Page 24 of The Alpha's Chosen Fate

Chapter 8

Ivy

The sound of the truck door slamming shut jolted me from a drug-induced sleep.My eyelids fluttered open, heavy and sluggish.

It took a moment for my vision to adjust to the dim surroundings.The sun had already set yet I had no feel for the time.

The door by my feet swung open with a sharp squeak and Baylor's face appeared.The interior light spilled onto his features, angling them into sharp planes and edges.

The illumination made him look exactly like one of those devilishly handsome villains in some horror movie.Unfortunately, this was real life.

He reached for the ropes, his calloused fingers working deftly to untie the knots.As the last of the ropes fell away, Baylor gripped my arm, preparing to haul me from the back seat.

Panic surged through me, momentarily overriding the tranquilizers' effects.I couldn't let him take me to Briggs.

Mustering every ounce of strength I had left, I kicked out with both feet, catching the enforcer square in the chest.He grunted in surprise, stumbling back a step as my heels connected with his solid frame.

I seized the opportunity, sliding awkwardly from the truck, my legs nearly giving out as they landed on the ground.A wave of dizziness hit, but I forced myself to stay upright, using the vehicle for support.

Baylor's eyes narrowed and his jaw clenched.I swayed woozily and he made to grab me.

"Don't touch me."I could barely stand, but I'd be damned if I’d accept my kidnapper’s help.

If helping was what he was even doing.He may have been planning to throw me off the nearest cliff.

His hands came up again, slowly this time."Ivy—”

“Don’t touch me!” I screeched.

A sharp growl rent the air.I stiffened.All the blood drained from my head.

From the edge of my peripheral, Briggs stepped into view, emerging from the treeline.His pale blue eyes glinted with rings of gold in the dim moonlight.

“Alpha.”Baylor’s greeting came out low and even.

Briggs closed the distance in long, smooth strides, stopping beside Baylor.His gaze slipped past his enforcer's hardened figure and locked onto mine.

My heart started pounding inside my chest.My fight or flight instincts were kicking in.

Glancing at the woods, my body tensed.Did I dare make a run for it?

“You’ll never make it past the driveway, even if you manage to get around both of us.”

I bit the insides of my cheeks and glared at Briggs.I’d hoped to never see his face again.Of course I’d never be so lucky as to get something I wanted.

"Leave us,” he said.

Baylor nodded curtly, leaving me alone with the male who’d shattered my heart into a million jagged pieces.

A scorching sensation traveled down our ravaged bond.I cringed, my fingers curling into fists at my sides.

Rieka quickly numbed the mating bond, giving us some breathing room.

I didn’t know how long she could maintain it.Distance had helped.Being in his presence would make it difficult.

Can you cut it?I asked my wolf.She didn’t reply.

The question was dumb.It could never be completely severed, no matter what.

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