Pregnant And Rejected By My Alpha Mate: Part 1
: Chapter 21

Day of the Ceremony

Selene’s POV

My fingers anxiously trace the flowers embroidered into the bodice of my wedding gown. It’s a delicate white confection, so weightless and ethereal I look more like a wood nymph than a bride.

I remember the day we chose it, Bastien and I. It was the first dress we found that did not completely overpower my waifish frame three years ago. We tried countless others first, but the moment I stepped into the gossamer fabric I knew, and Bastien’s face said it all.

This is the way of rejection ceremonies: Marriages end as they begin.

We will wear the same clothes, meet at the same moonlit altar with friends and family looking on; we’ll even play the same music. Yet instead of vows to love and keep each other we will vow to part. Instead of exchanging rings we’ll remove them, and instead of shifting to run together beneath the stars, we’ll divide, forging new paths in directions of our own choosing.

Of course, Bastien and I never ran together in the first place. We walked through the forest hand in hand, a sweet concession for the loss of my wolf.

Tonight I expect he will shift, and I have a fairly good idea where he’ll run – rather to whom he’ll run.

I’ve replayed my conversation with Arabella over and over in my head. At first I thought I must have misheard her, after all Bastien himself told me Arabella was his mate. Yet the more I ponder our conversation the clearer it becomes. Bastien is my mate, or he would have been if I still had Luna. It explains why I always felt connected to him, why he always made me feel safe.

Those horrible women at Gabriel’s birthday were right, I am too broken to be anything but a burden. My one chance to be whole might have been replaceing the man the goddess chose for me, but fate had other plans.

My mate doesn’t want me without my wolf.

Who could?

Teardrops pool on my lashes and I suck in a shaky breath, trying to tell myself that one day I might replace a wolf who is able to look past my shortcomings. One day I might be enough for someone, somewhere.

The tears fall anyway, rolling down my cheeks in gray rivulets of mascara. It doesn’t matter if I’m enough for someone else. The only person I want is Bastien, and no matter what I do, or how long I live – he will never want me.

———

Bastien’s POV

I used to have nightmares about losing Selene, now those horrible dreams are becoming a reality. In less than an hour, we are going to formally end our marriage and part forever.

Axel has been giving me the silent treatment for days, protesting my decision to go through with the ceremony. I’m not any happier about it than he is, but I have to do this for Selene. This is what being an Alpha is all about, I remind my stubborn wolf, taking care of others, putting their needs above your own.

Being an Alpha is also about being in control. He replies grumpily, Do you feel in control right now?

No. We both know I don’t. I haven’t been able to eat or sleep for days. I haven’t been able to think about anything other than the fact that I will never get to hold my mate in my arms again. Not only that, I’m going to have to watch her build a life with another wolf – an idea that not only makes me feel completely unhinged, but positively murderous.

So rather than focusing on things that are truly important like Blaise’s hunt for Volana wolves or my Alpha training, I’ve been wallowing in grief and fantasizing about winning Selene back.

The necklace Arabella helped me pick out is sitting on my dresser, wrapped up in a velvet box and decorative paper. When I bought it I told myself it was merely a parting gift for Selene, a token of appreciation for our years together and good will for the future. But deep down I imagined it might convince her to give me another chance.

Ridiculous. Axel chides, apparently feeling very vocal now that he’s finally speaking to me again. You think a pretty trinket is going to tell her something three years of marriage couldn’t?

A growl rumbles in my chest. He’s right of course, there’s nothing I can do or say that will change things now. It’s too late. It was probably too late when we met. Selene’s heart belonged to another years and years before I came along.

It’s time I accept it. I have to let us both move on.

With a heavy sigh, I toss the gift box into the trash.

———

Gabriel’s POV

I’ve always hated wearing suits. If I had it my way, I’d remain in my wolf form day and night, but drafting laws and signing treaties is difficult without thumbs. My fingers tug at the windsor knot choking off my air supply, fumbling with the annoying garment as I read over the rejection agreement in my hand.

Disappointment and regret churn deep in my belly. This is not the path I hoped my son would walk. His marriage to Selene started on difficult footing, but the struggle was never between them. For all the horror of her past, I truly thought Selene had found peace with Bastien.

