Pregnant and Rejected by My Alpha Mate

Chapter 40

#Chapter 40 Rebirth

Selene’s POV

I’ve known more than my fair share of pain over the years, but nothing compares to labor. I feel like I’m being torn apart from the waist down. Even Wolfsbane didn’t come close to this torture.

It happens in waves, swelling and cresting over and over again until I’m so exhausted and drained that I barely have the strength to keep my eyes open. I want to rest, but every time my muscles relax enough to attempt it, a fresh assault wracks my form with agony and drags me back into consciousness.

“Can’t you just knock me out?” I ask the nurses petting and soothing me.

“No honey.” The nearest one coos. “I know it’s terrible, but you’re doing so well.” She praises. “Do you want some more ice?”

“No.” I cry, tears slipping from the corners of my eyes, “I want Bastien.”

Drake strokes my hair back from my face, lowering his lips to my ear, “Easy now, Celeste.” He enunciates my false name pointedly, remember who you are.”

I whip my head from right to left, my chest shaking with sobs as I grip the hand rails at my sides with white knuckled fists. “I need him.” I sob piteously. “I can’t do this without him.”

It’s been so long since I let myself think of Bastien, I’d almost even convinced myself I don’t miss him. I’ve filled my imagination with my shiny new life, my burgeoning accomplishments and independence – telling myself I finally have everything I’ve ever wanted. But none of it feels right without my mate.

It’s true I have so many things I’ve never been able to contemplate in the past, and it’s true I’m happy with my freedom, but these past 6 months have felt just a little too much like a dream. Everything that’s happening feels true in the moment, but something always seems off, a small part of my mind knows it isn’t real. Eventually I have to wake up, and whenever I do, it’s never easy.

Sometimes it happens in the middle of the night, in those stolen hours when deep thoughts always seem to appear unbidden, and unspoken anxieties and emotions rear their ugly heads. Sometimes it happens listening to a familiar song, or watching a movie scene that hits just a little too close to home.

that it becomes impossible to pretend any longer – like now. This pain has stolen

can do this. You’ve

it!” I push his hands away, my roiling hormones making me suddenly furious that my friend is not my mate. “I can’t – I don’t

honey.” The nurse says, shooting an apologetic glance to Drake. “Don’t take it personally, you should hear some of the things laboring moms say to their mates

out a whisper, my chest heaving but still unable to draw in enough air.

last person you need.” She nods to Drake. “The

pillow as a contraction eases, and I sniffle pitifully. “I’m sorry.” I hiccup, reaching for my

grins, taking my hand again. “It’s okay,

contraction seizes my uterus, and I jolt forward

gloves with a wide smile that

thing out of

along

feeling no relief at all when she announces, “Ten centimeters.” Her head peaks up from beneath the blanket covering my splayed legs, “Are you ready to

fourteen hours ago!” I

just pats my leg and smiles, “Then let’s get

and hooking their arms beneath my legs to help support me while she hunkers down at the end of the bed. I feel so guilty for resenting their touch, but no matter what encouragement or comfort anyone offers me, the fact remains that the only person I want is

into pushing, screaming and groaning at the top of my hoarse lungs. It happens in bursts, bearing down for ten seconds at a time, bawling and retching in between pushes

tearing from the inside out

can feel relief or joy – or anything else for that matter – something like an explosion bursts deep in my chest, washing over me in a flood of electricity. The sudden rush of power carries me floating on a tide of memory into the darkness,

Drake’s POV

her slumped body and lolling

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