Pregnant and Rejected by My Alpha Mate novel Chapter 107

#Chapter 107 Drowning

Selene

This was a mistake.

I know it the moment I hit the water. I was a fool to attempt such a ridiculous plan. I plunge beneath the turquoise surface like a ton of bricks, sinking to the bottom of the pool and trying not to panic.

The pool is only about twenty feet deep, but even that shallow pressure seems crushing to me. I feel like I’m being flattened, like the entire world has come crashing down on top of me and I’ll never be able to get out from under it.

I’m running out of air quickly, but all I can think is how strange it is down here. Time is moving so slowly, and everything is fuzzy and blue. It might be beautiful if it wasn’t so terrifying. I spread my arms out to my sides, trying to imagine a well of power trapped inside me, picturing myself reaching into it and pulling out my own salvation.

I can’t hold in the air I’ve been storing in my cheeks any longer, breathing it out through my nose and watching the bubbles ascend to the glittering surface so far above. I feel some relief just letting that bit of weight go, but in my heart | know my window of opportunity is closing.

Clamping my eyes shut, I try to force my hidden strength into being. If I don’t do something, I’m going to die. I think firmly, If I don’t find a way out of this, I’ll drown.

A tiny spark flickers to life in my chest, an odd sort of electricity that feels alien and familiar all at once. It’s working. I’ve got too little air and I’m too deep for Odette to reach me in time. I tell myself grimly, pulling at that spark with all my strength.

The effort of resisting my instincts to breathe in is beginning to strain my lungs, I know I’ll only take in water if I try to take a breath, but I can’t hold out much longer. Bastien will have to relive your death. You’ll be torturing your mate.

The spark grows, expanding like a miniature ball of light in my heart. That’s it! Luna encourages, keep doing that!

The electricity is growing, flooding through my limbs little by little. The power is building, but in a wave of fresh panic realize I don’t know what to do with it. I can feel it, but I don’t know how to use it. What good is this light, this electricity? It can’t give me oxygen.

At that moment my lungs finally give out, and I suck in a great gulp of water. The pain is instantaneous, salty fluid flooding my lungs, burning in my chest like a thousand needles. No! I think as the light dims. I grapple for the edges of the power, trying desperately to hold on to the nascent force as I sputter and cough, drowning for the second time in my short life.

Darkness closes in, encroaching around my vision in a dense black cloud. Pain, both physical and emotional, pierces my heart as I realize I’ve failed.

And just like that, the spark goes out.

Bastien

I knew something was wrong the moment I got back to the pack house. I can’t explain why or how, only that my hackles raised and Axel went on high alert the second i stepped through the door. I immediately went up to our top floor apartment to check on Selene and Lila, but when I arrived, I found only half of my family.

Lila and Donavon’s niece, Maeve, were happily playing in the living room, watched over by my Beta’s sister. The poor woman looked so startled when I entered she jumped half a foot in the air. Before I could apologize to her, Lila was toddling to her feet and rushing forward to greet me. “Daddy!”

“Hello little one!” I knelt down to her level, sweeping her into a quick hug. “Where’s Mommy?”

“With Gamma,” Lila peeps, trying to climb into my arms even though I’m attempting to look her in the eye.

“With Grandma, where?” I press, glancing between my pup and her babysitter,

“Daddy, want up!” Lila pouts, squirming her way into the crook of my arm.

=Chapter 107 Drowning

Caving, I lift her as I stand and approach Donavon’s sister, Anna. “Do you know where they went?”

“Is something wrong?” She asks anxiously, “They’re just next door at Nova Hall.”

“I’m not sure.” I explain honestly, “Something feels off. Do you know what they’re doing there?”

“I’m sorry, I don’t.” She shakes her head, reaching for Lila, “Here, you go. I’ll watch her.”

Lila immediately begins to whine when I hand her over, “Daddy, I want you stay.”

“I’ll be right back, angel.” I promise. “I just want to check on Mommy.”

“Take me wid you?” She begs, looking up at me with wide, puppy-dog eyes.