Page 27 of The Alpha's Chosen Fate

Briggs's eyes narrowed.The pressure of his power pressed down on me, trying to force me to submit.It was useless.

At least the bond had one positive benefit.

"Ivy is coming with us," Caleb stated boldly.

Briggs turned his gaze on my brother, and I felt Caleb stiffen beside me."You forget your place, Caleb.I am your Alpha, and you will obey me."

I watched in horror as Caleb's eyes glazed over, his will bending to Briggs's command.Emery let out a soft gasp, her hand flying to her mouth.

"Go," Briggs ordered, his voice leaving no room for argument."Leave Ivy with me.You can see her again when I decide she’s ready for visitors and not a second before."

Caleb and Emery turned to leave, their movements stiff and unnatural.I could only watch in horror.

The Alpha turned to Colten.“Make sure they make it home.”

The Beta took one last look at me before taking off to do his leader’s bidding.

I rounded on Briggs, my ire boiling over."How dare you use your power on them like that?They're my family!"

Briggs was suddenly close enough to touch.Or slap.Ride like a cowgirl?

Damnit!His scent made my head spin.

"And you aremyfamily, Ivy.The sooner you accept that, the easier this will be for everyone."

“We will never be a family.You already have a mate.”

“Yes.You.”

Briggs's arrogant smirk made me want to twist his head off his neck.I shook my head, backing away.

"I will never be yours, Alpha McClellan.You’re delusional for even thinking it.What, you think you can have us both?You’re sick.The thought of being with you literally makes me nauseous."

Something flickered in his eyes, an emotion I couldn't quite place.It was gone as quickly as it had appeared, replaced by the mask of an Alpha who would not be moved from his course.

"We'll see about that," he said, his voice a dark promise."Now, let's get you inside.You need to rest."

"I will not live as your mate, Alpha McClellan.”

“Call me Briggs.”

“No.”

“You will call me by my name, Ivy.”

“I did,Alpha McClellan.You already have a mate who I’m sure calls you Briggs and all sorts of other cute pet names.Go back to her.”

His jaw clenched."She isn’t my true mate.You are."

I snorted."Could've fooled me."

"I had my reasons.You’re smart, you should know I wouldn’t make such a decision without them."

I held my ground."I don't care about your reasons.You broke me, broke something in me you can’t repair."

Briggs inhaled deeply, nostrils flaring."It was for your own good, Ivy.”

“Oh, you were doing me a favor, you patronizing asshat?”Apparently I was channeling Emery’s gift for insults.

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