Pregnant and Rejected by My Alpha Mate

#Chapter 145- Selene Gives a Press Conference

Selene

“How do I look?”

Sophie grins at me, “like a queen.”

“A very tired queen.” I joke.

“That is why the Goddess invented makeup.” She replies, dabbing concealer on the dark circles

beneath my eyes. When she’s finished, even I have to admit that I look pretty good. Make no mistake,

I’ve looked much better, but at least this way I look the part of an Alpha’s mate. I’ m wearing a simple

wrap dress cut from pearlescent white fabric, with my dark hair flowing in waves around my shoulders

and a thick layer of mascara framing my blue and violet eyes. Hopefully the camera lights will make my

fair skin look porcelain, and not the pallid gray I’ve been sporting lately.

“You look lovely Selene.” Dr Kane appears in the doorway as I slip on a pair of gold pumps matching

my simple jewelry. “Are you sure you’re up for this?”

“Yes, Thomas. I’m sure.” I reply confidently.

“Good.” He nods in approval, his gaze lingering just a bit too long on my curves. “The Novan News

Corps has already checked in downstairs, they’re waiting in the lounge.”

Right on cue, Lila comes trotting in from the halfway, “Mommy there’s people with cameras!”

“I know, my love!” I reply, lifting her up and giving her a kiss hello. Unsurprisingly the news stations had

requested Lila join the interview; everyone in Elysium seems to be half obsessed with finding out more

about the Alpha’s pup. And while I’m sure Lila would have agreed, I don’t think a three year old has the

cognitive ability to truly understand the consequences of being in the public eye this way, and it’s not

something I want her exposed to just yet. Instead we agreed she could watch from the wings with

Sophie.

So when Odette, Drake, the Betas and I file out onto a raised dais fitted with a podium and far more

microphones than can possibly be necessary, my pup stays on the sidelines and watches with avid

interest.I step up to the podium with the others flanking me on either side, and greet the assembled

reporters. Blinding white overhead lights and blinking red camera signals all but blind me, and my

nerves rocket into overdrive. I’ve never done anything like this.

It takes all my willpower to keep my voice steady as I begin to speak, and I have to clasp my hands

together to stop their shaking from rattling the podium. “Good morning. I want to thank all of you for

being here today.” I can hardly see the crowd, the lights are so bright, but I press on. “I’m sorry for the

unusual setting and am greatly appreciative of Elysium Central Hospital for letting us impose this way. I

wish I could have addressed you all sooner, but Dr. Kane has forbidden me from having any excitement

until now.”

The cameras swing to the grinning Dr, “Technically it’s still forbidden, Selene is just misbehaving.”

Laughter moves through the audience, and I continue. “That is technically true, but I didn’t feel I could

avoid excitement in good conscience when the pack has had no such luxury.” My hands are shaking

less and less, and the fluttering in my belly seems to have evened to a low thrum. “This week has been

a very difficult one for all members of the Nova pack. I was devastated to learn of the wildfire and want

to assure you all that we are doing everything we can to help restore the forest and assist those pack

members impacted. We have been working diligently with families living in the area of the blaze, but I

encourage anyone with concerns about our response or future prevention to please reach out to the

pack house so that we might address your concerns directly.”

“In addition, I want to assure everyone watching at home that our enforcers have caught all the rogues

who infiltrated the territory this week and are processing them for trial.” Glancing around the room, I

expect to find an angry mob, instead I find a rapt audience. We are increasing sentries and patrols at

the border, and likewise, would like to hear from anyone with additional security concerns. We can’t be

everywhere at once, so you may have insights that we simply don’t. We all have to work together in

these trying times, especially while the Alpha is away on highly sensitive business.”

The reporters all perk up, looking avidly interested. “I’m afraid I cannot share the Alpha’s whereabouts

with you at this time, other than to tell you he is out of the territory on critical business related to pack

security. If I could tell you more without risking the safety of his mission or this pack I would, but that

simply isn’t possible.”

Multiple people speak over each other at once then, vying to be the loudest. “Selene, how are you

feeling?” “Selene, how can you support the Alpha being away when you’re in this condition?” “Selene,

is the pack in danger?”

