Page 88 of The Alpha's Chosen Fate

"I know that.Goddess, do I know that."He scrubbed a hand over his face, his expression pained.

“Briggs, listen to me.I don’t need to change it.I don’t need a do-over.I feel like we’re so far past that point I just want to live our lives.”

"But I want to start fresh, Ivy.I want to show everyone that you're my mate, my equal.That I choose you, above all others."

Tears pricked at my eyes, the sincerity in his words washing over me."You already have, Briggs.Every day, in a thousand little ways, you show me how much you love me.How much you value me."

I reached up, cupping his face in my hands."I don't need a ceremony to prove that.The marks we bear, the bond we share, those are what matters.Not some public display.I mean, you already announced me as Luna."

Briggs leaned into my touch, his eyes fluttering closed."I just want to give you everything, Ivy."

"You already have.I don't need anything else.Just you."

He nuzzled my temple.“We could do it privately.Just the two of us.”

“No, Briggs.It will never be just the two of us again.”

His eyes snapped open, a flicker of confusion darting across his face as he pulled back slightly."What do you mean, it will never be just the two of us again?"

I bit my lip, realizing the implication of my words.Shit!I was messing this up.

Briggs searched my face, his brows furrowed as he tried to decipher my cryptic statement."Ivy, what are you saying?"

I drew in a shaky breath, and climbed onto his lap.My hands slid down to rest on his broad chest."Briggs …"

The words stuck in my throat, a mixture of nerves and excitement swirling in my gut.I could feel the rapid thud of his heartbeat beneath my palms, mirroring the frantic pace of my own.

Briggs gripped my shoulders, his fingers flexing as a hint of panic crept into his eyes."Ivy, I don’t like this.What's going on?"

Here goes nothing.

"Briggs, our lives are about to change.In the most amazing, terrifying, wonderful way."

His jaw clenched, his body tensing as he processed my words.I could practically see the gears turning in his head, the pieces slowly falling into place.

“What?"His voice was a hoarse whisper, a mix of disbelief and dawning realization."Are you …?”

I nodded, tears falling."I'm pregnant."

The silence that followed was deafening, broken only by the sound of his ragged intake of air.Briggs stared at me, his pale blue eyes wide and unblinking, as if he couldn't quite believe what he'd heard.

"Smell me," I said."You'll know it's true."

Slowly, almost reverently, Briggs leaned in, his nose brushing the crook of my neck.He inhaled deeply, his eyes fluttering closed as he took in my scent.

When he pulled back, his gaze locked with mine, a myriad of emotions swirling in their depths.Shock, wonder, and a raw vulnerability I'd never seen before.

His hands cupped my face with a gentleness that made my heart ache.“You’re pregnant.”

My hands clasped over his as I nodded.

A single tear slipped down Briggs' cheek, and I reached up to brush it away with my thumb.His forehead pressed against mine.

More tears came and I shushed him gently, my fingers threading through his short black hair."I know, Briggs.I know."

The joy, the fear, the overwhelming love, it was almost too much to bear.

His giant hand slid down to rest on my still-flat stomach, his touch both protective and reverent."Our pup, our precious baby," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

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