Pregnant and Rejected by My Alpha Mate novel Chapter 200

Chapter 200 – Honooming

Selene

“Why do you have that look on your face?” I ask Bastien, suspiciously eyeing his tense expression as he guides our car through the winding mountain roads.

My father is in the back seat napping, and another vehicle follows behind us, transporting Helene and Frederic’s coffins. It’s both grim and comforting to be returning home under such circumstances, and I know Bastien is feeling as conflict ed as I am about feeling so happy when our journey cost us so much. Still, I don’t think that’s what’s bothering him – but something clearly is. “Are you worried about how the pack is going to receive you?”

“No.” Bastien sighs, anxiously rubbing the back of his neck.

“Then what?” | press, wanting to comfort him the same way he’s comforted me over the last few days. After the initial elation about surviving wore off, a thousand distraught feel ings closed in around me, threatening to pull me under. Nightmares about Blaise, guilt about Helene and Frederic, sorrow about their losses and anxiety about the babies – my pregnancy hormones didn’t help, but Bastien was there for every last unpleasant and unwelcome feeling I faced.

At first I think Bastien is going to ignore my question, but eventually he sneaks a glance my way out of the corner of his eye. “It’s Lila.” He finally admits.

Of all the potential explanations, this is the last one I was expecting. “What about Lila?”

“It’s stupid.” Bastien says, attempting to brush off his wor ries.

“Come on, just tell me.” I encourage. “There are no stupid worries when it comes to being a parent.”

Again it takes what seems like an age for Bastien to find his words, but gradually he opens up, “She only knew me for a few months before I left.” He says softly. “What if… what if she doesn’t remember me, or want me back?”

“Bastien, she’s been asking for you every day.” | share, “She was doing it before I left and Drake says the only thing that changed after is that now she’s been asking for both of

us.”

For a second, Bastien looks relieved but then his face falls, “Why doesn’t that make me feel better?” He questions solemnly.

“Because having a pup is like taking your heart outside of your body.” I reason, unable to stop my lips from quirking up ward as I continue. “And instilling it in a tiny illogical munchkin with the power to light up your entire world while also driving you slowly insane. We both want her to miss us, but feel guilty that she was hurting while we were away.” I explain, “I feel the same way.”

“And we’re about to have two more.” Bastien murmurs, downsizing mildly terrified to feel three times the stress, anxi ety, pressure and pure depth of love he feels now.

“I know.” | agree, not needing him to say anymore to un derstand what he’s thinking, “and if you thought Lila was re luctant to accept the idea of one baby, wait until we tell her there’s going to be two.” | joke, although the more I think

about it, it’s really not a joke.

Bastien laughs, “Goddess, I can’t wait to see her.”

“I can’t wait to meet her.” My father adds.

“She’s going to love you, Dad.” | tell him with a grin, half smiling because it’s true, and half because I simply can’t help myself every time I say that word. Twenty five years and I fi nally get to call someone Dad. Just one more thing that doesn’t quite seem real.

“How much farther do we have to go?” He asks, clearly antsy being confined in such a small space for so long, so soon after escaping prison.

“About an hour.” I tell him. “Drake and Sophie brought Lila to Elysium to meet us, so that we wouldn’t have to go all the way to the west coast after already driving so far.”

“Have your betas told you what to expect?” James asks Bastien, “from the sounds of it things were pretty contentious when Selene left.”

“They’ve been trying to smooth things over with the back in anticipation of our return, but I think we’re in for a difficult few months.” Bastien shares, glancing at my belly again.

Reaching for his big paw, I give it a squeeze. “We’ll be okay.” I promise, “after what we just went through we can handle anything – even two babies in the middle of a revolu tion.”

“Don’t even joke about that.” Bastien scolds. “You and I are done with excitement, little wolf. From here on out it’s only wedded bliss, rambunctious pups and non death-defying

adventures.”

“If you say so.” | smile, giving his hand another squeeze, “besides there’s no better adventure than raising a family.”

“We didn’t want to, angel.” I assure her, “I’m so so sorry.”

“I promise we’ll never leave you again.” Bastien vows, stroking her long, dark hair.

It takes a while for us to all calm down, tending our over wrought emotions with lots of snuggles and reassurances. My heart both aches and overflows with joy to be reunited with my baby, even when she tells me how fat I am. About an hour after we arrive, Lila finally settles, nodding off between us on the couch. Of course, before she actually goes under, she re members to ask a very important question. “Did you bring me a pwesent?” Lila murmurs sleepily.

Lila sits up, suddenly very awake and cocking her head to the side, “really?” She questions curiously.