Pregnant and Rejected by My Alpha Mate

Chapter 200 – Honooming

Selene

“Why do you have that look on your face?” I ask Bastien, suspiciously eyeing his tense expression as he guides our car through the winding mountain roads.

My father is in the back seat napping, and another vehicle follows behind us, transporting Helene and Frederic’s coffins. It’s both grim and comforting to be returning home under such circumstances, and I know Bastien is feeling as conflict ed as I am about feeling so happy when our journey cost us so much. Still, I don’t think that’s what’s bothering him – but something clearly is. “Are you worried about how the pack is going to receive you?”

“No.” Bastien sighs, anxiously rubbing the back of his neck.

“Then what?” | press, wanting to comfort him the same way he’s comforted me over the last few days. After the initial elation about surviving wore off, a thousand distraught feel ings closed in around me, threatening to pull me under. Nightmares about Blaise, guilt about Helene and Frederic, sorrow about their losses and anxiety about the babies – my pregnancy hormones didn’t help, but Bastien was there for every last unpleasant and unwelcome feeling I faced.

At first I think Bastien is going to ignore my question, but eventually he sneaks a glance my way out of the corner of his eye. “It’s Lila.” He finally admits.

Of all the potential explanations, this is the last one I was expecting. “What about Lila?”

“It’s stupid.” Bastien says, attempting to brush off his wor ries.

“Come on, just tell me.” I encourage. “There are no stupid worries when it comes to being a parent.”

Again it takes what seems like an age for Bastien to find his words, but gradually he opens up, “She only knew me for a few months before I left.” He says softly. “What if… what if she doesn’t remember me, or want me back?”

“Bastien, she’s been asking for you every day.” | share, “She was doing it before I left and Drake says the only thing that changed after is that now she’s been asking for both of

us.”

For a second, Bastien looks relieved but then his face falls, “Why doesn’t that make me feel better?” He questions solemnly.

“Because having a pup is like taking your heart outside of your body.” I reason, unable to stop my lips from quirking up ward as I continue. “And instilling it in a tiny illogical munchkin with the power to light up your entire world while also driving you slowly insane. We both want her to miss us, but feel guilty that she was hurting while we were away.” I explain, “I feel the same way.”

have two more.” Bastien murmurs, downsizing mildly terrified to feel three times the stress, anxi

he’s thinking, “and if you thought Lila was re luctant

really not

laughs, “Goddess, I can’t

can’t wait to meet her.”

and half because I simply can’t help myself every time I say that word. Twenty five years and I fi nally get to call someone Dad. Just one more thing that doesn’t quite seem

we have to go?” He asks, clearly antsy being confined in such

to meet us, so that we wouldn’t have to go all the way to

told you what to expect?” James asks Bastien, “from

smooth things over with the back in anticipation of our return, but I think we’re in for a difficult few months.”

“We’ll be okay.” I promise, “after what we just went through we

and I are done with excitement, little

adventures.”

hand another squeeze, “besides there’s no better adventure than raising

nods in

into the Nova pack territory, and shortly after that the city comes into view. The closer we draw the more excited I be come, practically bouncing up and down in my seat, I’m so ea ger to see my

up to the pack house just before sunset, and within moments our family both real and adoptive come pouring out the front door. Odette, Aiden, Donovan, Drake, and Sophie all come racing out to greet us, and as thrilled as I am to see them, there’s only one person I really care

but I’m already looking around for my pup, wondering why she’s not with any of the others. Drake has only just told us she’s napping, when I hear her small voice

fact that we both want her in our arms as soon as possi ble. I’m crying by the time she flies into my arms, and for once,

middle of the stairwell, and I realize I’m not the only one crying. Lila is

so long!” Lila wails, “and Daddy you promised you’d be

Bastien tells her

leave me?” She cries, balancing between our bodies, one arm around my neck,

didn’t want to, angel.” I assure her, “I’m so so sorry.”

promise we’ll never leave you again.” Bastien vows, stroking her

joy to be reunited with my baby, even when she tells me how fat I am. About an hour after we arrive, Lila finally settles, nodding off

resist tickling her tiny feet, despite the fact that she’d been nearing sleep. “As