Pregnant and Rejected by My Alpha Mate

#Chapter 81 Daddy

Bastien’s POV

By the time the lab has mixed the antidote for Lila, Selene is so exhausted she’s barely able to keep her eyes open. She’s trying so hard to stay awake, but the last few days have been exhausting in more ways than one.

As pleasurable as heat cycles are, non-stop sex for hours on end takes a lot out of you – as does resisting the hormones in order to function normally when you inevitably must. Running on almost no sleep, my poor little wolf had to cope with heat, her pup being kidnapped, then being taken herself, and now this. If it hadn’t been for her time under the Starlight, I think the stress would have toppled her over hours ago.

I’m not in great shape myself, but I’ve been trained to endure war, to survive under the harshest conditions imaginable and somehow persevere. Besides, just as Selene keeps herself going for Lila, I keep myself going for them both. I’ve stationed myself between their beds, holding my mate’s hand and gazing at my pup in wonder.

I’m a father. Not a surrogate standing in for another man, not a guardian or adoptive parent, but a real father. It still doesn’t seem real. I already thought I was the luckiest bastard on the planet just for getting to call Selene my own and help raise Lila. Now! think I must be dreaming.

“You should really try to rest a little.” I encourage Selene for the dozenth time, stroking her palm with my thumb. “I promise I’ll wake you the second something changes.”

Selene shakes her head weakly. “No.” She replies hoarsely, “not until I know she’s okay.”

Luckily we don’t have to wait much longer. Selene has been watching Lila’s vital signs like a hawk, and when the doctors finally enter with a syringe full of eerie purple liquid, she practically tries to jump out of her bed. I catch her before she gets very far, not that it’s difficult. Her movements are sluggish and unsteady, like a drunk under water.

“Okay Mr and Mrs Durand, the antidote is ready.” The doctor announces, showing us the drug. “I’m going to inject it straight into her IV so it will get into her system nice and fast.”

“You’re sure it’s going to work?” Selene frets.

“Nothing’s ever one hundred percent.” The doctor hedges, “but I’ve never known this treatment to fail.” She presses the needle into one of the little ports along the clear tubes feeding into Lila’s arms, and depresses the plunger. The purple liquid slowly seeps out of the syringe and into the tubes, then disappears into the toddler’s veins. “It will take a little while to fully revive her.”

“How long?” I press, my agitation spiking now that the moment of truth is imminent.

“Half an hour?” She theorizes. “Give or take.”

“Half an hour.” I repeat to Selene, kissing her hand. “That’s not so bad.”

beat grows more steady

vigorously as she’s able – which isn’t very much.

I

moment I think she’s going to start crying again, only she doesn’t look relieved or happy

away.” Selene complains in a small

and machines hooked up to her tiny body. It’s impossible to put them in the same bed, but Selene isn’t nearly as tangled up in equipment. Careful to pull her IV pole with

cheek pressed against the curve of my neck. Still, she peeps, “Closer.” She needs to sleep. Axel gripes, his concern

wakes. I counter, She can make it a little

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#Chapter 81 Daddy

sweetheart,” I soothe, rubbing her back.

words, at the pain in her sweet voice. The worst part is that I don’t have an answer. Selene’s life has been one trauma

but certain that I will find a way. I will not let this be my daughter’s story – or my mate’s, not anymore. “I promise Selene, if it’s the last thing I do, I’m going to make her

thoughts and buried

Do you hear me?”

truly answering me. “Life isn’t always going to be this way.” I soberly claim,

her face into my neck, “I’m so tired,

tiny

eyes are blinking blearily, and she’s squirming with discomfort, no doubt riddled with confusing aches

here, angel.” She immediately answers, reaching for the child. Standing, I balance Selene on the edge of the bed, keeping her weight braced against me so she doesn’t topple over. Her gentle hands

twists up, and she begins pulling at the various tubes connected to her body.

to leave those alone.” Selene tells her. “I know

was a little while ago, even though I recognize what’s coming. Lila begins to cry, overwhelmed

minutes I have two