Page 86 of The Alpha's Chosen Fate
Then, a flash of pain in my own shoulder a moment before I felt it—
the connection wrapping around us twice as strong, bound by love, lust, and the Moon Goddess’s blessing.
We lay intertwined in a tangle of sweat-slicked limbs and heavy breaths.The world outside ceased to exist as I held my might tight against me.
I brushed a strand of hair from her face, marveling at the beauty of her.The way her skin glowed in the moonlight filtering through the window, the way her eyes sparkled.
She looked … content.Happy even.
My eyes went to the wound on her shoulder.It would heal by morning but I still felt the need to tend to it.
"What are you thinking about?"she murmured, her fingers tracing lazy patterns on my chest.
I grinned, a mischievous glint in my eye."I'm thinking about all the dirty things I'm going to do to you in the shower."
Ivy laughed, a sound of pure joy that warmed me to my core."Is that so?"
I nodded, sitting up and scooping her into my arms.She squealed, wrapping her arms around my neck as I carried her towards the bathroom.
"Briggs!"she giggled, nuzzling into my shoulder."You're insatiable."
"Only for you, my love.Only for you."
As I set Ivy down on the cool tile, I couldn't help but marvel at the change in her.The way she held herself, the way she looked at me.It was like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders, like she was finally free to be herself.
And I knew, in that moment, that we could face anything together.That our love was strong enough to weather any storm, to overcome any obstacle.
I reached into the shower, turning on the water, letting it heat up as I pulled Ivy flush against me.
"Ready to get dirty before we get clean?"I growled, nipping at her earlobe.
She shivered, her hands roaming over my backside."With you?Always."
And as we stepped under the spray, our bodies entwining, our laughter echoing off the walls, I knew that this was just the start of our forever.
A forever that cost so much—and that I would never take for granted.
Chapter 26
Ivy
I walked through the pack house, heading to Briggs's office.My heart thudded in my chest.Three weeks ago, he had finally shared his deepest wound with me.
He’d taken me to a small, unmarked grave at the base of a towering oak, one I was well familiar with.Its branches stretched toward the sky as if cradling the precious life buried beneath.
"This is where I laid my son to rest," Briggs had said, his voice raw."I knew that bitch would die, the prophecy foretold it.But I never imagined …"
His words cut off on a choked shudder.I pulled him close, tears streaming down my own face.In that moment, our souls bled into each other, pain and understanding flowing between.
"This tree," I whispered."It’s always been my favorite.”
Briggs nodded against my hair."I know.It’s why I chose this spot.”
I held him tighter.I had my own scars, but Briggs had more.All to protect me.
It was horribly unfair that fate had taken his son.An innocent life, snuffed out before it could truly begin.My heart shattered for Briggs, for the unfathomable loss he carried.
"I'm so sorry," I murmured into his chest."I'm here now.You don't have to bear this alone anymore."
