Pregnant and Rejected by My Alpha Mate

#Chapter 32 House Arrest

Bastien’s POV

“Enough” i cut through the rising voices: Selene swearing her innocence, the enforcers combatively contending that the evidence is against her, Aiden calling for calm. “This isn’t getting us anywhere. Our priority is finding Arabella.”

No one quells more than Selene under the force of my tone, and I wish I could comfort her. My anger is for the enforcers, not her.

“Our best trackers are on the trail, Alpha.” A resigned Danvers promises, “I’ve already received word that the men you sent rendezvoused with the team.”

“They’ve followed Bella’s scent to New Town.” Aiden confirms. Then, using our mental link he adds, If it were me, and I wanted to frame Selene, I would take Arabella to Garrick’s house.

He’s right. It’s the only property Selene owns independently, and the last place either of us would ever go. Let’s go.

Aiden marches out on my order, no doubt pulling the car around while I wrangle the enforcers back out of the room. “We have a lead.” I announce. “I want everyone ready to move out in five minutes.”

Danvers brow furrows, “What lead?”

T’ll explain on the way.” I deflect, calling mother and the sentries back into the secure room.

“You’re leaving?” Selene’s small voice surprises me. “Now?”

“Yes.” I answer simply.

“What if it’s a trap?” Selene halts me for the second time. “You should let the enforcers go and make sure it’s safe first.”

I don’t even consider the suggestion. I’ve never run from a fight before, I don’t intend to start now, I need to be there for Arabella.”

*Please don’t go, Bastien.” Selene whispers, her cerulean and violet eyes shining.

“I have to.” Once the guards are positioned at the door once more, I command, “Don’t let anyone in until I’m back.”

“Wait.” Tiny feet charge after me, near silent on the persian rug. “You’re locking us in here again?”

the distress written clearly across

and fear gradually eclipsed by outrage. “From what?” She hisses, sounding entirely unlike my mate.” thought I was the kidnapper.

out of control. I need to ensure my mate is safe, and the enforcers want to keep her under lock and key until

close the distance to my wife and drop my lips to her ear. “Don’t make this harder than it

this

this or enforcer custody, sweetheart.” The endearment rings false in

I have no intention of allowing the enforcers anywhere near Selene, no matter what other false evidence they find, but I can’t reveal this – not yet. It will be seen as corruption, and I need the

devastating impact, and I wish I could take back

what you call it,” I

Selene’s POV

pace in front of Odette “Do they

soothes, more alert than I’ve seen her in a long time. Providing comfort seems to have sidelined her sorrow, if only for a while. “Enforcers

know.” I grumble, “But I can’t believe Bastien is going along

asserts. “He’s always had a

harp on, unable to let the issue go. “Let’s assume I wanted to kidnap Arabella and actually found a way to accomplish it. Where could I possibly put her? What am I supposed to be doing with her? There’s no ransom and no body- and I ve been here basically 24/7 since before she was taken, so it’s not like I can be off torturing her!” The words pour out of me in a frenzy.” And they’d know if I hired someone to do it for me, because all of my money

with a look of dawning light on her face. “The only things you have

it so gently.”

ignores my sarcasm, pulling me into the bathroom and out of the guard’s hearing. “The cabin.” She murmurs, “The pack house isn’t technically your property because it transfers to any Alpha, but the cabin is in Bastien’s

and down

stretches across her face. “What do you say,

nothing more than to get out of this room since the first moment Bastien threw me into it. “How?* I agree

begins combing her hands along the wall, her slender fingers searching for some unseen pressure point in the plaster. “One benefit of being Alphas,” she shares smugly, we get to know

before us. Sweet relief fills me, accompanied by only a fraction of frustration. “Why

aren’t in any danger – they can’t blame you for the kidnapping

catch her arm as she lifts her foot over the threshold. “What about

:

flashes her fangs, “Gabriel wasn’t the only one who ruled this pack

I frown, peeking over a mossy boulder beyond

wolves seem to rise to the surface in the forest, and being near them when it happens makes me ache for Luna,

stirring in my own blood, a spark of fire in my empty heart. I don’t even feel nauseous