Pregnant and Rejected by My Alpha Mate

#Chapter 143 – Go Fish

Drake

“Go fish!” Lila giggles, holding a fan of cards close to her body.

“Hmm,” I grumble, narrowing my eyes at the mischievous pup, “Are you sure you don’t have any fives, Lila bean?” “I’m sure!” She exclaims, nodding vigorously. Halfway through my draw, her expression changes, “Mommy, I have to potty.”

“I’ll take her.” Sophie offers, sliding off my lap and helping Lila to her feet. I’m momentarily distracted watching my stunning mate walk away, but once the bathroom door closes at her back I turn back to Selene. We’re seated around a small table in her VIP hospital suite, with Selene herself situated in an oversized armchair fitted with an IV hook and a call button. She’s wearing a thick robe and a worried expression, but her complexion is decidedly less green today than it was yesterday.

“What’s wrong?” I ask.

She glances at me somewhat sheepishly, as if uncertain she wants to share her thoughts. “Dr. Kane is up to something.”

“What makes you say that?” I question, not that I doubt her for one moment. That man had been so openly aggressive towards me anytime I got near Selene that I was already convinced he was in love with her. I plan on speaking to Bastien about it the next time we talk, but if he’s making Selene uncomfortable then maybe we can get rid of him sooner.

“He’s really been criticizing Bastien for not being here, and right to my face.” She begins, gnawing on her lower lip. “But the other day! overheard him telling one of the nurses that I don’t know, he made it sound like Bastien has me completely under his thumb and is out there screwing everything in a skirt while I’m oblivious. He made it sound like Bastien not being here was proof he’d left me.”

“That’s absurd.” I growl. “Bastien’s not just any wolf, he’s the Alpha. He can’t escape his responsibilities by running away even if he wanted to, and he never would.”

“I know that.” Selene agrees.

“You do? I confirm. I’ve spent enough time with mistreated she-wolf’s to know how easy it is to believe the worst, even when it defies logic. It wouldn’t be her fault if the physician’s words swayed her, not when she’d been told she was worthless her entire life.

“Yes.” Selene insists, with more strength than I expected. “That’s why I think Thomas is up to something.” She pauses, glancing at me with a plea for understanding. “I was really wrong not to have faith in Bastien when we were married the first time. I’m not going to make that mistake again. I know he loves me, I know he lives for Lila.”

“Good.” I nod approvingly. “I’m not sure what game the doctor is playing, but I have my suspicions and I expect he wanted you to hear his slander.”

he’s interested in me.” Selene

joking with you the other day, and I’ve been watching the way he looks at you. It’s not how I would expect an objective medical practitioner to look at

feel like I never get any better at reading people. I really thought he was my friend. He helped

hear Sophie chattering with Lila to give us time to talk in private. Such a clever little lamb. My wolf thinks, making my thoughts take a particularly inappropriate turn. Down Boy. I caution

tried to manipulate me that way.” She counters, perhaps giving me more credit than I deserve. I don’t know many shifters who wouldn’t go to the

wolfish grin, “but not all men

I catch it deftly before gently tossing it back to her. Anyway, listen. I wanted to talk to you about

up, excitement filling her eyes, “Have you

I sigh, not really

that mean?”

I’ve found someone who agreed to work with you.” I explain, delivering the good news first. “but I don’t think you’re in any state to begin

15:170

– Go

made of glass. Everyone

front of your pup.” I recall, adopting an admonishing tone. “I hate to say it, but kid gloves are probably necessary for the foreseeable future. Using your powers will require a lot of energy

if

get strong enough to practice before you can hope to improve. It won’t do anyone any good if you knock yourself out on day one, especially not the baby.” She looks down at

She admits, “I was thinking about the baby,

I promise, “No

makes my heart ache. “I’m so excited to grow our family, to give Lila a sibling, and to have another little monster in the house. I’m thrilled that I might be giving Bastien an heir…” She trails

timing?”

a worse set of circumstances to be in when bringing a new life into the world. I know Bastien was just following his

it’s perfectly valid to feel that way, but pups are always chaos. There’s never a good time to