Pregnant and Rejected by My Alpha Mate novel Chapter 5

Selene's POV

"Three years should give you enough time to adjust to freedom, and your status as an Alpha's spouse will guarantee you lifelong protection even if we don't stay together. You would be free to choose another mate." Bastien confirms.

In that moment a flip switches inside me, and the riot of emotions threatening to surge forward shuts off, leaving me feeling blissfully numb. "If that's what you want." I hear myself say.

“I think it's for the best." Bastien sounds very far away, and I turn back to the mirror, staring at the stranger again. The light is gone from her eyes now, and I wonder how it ever appeared in the first place.

My future is clear now. The ray of hope I've slowly cultivated over the last few weeks is beginning to flicker; if I can't win over Bastien before our contract ends, I will lose my new lifeline.

Three Years Later

The steady woosh woosh of an ultrasound machine fills the small exam room.

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.

“I’m going to be a mother.” I breathe in blissful disbelief.

I can’t wait to tell Bastien.

It hadn’t taken me long to fall head over heels for Bastien.

I love Bastien because he is kind and gentle when he does not have to be; because 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 like no one else ever has or ever will.

I have to remind myself that Bastien had already found love when we met, with a woman who did not need constant comfort and coddling; a woman who was his equal. It’s no wonder that he’s always held me at arms length, never opening up, never letting me in.

I haven’t succeeded in 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 anniversary.

I don’t want to be selfish, I don’t want Bastien to settle for me if I’m not truly what he wants – but if there’s a chance he could want me, I have to take it.

On my way home I stop 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 dessert I can find.