– Chapter 132

Arabella

“You’re sure this will work?” I ask, studying a bottle of viscous liquid labeled with swirling text in a language I neither speak nor understand.

“Entirely.” Jax – for that’s the only name he ever gave me – answers. The big bear is covered in tattoos from head to toe, and thus far he’s the only member of the Calypso pack from the lower city who I’ve dained to meet.

It was dumb luck that I found him at all. After a particularly tense dinner with Blaise, who seems to be the kind of man who believes the best way to keep his women in line is through violence, I decided to invest in a bit of insurance. I’m not sure the Alpha would ever raise his hand against me, but he has no problem raising them against his concubines. I watched him half-strangle the one delivering his steak simply because she placed his knife on the wrong side of his plate.

Part of me likes knowing he doesn’t hold back his dominance, especially with the kind of immoral women who would agree to debase themselves for his pleasure, but I haven’t survived this long by underestimating the cruelty of others. Quite the contrary, I assume everyone is a threat until proven otherwise, and Blaise offers more evidence than most.

“This drug was made to treat depression,” Jax is explaining. “But apparently it worked too well when it came to making people forget their troubles. It was found to have such major impacts on memory function that it was pulled from the market within weeks.”

“It will make him forget everything?” I press, already prepping a needle to inject Bastien. This first time I’ll have to dose him intravenously, but Jax assures me it can be injected directly in the future. A few drops in his morning coffee, and Bastien will be the perfect puppet for my plans.

After all, if I want the Nova pack to accept me as their leader, the Alpha’s endorsement will go a long way.

Once I’ve gotten rid of Selene and the brat, I can begin my conquest, eventually phasing out Bastien as Alpha and making him suffer every step of the way. It really is a blessing that he turned up here. Away from the Novas, I can convince him of whatever I want, and by the time we go back to Elysium, he’ll be so convinced of my trustworthiness that nothing anyone else says will matter. I’ll controlhim completely. The hard part is going to be keeping him away from Blaise.

Jaz’s reply tugs my thoughts back to the present. “Well not everything. It will only take him back a certain distance. His long term memory will be fine, it’s his short term that will be affected.”

This stops me short, “I need him to drop back at least seven years.” To before he met Selene.

“That shouldn’t be a problem,” Jax assesses. “You just need to strengthen the dose a bit.”

“Good,” I breathe. “Thank you again for your help.”

“It’s not a favor.” Jax growls, “I expect you to pay me double for the house call.”

“Of course.” I smile, “I’ll pay whatever you ask, so long as you keep the goods coming.”

_____________________

Selene

One Night Earlier

“What are you wearing?” Bastien’s deep voice reverberates through my mind, sending delicious shivers down my spine and making the sensitive flesh between my legs swollen and slick with desire.

“How old are you?” I laugh, trying not to let him know how powerfully he affects me – as if it’s any secret.

“Hey, don’t think you can get away with sassing me just because I’m away.” My mate threatens, a predatory note entering his husky tone. “I will spank your naughty little behind the moment I get home.”

Still giggling I insist, “You’re obsessed!” Even as I complain, I’m imagining being bent over my mate’s lap with his powerful hands raining punishment down on me. “How come I never saw this side of you when we were married the first time?”

“You were too well behaved,” Bastien informs me, sounding much too pleased with himself. “And as you’ve said, I coddled you.” As he speaks I slide my hand between my legs, letting my lashes fall shut as I imagine my husband being here with me. “Needless to say, I learned my lesson.”

“Mhmm.” I purr. “What are you wearing?”

“Not much.” He rumbles, making my sodden channel clench with need. ““Why don’t we switch to video, and I’ll show you.”

Humming with faux uncertainty, I tease, “I don’t know, I’m almost naked myself. What if the line isn’t secure?”

“You vixen,” Bastien groans, sounding rough and warm all at once. “I’m hard as a rock and imagining you’re here with me.”

“And what would you do if I were?” I prompt, rubbing my aching clit.

“Well I would start by kissing every inch of your beautiful little body.” He explains, the images he’s describing flashing into my mind. “I’d set up camp between your thighs and lick you raw, until you can’t take it anymore.”

I whimper, feeling so overwhelmed with need I could cry.

“Are you touching yourself little wolf?” There’s a note of foreboding in his voice that makes my toes curl with anticipation.

“Maybe.” My smile leaks into my voice, and I can hear Bastien’s own in his reply.

“Bad girl, I didn’t give you permission.” His admonishment only excites me further.

“But you aren’t here.” I complain, he can’t expect me to just sit here and listen to him say such tawdry things without acting on my desire.

“It’s a good thing too.” He cryptically remarks.

For a moment my pregnancy hormones break through my lust, and a stab of real sadness slices into me. “Don’t say that.”

“Why not, baby?” He asks.

“Because I want you here.” I admit softly, my throat tickling dangerously.

“Even if I’m punishing you?” I know he’s trying to steer me away from dwelling on my tormented emotions, and thankfully it works.

His dirty talk brings me right back to my lust, and I confess just how badly I want him with me.

“Yes, even then.” I grin.

“Get on video.” He orders. “Now.”

Within moments his handsome face fills the screen, and a rush of affection washes over me. “I love you.”

His predatory gaze softens to an expression so tender it hurts. “I love you too.” His arm is moving steadily, and though it’s out of the frame, I’m sure he’s rubbing his cock. “I’m counting the hours until I’m back home with you.”

Syncing my movements with his, I raise my phone until my entire body is in view, eliciting a ravenous growl from my mate. “And when will that be?”

He stills, his silver eyes boring into the camera so

fiercely I almost want to lower my gaze. There’s no doubt he means what he says next, and he means it with every ounce of conviction he possesses. “As soon as possible.”

I’ve been replaying our last conversation over and over in my head, and not only because it was so hot I get wet just thinking about it. It’s distracted me so frequently over the course of the morning, precisely because I haven’t spoken to Bastien since. For the first time since he left, Bastien didn’t call to wish us a good day.

It’s not uncommon for him to call later on in the morning, sometimes it’s even been as late as noon, but today noon came and went in total radio silence, and I can’t help but feel afraid something has gone wrong.

My distraction is significant enough that I’m being very rude to my mother in law.

After she catches me staring at my phone for the fifth time rather than listening to her speak, Odette breaks. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m sorry, I’m being so rude.” I sigh, dragging a hand through my hair.

“Selene, tell me what’s worrying you.” The older woman presses, not seeming the least bit affronted.

Frowning and glancing nervously at Lila, I reply, “Bastien hasn’t called.”

“At all?” She questions, her pupils dilating slightly.

“Today.” I admit, “But he’s called morning and night since he left. It’s not like him to miss a date.”

“Did he promise to call twice a day?” She clarifies.

“No, he just started doing it.” I explain, “Do you think I’m being paranoid?”

“No.” She murmurs, “I just don’t think you should jump to conclusions, things must be moving very quickly. Now that he’s actually entered the city, it may very well be the case that he can’t call for days at a time, even if he wants to.”

That makes sense. It also stands to reason that he might have called so frequently before to make up for the inevitable breach in contact we’re experiencing now. So why don’t I feel better? Why do I feel as though something has gone wrong, even though I have no reason to believe this is the case? Are my instincts lying to me? Or is Bastien in trouble?

______________________