Page 74 of The Alpha's Chosen Fate

His jaw worked back and forth.“I can handle it.”

“Can you?”

Colten's eyes flashed with defiance, but he gave a curt nod.

I turned to find Ivy watching us, her brow furrowed.I forced a reassuring smile, but I could tell she wasn't buying it.

Ivy rushed over to me.I caught her in my arms, breathing in her scent, memorizing the feel of her body against mine.

It was doubtful she’d be this affectionate this quickly if she hadn’t been so concerned about my life.

I pressed a final, lingering kiss to her lips, then stepped back."I’ll be back before you know it.”

Her lips twisted.“Okay.”

"Do not leave her," I said to the others.

Caleb nodded, his face grim.

Emery stepped forward, her arm snaking around Ivy."Kick his ass, Alpha."

Lila opened her mouth but Colten clamped his hand over it, holding her in place.

“For the last time, you are too young,” he told her irritably.

A flare of amusement passed through me.Lila and Emery were likely going to prove too much for the formidable male to handle.

I drew in a deep breath.Then, with one last look at Ivy, I turned and walked out the door.

Baylor, who’d been waiting on the porch, fell into step beside me.If there was anyone other than Colten that I trusted to have my back, it was him.

The drive to the edge of our territory was tense.Baylor's eyes drifted over to me from time to time.

“Are you nervous, Baylor?”

His head slowly swiveled to look at me for longer than a glance.“Should I be, Alpha?”

“No.”

“Are you?

“No.I’m confident I’ll beat him.I just want it over with so I can get back to my mate."

Baylor nodded.I tried to picture the cold-blooded male with a mate.It was too hard to imagine.

Then again, some of the same things said about him had also been said about me and I had a huge soft spot for Ivy.

We parked near the border, a few minutes ahead of schedule.The truck's engine ticked as it cooled.

Baylor pulled out his cell phone and typed out a message.When his phone vibrated, he held it up.“Everything’s in place.”

We exited and started the last of the short journey.He kept close, slightly behind and to my left, covering my weaker flank.

Three Blood Fang wolves came into view as we approached the border.The air shifted, volatile and thick.

Phelps stood there grinning, baring his teeth in a feral display of dominance.

"Look boys, the Alpha actually came," he drawled, his voice dripping with contempt."I was starting to think you wouldn't show."

---