Page 89 of The Alpha's Chosen Fate

"I love you," I told him.

He kissed me then, a kiss that held the promise of forever."I love you too, Ivy.You and whatever babies we are blessed to have.Always."

Then my made gifted me with the biggest, broadest smile I had ever seen.

A howl burst from his chest, deep and proud.It echoed through the pack house, through the territory.A howl of pure, unbridled joy.

I felt it reverberate in my bones, my wolf stirring in response.She wanted to join him, to sing our happiness to the world.

Briggs pulled back, his eyes glowing with an inner fire."They need to know, the pack.”

“I’m ready if you are.”

Hand in hand, we stepped out of the office, onto the balcony overlooking the great hall.Below us, pack members were gathering, drawn by the power of their Alpha's call.

Colton pushed his way to the front, his eyes wide with wonder."What’s going on?"he asked, his voice carrying in the sudden hush.

I smiled down at him, at all of them, then up to mate.“Go on, Alpha.”

“We’re pregnant!”he yelled into the rafters.

The cheers that erupted thundered through the air, a wave of love and support I’d never felt in my life.

Briggs pulled me into his side, his arm tight around my waist, anchoring me.

"The Moon Goddess has blessed us," he called out."Blessed our pack."

More cheers, more howls of celebration.We went down the stairs and received their congratulations.I leaned into Briggs, into the happiness of our life together.

As things died down and the pack began to disperse, I turned to Briggs.“I love you.”

"And I love you, my fierce, beautiful mate."He leaned down for a kiss.

As we pulled apart, through the window, I caught sight of the tree in the distance, its branches swaying in the gentle breeze.The tree where Briggs had buried his son, where he had shared his deepest pain with me.

But now, as I looked at it, I didn't feel the weight of that sorrow.Instead, I felt hope.Hope for the future we were building together.

Our child would know that tree, I realized.Would grow up playing in its shade, learning its stories.

He or she would be a part ofourstory, from their very first breath.Would Briggs be able to work through that pain?

As he led me back to his office, his hand never leaving mine, I knew he would.We would together.

As mates.

As a family.

Epilogue

Pain ripped through my body, a searing agony that stole my breath.I gripped the sheets, my knuckles white, a strangled cry tearing from my throat.

“You’re close,” Tess informed me, one hand on my abdomen, the other moving between my legs.

Briggs's voice cut through the haze, his hand clutching mine."You can do this, baby.You're so strong."

I tried to focus on his words, on the cool cloth he pressed to my brow, but another contraction seized me.

"Fuuuuck!" I threw my head back, panting.The pressure was unbearable, overwhelming.I needed to push.

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