Page 72 of The Alpha's Chosen Fate

His eyebrows lowered.“What about the challenge?"

“Briggs, I’m already scared to trust our bond.What if I lose you before we even really have a chance?”

Tears pricked the corners of my eyes.

He pulled me onto his lap, hugging me close."We can deal with the challenge later.Tonight, I just want to focus on you.”

“You’re not listening.”

“I promise you, sweetheart, I’m listening.And what I’m hearing from you, from your wolf and from mine, is that you need reassurance.So that’s what I’m going to prioritize right now.”

“Briggs—”

“Shhh, I’ve got you.I promise, I’ve got you.”

Slowly, deliberately, he began to trace soft kisses across my shoulder, reigniting the fire within.When his lips found mine, I surrendered.

He nudged me back down to the bed and spread my thighs with his own.His tongue explored my mouth at the same time his fingers touched my intimate flesh.

“You’re always so ready for me.I don’t think I’ll ever get enough.”

Briggs inched his way in, taking his time, prolonging our pleasure.He moved against me with a tantalizing tenderness that nearly broke my heart.

"I don't want to lose you,” I cried.

"You won’t," he vowed.

Briggs wordlessly pledged himself to me with each measured stroke, with every kiss on my skin.

I held him close, feeling the heat of his body against mine and the steady beat of his heart.I felt bared to him.Flayed open and vulnerable.

Suddenly, everything around us disappeared.The only thing that existed was us, lost in this moment.

Moving in sync, staring into one another’s eyes, we reached our peak together.

In the aftermath, I knew something had shifted between us.Our connection had deepened, changing into something more tangible.

The bond wasn’t complete, but the damage was being repaired.It felt like I was standing on the edge of a precipice.

What would happen when I jumped?

Chapter 22

Briggs

I stood at the threshold of the master bedroom, watching Ivy as she unpacked the few items she’d brought down from her room upstairs.After I'd vowed to never lock her behind a door again, she’d agreed to move into this space with me.

But my heart was heavy, weighed down by the words I couldn't bring myself to say.

I wanted to tell her I loved her.That she was my everything.

I couldn't, not like this.Not when I was about to walk straight into a fight to the death and she was worried I might not return.

I stepped into the room and pulled her into my arms, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead.She melted against me, fitting perfectly, like she was made for me.

Because she was.

"Caleb and Emery are bringing over some of your things, from your old cabin," I said softly.

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