Pregnant and Rejected by My Alpha Mate novel Chapter 65

Bastien’s POV

I close the bedroom door as quietly as I can, unsurprised to find my mate waiting on the other side. I al most smile; some things never change. My little mate seems just as prone to eavesdropping as ever, and

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stands with her arms coiled defensively around her body, eyeing me with apprehension.

“Still listening at doorways, little wolf?” I ask, striding forward until I’m towering over Selene and she’s forced to back away to escape my shadow.

Rather than answering, she glowers and says, “Why did you do that?”

“Do what?” | feign ignorance, “Put your pup to bed?”

“No.” She corrects me immediately. “Why did you say those things to her?”

“Because Lila wanted a bedtime story.” I shrug, watching her skirt away from me with amusement. She should know better than to run from a predator – especially her mate. I follow her at a distance, never com ing close enough to make contact, but making my intentions all too clear.

You can run, little wolf. Axel rumbles, but you can’t hide.

“What did you think of it?”

Selene is beginning to look rather distraught, like a cornered rabbit with nowhere to turn. “It sounded like a fairy tale.” She replies dismissively.

“So?” | ask, taking too much pleasure in baiting her. “What could be better for a growing pup?”

“Fairy tales aren’t real.” Selene argues, a red flush working its way up her cheeks.

I study my mate for a long moment, absorbing the blend of fear and arousal muddying her pristine scent. I can hear her pounding heart and panting breaths, and see the confusion tangling her nerves. Her pupils are great black discs, surrounded by coronas of blue and violet.

Perfect. Axel purrs in my head.

I have to agree. My mate is straddling the precipice of lust and nervousness which never fails to send my blood rushing south. It’s been too long – far, far too long – since I’ve seen her this way, and far too long since we‘ve mated. She’s perfectly primed, probably nearing her heat and pushed over the edge by my wolf s provocation. But I still must wait a little while longer.

“Why aren’t you with Drake, Selene?” | question sharply.

Completely thrown off balance by the unexpected question, Selene scrabbles for an answer before fee bly claiming, “I am.”

“No. You joined his pack, you let him father your child, but you aren’t together.” I assert, prowling near er. “He hasn’t marked you, he hasn’t formally recognized Lila as his child, and he hasn’t moved you into the Pack House until now.”

“Because I didn’t want him to.” She counters, crossing her slender arms over her chest defiantly. “I didn’ t want a mate – I don’t want a mate.” She amends, “Drake understands that. He respects it. There are no strings in our relationship.”

“And why are you so determined to live without a mate?” I inquire, “what is so terrible about strings?”

“Stop it, Bastien.” Selene pleads, “I know what you’re doing and it’s not going to work.”

#Chapter 65 Worth It

“What am I doing?” I ask innocently, stalking her skittish movements.

“You’re trying to make me think you love me, and that you’ll accept Lila no matter her paternity – so that I’ll mate with you.” She accuses, looking over her shoulder to make sure her escape path is clear.

Tracing my hand up and down Selene’s spine, I search her expression, “How, sweetheart?”

“Careful, little wolf,” | growl, tightening my grip on her small body. “I don’t mind if you eavesdrop, or push me away, or even run from me.” It takes nearly all my strength to keep the anger I’m feeling out of my voice, and I only succeed in part. “But don’t you ever, ever, accuse me of not loving you.”

I slide my hand into her long hair, tangling my fingers into a fist and tugging her head back so she’s forced to look me in the eye. “I love you, Selene.” I profess. “I have always loved you and I’m so sorry I didn’t show you enough.” I insist. “I was trying to protect myself. I didn’t think you could feel our bond without your wolf and I believed you were going to leave me.”

Selene’s black lashes fall shut, forcing out a few tears which slide in rivulets down her cheeks. Her full lower lip trembles dangerously, and I lower my forehead to hers, “And I do know you, Selene.” | murmur. “You’re my mate, I would know you anywhere.”