Page 29 of The Alpha's Chosen Fate

I bowed my head, letting the hot water cascade over my aching body.For a good thirty minutes I just stood there, like the pressurized stream could wash it all away.

It couldn’t.Despite the calming warmth, the ache in my soul throbbed, a wound that never healed.

My emotions were all over the place, just as chaotic as my thoughts.

Thinking maybe a nice soak might help, I soon sank into the clawfoot tub, submerging myself up to my chin.I closed my eyes and did some breathing exercises.

Distressingly, Briggs's scent still lingered and I couldn’t determine if it was real or in my head.With the way things were going for me, the answer was likely both.

The water turned cold and I finally dragged myself out, toweling off roughly.In the bedroom, I rummaged through drawers until I found some clothes that fit decently enough.At least I wouldn't be naked and vulnerable.

My gaze landed on the door.I needed a barricade, or some semblance of security while I slept.

As I stood contemplating how hard it would be to rig the furniture to block the door, Rieka reminded me that nothing in the room could stop the Alpha wolf from getting inside.

What if there’s a fire?she tacked on.

She had a point but I didn’t want to leave myself vulnerable to Briggs’s whims in the middle of the night.I don’t want to be caught unawares while lying in bed, I told her.

Then move the bed so it’s furthest from the door.Or shift and I’ll curl under the bed.

It’s too risky to shift.What if Briggs comes in and lets Onyx take over?

I was terrified the wolves wouldn’t be able to control their actions.Their instincts to mate were even stronger than those of their human counterparts.

You don’t have many options, Ivy.

Fine,I huffed and reached for the foot of the bed.

The scraping echoed loudly in the quiet room.There wasn’t much to move so it didn’t take long.

Stepping back, I surveyed my handiwork with grim satisfaction.I couldn’t stop Briggs from entering, but I could at least give myself an extra second or two to get onto my feet.

I pictured the two of us in an actual fight, me kicking his ass.My wolf shook her head at the image.

In no situation would I ever be strong enough to deliver the ass-kicking he deserved.But a girl could dream.

I turned off the light and crawled into bed.I hoped when I woke in the morning I’d find that this was all a bad dream.

The creak of the door jolted me awake.I shot out of bed, heart pounding, as Briggs stepped inside with a tray balanced in his hands.

"I brought you some breakfast," he stated politely, as if this were a normal morning.

His scent hit me hard, earthy and dark, sinking its claws into my skin.I bristled."Get out."

Briggs dismissed the demand with no more than a cursory glance.He set the tray on the small table with deliberate care, then straightened and gave me his full attention.

I met his stare unflinchingly, even as my pulse raced.The silence stretched taut between us.

He looked … good.Why did he have to look so good?

Black hair tousled, pale eyes bright against his tanned skin.The soft gray Henley clung to his muscled chest and arms.

Couldn’t he have gotten some disfiguring affliction that shifters couldn’t fight?Or have half his face ripped off in some dark magic attack?

It wasn’t fair.

"You need to eat, Ivy," he said, his tone measured.

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