Chapter 4 Three-year Marriage Contract

Selena's Pov

If someone had told me as a child that Bastien Durand would one day be my husband, I would have burst with happiness. Now I don't know what to think. The future terrifies me, but of all the possibilities, Bastien frightens me least.

I lower my eyes from Gabriel's in submission, "Okay."

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Third person's pov

"You killed Garrick?!" Bastien's father is shooting him death glares, pacing his office like a tiger in a cage.

"On neutral territory." Bastien counters, "it was well within my rights, and we'll both sleep better knowing he's out of the picture for good."

"That is beside the point." Gabriel hisses. "The rule of law exists for a reason. Trials serve as examples for the pack, evidence that we take violations seriously, that we care about justice."

Bastien crosses his arms over his chest, "He deserved everything he got."

"Being a leader doesn't mean you get to do whatever you want with impunity." Gabriel barks.

"And if it had been mom?" Bastien knows it's a low blow, but he won't apologize for protecting his mate. "If someone had done to her what Garrick did to Selene?"

"That's different." He waves away the question, "Your mother and I are fated mates."

"Exactly." Bastien says, staring down the Alpha.

Understanding flickers in Gabriel's eyes, and he slowly deflates, the tension seeping out of his muscles little by little. "But she–"

"She lost her wolf, remember?" At first Bastien hadn't understood why Selene could not feel the mating bond. It only became clear when he learned about her wolf. Of course she couldn't feel it, she's lost the very essence of her being.

"Oh son," Gabriel squeezes Bastien's shoulder, genuine pain in his voice. "I'm sorry." His son nods in acknowledgement, but he cannot bring himself to meet the older man's gaze. "What are you going to do?"

"I'm going to offer her an out." Bastien sighs, "We'll get her through the transition, and when she's ready to stand on her own two feet, she can decide if she wants to stay." He drags a hand through his hair, "I haven't spoken with her yet, but I'm thinking three years should be about right."

"Are you sure?" Gabriel inquires softly.

Bastien nods firmly.

Gabriel's face pulls into a grimace. "If that's the case, I would keep a very tight leash on your wolf. Don't claim her completely until you know whether or not there's going to be a rejection ceremony." He advises. "If he marks her, you won't ever be able to let her go."

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Selene's POV

A stranger stares at me in the mirror. She has my eyes, my full lips and long, silky hair; but I cannot find myself in her.

A month has passed since my escape, and though I'm still much too thin, the hollows in my bones have begun to fill slightly. My skin is no longer a garish shade of gray and mottled with bruises – though it's still very pale –, and though I am still heartsick for Luna, freedom has returned some light to my eyes.

Bastien stands behind me, dwarfing my small body as he too studies my reflection. I still haven't been able to let anyone else near me, so he is the one who helped me into my wedding dress for the final fitting. The long gown is perfect, but I feel more like a child playing dress up than a bride.

I don't think Bastien is happy to be marrying me. He's never said so and, though he's been there for me through every breakdown and panic attack without question or complaint, he's undeniably distant when we're alone together.

Unfortunately I've come to rely on him so completely that his reserve is becoming truly distressing.

I don't like feeling this way. Getting attached to him – to anyone – is dangerous.

I'm slowly learning about the pack and everything I missed over the last eight years through a combination of formal lessons and eavesdropping. I spend a lot of time with my ear pressed up to walls and doors, though my stealth skills are lacking. Bastien has caught me at it a number of times but thankfully he seems to find it more amusing than annoying.

It was through one of these eavesdropping sessions that I learned about Arabella. Apparently before I came along, Bastien had been planning on taking a she-wolf named Arabella Winters as his mate. It seems Gabriel's edict forced them to end their engagement, and I can't deny it makes sense. Being in love with someone else would certainly explain Bastien's distance.

Warm hands circle my waist, dragging me back to the present. "What are you thinking about?"

I meet his silver gaze in the mirror, leaning back against his chest. "Nothing important."

"Hmm," His rumbling hum vibrates against my spine, "Then why not tell me?"

"I was thinking about marriage." I admit. "Our marriage."

Bastien frowns, dropping his head – in thought, I suppose. When he raises it again, he nods tersely, "I've been meaning to talk to you about this for a while now."

My stomach plummets. "About what?"

"Our marriage contract." He explains, pulling away from me. "Do you know what a rejection ceremony is?"

I shake my head uncertainly.

"It is a ritual undergone by mates who wish to end their marriage." Bastien pulls a sheaf of paper from the breast pocket of his discarded jacket. "Given our... unique circumstances, I thought a rejection provision might be appropriate."

He hands me the document; our marriage contract. I scan the contents, stumbling over the unfamiliar words. "So," I summarize slowly, "we'll marry for three years, then decide whether or not to reject one another?"