Page 16 of The Alpha's Chosen Fate

Colten's eyes widened in understanding.After a year of being mated to the wrong person, I’d finally broken down one night when Colten and I were out on patrol together.

I’d revealed my sins and he did his best to help me carry them ever since.

Guilt should have been hammering me right between the eyes about now.In a way it was, but not for my chosen mate.

And didn’t that just scream cold-blooded murderer?

She knew.You warned her and she didn’t listen, Onyx shrugged.

I had laid it all out to Ruby weeks before the night of the Mating Moon.I told her of Theia’s vision, of the mother of my first child dying.

Ruby didn’t believe me.

She laughed it off, accusing me of using it as an excuse to choose her over Ivy.Nothing I said made her believe otherwise so I let it go.

She was as hellbent on being Luna as I had been on keeping Ivy safe—no matter the price.I would burn the fucking world to the ground if it meant my mate would remain safe and sound.

Ruby may have kept quiet about our agreement, but she showed no understanding of, or belief in, the situation.She didn’t take any of it seriously.

Even if she had, we’d find no solace in one another.Only my Beta had been able to help me power through the charade.

“I should have told you from the start, Colt.I never truly apologized to you for it and I’m sorry."

"At least before Ivy left," he replied in that matter-of-fact way of his.“I would have helped you lessen the blow for her.For you, as well.”

The mention of her name sent a jolt through me.Ivy.

"Yes, well—"

Another scream from Ruby cut me off.

Colten gripped my shoulder."Whatever happens, I’m here."

My face tightened.As Alpha, I didn’t show much emotion.It wasn’t something most alphas did, wasn’t in our nature.

After Colten had threatened to leave if I tried to find Ivy for my own self-serving reasons while Ruby was my mate, I’d worried I’d lost my friend.

He’d always be my Beta, always do what was necessary for the pack.But his role in my life as my friend remained on rocky ground for a long time.

Which was why I eventually came clean to him.

The door burst open, and Tess appeared, her face pale."Alpha, we need you."

I followed the midwife into the birthing room, the scent of blood overwhelming.Ruby was lying on the bed, her blonde hair matted with sweat, her eyes wild with pain and fear.

"Briggs," she gasped, reaching for me."Don't let me die.Please."

I took her hand, feeling Onyx recoil at the contact.Even now, my wolf rejected her as ours.

"You're strong, Ruby," I said, the words hollow in my mouth."You can do this."

As another contraction hit, I closed my eyes, silently praying to the Moon Goddess.For what, I wasn’t exactly sure.Forgiveness?

My hand squeezed Ruby's, my mind straying back to that conversation I eventually had with Colten.The disappointment in his eyes had been unbearable.

"I couldn't keep it from you anymore," I told him, my voice barely above a whisper.

Colten's face morphed from shock to disgust."And you chose Ruby anyway?Knowing she'd die?"

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