Bastien's Pov
Selene’s eyes are glowing with barely contained emotion when I finally sneak her out of bed, unraveling Lila’s plump limbs from our bodies and slipping out from beneath the covers. Tossing my mate over my shoulder, I cart her into the living room and pull the bedroom door shut.
Depositing Selene onto the sprawling sectional, I pounce, covering her body with my own and reveling in the feel of her bare skin on mine. I know the Goddess created us for each other, but it never ceases to amaze me how perfectly our bodies fit together.
My hips were made to rest in the cradle of her thighs, and even though her small size sometimes makes me feel like some sort of giant, her little form fits so snugly in my arms I could happily carry her forever. And that’s not to mention the glove-like embrace of the sleek channel I’m about to bury myself in.
“W
Selene's PovThe cafe is closed on Mondays, but when Bastien and I arrive the lights are already on and the scent of roasting meat is emanating from the kitchen. My stomach rumbles in reply, and I look up at my mate in confusion, “you gave someone my keys?” His lip quirks, “Just Donavon.”I should have guessed. Donavon has always been a wonderful chef, and he takes every opportunity he can get to invent new dishes and recipes.“Oh,” I relax, calling out a hello to the Beta.A disembodied voice returns my greeting, and then Donavon’s head pops around the corner, his shoulder-length salt and pepper hair pulled into a ponytail. “Dinner is just about ready – ten more minutes and I’ll be out of your hair.”I from, feeling uncomfortable that the older man should be waiting on us. Bastien reads my expression and chuckles, “don’t worry, he vol
Bastien‘s PovI only make it a few paces out of the cafe before I change my mind and turn back. All night I’ve been tip-toeing around, trying to get through this fight without upsetting Selene, but I can’t hold back any longer.I don’t want my mate to be afraid of me. I don’t want to trigger her and send her into a PTSD episode, but I have a right to be angry. Besides, fights are upsetting. There’s no way to honestly have one if you can’t express your feelings for fear of offending someone else’s.Selene jumps when the door slams back open, the bell hanging above it jingly wildly. I stalk back to our booth, towering over my beautiful mate with steam billowing from my ears. “How long?“What?” Selene squeaks, eyeing me warily.“How long before you left did you know you were pregnant?” I demand. My mate immediately drops her head, unable to meet my gaze. The mo
Selene's povOh Goddess, why did I just say that?It seemed like a good idea in the moment. Bastien was watching me with that predatory gleam in his eye and my heat sparked with a vengeance. One look and I combusted, flames of passion engulfing my body and driving all sense from my head.Luna got the better of me, convinced me I needed him more than I needed oxygen, told me to say whatever it took to make him claim me. But I just challenged him, told him he hadn’t done his job as my mate – as if he wasn’t already angry enough.He was going to rut me either way, I tell Luna ruefully, I didn’t have to provoke him.Yes you did, his wolf needs this – and so do I. She insists.She’s right, I realize, and she’s not alone in her desires. I need to feel Bastien’s dominance, I need to feel his possession so deeply that it permanently brands m
Selene's pov“What?” I ask, unable to conjure any other words.“I’ve been away too long,” Bastien sighs, “And so have you.” He adds pointedly.Suddenly I realize he must have dropped everything to come here. He has so many responsibilities in Elysium, I don’t know how he managed it. Who’s been running the pack while he’s been busy chasing me around Asphodel? The council?Next I wonder how none of this occurred to me before. We can hardly be together while living in separate cities. In Bastien’s mind, I probably agreed to come back to Elysium the moment I let him claim me. The last card in my hand had been needing to keep Lila near her father, and that excuse went out the window when I told him the truth about the DNA test.“Bastien, I have a life here.” I reply hesitantly.“You had a life there too.” Bastien reminds me, brushing a
Bastien's povMy small family is gathered in Drake Cavanaugh’s office. Selene and I sit across from the Eros Alpha with Lila balanced between our laps, preparing to announce our departure to Elysium. I was anticipating a scene, given the way things went when the other man found out I’d claimed Selene, however now I’m not so sure.Everything was so chaotic after the kidnapping that I didn’t pay attention to the way Drake was looking at Selene, but now the difference is striking. Whereas he used to eye my mate with unrequited longing, now he studies her with nothing but friendly warmth.I have a feeling I know the reason behind this sudden shift, and while I still harbor some resentment for the little she-wolf who helped kidnap my mate and pup, solving my Drake problem might just be worth my forgiveness. I know she was a victim in all this, but the fact remains that m
Selene's povLeaving Asphodel is harder than I imagined. I’ve been homesick for Elysium ever since I left, but I have so many fond memories here. This is where Lila took her first steps and said her first words, this is where her young life began.Bastien seems to sense my sadness, he’s been hovering over me all morning in the agitated way men do when they’re faced with a problem they don’t know how to solve. I think he feels guilty for putting his foot down about the move, but not guilty enough to delay it. I suppose prolonging the ordeal would only make things worse anyway.Lila is actually taking this better than anyone, though I don’t know how long that’s going to last. She’s been running around the docks while the men pack the boat, saying
Bastien's povAt first I wasn’t sure springing a vow renewal on Selene was a good idea. She doesn’t tend to do well with surprises, but my mother convinced me that this surprise would be well received. It just goes to show: you should always listen to your mother – when you’ve got one like mine anyway.Selene is beaming, her blue and violet eyes shining and hair still disheveled from sleep. Sliding her hands around my neck she asks, “Can I kiss you now?”Sweeping my thumb over an escaped tear, I purr, “You have to answer me first.”Selene giggles joyfully, “Of course – of course I’ll marry you again.
Selene In the dawning light of early morning, Bastien and I emerge from the forest, dressed in our wedding garb once more. Lila and Aiden are already awake, though the Beta looks like he would rather have slept in. I’m sure the excitement of her first camping trip rendered Lila incapable of staying in bed for a single moment longer than she had to, and her uncle Aiden must have been the weak link among her babysitters. He’s rubbing his eyes, clearly regretting caving to Lila’s adventurous whims. She’s currently seated beside him in front of the campfire, but she has the squirrelly energy of a pup who’s been told she can’t go play until she finishes her breakfast. When she sees us, Lila looks askance at our disheveled state. “Mommy you’re dirty.” Her little head tilts to the side as she takes in the sight of my muddy limbs beneath my dress. Bastien isn’t any cleaner, but his suit covers him a hundred times better than my gown. “What were you doing?” Her q