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?”

facing the distress written clearly across

by outrage. “From what?” She hisses, sounding entirely unlike my mate.” thought I was the kidnapper. Why do I have to stay in lock

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 is safe, and

distance to my wife and drop my lips

not making this

custody, sweetheart.” The endearment rings false in my clipped tone, “which would you

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 Arabella is safe and the immediate threat neutralized. I cannot risk alienating them by

I wish I could take back the words. “So

what you call it,” I said. “As long

Selene’s POV

do they think I’m hiding her? My hands gesticulate wildly as I pace in

time. Providing comfort seems to have sidelined her sorrow, if

Bastien is going along with it. Doesn’t he know me

afraid for Bella.” She asserts. “He’s always had a blind spot when it

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

up with a look of dawning light on her

putting it

She murmurs, “The pack house isn’t technically your property because it transfers to any Alpha, but the cabin is in Bastien’s and

fight the urge to jump up and down in

moments.” A sly smile stretches across her face. “What do you say, we make a break

this room since

hands along the wall, her slender fingers searching for some unseen pressure point in the plaster. “One benefit

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

any danger – they can’t blame you for the kidnapping and attack you at the same

arm as she lifts her foot over

:

me sweetling.” She pats my cheek and flashes her fangs, “Gabriel wasn’t the only one who ruled this

are off.” I frown, peeking over a mossy boulder beyond the treeline of the cabin’s

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 how

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