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?”

written clearly across my wife’s face. “I promise you’ll

entirely unlike my mate.” thought I was the kidnapper. Why do I have to stay in lock down if I’m the

is completely justified, but I don’t have time to put out this fire, not when another blazes out of control. I need to ensure my mate

a weary sigh, I close the distance to my wife and drop my lips to

this

custody, sweetheart.” The endearment rings false in my

audience. 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 investigators on my side until

and I wish I could take back the words. “So

you call it,” I

Selene’s POV

think I’m hiding her? My hands gesticulate wildly as I pace in front of Odette “Do they imagine I’m such a villain that

don’t think logic has anything to do with it, Darling.” Odette soothes, more alert than I’ve seen her in a long time. Providing comfort seems

going along with it. Doesn’t he know me

She asserts. “He’s always had a blind spot

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

agrees, sitting up with a look of dawning light on her

thanks for putting it

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 your name. It’s the only place they could tie directly to

up and down in excitement. “Odette, you’re

her face. “What do you say,

out of this room since the

the wall, her slender fingers searching for some unseen pressure point in the plaster.

clicks loudly, and a hidden doorway slides open before us. Sweet relief fills me, accompanied by

in any danger – they can’t blame you

lifts her foot over the threshold. “What

:

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

over a mossy boulder

smell Arabella.” Odette is hunkered down beside me, her wolf glowing through her eyes. All wolves seem to rise to the surface in the forest, and being near them when it happens makes me ache for Luna, no matter

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