Chapter 47

Bastien‘s PO

The first thing I see is the fear on Selene‘s face. Fear I hate myself for causing. She‘s backed into a corner, appearing so much more like the lost little wolf I pulled from a tree, than the confident woman I met today.  

It takes all my strength to pull my eyes from Selene‘s haunted expression and survey the rest of the scene, at which point I realize why she‘s in the corner. The tiny body is visible even now, with pint–sized hands clutching her skirt and a gleaming pair of two–toned 

eyes peeking out from behind her leg. 

Mate, Axel croons with satisfaction. And mate‘s pup. Mine, both mine. 

We don‘t know who that pup belongs to yet. I caution him, though I cannot help but feel drawn to the tiny creature in a way I can‘t explain 

I don‘t care who she belonged to. He growls. I saw her. I like her. She‘s mine now

That‘s not how it works. I admonish him. 

Unable to assuage her curiosity, the little girl pokes her head out of hiding, and Selene stiffens reflexively. Waving off my men, 1 stride forward and close the door, carefully approaching the she–wolves. “Hello little one.” I murmur to the child, kneeling down so that we‘re at eye level, even if I‘m still halfway across the room. “Goddess she looks exactly like you.” I revel, looking back and forth between the beautiful faces, 

I‘ve seen many pups and kissed many babies in my life, but I cannot remember ever seeing such a perfect child. It‘s not just that she is my mate‘s creation – that she is the heart and soul of the woman I adore – it‘s that she is pure light, pure love. Despite my misgivings, I have to agree with Axel. Mine. 

A tiny voice tugs at my heart strings. “Mommy who‘s that?” 

The gooey warmth in my belly hardens like a rock, and the reality of our situation splashes over me like a bucket of ice water. If this child is mine, Selene hid her existence from me for years. She left Elysium knowing she was pregnant, and took my baby someplace where I could not protect her. 

“That‘s an excellent question.” I state harshly, catching my mate in my crosshairs. “Selene?” Slowly unfolding until I‘m standing again, I move forward. “Who am I to her?” 

“A stranger,” Selene designates coldly, “and what do we say to strangers, Lila?” 

On cue the tiny pup lifts her chubby fingers to her lips and pulls ar imaginary zipper across her mouth, pressing her lips tightly together and shaking her head once she‘s finished. 

in a much softer voice than I directed at her mother. “You should never talk to strangers, but that‘s not what I am.” Little by little, the tot is emerging from behind her mother. Interesting – most children are afraid of me at first. “I‘m

still

meant to be together.” I say this to Selene alone. “And whatever she cares about, I

features. “What the hell are you

lie to

of ideas in her head!” She hisses, flames dancing in her

not towards my little wolf. With every second that passes, the more certain I am that this

her fingers to answer my question with a patented “this mary” instead Selene scowls, her

is she?”

Selene snarla, her wolf glowing in her eyes. Goddess she‘s stunning when

all by yourself?” I

Selene invites, “do you see yourself in her? Do you see even the tiniest

before Selene can stop me. “Come here, pup.”

and can‘t quite wrap her head around her new predicament. Nonetheless, her surprise disappears quickly, replaced by unapologetic curiosity. She looks up at me with wide eyes, studying my face intently and

impossible. Shaking my head, settling Lila more comfortably in my arms and internally swooning when she instantly rests her cheek on my shoulder. “I can‘t see anyone else in her either.” I finally answer Selene‘s question,

forth between my face and Lila‘s, clearly unsure of

her, lifting her head and staring at the floor far below before looking back to me, as if for confirmation. “T‘s high.”

I hum sympathetically. If she‘s used to being carried around by my mate, this probably seems very high indeed. “Too high?”

expression transforms to one of pure excitement. “No, want

I consider her words for a moment before agreeing, “Well I think that can

joy as I toss her over my head, catching her and repeating

Selene‘s POV 

it all go wrong? I lament, thoroughly indulging in a fit of self–pity as I watch my daughter riding around on the back of a huge black wolf like he‘s a pony. Bastien gallops around

like a common dog and proudly returned

I ever imagined. I was ready for the anger, for yelling and drawn out fights, but no amount of preparation could ever make me ready for this: for

tears begin to fall I sneak away to the bathroom, thankfully unnoticed amidst the raucous play. When I first got pregnant this was exactly the kind of

away; showing me these glimpses of bliss that will haunt

strong, I have

he‘s a giant pillow. Honestly it‘s an impulse I understand – how many times did he shift to comfort me through thunderstorms, when he knew the feel

to the living room Bastien shifts back, passing Lila to me so he can

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