Pregnant and Rejected by My Alpha Mate

#Chapter 144 – The News Gets Out

As a general rule, I try not to judge people based on appearances, but I can’t recall ever seeing a bigger bunch of misfits than I’m staring at now. Gnarled, grizzled and tattooed, the rogues in front of me are so stereotypically rough looking it’s actually laughable. It’s as if a casting director put up an ad for outcasts and every muscle-bound ruffian in the city turned up to audition.

Oh well, I might not care for their style, but there’s no question, they’re exactly what I need. With Bastien gone, the opportunity to cause disruptions in the pack are higher than ever, I’d be a fool not to take advantage.

“You’re sure the Alpha isn’t here?” The lead shifter demands, sharpening a knife in an obvious bid to look intimidating.

Ridiculous, I think. What kind of shifter resorts to weapons, you’ve got built-in knives in your paws! Of course, his act might be more believable if he wasn’t so concerned with whether or not an authority figure was present in the territory.

“I’m positive, it’s been all over the news for days.” I explain, tossing a newspaper at their feet. “The city is in the hands of his Betas, and trust me, they are nothing compared to Bastien Durand. You’ll have free reign.”

The man briefly scans the document before nodding and tossing it to one of his compatriots. “Why are you doing this?” The leader questions, making me roll my eyes. So distrustful.

“Because the worse people think of Bastien, the better things are for me.” I drawl. “Trust me, we’re on the same side here.”

“I don’t trust anyone.” The shifter grumbles, trying to sound menacing.

“You’ve also seen way too many crime dramas.” I remark, “Now stop wasting my time, are you in or are you out?”

The oversized rogue glances at his accomplices. For a few brief moments, I wonder if they’ll turn on me and my mind begins running simulations: can I take them, or should I run? However my fears are for naught. After a moment the hulking men nod in agreement. “We‘re in.”

A triumphant grin splits my face in two, and I pivot to the side, sweeping my arm in a gesture of welcome, “Then welcome, gentlemen.” announce, “Elysium is yours for the taking.”

The assorted bandits charge past me with a cheer, shifting mid-stride and charging across the boundary line dividing Nova lands from neutral territory. They leap over the bodies of the sentries I dispatched, and take off through the woods, heading straight for the center city.

Selene

from my current predicament better than a good movie or mind-numbing sitcom. Besides, the TV has also become my only outlet to the

maybe they had a point about keeping me in the

the screen, Elysium is

were killed along the borderlands, and a stream of violent crimes rocked the city in the early hours of the morning including three bank robberies, eight car thefts, a dozen break

reporter’s colleague takes up the next segment of lines, “Elysium has not suffered an infiltration on this scale in living memory and in only a few hours, these despicable outsiders terrorized what was once considered the safest corner of the city on an unprecedented scale. Never before has central Elysium seen such

about to be proved very wrong. The headlines scrolling below the newsdesk foreshadow the next headlining story, and I’m horrified to see my own name

Odette Durand was sighted leaving Elysium Central hospital with her granddaughter Lila yesterday, this reporter learned that they were visiting Selene while she remains confined to bed suffering a bout of hyperemesis gravidarum, a condition resulting in extreme nausea and dehydration during pregnancy.” A new reporter is depicted holding a microphone outside the hospital, followed by a recording of Odette and Lila leaving

12-511

– The

happening live, but the last thing I want is to have my own image added to the ridiculous news story. “Needless to say, the Alpha’s absence while his mate is not only breeding, but hospitalized, comprises an unthinkable offense. Breeding is a highly sensitive period for fated mates, and the idea that

unbiased reporting. I think

this happening? Luna whines, this isn’t fair, they don’t know what’s

her, they have a platform,

isn’t true! She

way we

What? Luna prompts.

I

an interview.”

his head. “That is out of

set the record straight.

to know he hasn’t abandoned you?”