Pregnant And Rejected By My Alpha Mate By Caroline Above Chapter 72
Pregnant And Rejected
Chapter 72 The Plot Sophieâs POV Iâve been in love with Drake Cavanaugh for as long as I can remember.
We grew up together. My dad was his step-fatherâs Beta, and we spent our entire childhoods tied at the hip. All my fondest memories are with Drake. We spent our days running through the docks of Asphodel like wild things, completely free and completely happy.
I always imagined Drake would wake up one day and realize he loved me. The older we got, the harder ! fell, and even though it was slow, it really seemed like he felt the same. I know men have to go out and sew their wild oats or whatever you want to call it they have to explore and get all those primal urges out of their systems. So I didnât worry when he didnât immediately fall at my feet during my first heat.
I didnât worry when we reached our twenties and he still seemed more interested in other she-wolves.
We were still just kids, and Iâve always been patient. I could certainly be patient for Drake Iâve never met a man more worth waiting for.
And then he met Selene.
The first time he return Asphodel after meeting her, I knew something had changed. He was more mature, more serious and motivated. He started taking his position in the pack more earnestly, and I love him for it all the more.
I didnât know what was behind the change until much later, when he finally brought Selene home with him. He said it was nothing, that she was just a she-wolf in need of protection, but I saw the way he looked at her.
I wanted to hate her so badly. My jealousy drove me out of my mind with the most horrible thoughts about the pretty she-wolf, but the more time I spent with her, the more I liked her. Selene assured me there was nothing between her and Drake, and even though I knew those were her feelings and not his, I accept ed it.
Iâve watched them closely over the years, and Iâve never doubted that Seleneâs only feelings for Drake were platonic. When the news spread that she was breeding, everyone assumed the baby was his, but I trusted my friend when he told me otherwise. I believed Drake and Selene when they insisted Lilaâs father belonged to another pack.
Iâve done nothing but wait. Iâve been nothing but patient, and in my delusional mind, I thought it would eventually pay off. I truly believed my day would come with Drake.
Then Bastien Durand came to town, and I learned that my so called friends have been lying to me for years. Selene isnât just any she-wolf, and her pup doesnât belong to another man.
The news about Lilaâs paternity broke days ago, and Iâve spent the better part of a weak trying to build up the courage to confront Drake. Itâs not even about my feelings, itâs the betrayal. He didnât have to lie to me. Weâve never lied to each other about anything or we hadnât, until Selene.
After wallowing in self pity for a few days, I finally forced myself out of bed and set off for the pack house, prepared to both bare my soul and have it torn to shreds. I made it to the packhouse around mid day, as prepared as one can ever be for a life changing conversation.
I climb the stairs to Drakeâs office like I have a thousand times before, my stomach in my throat. I have it all planned out. I know every word Iâm going to say.
Thatâs when I see them: Drake locked Selene in his arms and was about to kiss her.
I feel like the ground is crumbling beneath my feet. This isnât how it was supposed to go. I knew that Drake was Lilaâs father, but I never imagined he and Selene were still together.
I canât bear it.
I turn on my heel and run back down the hallway, taking the stairs two at a time as I rush out of the pack house.
Iâve been such a fool.
Seleneâs POV It takes almost all of my strength, but Iâm finally able to push Drake off of me.
If I ever had any questions about whether my heat could be satisfied by anyone other than Bastien, they were just answered. Iâm so glad I successfully ducked before Drake could kiss me.
âWhat are you doing?â I demand. âHave you lost your mind. Do you have any idea what Bastien would do to you if he knew you wanted to kiss me?â
Abject disbelief paints Drakeâs handsome features, âThatâs your response?â He hisses. âThatâs what youâre thinking about right now? What Bastien will do?â
âHeâs my mate.â I snap, âAnd in case you didnât notice, you canât take him down without a full army at your back. If I were you, I wouldnât risk pissing him off.â
âI donât give a damn what Bastien thinks or wants or feels.â Drake exclaims, âI just professed my love for you and youâre acting like it was nothingâ. He watches me with horrible fascination, âIt is nothing to you, isnât it?â He croaks, âYou didnât feel anything?â
âDrake.â I breathe, praying for patience, âPlease donât do this. You know youâre my important friend⦠I just canât love you the way you need me to.â
âBut Bastien Durand is worthy?â He bites, âyou want to build a life with that animal?â
âI already have a life with him.â I state coolly. âWe have a pup, heâs claimed me. Weâre still married for Goddessâs sake.â
âI thoughtâ¦â His eyes are shining oddly, âI thought maybe you just didnât know what you were missing.â
I shake my head sadly, âYouâre right that Iâve been missing out for years now, just not in the way you think.â I admit, âBastien is what I need. Heâs the one Iâm meant to be with, and Iâve been hurting ever since I came here.â
âI brought you here to protect you.â Drake reminds me.
âAnd I will forever be in your debt.â I agree, âbut I donât need your protection anymore I need my mate.â
Sophieâs POV My pillow is soaked with tears. Iâve been sobbing ever since I saw Selene and Drake together in his of fice, and Iâve long since stopped caring who sees me. I cried openly on the walk home, drawing concerned look from passers-by and even a few well-intentioned inquiries. I waved them all off, wallowing in my pain and wishing I could go back to this morning and save myself from uncovering this secret.
Theyâve been lying to me all these years, not only about Lilaâs paternity, but about their relationship.
How could Drake do it? Iâve been nothing but a friend to him. I donât understand why he would hurt me this way âWhat are you snivelling about?â My brother, Martin is hovering in my bedroom doorway, watching me without an ounce of sympathy.
âNothing.â | sniffle stubbornly. Martin doesnât have a kind bone in his body, if heâs asking me why Iâm crying, itâs not out of concern.
âDonât tell me this is about that pathetic crush of yours.â He drawls, âDidnât I tell you no man would ever be satisfied just being friends with that piece of ass?â
He did tell me that, but I never believed him. I thought he was just being gross, I didnât realize the truth could be so terrible.
âMy Goddess, Sophie.â He sighs, âGrow a backbone. Why bother crying over that bastard? You donât get sad. You get even.â
I donât want to hear this. Martin can be such a jerk. I just want to wallow in my wretched feelings and eat a few dozen tubs of ice cream, âGo away, Martin.â I hiccup.
âIf thatâs what you want.â He smirks, âOf course, if I leave, I canât help you.â
âHelp me with what?â I roll my eyes.
âHelp you get even.â He scoffs, âHavenât you been listening?â
âAnd how on earth am I suppose to get even?â I ask, more out of habit than true curiosity.
âYou take something your competition cares about more than the Alpha.â He explains slyly. âYou make her see the error of her ways.â
âYou arenât making any sense.â I gripe.
âIâm saying.â Martin grumbles through clenched teeth, âthat you need leverage. If you have something to hold against Cavanaughs whore, you can force her to give up her claim on him. You can make her walk away.â
Deep down I know what heâs suggesting is twisted and wrong, yet at the same time, I canât help but feel intrigued. Is is really possible to make Selene back off? Can I convince her to let me have Drake?
âWhat kind of leverage?â I ask, still unconvinced.
âWhat does she care about more than anything in the world?â Martin questions, seeming as if he al ready knows the answer.
âWhat?â I inquire nervously.
âHer pup.â He growls, âtake her pup, and sheâll give you anything you want even Cavanaugh.â