Pregnant and Rejected by My Alpha Mate novel Chapter 180

Chapter 180 – Wedding Bello

Bastien

I never thought much about my wedding when I was a boy. I imagined it once or twice, trying to picture my fated mate in my mind and hoping my love would be as strong as my parents’, but in all my boyhood fantasies, I never dreamed I would be standing at an altar with so much dread. Even after I reconciled myself to the idea of marry ing Arabella, I didn’t imagine such a bleak future. Loveless maybe, lacking any true heart – undoubtedly, but not a

tragedy, not the disaster it has clearly become.

Every moment that passes, my wolf urges me to kill the girl-I once vowed to protect with my own life, so furious am I about her betrayal. Still, I cannot lay a hand on her without also losing my true mate. The more time that passes, the more I remember. I can now recall learning about Arabella’s schemes, discovering that Lila is my child after all, and even remarrying Selene. I remember all of our fights, all of our struggles, though I still cannot recall how I was ever con vinced to leave them and come to this horrible place.

The only thing I can fathom is that I came here after finding out Selene is breeding again, though I can’t imagine ever agreeing to allow her to come with me. The worst part of all is knowing that she’s been suffering while I’ve been buying into Arabella’s schemes. I’ll never forgive myself if anything happens to her.

Arabella has planned every last detail of this day, from her dress to the flower arrangements and our vows. I didn’t contribute a single word, but I know this is all a waiting game. I will never claim Arabella as a true wife, and the mo ment I can dissolve this false union – I gladly will.

However for the time being I’m stuck standing at the end of a long aisle watching her march towards me to the tired old tune they use in the movies. The affair couldn’t be more different from my weddings to Selene. They had tak en place outdoors in the forest we both love, under the glow of the moon and stars, with a few close members of our family looking on. They had been small but full of love and light.

On the other hand, this ceremony is absent of any guests or well wishers, yet so completely overdone it’s laughable. It’s a perfect reflection of Arabella: gaudy, lone ly, and lacking any and all heart.

When Arabella finally reaches the end of the aisle, she offers me a lethal grin. “Smile Bastien, this is a happy event.”

“The moment we‘re done here, I want Selene released.” | order, not bothering to fake a smile for the officiant.

“Oh I don’t know about that.” Arabella hedges, “If she’s released then I won’t have any more insurance to keep you in line.”

“Our deal was –

*Our deal was that if you were a good boy and walked down the aisle without complaint, I wouldn’t let her die.” She interrupts. “I never said I’d let her go.”

“So what, you’re just going to keep her prisoner for the rest of your life?” I hiss

“If I have to.” Arabella shrugs, it really depends on you. The way she’s treated will be decided by how well you do your job. Now stop arguing with me, we only have the oth ciant for another half hour.”

The man in question is looking back and forth between us with confusion and mild horror, but he makes no com ment. I suppose things in Tartarus are so bleak that even this strange affair cannot phase him. He begins walking Arabella through her vows with all the passion of a funeral director, and my horrible bride smiles and parrots back his words as looking as thrilled as the cat that ate the canary

The othciant is turning towards me when I hear a crash from the back of the church.

“Stop!” i’d know that voice anywhere. No matter what Arabella has done to my memory – no matter what has happened between us.

“Selene!” Whirling around, I see my beautiful mate standing framed in the open doors of the church, a ring of blinding gold light surrounding her body.

“I remember you.” | confirm, framing her lovely face be tween my hands. “I don’t know how I could have ever for gotten – I’m so sorry little wolf.”

I move to kiss her, but she puts one small hand on my chest, “You don’t want to do that – I’ve been puking in a dark cell without a toothbrush for three days.”

“I don’t care.” | growl, claiming her lips roughly. “I’m so glad you’re safe.” | profess as we part, staring into her in credible eyes. Realizing she must not have been able to continue using whatever she’d been to conceal her eyes while in captivity, a rush of urgency slams into me. “But we‘ ve got to get you out of here.”

She lowers her lashes, leaning into my embrace even as an anxious shiver works it’s way down her spine. “Are you angry that I came after you?”