I feel my eyes widen as I try to take in all their questions. “As to the first question, I can tell you I’ve felt

better.” I admit ruefully, earning a few chuckles, “I’m so thrilled Bastien and I are expecting another pup,

but the going is a bit rough at the moment. And I support Bastien’s absence because it was the right

decision for all of us. Neither of us are happy about it, but we both believe being a good leader means

making personal sacrifices for the pack.” Glancing at Lila, who’s watching me avidly from her spot in

Sophie’s arms, I add. “Believe me, the Alpha did not want to leave, precisely because I’m breeding. If

he’d had any other choice, he would be here with me. You have no idea how

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#Chapter 145- Selene Gives a Press Conference

difficult the decision was, especially since he missed seeing our first pup born.”

Taking a deep breath I proclaim. “And while I can assure you that the pack is not in any immediate

danger, the work Bastien is doing is crucial to ensure that remains true. As powerful as we are, the

Nova pack is not without its enemies; the fire, these rogues are proof of that.” Gesturing to the wolves

around me, I share. “But as you can see, the Alpha left a strong team behind to govern the pack while

he’s away.

“Are you saying these tragedies have been the work of our enemies?One of the reporters questions

anxiously.

“We believe that is the case, though I’m not able to share more information at this time – as frustrating

as I know that is to hear.” I sigh apologetically, really not sure if anything I’m saying is going to help

matters or make them worse.

Fortunately the personal drama i referenced first seems to have distracted them, because the next

question raised is, “Selene, what did happen with your first pregnancy? Did Arabella really force you

out of the territory?”

I realize that while everyone must know the story by now, they’ve never heard it straight from me.

“Yes.” I confirm, taking a deep breath.” m not sure what all you’ve heard, but I can tell you that most of

what was printed in the newspapers is true. I left because my life and my unborn pup’s life was in

danger, and I didn’t feel I had another choice. When Arabella found out I was pregnant, she tried to kill

me more, than once, and she almost succeeded.” Even as I share the barest details of the story, my

stomach churns with the memory.

Suddenly I realize I’m going to be sick, and on live TV. Abruptly spinning so my back is to the crowd,

Odette takes one look at my face and grabs the trash bin we set behind the dais for precisely this

purpose. Retching into it while the reporters moan in sympathy, I clamp my eyes shut in

embarrassment. I can’t believe I just did that.

Just then I hear Lila calling me, her voice sounding much too close. “Mommy!” A second later her little

body collides with my leg, her plump arms wrapping around my knee in case someone tries to remove

her.

Reaching back to stroke her hair, I use my free hand to wipe my mouth. “It’s okay angel, Mommy’s just

being silly again.”

When I’m finished, Odette hands me some tissues and I wipe my face. Reaching down for my pup, I

scoop her into my arms and turn back to face the audience. “Sorry about that.” I murmur huskily,

squeezing Lila tighter as she hides her face in my neck. For being such a sociable little pup, she does

get shy around big crowds.

Of course every eye in the room is on her, even as various people ask about my wellbeing. “I’m fine.” I

promise, adjusting Lila on my hip, “of course this little bean wasn’t supposed to be part of the press

conference, but I wasn’t supposed to get sick in front of you either.” I joke, provoking a few peels of

laughter.

Of course the reporters take this as permission to start asking Lila questions. “Lila, does it make you

sad when your Mommy’s sick?”

She nods sulkily, cuddling closer and eliciting a series of aws from the onlookers.

“Lila, how do you like Elysium?” Someone else asks.

Pressing my lips to her hair, I remind her, “you don’t have to answer baby, only if you want to.”

She looks up at me uncertainly, then turns to the waiting crowd, “Lots.” She smiles shyly, “I likes the

trees, an the ice scream.”

The reporters laugh, “Do you miss your Daddy?”

She nods vigorously, getting a little more confident with every question. “Is not fair. I just gots him.” She

pouts, provoking another round of chuckles. Thinking further, Lila cocks her head to the side, Daddy

promise he be back soon dough.”

“Are you excited to become a big sister?” One of the men in the front row asks.

I exchange a meaningful glance with Odette. I’m really not wild about my daughter being broadcast on

television, especially when we‘re in the kind of danger we are, but I know the Novan News network

doesn’t reach outside our borders. Besides, it seems like she’s distracting everyone from all the bad

news, which we desperately need.

“No.” Lila chirps matter-of-factly. “I don wanna share Mommy and Daddy.”

The room devolves into “aws” and giggles, and in one fell swoop my daughter has stolen the show and

saved us from the pack’s scrutiny. If anyone ever had any doubt she was Bastien’s child, they certainly

won’t now.