Page 21 of The Alpha's Chosen Fate

I knew what I was about to say went against everything respectable wolves stood for.Everything I once stood for.

"You don't come back without her," I told him with coarse finality."I don't care how long it takes or what you have to do, Baylor.Use whatever means necessary without truly harming her.I want her here and I want her here now."

Onyx's approval came through loud and clear.We’d waited long enough.Paid our penance.

Paid a penalty we never saw coming.I didn’t deserve her but I found that I didn’t much care.

"As you wish, Alpha," Baylor complied, his face settling into a mask of determination."I'll leave at first light."

As the door closed behind him, I slumped into my chair.Reaching for the bottom drawer of my desk, I pulled out a worn photograph.

Ivy's smile beamed up at me.Unbeknownst to her, I’d snapped it just days before everything fell apart.Before I broke us.

She might hate us for this, Onyx pointed out.

She already hates us, I threw back.At least this way, she'll be here where we can see her, where we can make sure she’s safe.We’ll explain everything and she’ll forgive us.

And if she doesn’t?

Inhaling deeply, I pondered Onyx’s question.

Regardless, she’ll be ours.Marked and mated, with or without her cooperation.

The Goddess owed me and I was sure as hell going to collect my due.

Chapter 7

Ivy

The fresh, earthy scent of the forest filled my nostrils, mixed with the sweet and woody scent of the poplar trees.A light breeze brushed against my fur, cool and refreshing on this warm day.

Poplar seeds danced in the air.One tickled the tip of my snout and I sneezed.Nose twitching, I shook my head and kept going.

I’d just entered the small clearing when the wind shifted.

Stop!Rieka demanded.

Hackles rising, I tilted my head, sniffing for whatever she’d picked up.That scent …

Familiar.Potent.And completely unwelcome.

Baylor.

Briggs's ruthless enforcer washere.Inmyterritory.

Give me control, Rieka bade.

Already in wolf form, I refused to disappear.No,not yet.

My heart hammered against my ribs as I looked around, alert and cautious, trying to keep my shit together.

Had that bastard sent Baylor to find me?To force me to return?It was the only plausible explanation.Why else would he be here?

To kill us, Rieka determined.It's what Baylor’s good at.

I stayed low, looking through the dense evergreens.Their lemony-mint aroma mingled with Baylor's earthy musk making it difficult for me to locate him.Rieka poked at me, tense, ready to lunge.

There.A flash of movement.Tan skin and dark cropped hair.He wasn’t even trying to hide, nor had he shifted into his animal.

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