Pregnant And Rejected

Chapter 179

Bastien

“You bitch.” | growl, glaring at Arabella. Without my full memory, I can’t begin to fathom why she is doing this, but it’s clear now Arabella is not my friend. The only reason she’ seven still standing is because she has my mate, and I don’ t have the first idea how to find her in this strange city.

“Ouch, Bastien!” She pretends to pout, “You’ll hurt my feelings with talk like that.”

“Where is she?” | demand, “why are you doing this?” Axel is seething in my chest, begging me to let him out so he can put an end to this woman. It all feels impossibly strange. A few days ago I still saw Bella as Flynn’s under standably flawed little sister, now years worth of memories have reappeared in my mind all at once, and I’m seeing her more and more as an unforgivable villain.

“You know I don’t remember much about my mother,” she tells me, “but I’ve always remembered her telling me that some men needed a little bit of extra encouragement to get down the aisle. I guess what they say is right – Mom my does know best.”

“Why go through all this, just to marry me?” I demand, She tilts her head back and laughs, a light, tinkling sound. “You know this never gets old. I thought having the same conversation over and over would get really tiring, but I never cease to enjoy the way your poor memory al ways leads you to the same ridiculous conclusion.” Arabella sneers, “I suppose after a lifetime of being told you were sooo superior I’ll take any opportunity to disprove it.”

“What are you talking about?” I hiss.

“I don’t want to marry you, for you Bastien.” She an nounces sharply, “I want to marry you for your power: Nothing more.”

“And you think this will make me agree?” | demand, brandishing the phone. “Why should I play into your hands when I could just kill you now?”

“Because if you kill me, you’ll never find her.” Arabella grins, “I’m the only one who knows where she is. If I don’t go by to feed her and give her water, she and your unborn pup will die.”

“… she’s breeding?” | gape, feeling both horrified and thrilled.

“You know she’s been a lot more forgiving than I would be in her shoes.” Arabella ponders aloud. “I mean, if my mate forgot me and my pups so easily, I’d never want to go near him again.”

really happened the night she left Elysium. Unbridled fury washes over me, and it takes all my strength to keep my

going to be your choice, pretty boy.” She taunts. “You can walk down that aisle with me, or you can

“What then? You think we’ll just go back to Elysium like nothing has changed, like you aren’t a fucking

stuffing it into her pocket, “It’s to be flexible and adapt your plans as the situation develops. I’m not sure what we’ll do when we go back – but

| ask fiercely, “I have other ways of getting the information out of

What if she’s dehydrating to death right now? Can you really afford to tie me up and torture me when her life hangs in the balance?” She scoffs. “I’ve

with

completely beyond my depth for what might be

I?” Arabella challenges, “How can

do in this moment, but I also know the alternative to giving in to Arabella is losing my mate. I want to believe that I could track Selene even if I killed Arabella now, but I’m in a strange city without half of my memory, and there’s no

know you won’t just kill her once you get

there’s no doubt she’ll

it safe for the time be ing. “I’ll marry

wouldn’t want it even if you were offering.” Arabella informs me coolly. “But I’m so pleased you’re finally seeing reason.” Arching her brow and adopting a mocking tone, she adds, “Get ready honey, the big day is already

I mutter in

heard me.” Arabella says simply, tossing a black tuxedo jacket into my arms. “The

rest of my life without

that Helene was unharmed by Arabella’s blow, and was able to recover quickly enough to escape. My own magic isn’t do ing much to help me. Arabella seems to have had the fore sight to chain me with silver, which apparently dampens my

medicine and Helene’s potions, my morn ing sickness is quickly spinning out of control. Arabella had the decency to

pushing food and water through a compartment in the door, but so far he’s seemed complete ly immune to my charms. I’ve tried talking to

– yet nothing is working. The silver