Pregnant and Rejected by My Alpha Mate novel Chapter 4

Pregnant and Rejected by My Alpha Mate Chapter 4

#Chapter 4 Marry Bastien

Selene’s POV

I jerk awake, jolting to a sitting position in an unfamiliar bed. It takes a moment for my nerves to catch up with my head, sending shouts of protest and pain once they do; every inch of my body aches.

One of my eyes is swollen shut, but the other blinks rapidly against the light. The room – a large bedroom suite decorated in muted colors – is far too bright.

The silken fabric of my nightgown scratches my overly-sensitized skin despite its softness. How long has it been since I’ve worn clothing?

Someone has washed and braided my hair, and bandages have been wrapped around my feet and arms. Muffled voices reach my ears, and my attention swings to a closed door on my left. The fine hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, and I slip from the bed as gracefully as I can.

I cross the small space, settling with my back against the door and pressing my ear to the cool wood.

“Selene Moreau.” I don’t recognize the voice speaking my name. “She’s supposed to be dead.”

“Well clearly she isn’t.” A second voice answers. “Has anyone found Garrick yet?”

A growl drowns out the final word, followed by a familiar bass. Aiden is leading the hunt, he has instructions to check in the moment they catch his trail.” A heavy pause punctuates Bastien’s words. “I don’t understand how we didn’t know.”

“Garrick put on a good show.” The first speaker remarks, “No one ever suspected he could do anything like this.”

“It’s a failure on all our parts.” The second man states gravely. “We should have asked more questions. Volana wolves are not easy to kill – two going at once should have been a red flag.”

“We couldn’t have known.” The first man placates.

“No we should have known.” This has to be the Alpha. As heir Bastien is second in command in the pack; no one else would be speaking with him this way. “Instead an innocent pup was left to suffer for almost a decade.”

I was so busy trying to sort out all the implications of their words that I didn’t notice the approaching footsteps. I heard the knob turn half a second before I felt the door pressing into my spine, sliding my body towards the wall.

Suddenly Bastien is peering down at me, an amused look on his handsome face. “Eavesdropping, little wolf?”

I clamber to my feet, leaning on the wall and ignoring the pain shooting up my legs. He holds out one arm to block his companions from entering, and I take the opportunity to dart past him into the main part of the suite.

Bastien follows me with predatory eyes, but makes no move to block my path. Too late I realize running is a sure fire way to spark a wolf’s prey drive. I watch him warily as the other men enter, so focused on the potential threat I almost forget we aren’t alone.

Gabriel Durand, the very image of Bastien were he a few decades older, steps forward. “Hello Selene.”

Without thinking I slink behind Bastien, using his large body to hide myself from view. I cannot explain it. I do not want any of them to be in this room with me, and Bastien is the one who brought me here against my will in the first place – he’s the last person I should seek for protection

He reaches back, circling his arm around my body and catching me up before I can contemplate fleeing. “Come here, you.” Bastien deposits me back into the plush bedding, taking a seat by my side so that his large form remains as a barrier between me and the strangers. “We need to talk.”

Bastien’s POV

I watch Selene closely as my father explains everything that has happened since she escaped Garrick. She’s huddled among the pillows, leaning as far away from us as possible. My wolf is clawing at the surface, demanding to move closer.

There is a disturbing vacancy in her expression, and my hatred for the man who imprisoned her spikes, I’ve promised Father that

#Chapter 4 Marry Bastien

my men will return Garrick to the pack house to stand trial once he’s found, but in truth I have no intention of letting the bastard back into the city. Outside of Nova jurisdiction I can do with him as I please, and sitting by Selene’s bedside these past few days has given me ample time to plan his punishment.

“Your mother was very dear to me,” Father was saying, prompting Selene to meet his gaze for the first time. She hasn’t been able to look at any of us directly, not even my father’s Beta, Donovan.

“Yes I knew her.” Father continues, smiling sadly, “She helped me at a time when I could not help myself. I feel I owe it to Corrine to do the same for you now. You have my word that Garrick will be caught; he will account for his crimes.”

“And in the meantime?” Her voice is stronger than it had been in the forest. “What do you intend to do with me?”

Claim you. Axel suggests, triggering my instinct to scent mark the sweet creature in front of me. I leash in the desire, gritting my teeth against the pain denying it creates.

Not helpful, Axel. I think with frustration.