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?”

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

She hisses, sounding entirely unlike my mate.” thought I was the kidnapper. Why do I have to stay in lock down if I’m the one causing all

fire, not when another blazes out of control. I need to ensure my mate is safe, and the enforcers want to

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

making this anything!” She

sweetheart.” The endearment rings false in my clipped

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 Arabella is

take back the words. “So it isn’t lock down.” She summarizes. “It’s house

don’t mind what you call it,” I said. “As long as you stay

Selene’s POV

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

it, Darling.” Odette soothes, more alert than I’ve seen her in a long time. Providing comfort seems to have sidelined her sorrow,

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

think he’s just afraid for Bella.” She asserts. “He’s always had a blind spot

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

right.” She agrees, sitting up with a look of dawning light on her face. “The only

thanks for putting it so

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

to jump up and down in

across her face. “What do you say, we make a break for

since the

pressure point in the plaster. “One benefit of being Alphas,” she shares smugly, we get to know the escape

and a hidden doorway slides open before us. Sweet relief fills me, accompanied by only a fraction of frustration. “Why didn’t

was before. Now we know you aren’t in any danger – they can’t blame you for the kidnapping and attack you at

lifts her

:

my cheek and flashes her fangs, “Gabriel wasn’t the only one who ruled this

I frown, peeking over a mossy boulder beyond the treeline of the cabin’s

or smell Arabella.” Odette is hunkered down beside me, her wolf glowing through her eyes. All wolves seem to rise to

I don’t even feel nauseous here. For the first time since I found out about the baby, not even a sliver of discomfort assails my