– Chapter 127

Selene

In the days since Bastien’s urgent call to get out of the house, my life has been turned completely upside down. After the sentries swept the house and cordoned off all the escape passages, we were finally allowed to return, but no amount of bodyguards or security measures can erase the knowledge that somebody wants to hurt my family.

The thought of Bastien traveling alone in the Calypso territory with assassins lurking around every corner makes my skin crawl. I would always rather be overcautious and secure than under cautious and suffer for it, but I can’t help but think my mate is focusing on the wrong threat. He’s the one out there putting his life on the line.

His cousin can have no use for Lila and I – the only threat would be if my pup does turn out to be a boy. After all, he knows better than anyone how far a scorned son will go to avenge their father.

Still, there’s no convincing Bastien that he should worry more for himself. It is not in his nature to prioritize his own wellbeing over that of others. Even now, when he charges head first into danger, he always makes time to call Lila and me each morning and each night before bed. His calls are a blessing where my daughter is concerned.

This transition has been harder on Lila than on anyone, and she’s acting out more and more every day. At this moment the poor pup is in time out, after throwing a tantrum over the contents of her breakfast. Not only did she refuse to eat the waffles I prepared by her request, but she actually threwthem onto the floor and smashed them beneath her little feet.

I’m currently explaining the debacle to Odette while I get ready for a doctor’s appointment.

“Don’t let her give you any cheek. She misses Bastien and she’s upset about the baby, but she has to get used to the idea.”

“I won’t.” Odette agrees, “She’s testing her limits, Bastien was the same way.”

“It’s more than that.” I try to find the right words to express my thoughts without affronting my mother-in-law. “When Bastien was this age he wasn’t under the kind of stress Lila is. She’s spiraling a little bit,” I explain, so confident in my assessment because I’m feeling exactly the same way. “It’s really difficult to stay firm knowing how she’s struggling with all this.”

“Trust me sweetheart.” Odette assures me, “our struggles may have been different, but Bastien had his fair share of meltdowns. I’ve got everything under control.”

“Thank you.” I breathe, wishing I didn’t have to leave my baby. Turning to the pouting pup in the corner, I call, “Mommy’s leaving Lila bean, please be good for Gamma.”

LIla whips around, looking horrified. “Where you going?”

“I have a doctor’s appointment.” I explain gently, “I won’t be gone long.”

The next thing I know Lila is crying and running towards me, “Take me wit’ you!”

“Not this time, angel.” I sigh, wrapping her in a hug. “But I promise we’ll spend some time together this afternoon, just us.”

“No!” Lila wails, clinging to me desperately, “I d-don’ w-wan’ you to go!”

“I have to, my darling.” I frown, rubbing her back and kissing her wet cheeks, “Please don’t be sad. You’ll have fun with Gamma and I’ll be back before you know it.”

By the time I finally hand my daughter over to Odette, the sound of her cries have grown ear-splitting. I rush downstairs as quickly as I can, knowing the faster I leave the faster we’ll both recover, but I can’t stop the tears streaming from my eyes as I drive.

When Lila is upset this way it makes me feel like my heart is being ripped right out of my chest.

When I reach the unfamiliar offices of Dr. Ryan Chase, I find a much less welcoming staff than those at Dr Kane’s practice.

Everyone is professional and attentive, offering me the same privacy protections we received at the hospital, but no one possesses the warmth of my usual physician. Still, I agreed to switch doctors for Bastien, and friendliness isn’t as important as expertise.

I keep repeating these same sentiments, right up until the young doctor enters my exam room and begins speaking to me without looking up from the chart in his hands. “Mrs. Durand, I don’t like yourweight.”

I was about to tell the man to call me Selene and extend my hand in greeting, when hiswords register in my mind. “I’m sorry?”

He glances up at me, wearing an expression that tells me he thinks my low weight is both intentional and frivolous. “You’re growing a child, you have to take better care of yourself.”

“Dr, I’ve been trying to put on weight as best as I can,” I explain, resting a protective hand over my womb. “but I have a severe nausea condition. I can’t keep any food down.”

