Page 3 of The Alpha's Chosen Fate

Instinct never lied to a wolf.Sometimes it hid, but it didn’t lie.

I held my breath, fighting Rieka to stay put.

"Tonight is a night of celebration," Briggs continued, "for the joining of unmated wolves who have found their mates, and for the union of me, your Alpha, and my chosen Luna, a bond that has always strengthened packs over time."

The pack cheered and howled in response.I glanced around, meeting the excited gazes of Emery and Caleb.Neither were old enough to feel a mating bond yet, but this time next year they would.

Caleb and I were all that was left of our family.Emery’s parents had basically adopted us when our parents died and the three of us had become inseparable.

I'd confessed to Caleb and Emery about the feelings I'd been getting, how I was drawn to the Alpha and not in the normal way I was drawn to a partner.

The Mating Moon was only making that fledgling connection more obvious and I hoped Briggs would hurry his ass up and cease with this torture.

Caleb took my hand and squeezed.“You okay?”

I nodded and returned his squeeze.

Rieka huffed in irritation.Her hackles were up but she wasn’t communicating much else.

"For fuck's sake," Emery whispered, her blue eyes shining with determination."Why is he drawing this out?Just say her damn name."

As if he'd heard her, Briggs's head swung in our direction.His gaze locked onto mine making my stomach do somersaults.

"The choice I make tonight will shape the future of this pack, and I, alone, take this responsibility with great care and consideration for what that future holds."

Our gazes met once more, his wolf flashing in his eyes, possessively.This was it.He was going to call me forward.

"I, Alpha Briggs McClellan reject Ivy Bardot as my fated mate and take Ruby Pierce as my chosen mate and Luna," he proclaimed confidently.

Time stopped.The forest went silent.Not a soul moved.

Betrayer!my wolf howled.

I stumbled forward, hunched in agony.My lungs seized.A deep burn ate through the center of my chest, charring the bond.

I didn’t understand.Did I hear wrong?Did he really choose someone else?

I’ll kill her!Rieka vowed, confirming what my heart didn't want to accept.It wasn’t my name he called.

It washers.

Chapter 2

Ivy

Briggs had called Ruby's name.

Definitive.

Resolute.

Confident as he extended his hand towards the stunning she-wolf."Ruby, come forward and greet your pack as Luna."

Gasps echoed throughout the clearing, followed by a stream of murmurs and whispers.

A hole had been carved into my chest.The world spun and I struggled to remain standing, my legs weak beneath me.

Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision as I stared at him in disbelief.

---