Page 45 of The Alpha's Chosen Fate
Unable to resist, I reached out and brushed a strand of hair from Ivy's cheek.The bruise was fading nicely and it wouldn’t be long now before Grace would allow her to leave.
My little mate stirred slightly and I quickly withdrew my hand, not wanting to disturb her healing sleep.I needed her to recover, to open those hazel eyes and look at me again, even if they held only anger and mistrust.
Onyx paced restlessly beneath my skin, desperate to curl protectively around her.Someday, she would welcome our comfort.
Ivy's eyes fluttered open, hazy with sleep.They sharpened as she noticed me sitting vigil by her bedside.
She licked her dry lips.“Still here?”
I leaned forward, reaching for the cup on the table beside here.“Drink.”
She tilted up and took sips of the water I offered.It was a small step.Miniscule, but it was something.
“What happened, Ivy?At the lake?”
Lines formed between her brow.“You don’t know?”
“I know what Colten reported back to me.I’d like to hear the full extent of it from you.”
“You trust me to tell you the truth?”
“I do.”
Ivy seemed to ponder that for a minute.“Help me sit up, please.”
I stacked extra pillows behind her, beyond pleased she’d made a request of her mate.My joy was short-lived when she explained what had started the fight with Scarlett and her friends.
Then she cut me open when she asked, “Is that why you brought me back, Briggs?Because Ruby's gone and now you need a replacement Luna?"
I couldn't blame her for the assumption.I looked away."It's not what you’re thinking, not like that."
"Then what’s it like?"she demanded, twisting a little to face me.
I ran a hand through my hair, searching for the right words.Where to even fucking begin?
“If you don’t hear anything else, hear this.I never wanted to take Ruby as my mate, as my Luna.”
“Yet that’s exactly what you chose to do.”
“It is.I had to.So I did it.I chose her and then …” My mind flipped through every memory, trying to decide what to say next.
Ivy decided for me.
“How did she die?”she quietly asked.
“Giving birth to our son.”
Ivy’s mouth dropped open.So many emotions played out in her expression, in her eyes.
“You … you have a son?”
I nodded, swallowing hard."The birth was traumatic.Ruby was hemorrhaging.The healers couldn't stop the bleeding.And then …" I shut my eyes against the onslaught of grief."He never took a breath.I felt so helpless, so guilty."
Her eyes softened a fraction, but the walls remained high."I'm sorry.I can’t even imagine how devastating that must be.”
I met her gaze, seeing a flicker of the compassion I'd always admired in her."Thank you."
I hesitated, debating how much to reveal about Ruby's betrayal.The sting of it was still too fresh, the rage too raw."There's more to the trauma of that day, but I think that part of the story can wait a little longer."
