Pregnant and Rejected by My Alpha Mate novel Chapter 156

Chapter 156-Bastien Makes a Proposal

Bastien

It’s not much of a proposal, and certainly not how I ever planned on asking a woman to marry me, but given our dire straits, it will have to do. “We’ll get married.” I say again, sharing my idea as it forms in my mind. “I’ll reject Selene, we can have the papers sent from here via courier.”

“She’ll never sign.” Arabella argues, even though her doe eyes wide and hopeful.

“She won’t have to.” I announce, “with all the crimes she’s guilty of, we can get the marriage annulled. It’s not a true union if one party is tricked into it, and regardless I’m the Alpha.” I remind Arabella. My elite status gives me privileges even my spouse doesn’t enjoy. She doesn’t have to agree to being rejected, as long as I want it.”

“You’d really do that?” Arabella asks in awe.

“Trust me, Bella, I was already planning on it.” I remark ruefully.

“No, not the rejection.” She clarifies, “You’d really marry me?”

Turning to face Arabella head on, I can’t help but imagine Flynn standing beside her with his muscular arms crossed over his chest, glaring at me for ever letting a witch break my vow to take care of his sister in the first place. “I gave Flynn my word that I would always take care of you, no matter what.” I explain to Arabella, “I’m sorry I let Selene get the better of me, but now that I know what she is, I won’t be fooled again. You have my word. I will fulfill my duty, I will make you my wife.”

A beaming smile splits Arabella’s cheeks, but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes. For the first time since losing my memory, I remember part of why I waited so long to go through with this vow in the first place. Arabella is still so young, and I know we aren’t mates… she deserves the chance to find love as much as anyone else. “Unless of course you’d rather marry another, or take some time to try and find your true mate. I’ll provide for you either way, and I don’t want to tie you to a union that won’t make you happy, I just want you to be safe.”

“No!” She exclaims without hesitation. “I want to marry you, Bastien.” She professes, “I always have, I just feel… well, I know you don’t love me that way.”

Dropping my head so she can’t see my frown, I recall all the stories I’ve heard from generations past, when marriage was a legal and financial arrangement and fated mates were considered frivolous fantasies. “Lots of great marriages have started out being arranged between friends, or people who barely know each other.” I state simply, striding forward and taking Arabella’s hands in mine,”We have a great friendship and that’s a better foundation than many true mates start out with, I’m sure love will grow in time.” I proclaim confidently, though deep down, the thought of kissing my surrogate sister – let alone consummating a marriage with her, makes me slightly nauseous.

*Are you sure it will be enough?” Arabella simpers, sidling close, “You have no idea how horrible Selene truly is.” She murmurs, making my heart ache in sympathy. She did everything she could to destroy me and everyone believed her and now she tries to make you a fool and she’s succeeding.”

“I’m so sorry that happened, Bella.” Hugging her and hating every last detail of what she’s shared with me, I continue, “But it sounds like Selene succeeded by twisting my emotions for years and years. So losing my memory is actually a gift.” I declare with utter conviction. “I’m awake now. She doesn’t have any emotional leverage over me anymore. I’m certain the Goddess took my memory in that attack so that I could go back and make things right.”

I’ve always imagined myself to be a man of principle, but if everything Arabella is telling me is true, I’ve failed completely. I’ve let a horrible woman deceive me and manipulate me into acting completely out of character, and for what? This has to be a second chance for both Arabella and I, otherwise everything we’ve lost over the years has been a waste.

“I think I’m dreaming.” Arabella admits, suddenly uncharacteristically shy. “You have no idea how many times I’ve imagined you coming after me,” she bites her lower lip, turning positively crimson. “how many times I’ve fantasized about marrying you.”

Guilt and shame wash over me, competing for dominance. Flynn’s little sister has only ever been good to me. She’s suffered beyond belief, from the loss of her parents, to the death of her brother. I can’t claim any fault in the former tragedy, but the latter was undoubtedly my fault. I have carried Flynn’s death with me from the moment it happened. But apparently it wasn’t enough, even before my head was turned by Selene, Arabella suffered and pined for me while I overlooked her at best and spurned her at worst,

*You’re not dreaming, and I’m not teasing you.” I promise, “I want to marry you.”

“Are you sure?” She presses, “I don’t want you to offer unless you really mean it.’

“I’ve never meant anything more.” I insist. “Please Arabella, be my wife. You won’t regret it. I promise,“