Pregnant And Rejected

Chapter 102 Powers

Selene’s POV

“Bastien, you’re being ridiculous.”

He’s standing across from me in our sunlit kitchen, his arms crossed over his chest and a stubborn grimace on his handsome face. After the events of last night he’s been on high alert, not letting me out of his sight for one moment. I actually had to kick him out of the restroom this morning so I could have a bit of privacy, and now he’s refusing to go to work.

“Can you blame me?” He growls.

In all fairness, I know my husband is also exhausted. We didn’t go to sleep until around four this morning, and having a young pup means we didn’t get the luxury of sleeping in either. If I thought he wanted to stay home with us to catch up on his sleep, I might be more understanding but that isn’t the case.

“We’ve got to figure out a way to get past this,” I sigh, feeling emotionally drained. “We can’t change what happened, but we can’t let it take over our lives either. You have to go to work, I’ve got to take Lila to her playdate and go grocery shopping.”

And after I’ve got to start figuring out what on earth I’m going to do with my life. I add in my head, causing Luna to chortle softly.

“What playdate?” Bastien asks, narrowing his eyes.

“With Donovan’s niece, remember?” I prompt, “I told you about this yesterday. She needs to make some friends here.”

“They can have the playdate here.” He decides, “and there’s no reason for you to go to the store yourself.”

“I’m not going to let this person control my life, Bastien.” | insist. “I’ve spent too many years living in fear and I refuse to do it any longer. I’m not going to hide away because of one creep who is too cowardly to come out of the shadows and challenge you directly.”

I’m seriously regretting the way I fell apart last night. It couldn’t be helped in the moment, but my reaction has sent Bastien into an overprotective frenzy, and it’s making things very difficult. “Selene, you know that isn’t what I want.” He reasons coolly, “But until we know what we’re up against, laying low is imperative. It’s not weak, it’s smart.”

“That’s easy for you to say,” I counter, “but how long is it going to be until we know what we’re up against? You’ve been trying to find this person for years and you aren’t any closer to identifying them now than you were when your Father died.”

“Maybe not, but we haven’t had the full story until now.” Bastien reminds me, “I have a feeling you’re the key to all of this, the piece we’ve been missing.” His jaw twitches in agitation, “which is all the more reason for us to be cautious.”

“I’m not completely defenseless you know.” I mutter, thinking of my confrontation with the she-wolves in the ladies room. With everything that’s happened since, I completely forgot about the incident. The revelations about the safe house and the spy cameras completely overshadowed the strange new powers I channeled defending myself last night, but now that I think about it, I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to tell my mate. “Speaking of which, I forgot to tell you…”

Trailing off, I crinkle my nose in thought. How on earth can I explain this? Honey, I forgot to tell you I’m magic? Or, hey babe, you didn’t happen to hear about a bunch of unconscious women turning up in a restroom did you? My bad! Maybe, I know we can’t afford any bad press, but I decided to reintroduce myself to the pack’s she-wolves by knocking a bunch of them out with my mind.

Definitely the first one. Luna quips.

Bastien’s brows knit together in concern as he watches my internal struggle, “What is it?”

I think I somehow tapped into… some new powers

you mean?” He presses, moving

ladies room and had a little run in with a few she-wolves.” I broach warily, “three of them came in and started being really horrid about me and Lila, and I

zones in on the wrong

the same sort of ugly nonsense they always did.” Waving off the details, I continue, “but they went after Lila this time and I completely sunk to their level. I provoked

grasping me by the shoulders. “Are you all right? Why didn’t you tell me sooner? Who was it? I want

and all of a sudden they just collapsed. I didn’t even touch them, but I felt this. I don’t know,

pushed you into the pool and almost killed you?”

hand through my long hair, I theorize, “The only explanation I can think of, is that it’s something to do with my blood. Something to

and I know he hasn’t completely conquered it when he turns back to me. “Okay, tell me again

doesn’t look any calmer when I finish, but I can see he’s thinking hard. “I’ve never heard of

believe me don’t you?” I ask

me, holding my face between his hands. “Of

do you think it means?” I wonder

He shares, “this has to be your Volana blood coming through. Maybe finally shifting triggered something; allowed your powers to start manifesting, the same way it sent you into

I tease, after all I never would have shifted in the first place if you hadn’t

gladly take credit.” He replies, only slightly smug. “I know it’s probably alarming, but the more defenses you have

she’s going to have to

suddenly perturbed. “I

whispering, but it feels wrong to talk about these things at full volume. “The problem is that I don’t know how I’m supposed

knows Volana lore.” Bastien poses, “There have to be books or histories, people who know

without advertising why we’re looking is going to be a challenge.” I

jaw, “that’s a fair point. We’re going to have to be very carefu! Do you remember anything your mother might have shared with you, any names or

didn’t even know I’d

okay.” Bastien assures me, pulling me into a hug. “We’ll figure

strong arms. The tension filling my body slowly unwinds, and even though nothing has been resolved, I feel calmer. “I still want to know the names of

lean back, looking up at him curiously. “What if there was another way?” I

do you

I felt threatened right?” I state rhetorically, “so if we want

me you aren’t suggesting what I think you are.” Bastien commands

at him from beneath my lashes, I purr, “How would

Bastien’s POV

Selene calls, taking up a