Pregnant And Rejected

Chapter 153 Frederic Issues a Challenge

When Drake and I return from meeting Helene, Lila seems like the only one who’s happy to see us. She runs over and leaps into my arms, kissing me on the cheek and immediately rattling off stories from her day. Unfortunately everyone else is gathered on the couch in front of the television, looking very somber indeed.

“What’s wrong?” Drake asks, striding over to his mate and lifting her off the couch, before sitting in her spot and settling her in his lap. Sophie simply nods towards the television in answer.

Oh no, I think, this must be about the kidnapping.

The attempt on Lila, Sophie and I has been headline news ever since it happened, particularly because Bastien has still not reappeared. It turns out it didn’t really matter whether Frederic’s latest attempt and we’re all certain he is the one who was behind the plot succeeded or not. The almost disaster was plenty damning in the eyes of the pack, at least when it comes to condemning my mate. After all, what kind of Alpha lets his pack fall to chaos for his own ends? And what kind of mate fails to care when his wife and child’s lives are in danger?

Carrying Lila further into the room until I can see the screen myself, I’m both relieved not to see Bastien’s name scrolling across the bottom of a news desk, and very dismayed to see Dr. Kane instead. Thomas or Frederic, or whatever other name he might go by, is standing in front of the same podium I spoke behind last week, looking very grim indeed.

*This pack has been without a leader for too long.” He announces, his features hard and unforgiving. “I have immense respect for the Durand family’s legacy in Elysium, and I consider Selene a close friend, I would never wish to impune her honor.”

“Here we go.” Aiden mutters grumpily, reflecting my own feelings.

Close friends my ass. I think, friends do not make each other sick or spy on them under the guise of providing help.

They also don’t try to destroy their relationship or kill their mates. Luna adds.

Fair point.

those who lost their homes in the fires, to the families who lost fathers and mothers to the rogues. I have watched while Selene fights for her life and her child’s while her husband is away doing Goddess

truly clever ruse, alternately riling up people’s discontent and giving them someone to blame for their misfortunes, and avoiding being seen as a detractor through praising me. He’s trying to turn Basiten into a villain and himself a hero, all the while dangling me between them like the damsel I used to be. Even with Helene’s healing herbs, I feel sick to

can’t do this, he can’t be allowed to just stand up there and lie to

accusing us of being.

as honorable as Bastien would never neglect his mate the same way, especially not with everything he risked to get her back. Yet here we are days later, and there is still no sight of him. I know from caring for Selene in the hospital that she herself has not heard from Bastien in weeks,

honor, and he does not care about us the way our leader should. He does not

Odette curses, offering me an apologetic glance when she

Daddy?” My pup asks, understanding far more of the unfolding events than I’d like. In hindsight I realize I should have paid more attention to my daughter’s dislike for the man. When it comes to sensing untrustworthy people, children and pets really do have the market cornered. Lila hadn’t liked Thomas from the beginning, and I should have listened to her instincts rather than my own

mean, angel.” I explain with a sigh, “He’s a

say that again.”

want me to take Lila to play?”

growls and holds her a bit tighter, though I realize it’s merely his protective instincts, rather than disregard for my pup. The almost kidnapping was very triggering

I decline

to create trouble or question authority,” Dr Kane is saying now, sending a communal scoff throughout the room. “I do not believe in challenging the natural order of things or forgetting one’s place in the grand scheme of the pack. But I also believe we all have a responsibility to speak out

to incite a rebellion.” Odette