Pregnant And Rejected

Chapter 178

Helene

When I wake up, still sprawled on the hotel room floor with a terrible ache in my head, I don’t pause to search for Selene or Arabella. I know they aren’t there any longer, and I know Arabella will be coming back for me once she’s done with Selene.

I sense all of this in the same way I sense that my young pupil is not in any immediate danger. There is no explana tion for how the knowledge arrives in my head, and I’ve long since given up trying to understand the magic. Wast ing even one moment wondering how I can tell that Selene is captive but unharmed, is one more moment I could be looking for her.

I have my suspicions about the she-wolf’s plans for my student, and one thing is clear: though Selene might be al right now, she won’t be for long. Gathering my few belong ings, I leave the hotel as fast as I can, instead driving to the apartment where Selene and I traced her mate.

I don’t have a shifter’s heightened senses, but I was watching when Selene ran down the fire escape earlier to day, and I easily remember she came from the top floor of the building. I can feel the presence of a single sleeping wolf inside, but I don’t want to enter and risk letting Arabel la come home and catch my scent. Reaching out the ten

drils of my power, I close my eyes and concentrate, sending out a magical summons powerful enough to rouse even the deepest of sleeps

As soon as the spell is complete, I enter the cafe across the street from the apartment building, and wait. It’s only a few minutes before Selene’s mate appears, looking deeply confused. I draw him to my table without a word, then stand to greet him. “Hello Bastien.” I say warmly.

“I’m sorry,” He frowns, shaking my hand, “but do I know you?”

“We‘ve met once.” | inform him gently, “but I’m guess ing you wouldn’t be able to remember even if I reminded you of the occasion.”

The huge man rubs the back of his head, “Yes.” He slowly agrees, “I’ve been having trouble with my memory lately.”

“That can happen, when you’re being fed memory po tion every day.” | remark, having come to this conclusion only after hearing Selene recount their interaction earlier today.

“What are you talking about?” Bastien inquires, sound ing suspicious but open to my explanation. That fool Ara bella has clearly been overdoing it. He knows something is

him in too much of a

to figure out

nounce simply. “She is making you forget all the details of your life so she can trick you into marrying

objects, furrowing his brow, “I” ve known Arabella

known her since she was a pup then you know she’s a spoiled, selfish brat with a mean streak a mile wide.” I interrupt. “And you know she’s not acting like her self right now,

stares at me in shock,

explain, “And I want to help you.” Fold – ing my arms on the table in front of me, I continue, “Let me ask you this, young man. Does Arabella prepare your drinks for you? Does she make you coffee in the

confirms, the gears whirring rapidly in his mind,

give you something that should serve as an antidote to any potion

rarer than I’m prepared to counter.” | place a small vial on the table between us, filled with a draught I had the lucky foresight to concost while Selene and I waited for her mate to arrive. “Take a few drops of this every day, but also

this concoction?” He remarks, lifting

the solution back from the Alpha, and pour a couple of drops into my own mouth to show it won’t harm him.” There’s

don’t understand.” Bastien

back to your old

be

offer him a wide smile, “I have a

Bastien

days since the strange visit I received from the witch, and as odd as the situation seemed, I did as she said. I started watching Arabella like a hawk, and when I caught her tipping something into my coffee from a vial around her neck, I began taking

more and more with every hour that passes. First it’s only small things, flashes from what I suspect is the recent past – of Selene sitting in Arabella’s apartment, of a little girl with two-toned eyes and chocolate on her face. Next it seems like someone is taking an eraser to the fog in my

father sharing the secret of her bloodline and the early months of our marriage. By the second day I remember my mate’s death, and am

way she said it did – even if my memories make me feel