Chapter 6 Pregnancy and Rejection
Selene’s POV
Three Years Later.
The steady woosh woosh of an ultrasound machine fills the small exam room. I’ve been in this cramped, cold space dozens of times, but I’ve never felt anything but discomfort within its walls. Now, as I lay on my back, vulnerable and exposed, I find myself overwhelmed with joy.
A faint thumping noise joins the alien sounds of the equipment, and the doctor seated between my legs grins up at me, * And there’s the heartbeat.”
“That is, without a doubt, the most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard.” I whisper.
This is not how I expected my day to go. I thought I was coming in for an annual women’s health check up, and afterwards I’d planned on sitting down and writing out everything I want to say to Bastien before our Anniversary tomorrow.
As they say, even the best laid plans can go awry, and sure enough, my world has been turned on its head in one fell swoop.
I wasn’t even sure I could get pregnant after everything Garrick put my body through, and we certainly haven’t been trying. Though in truth we also haven’t been terribly careful. Bastien might not love me, but there is no doubt he’s attracted to me.
He’d taken things very slowly at first, letting me grow comfortable with the idea of a physical relationship before diving in, then teaching me about intimacy with what seemed like unending patience.
By the time I was ready to become Bastien’s wife in every sense of the word, I was starting to think he must not want me. Everything I knew of men indicated that they would take what they felt they were owed regardless of anyone else’s feelings, so if Bastien wasn’t pushing me, he must not be interested.
When I finally confronted him, with all the ferocity of a frightened rabbit, Bastien stalked me into a corner and proceeded to pounce on me like the predator he is. It quickly became clear that what i’d taken as disinterest, was simply unrelenting control.
patient and gentle. Bastien was fierce and possessive in bed and out – and I loved every minute of it. Our mutual ardor has resulted in a somewhat inordinate number of spontaneous liaisons, making my current situation much less of a
going to be a mother.” I breathe in blissful
wait to
As much as his dominance sometimes frightens me, I’ve found that I
without Luna. Garrick taught me to expect danger around every corner, and I have no wolf to help guide or protect me. The flashbacks and nightmares are fewer as time goes by, but I doubt I will ever
from a threat. The only time I don’t have to be
why
he would sacrifice anything for the members of his pack. I love him because he is every bit as smart and funny as he is protective and brave, because he makes me feel
few times over the years I’ve let myself imagine he feels as I do. Sometimes when he looks
woman who did not need constant comfort and coddling, a woman who was his equal. It’s no wonder that he’s always
making him love me, at least, not in the way I love him. Yet we’ve been so happy lately, happy enough that I decided to propose extending the contract on our
on the way I finally have something to offer him
truly what he wants – but if there’s a chance he
already picture his face when I tell him the news: a heady mix of joy, excitement, and pure male pride. I’ve seen it a few times before, but never for a reason as special
I might burst – I can’t wait to
to buy groceries, planning a special dinner for my announcement. I go all out, purchasing good wine even though I can’t drink it, as well as the best cuts of meat and the most decadent
clock as I drive home, hoping I can beat Bastien there and sneak the goods upstairs. Though the Alpha’s family and their Betas all live in the pack house with a number of enforcers, official pack business occurs in the government building next door. Some
our days with the rest of
feeling this light. I practiced sharing
anticipation. I have to juggle the bags in my arms to reach the door handle, but eventually
The ecstatic smile slips from my face the moment I walk in.
Bastien is already there, waiting for me. He’s sitting alone in the darkened living room, a tumbler of amber liquid clasped in his large fist and a severe frown dominating his handsome face.
I pull up short, eyeing him warily. His eyes glow silver, an unmistakable sign that his wolf is vying for control. I set down my bags and hesitantly approach my husband.
“Bastien?” I broach carefully. “Is everything alright?”
“Have a seat Selene.” The rich base of his voice is rough and emotionless.
I do as he says, perching on the edge of the couch, my spine ramrod straight. I know all at once what’s coming. I can see my hopes and dreams crashing around me as if they were real, rather than figments of my imagination. Love letters and wedding rings, ultrasound photos and baby carriages, children’s toys and tiny shoes-all litter the ground at my feet.
I’m afraid to speak. I know there’s no changing Bastien’s mind once it’s been made, but some delusional part of my brain still imagines the inevitable outcome might change if I do or say the right thing.
His fathomless eyes hold me captive, staring through me as the silence drags on. It stretches for so long I have to fight the urge to squirm in my seat. Normally Bastien enjoys making me squirm, but this is different. This isn’t a wolf playing with his food, this is an apex predator going in for the kill.
Finally he speaks. “I know our anniversary isn’t until tomorrow,” He begins gravely, “but I can’t put this off any longer.”
If Garrick taught me one useful skill it was how to hide my feelings for the sake of my own self-preservation. Bastien would never weaponize my emotions the way Garrick had, but I don’t want him to know how badly this will hurt me, not when I already feel so foolish. I can’t believe how stupid I’ve been, how naive.
“We both deserve to be happy, Selene, I truly believe that.”
Just breathe. In and out. You’re alright.
“But I’ve come to realize it isn’t possible for both of us to be happy if we stay in this marriage.” The words hit me like a runaway train, brutal and unstoppable. “I probably should have done this sooner,” He almost sounds apologetic, but his expression is harsh and closed off in a way I’ve rarely seen. “Tomorrow I’m going to have my father put things in motion for our rejection ceremony.”