Pregnant and Rejected by My Alpha Mate novel Chapter 63

Odette’s POV

I don’t transform very often anymore.

It hasn’t felt the same since Gabriel died, and though my wolf gets restless like any other, this freedom has a cost. I always miss my mate more when I shift. The pain of his absence is most acute in my soul’s truest form, and I feel eternally guilty for going on without him.

Even so, there’s no avoiding it tonight.

Bastien disappeared into the darkness in such a fit of rage I’m afraid of what he might do if he’s left alone. Aiden and Donovan went after him, but I do not trust them to pull him back from the edge, and I know they will not tell him what he needs to hear.

I follow Bastien’s path at a steady lope, trotting along in his footprints hoping he’s not so far ahead that my efforts are in vain. If he gets it into his head to kill Cavanaugh or seek retribution, war might follow, and that’s the last thing we need.

Bastien may be the one at risk of inciting chaos, but Selene isn’t doing much better. I swear I’ve never met a more stubborn pair of shifters: both determined to get their way, neither willing to give an inch.

It’s no surprise coming from my son, the Alpha: He’s used to getting exactly what he wants and set tling for nothing less. Selene, on the other hand, has always been so soft and pliant. It is unlike her to dig in her heels this way, but having a pup changes everything.

Right now, my daughter-in-law is not the sweet, skittish she-wolf I used to know: she is a mother pro tecting her young, not to mention a woman who feels betrayed by her mate. I don’t know everything that happened in their marriage or the events which have transpired since, but it’s clear to me that Selene is un der the impression that Basiten never loved her. Until my son understands and accepts that, they will never move forward.

Leaving the salt marshes and mangrove forests of Asphodel is a breath of fresh air. It takes miles for the landscape to transform into rolling hills and lowland valleys. I can see mountains in the distance, but Bastien has not gotten that far.

I follow his scent to the base of a particularly steep slope, where Aiden and Donovan stand sentry,

• blocking all trespassers from approaching their Alpha.

I stop before them and wait, giving them my most imperious glare. Donavon caves first. He may have age on his side, but he also spent three decades at my husband’s side. He knows a losing battle when he sees one.

Aiden glances at his partner skeptically, engaging in some silent debate lost to my ears before be grudgingly moving out of the way. I trot past them with a little huff, soon setting eyes on Bastien up ahead.

I move across the ridge towards the huge black wolf, meeting his glowing silver eyes as I approach. For a moment I think he might turn his back on me and run, but l emit a soft growl with the order, don’t even think about it.

His muscles relax – even if his eyes do roll back into his head – and he sits down on the hard rocks, I came out here to be alone.

I’m aware. I inform him derisively, but sometimes being alone isn’t what you need.

I don’t need a pep talk either, Mother. He counters grumpily, you can’t make this better.

I don’t think you need a pep talk. I agree warmly. I think you need a good smack on that hard head of

yours.

*Chapter 63 Family isn’t About Blood

His furry head swings around, outrage that I haven’t automatically taken his side clear on his face. She left me. She chose another wolf. He rumbles, She gave him… He trails off, emotion thick in his voice, Lila should be mine.