Page 73 of The Alpha's Chosen Fate

Surprise flickered in her hazel eyes as she looked up at me."You're allowing them to visit?"

I nodded.

“Took you long enough.”

“You can thank me later, in very creative ways.”

Her eyes rolled, but she didn’t shoot me down.I liked how we bantered.How my mate wasn’t afraid to go toe-to-toe with me.

It made me want to crush her to me, to pour all my love into a searing kiss.Then strip her naked.

I held back.If I gave in now, I wouldn’t be leaving this room anytime soon.

She still carried the pain of my actions, only now the burden wasn’t quite as heavy as before.It would take time, I knew.

I was willing to work everyday for the rest of my life to put every piece of her back together until she was whole.Maybe then I would be whole, too.

"It’s almost time for me to go," I forced myself to say.

Her smile faded.Shadows flickered behind her eyes.

I cupped her face, absorbing every precious detail.The golden flecks in her eyes.The way her lips parted slightly when she leaned into my touch.

“I don’t want you to face him alone.”

“Ivy—”

“I know.You’ll have Baylor and you’re already aware Turner will probably try something.”

Wrapping my arms around her, I kissed the top of her head."The others will keep you safe until I return."

"Promise me you'll come back," she whispered.

The request squeezed my chest.“Always.”

A knock sounded at the front door and I reluctantly pulled away, lacing my fingers with hers.We entered the living room, seeing Baylor had already gotten the door.

“I’ll wait outside, Alpha.”He brushed past the two wolves he’d let inside.

“I’ll be there in a minute.”

I caught Colten's eye.He gave a subtle nod, his expression grim.

I’d ordered him to stay here with Ivy instead of acting as my second for the challenge.He didn’t want to agree, but he understood what was at stake.

I pulled him aside as Ivy rushed to embrace Caleb and Emery."Keep her safe," I said in a low voice."No matter what happens."

"You have my word."Colten clasped my shoulder."But if you don’t come back in one piece I’ll kick your ass."

I glanced at Ivy, my heart clenching.She was laughing at something Emery said, but I could see the worry in her eyes.

“One more thing," I said, turning back to Colten."You and Emery?Whatever the issue is between you two?It stops right now.I won’t have that bullshit touching my mate, not today."

Colten glanced at the redhead who so easily got under his skin.

My friend was quiet when it came to his personal life.When it came to that particular female, he completely shut me down when I asked questions.

I understood his frustration, I just didn’t understand why they couldn’t figure their shit out.

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