Page 87 of The Alpha's Chosen Fate

We wept together in that moment, under the sheltering oak, finding solace in each other.

As I entered the pack house, guilt gnawed at my insides.Briggs had endured so much pain, so much loss, and here I was, practically glowing with happiness.

It felt wrong somehow.But how could I deny the joy that Briggs brought me?

The way my heart soared every time he looked at me, touched me, claimed me as his own?I knew I was the light to his darkness, the balm to his battered heart.

And yet …

I paused outside his office door, my hand trembling as I reached for the handle.The news I carried weighed heavily on my tongue, desperate to be spoken.

How would he react?Would it be too much, too soon?

Quelling my concerns, I pushed the door open.Briggs stood behind his desk, his powerful frame rigid with tension as he yelled at two young wolves.

The Miller twins.The scent of their fear mingled with the heady aroma of pine and musk that always clung to Briggs.

"… and if I hear of either one you pulling a stupid stunt like that again, I'll personally beat you both like your father should have done years ago.Now get out."

The twins scrambled past me, their eyes wide with terror.But the moment Briggs's gaze landed on me, his demeanor shifted.The hard lines of his face softened, and a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

"Ivy."My name was a reverent sigh on his kissable lips.

I shook my head, a laugh bubbling up my throat."You're going to give those poor boys a heart attack one of these days."

He closed the distance between us in two long strides, his hands already reaching for me."They'll live.But you?"

Briggs hoisted up, holding me against his chest.His mouth claimed mine, far too indecently for an afternoon office visit.

I loved it.

Melting into him, my fingers tangling in his hair as I poured all my love, all my devotion into the press of my lips.

When we finally broke apart, both panting for air, Briggs rested his forehead against mine."You make me forget myself, little wolf.One look from you, and all I want is to bend you over my desk and fuck you for hours."

I traced the stubble along his jaw, marveling at the way he leaned into my touch.“I wouldn’t say no.”

He chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound that set my blood on fire.His nose rubbed mine.“Cheeky mate.”

But even as I basked in his affection, the guilt crept back in, insidious and biting.Briggs must have sensed the shift in my mood, because he pulled back, his brow furrowed with concern.

"What's wrong, love?I can practically hear your thoughts spinning."

I swallowed hard, my heart rabbiting in my chest."I need to tell you something.Two things, actually."

Briggs carried me to the leather couch and set me on a cushion before sitting down beside me.His pale blue eyes searched mine.

"Ivy, you know you can tell me anything, right?"

I nodded, my fingers twisting together in my lap."I know."

He reached out, covering my restless hands with his larger one."Take your time, love.I'm not going anywhere."

I drew in a shaky breath, steeling myself."First, about the mating ceremony."

Briggs stiffened, his grip on my hands tightening.“I know I keep bringing it up, but I need you to understand how much it means to me.How much I want to give you what I took away."

"I do understand, Briggs.But a ceremony isn't going to erase the past.It's not going to change what happened."

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