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

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

blazes out of control. I need to

and drop my lips to her ear. “Don’t make

this anything!”

endearment rings false in my clipped tone,

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 Arabella is safe and the immediate

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

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

Selene’s POV

I’m 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 secret lair somewhere

to do with it, Darling.” Odette 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 aren’t trained to question

I grumble, “But I can’t believe Bastien is going along with it. Doesn’t he know me better than

asserts. “He’s always

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

She agrees, sitting up with a look of dawning

putting it

it transfers to any Alpha, but the cabin is in Bastien’s and your name. It’s the

jump up and down in excitement.

stretches across her face. “What

out of this room since the first moment Bastien threw me

unseen pressure point in the plaster. “One benefit of being Alphas,” she shares smugly,

doorway slides open before us. Sweet relief fills me,

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

as she lifts her foot over

:

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

over a mossy boulder beyond the treeline of the cabin’s

wolf glowing through her eyes. All wolves seem to rise to the surface in the forest, and being near them when it happens

a spark of fire in my empty heart. I don’t even feel nauseous here. For the first time since I found out about