Pregnant and Rejected by My Alpha Mate

A pair of guards flank the entryway to Selene and Lila’s room in the Pack House. Apparently our arrival, combined with the threat of the bounty, was sufficient to cajole my mate into moving in – if only temporari

The guards try to block my approach, but quickly quell beneath the force of my scowl, stepping aside so I can knock. Bracing my shoulders for a fight, I rap on the heavy wood, listening to the movement inside with baited breath.

The door swings open, revealing a startled looking Selene. Her hair is up in a messy bun, and her soft blue sundress appears to have been splashed with water. I can smell the remnants of bubble bath and shampoo, and suspect I’ve just missed bath time.

“Bastien.” Selene greets me stiffly, her nervousness clear for all to see. My wolf whines, wanting to comfort his mate, but I hold him off. I don’t want Selene to be afraid of me, but I can’t show her any reprieve – not yet

Bracing my hands on the doorframe, I loom near, but do not enter the suite. “We need to talk.”

Selene shifts uneasily on her feet. “I’m in the middle of getting Lila to bed.”

I glance over her head, searching the small set of rooms with curiosity. Sure enough, Lila is curled on the couch in a pair of footie pajamas, her hair still damp from her bath. Her eyelids flutter heavily, though she clearly wants to stay up. Every few moments she gives herself a little shake and opens her beautiful eyes wide, stubbornly fighting the drowsiness threatening to pull her under.

My heart swells in my chest, overflowing with warmth and affection for the adorable pup. I thought ! would feel differently, now that I know she isn’t mine. I thought I’d been imagining the bond I feel with her, that my delusional mind had constructed some fairytale out of false hope and stupidity.

Looking at her now, I know I imagined nothing. I feel every bit as besotted with the tiny creature as I was the moment I first laid eyes on her. I don’t see Drake or remember Selene’s betrayal. I don’t feel the sting of resentment and jealousy – there is only love. Love for the silly she-wolf fruitlessly attempting to block my view of the apartment, and love for the perfect being she created.

“I can wait.” I inform Selene, striding past her without asking for permission to enter.

A strangled noise sounds in Selene’s throat as she watches me cross the room to the overstuffed sofa. A wide grin stretches across my face when Lila notices my arrival and perks with happiness to see me.

“Bashun!” She exclaims, her excitement fending off sleep just a little while longer.

“Well, what have we here?” I grumble playfully, “Can this be the same pup I saw a few

though her nose crinkles up with indignance. “I’s already clean!” She informs me with a pout,

can’t stand it. Even cranky, she’s still so sweet my teeth hurt. “But you smell so good now.” I tease, “So good I could eat you right up!” | nuzzle her

see Selene approaching out of the corner of my eye, still looking uncertain, “There will be no eat ing any pups tonight.” She announces

looking up at

Wohapwer 64 stin

turn away before she can make contact. *That can be arranged.” I tell Lila indulgently.

She answers immediately, pointing behind

her on the small mattress. My mate follows closely, hovering in the doorway and watching us with a mix of dis belief and

while Axel howls for his mate. Selene’s body twists and visibly quakes as the sounds move

door

“Does your mommy tell you stories every

cuddling into my

to be near Lila. The only thing missing is Se lene, and I know part of him is still calling to her wolf, no

for a moment, finally

sorcerer. He was very mean to her, and very bad.” I explain dra matically. “He kept her locked away in a cage with no light and no people

Lila murmurs

people are so unhappy with themselves, that they want to make the rest of the world unhappy too so they aren’t alone.” I finally answer, “but one day the little wolf outsmarted the sorcerer. When he wasn’t looking, she hit him over the head and ran to freedom, where she met a handsome prince who vowed to love her

was very afraid of the prince because of everything the sorcerer did to her. She thought he was like the man who

ran away?” Lila repeats with a

years, the prince thought she was lost forever. He barely survived it, and spent all his time dreaming of the past, wishing that his little wolf would find a way to come back somehow.” I trail off for a moment,

voice startles me from my reverie, and I realize I’ve paused for

| explain simply. “The little wolf was so afraid of the prince that they both ended up alone and heartbroken for far too long, and it wasn’t