#Chapter 20 Bastien And Arabella Buy Rings

Selene’s POV

Drake sits across from me, appearing surprised but sympathetic as he processes my revelation. “Bastien doesn’t know?” He asks.

“No.” I confirm simply, “And he’s not going to find out.” I rub the back of my neck, “Our situation has always been complicated, but Bastien is a good man. If he found out the truth he would never go through with the rejection, and I won’t have him stay with me out of pity or obligation.”

“For what it’s worth,” Drake offers kindly, “I think he’s a fool for wanting to reject you at all.”

“Then you’re one of the few.” I reply honestly.

He frowns, “Is the baby the reason you’re leaving?”

“It’s the reason I realized I had to go,” I confess, “But in all honesty I don’t think I could have stayed either way. I don’t want to watch Bastien marry someone else.” Hot tears burn my eyes, “And I’m sick of being the pack side show. I need a fresh start, someplace where nobody knows me. Where my baby and I can be safe.”

Drake squeezes my hand. “I understand.” I swipe at an escaped tear and he offers me his napkin. I take it with appreciation, dabbing my eyes. “If you want to come to Asphodel, I will help you in any way I can. We’ll find you a place to live, a job, we’ll introduce you to the pack as a distant cousin and never mention the Novas at all.”

I blink in surprise, a kernel of hope blooming in my chest. “What about your father?”

“My father is getting older, most pack business has been under my control for a few years now.” Drake explains. “If I tell him it is important we help you, on your terms, he will respect my decision.”

“I don’t understand why you would do this for me.” I state warily.

“Has the world truly been so cruel to you that kindness is cause for such suspicion?” From anyone else the words might have sounded self-righteous or judgemental, but from Drake they merely sounded aggrieved.

“Yes.” I confirm icily, “It has.”

again. “I’m sorry, Selene.” He

ask in

you thought about how you want to

I’m going to

“Yes.”

the after” part of the equation.” I wince at my

“That’s alright.” Drake insists.

be soon.” | announce abruptly, “before he can

plan together. By this time next week,

Day Until the Rejection

for my imminent departure. Drake and I talked

not

would result in a search, one that would extend into Eros territory and

from it completely, leaving no room for doubt or second guesses among those I leave behind. It had not been easy for Drake to convince me to fake my death. After all, I do not want to hurt the people! love with such

chance I have to start fresh is if I end my old life once and for all. My past cannot catch up to me if no one ever comes looking for me, and the only way to keep my baby safe

I regret these decisions, but for now the desire to turn over a new leaf is so overwhelming that I feel

of the home I will build and life I will lead. I dream of being normal, rather than some pathetic victim; an incomplete wolf so

I am walking on air. Every purchase I make is another step forward, another puzzle piece bringing me closer to my goal. I do not think about the pain I will cause, only the joy to be

Then I see them.

the shining glass window of a high end jewelry store, I can clearly make out Bastien and Arabella bent over a

and putting people I love through great pain, yet I have the temerity to feel affronted

and Goddess help me,

not know when Arabella was released from the hospital, but she looks perfectly well now. She is beaming, so full of love and beauty that my stomach

married for the time being, and it seems wildly insensitive and disrespectful for them to be publicly advertising their relationship this way.

in a daze, coming to stand at the entrance of the jewelry store with blazing eyes and flushed cheeks. *Please

surprise, and I find myself shrinking back, unsure of where I found that sudden wave of

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