Page 38 of The Alpha's Chosen Fate

He expelled a rough breath."I know.But I hate that you won’t even look at me."

Then maybe you shouldn't have rejected me, I wanted to scream.

I swallowed the words.Same old song, different day.

"I agreed to take a walk for me and for my wolf, not for you."

Briggs didn’t say anything else, but I could feel the tension radiating off him in waves.

We continued our stroll, the minutes stretching into an eternity.Finally, the cabin came back into view through the trees.

Thank you, Rieka murmured.We needed that.

I know, I soothed.I’m sorry I refused for so many days.Maybe he’ll let you out to run soon.

Rieka perked up at the suggestion.

Briggs and I took the front steps in sync.I quickened my steps to enter the home first.A tug on my hand stopped me.

“Would you like a cup of coffee, Ivy?”

I would have loved one, but …

“I don’t think drinking caffeine while confined inside a small space would be good for me or my wolf, Alpha McClellan.”

My tone had lost its bite.I must have been tired.

I headed to the second floor and into my lovely prison.I waited for the next attempt from the Alpha, but he didn’t come inside.

The lock clicked, sounding like a gunshot in the quiet of morning.

We’ll be okay, Rieka assured.

I wanted to believe her.But as I sank down onto the edge of the bed, I worried we’d never be truly free of him and this weeping wound that refused to heal.

The next morning, a sharp knock jolted me from sleep's merciful embrace.I cracked one eye open.

"Ivy?"Briggs's deep timbre seeped through the door."The weather’s warm this morning.Would you care to join me for another walk?”

Rieka stretched languidly within me.Her eagerness countered my own reluctance.Sighing, I pushed to my feet.

“Give me a minute,” I answered.

“No rush.Come out when you’re ready.”

I dressed quickly, pausing before I tried the handle, which was unlocked.If he was trying to give me a sense of freedom it didn’t work.

Briggs stood in the hallway, hands clasped behind his back, expression inscrutable.

His t-shirt clung to the dips and curves of his chiseled muscles.His jeans hung low in thatjust-rightway.

“Ready?”he asked.

I inclined my head, not trusting myself to speak, and made a quick exit to the great outdoors.

“This way,” he motioned with his head.

We fell into step, our shoulders nearly brushing as we wound our way down the driveway and onto a different path from the one we took yesterday.

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