Page 19 of The Alpha's Chosen Fate

"Was what worth it?"

"Losing everything.Both of us … lost."With those final words, Ruby's head lolled to the side, heart stopped.

I stood there rigid, my mind unable to process.

My mate was foretold to die.Theia saidnothingof my child!

"Alpha," Tess murmured, her voice thick with emotion."Would you like to hold him?"

Onyx howled within me, his suffering as horrid as my own.My eyes burned.Hands shook.I managed a jerky nod.

As she placed my son in my arms, wrapped in soft linen, my knees buckled.

"He's so tiny," I choked out, running a finger along his delicate cheek.“So perfect.”

Sostill.

Tess put her arm around Grace, the pair leaning on one another."Alpha?If there's anything—"

"Leave," I ordered.

Alone with my grief, I cradled my son close.

"I'm sorry," I apologized against his dark wispy hair."I'm so sorry, little one.I didn’t know.I never would have allowed this.I never imagined … I’m just so damned sorry."

There was no apology worthy of absolution.Nothing would erase the taint of this from my soul.

I inhaled his perfect scent, committing it to memory forever.A mournful howl tore from my throat.On and on my wolf and I sang our lament to the Goddess above.

Footsteps approached some time later.Colten’s sorrow combined with mine to tarnish the air as he took in the scene before him.

"Alpha—Briggs, what can I do?”

For a moment I was unable to form words.Colten's presence, usually a comfort, now felt like an intrusion.There was only one person I wanted here, and my own actions had driven her away.

"Ivy.”The name slipped out before I was aware of voicing it.“I want my mate.”

Colten's jaw tightened, but he didn’t comment.Instead, he cleared his throat."I can see to the burial immediately, if you'd like."

A surge of protectiveness coursed through me."No.I will bury him myself.”

I struggled to my feet, cradling the precious bundle in my arms.Colten reached out as if to steady me, but I shook him off.

He glanced at the bed."What about the Luna?"

Fury bubbled over as I remembered Ruby's fevered confessions."Burn her body.Send her ashes to her true mate, if you can figure out who it is."

Colten’s brow furrowed."Her true mate?"

"Just burn her, Colten," I snapped."I can't deal with this right now."

As I brushed past him, heading for the door, Colten's voice stopped me."Briggs, you don't have to do this alone."

My head hung low, my hand on the doorknob."Yes, I do.”

***

The midnight air was crisp, biting at my skin as I dug.Moonlight filtered through the drooping willow branches, allowing enough light for me to complete my task.

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