Pregnant And Rejected

Chapter 121 Goodbye

Selene’s POV

Thunder crashes overhead, jarring me straight to the bone. Terror lances through me as lightning streaks through the sky, pushing me to run faster, even as I hear Bastien howling for me in the distance. The rain begins soon after, fat droplets bursting onto the forest floor and transforming dirt and leaf litter to thick, sticky mud.

Annoyance flits through my mind. The rain might help cover my scent, but the quickly coalescing muck will save my footprints in a perfect trail. It will be only too easy for Bastien to follow me, and I do not wish to be caught.

The worst part about my mate’s hurtful words is that we both know they’re undeniably true. I deserve to feel this pain, I deserve to suffer the consequences of my past cruelty.

Tears stream from my eyes as I run, the steady pounding of my heart punctuating every loping stride I take. I don’t want Bastien to leave, I’m terrified that if he goes to the Calypso territory he’ll never come back. I’d rather live with him in danger for the rest of our lives, than live safely without him.

I want my pups to be safe too, what mother wouldn’t? I hate the idea of anyone wanting to hurt my babies and I want Blaise gone every bit as much as Bastien does, I just can’t stand the idea of losing him, even to such a noble cause.

As the heavens open above me, releasing a torrent of rain so powerfull fear the earth might flood, I wonder if I’m being irrational. Bastien is trying to do the right thing and keep my children safe, how can I begrudge him thus when I want the same exact thing?

Perhaps it’s because he intends to do it all without me. He made the decision without me, he informed me rather than consulting me, and now he’s going to go across the continent and leave me behind to agonize about whether or not he’s dead in a ditch somewhere.

Pushing myself harder and feeling mud splash over my legs and belly, dirtying my pristine white coat, I channel all my fear and frustration into the run. Bastien’s howls are sounding farther and farther away now, but I don’t feel relieved. The deeper I run into the storm, the closer I come to the haunting memories of my past, which now include all the years I spent separated from the man I love.

I’ve never been surrounded by more love than I am now. Between Bastien, Lila, Odette, the new baby and the suddenly and shockingly supportive pack, I’ve never been more supported. So how is it that I’ve never felt more alone than I do in this moment?

Bastien’s POV

When the storm begins my fury with myself detonates into a blazing inferno. How could I be so thoughtless, how could I be so cruel.

I sent my pregnant mate running off into the night crying, and now she’ll be facing the traumas of her past all alone.

footprints guiding my way even through the heavy downpour. Still, I

to recognize the path my wayward wife has taken. At first I think I’m mistaken, but the closer I draw, the more certain I am that I know where

shell of the family cabin Arabella burned down almost four years ago lays exactly as we left it. I never had it rebuilt, never had the hollow structure demolished. I left it standing as a sort of macabre monument to my

here when I felt like punishing myself, on the days I started

was not the site of her demise. I still hate it, especially when I see my beautiful mate huddled in the wreckage, naked and shivering, with

turns, her glowing eyes landing on my solemn expression as she hugs

what are you doing here?” I croon, pulling her into

left you.” She weeps. “This is where I rejected

I said. It was horrible and unfair, I never should have said

t-true.” Selene hiccups. “I did leave you, I

“I’m sorry. You have every right to be upset that

to protect us… I’m just scared.” Selene admits. “I thought we would be together

be back before you know it. I’ll deal with

pack?” My mate

the elder council.” I explain, “We’ve already got a plan in place to cover all our bases. And Mom

and swiping at the salty liquid staining her

just want you to focus on taking care of yourself, Lila

the urge to smile. “So you get to risk your life to help our family

what I said.”

not, but it’s what you meant.”

be true, but I have every reason to feel this way. Carrying the new baby is already sapping my mate’s strength, painting dark circles beneath her eyes and hollowing her cheeks. “I just want you to be healthy.” I murmur, “You’ve got enough to deal with wrangling

having other people fight my

I assure her, trailing my hand over her rain-slicked belly. “This is just a different kind of battle. No one else can cope with the sickness for you. No one else can give our

corrects me with the barest hint of