and well, and now that the danger which drove her from Elysium has passed, it is finally safe for her to return to the Nova pack along with my daughter.”

A few of their eyes bulge out in shock, “I thought the child was Cavanaugh’s.” One of the newer council members blurts out.

“You were misinformed.” I declare stonily.

“With all due respect, Alpha.” The Chief Councilorinterjects, “how can you be sure?”

To my surprise and probably hers as well, Selene pipes up, “Because I’ve never been with anyone else.” She hitches Lila a little higher on her hip, “And because Bastien is in her every expression.”

Lila, suddenly finding herself the object of intense scrutiny from a horde of shifters, hides her face in Selene’s neck. The movement jostles the neckline of Selene’s dress, revealing my mark to the crowd.

mutters a string of curses in my head. “And tell us,” The councilor implores,

later,” I rumble, “But as you can see, we’ve yet to even walk through the door after a very long trip. I would like to get my family settled and have a

he wants nothing of the sort, “But surely you cannot expect to turn up with a

“To do otherwise would be to question my judgment and I’m certain that isn’t what you intend.” Menace pouring out of me in waves, I release Selene and move forward to

legs, each of the gathered men lower their heads in submission, but the Chief continues to speak. “No one doubts your judgment, Alpha.” I swear the man doesn’t know when to stop. “But matters of the heart can toy with even the

I would remind you that it is not only your Alpha who trusts Selene, but your Betas and I myself.” Ever the diplomat, she continues. “But if you are so concerned, perhaps you could tell us what

his head, though he still can’t seem to meet my gaze, instead focusing somewhere in the vicinity of my chin. “You put out a warrant for Arabella Winters, a she-wolf who has done nothing but help this pack while your mate faked her

you once, counselor.” I thunder, “You should know better than to think I would grant you a second.” My claws extend and muscles begin to twitch as I fight the shift. The councilor claws at my iron grip around

when she burned down my family’s cabin. She is lucky she’s only being exiled and not hunted!” The words are pouring out of me in a vicious flood, all the fury I’ve

what was necessary to protect her. The entire pack should be grateful for the sacrifices she made to ensure the Alpha’s line survived.

Donavon says urgently, if you don’t let him go

Lila. Aiden adds, do you want her to

his throat and coughing violently. “Consider yourself relieved of your duties.” My voice is edged with

check on my she-wolves, I find Selene and Lila wearing identical wide-eyed expressions. They seem surprised, alarmed even, but not afraid. Reaching for my mate, I turn back to the cowering huddle of men, “Now does anyone else want to

scatter like a herd of terrified gazelles, muttering apologies and begging

so.” I grouse, stepping right over the former Chief Counselor’s prone

me like

I take the pup from my mate and settle her in my arms. Sure enough, she wraps her arms around my neck and rests her soft chest against my chest, snuggling close. I’m so stunned I can’t find the words to respond to her. Even if she is my blood,

chuckling, “Daddy is cranky.” Selene agrees in amusement, rubbing the tense muscles between my shoulder blades. “How do you think we can make

surveying me with a serious expression. “You should nap.” She finally decides. “Naps always make it better, veen when

I look over at her, the humor is gone and her countenance is drawn with concern. Her brows have knitted together and she’s gnawing on her lower lip, though it’s still swollen from last night’s kisses. Like a teenager at the height of puberty, the