The man snorts dismissively, provoking my temper. “All women have tummy troubles in the first trimester, there’s no need to be dramatic.”

Feeling thoroughly incensed, I argue, “It’s not drama – it’s what my previous doctors diagnosed. Dr Kane as well as multiple in Asphodel. I spend hours vomiting every day and keeping myself hydrated is a full-time job. I need anti-nausea medicine, not condescension.”

The doctor rolls his eyes. “Mrs. Durand I see women like you all the time, wealthy socialites who would rather maintain their dress size than give their children the nutrients they need to survive.” My hands curl into fists at my sides as I fight the urge to punch the man right in the nose. “I’m not saying it’s your fault, our society has put too much pressure on she-wolves to look a certain way, but this is about your baby’s life, not fashion.”

“I would rather die than harm my child.” I growl. “So would most mothers, and the ones who do fit your description are unwell – not superficial.” Getting to my feet, I gather my jacket and purse,

“Furthermore, I am not just any ‘wealthy socialite,’ I am the Alpha’s mate and you would have been wise to show me the respect I’m owed.”

“Let’s not get hysterical now, Mrs Durand.” Dr. Chase grumbles.

“Hysterical?” I hiss, “I’ll show you hysterical, you pompous blowhard. I’m going to tell every she-wolf in Elysium to avoid your practice like the plague. I don’t know how you’ve managed to stay in business this long already, but I assure you that you won’t be for much longer.”

His eyes widen, and he finally gives me his full attention. “Mrs Du-”

“Not another word!” I interrupt. “You had your chance, and you blew it. Now get out of my way.”

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An hour later I’m storming into Dr. Kane’s office, “You won’t believe what just happened to me!”

Frowning in concern, Thomas rises from his chair and gestures for me to take a seat, “Are you alright?”

Recounting my dreadful experience with Dr. Chase, I exclaim, “How does somebody like that become an OBGYN? Why work with women if you have such a low opinion of them?”

“We all know doctors who went into the business for nothing but money.” Dr. Kane shakes his head in disapproval. “I’m so sorry, I had no idea he was like that or I never would have referred you there. He has an excellent reputation in the field.”

“Among other doctors maybe,” I grouse, “I bet if you talk to his patients you’d hear very different feedback.”

“I’m sorry Selene, truly.” He repeats, pacifying my indignant anger. “What he said to you was unconscionable, you have every right to be upset.” He squeezes my hand, “I can recommend someone else, I know an excellent she-wolf run practice nearby.”

“No.” I answer firmly. “I want to stay with you.” Bastien won’t like it, but I don’t hold the same grudge he does. From my perspective Dr. Kane went above and beyond to help me, trusting that I knew what was in my own best interests.

Of course, to my mate, the only thing that matters is that the man helped hide my pregnancy from him. I understand why he doesn’t like Thomas, but the Dr was only doing what I asked.

“I thought you wanted a specialist, given your condition.” Dr Kane clarifies, repeating the lie Bastien told him after our last appointment.

“That was Bastien.” I admit, “I was always happy to stay with you and after meeting Dr. Chase, well – let’s just say I’ll be calling the shots from here on out.”

“I understand.” Dr Kane smiles softly, “it’s natural for men to worry about protecting their mates more than the pup before it’s born – we don’t have the same connection to the pup you do at this stage.”

This is precisely why I love Dr Kane so much, he not only tries to understand, but he always empathizes even though he’ll never know what it’s like to go through a pregnancy.

“Where is the Alpha today?” He continues.

“He’s away on business.” I explain with a sheepish smile.

“Ah,” Thomas grins, “so he doesn’t know you’ve decided to overthrow him yet?”

“I’ll tell him when he calls tonight.” I confide, “that way he’ll have some time to get used to the idea before he returns.

“Well I hope he returns soon,” Dr Kane shares, “I”m sure he’d hate to miss a moment of this journey.”

“Thank you.” I smile, “Now, please tell me you can prescribe me some of the good stuff?”

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