The sweet little wolf was afraid of her own shadow, but she was never afraid of her mate, and caring for Selene had softened Bastien in so many ways. Watching her heal and witnessing them grow together made Odette and I endlessly happy; we were both shocked speechless when they announced the rejection ceremony.

He won’t admit it, but I know Bastien is heartbroken. Under any other circumstances I might be angry at the person responsible for his pain, but I know it isn’t Selene’s fault. In the end I suppose Garrick’s torture was too much to overcome. If anyone is to blame it’s him, or the Goddess herself. How could she allow one of her creations to suffer such cruelty?

The terrace curtains rustle, diverting my wolf’s attention. I drag my eyes from the document on my desk, eyeing the fluttering fabric curiously. The doors were closed when I entered my office, and no one has entered since.

I haven’t heard a sound, but an unmistakable draft of cool air wafts through the room. My hackles raise as I scent a strange wolf, my mind racing to understand how anyone could have gotten past my heightened senses. My gaze jumps to the goblet of wine by my computer, but before I can examine it, the curtains part.

A shadowy figure emerges in my periphery, illuminated by the dim terrace lanterns. He’s tall and thin, dressed in all black and exuding undisguised hostility. Green eyes glow in the darkness, but I can’t see anything more of his face.

“Whatever your complaint,” I begin, for it’s clear that’s what he has, “only cowards hide in the shadows. Be a man and show yourself.”

“Show myself?” His voice sounds familiar, yet I can’t place it. “You mean you don’t recognize me, Uncle?”

My heart skips a beat. “Frederic?”

“You look surprised, Gabriel.” He laughs humorlessly. “I suppose it’s no wonder. You probably forgot I existed after you killed my father.” I see it all too clearly now. His resemblance to my brother is unmistakable, even without good light. “Did it never matter to you that he had a family?”

“I was his family.” I remind him sharply. “He betrayed me, and he betrayed you and your mother.” I can barely hold onto my train of thought. I’m now certain he drugged me, another coward’s move. “If he truly cared for you he never would have done anything that might take him away from you. He had only himself to blame.”

The young man’s fists clench at his sides. “You really are a heartless bastard.” He hisses. “I figured anyone who could kill their own flesh and blood would be – but I hadn’t imagined you would show so little remorse.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.” I snarl, “You have no idea how much it hurt me to fight your father. It was the hardest thing I have ever done, or ever will do.”

“I don’t believe you.” Frederic spits.

“And what do you mean to do about it?” I demand, practically swaying on my feet. “Why are you here?”

“I’m here to finish my father’s work.” The words barely have time to land before he launches into an attack. My foggy brain jerks me out of his path just in time, but I’m too slow to deflect his rebound assault. Claws rip into my back as I stumble forward, triggering the shift.

I only transform part way, spinning around to face him before he can sink his teeth into my throat. I launch my body into his, knocking him to the floor and rolling in a vicious tangle of flailing limbs as we both attempt to land blows.

He’s young and strong, and I am about as agile as a drunk, but he is still no match for me. I’ve been Alpha for longer than he’s been alive, I was fighting wars while he was still in diapers.

I throw the insolent pup over my head, lunging for him as he bounces across the floor. As one we shift fully, and my wolf takes over. I close my jaws around his hind leg, dragging him yelping and whining over the carpet.

Pain dilates his pupils, the black pools slowly eroding his irises to a neon corona. In the light Frederic’s gray fur is so similar to his father’s it takes my breath away. For a moment my addled mind believes it is my brother beneath me, returned from beyond the grave.

A single moment of hesitation is all it takes. I freeze for a fraction of a second, and Frederic’s claws tear through my carotid artery.

Blood gushes from my body, draining my life in a relentless flood. As thick, coppery liquid fills my mouth, Frederic shifts back to human form, standing over me with a callous grin. “You’ve lost, old man.” He announces snidely. “And Bastien is next.”

My growl comes out as a strangled gurgle, and my nephew laughs. “His little mate too, and their pup.” Confusion furrows my brow, and his laugh becomes an outright cackle. “Oh that’s right.” Frederic taunts. “You don’t know: Selene’s pregnant.”