Page 6 of The Alpha's Chosen Fate

Lines formed between Caleb’s eyes."What did you mean, Ivy?"

"I can’t stay in this pack," I answered, throat tight with emotion."If I do, my wolf will demand that I challenge Ruby.Rieka is already pushing for control."

In my peripheral, I saw Briggs turn.Maybe he heard me.Maybe he didn’t.It didn’t matter.

The Alpha remained silent, watching us, probably ready to kill me if I made a move on his precious female.

"Hell yeah, Ives!"Emery cheered darkly."Let's take that cunt down."

"Do not threaten your Luna," Colten growled in warning.

Emery flipped him off without looking at him, her total focus on me.Colten didn't retaliate, but we were towing a line.

Tears pricked my eyes once more.I shook my head.

"No, Emery.I have no desire to kill her just to take her place.I don't want to be Briggs's mate.I can't love a man who would purposefully choose to humiliate me in front of the entire pack like this.If he knew he was going to choose Ruby from the start, after hiscountless hoursmeditating, he could have warned me.It would have hurt, but he'd have saved me from the shock.From this … total mortification, allowing me to grieve this in private.Instead, he let me believe that we had a chance.He's not stupid.He knew what this would do to me."

I looked around at the other wolves, motioning with my shaking hand."They can't even look at me.I did nothing wrong and yet I'm already being shunned.Seconds was all it took for everyone to turn their back on me the second their Alpha did."

My words were met with silence.The pack had stopped celebrating.Goddess above,nowthey gave me their attention?

Good, Rieka insisted.Let them hear this.She pushed just enough to overtake my voice.

When she spoke, it came out throaty and aggressive."I would rather die by my own hand than to spend one more second in that male's presence."

Briggs’s nostrils flared.The chill I'd felt earlier exploded into volcanic heat, coating our battered link in an instant.

Just as quick, it turned to ice, freezing what was left of the bond and making it so numb I could hardly tell it even existed.

My stiffened muscles loosened in relief.I didn't know how she did it, but my wolf was a badass.I owed her.

Neither of us perked up when Briggs's wolf made an awful sound.I hoped the Alpha choked on whatever he was feeling.

Ruby made some comment I didn’t catch and Emery jumped forward, not getting far as Colten bear-hugged her from behind.When Caleb tried to intervene, and the pack was distracted, I let my wolf guide my steps.

Without looking back at the face of the one who'd hurt me, I walked away.My walk turned into a jog, then a full-on sprint.

We’re going, Ivy.Going anywhere but here,Rieka assured.

A sizzle traveled through the weakened bond, as though Briggs was angry.Again Rieka iced it over.

The Alpha made his bed.Now he has to lie in it.He'll regret his actions soon enough, she smirked evilly despite the agony I knew she was feeling.

I couldn't believe what I was turning into.Ten minutes ago I'd been someone else.Now?Now I was …

Done.

Chapter 3

Briggs

The silvery glow of the Mating Moon cast eerie shadows on the path as Ruby and I retreated to the Alpha’s private cabin, where we would live.Never did I envision a life for myself like the one I was choosing.

The wooden structure loomed before us, a symbol of my authority and, once upon a time, my safe haven.Now it felt more like a prison.

Ruby strutted ahead, her hips swaying provocatively, fully aware of the power she now held.The thought of it worsened my mood.

"Isn't this just perfect, me as Luna finally?"she crooned, her voice dripping with smug satisfaction as she opened the door.

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