Page 11

Ivy

A soft knock sounded at the door.

The same time of day as yesterday.

And the day before.

Briggs had latched onto a new tactic.

Why the Alpha thought that knocking would change anything was illogical.

He knew very well I couldn’t open the door.

Prisoners didn’t have such privileges.

Briggs was still my only visitor.

Or, at least, the only one who came inside the room.

There were only two people I wanted to see and I doubted I would be allowed to visit with them anytime soon.

As long as I held out, Briggs would keep Caleb and Emery away from me.

Twice I’d nearly caved to his requests to spend time with him.

In doing so, I’d hoped he might grant a request for me to see my brother and best friend.

Knowing he’d only use them against me to get more of what he wanted, I kept my mouth shut and prayed they wouldn’t do anything stupid, especially Emery.

A louder knock echoed through the door, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes. The key slid into the lock with a faint click, but still, the door remained shut.

A few seconds later his deep voice came through. "Ivy, why don’t you come walk with me for a bit?"

I didn’t move from my seat by the window or acknowledge his invitation. Eight days now he'd shown up like clockwork, graciously inviting me to join him outside.

Briggs sighed heavily.

"I know you're still upset, but staying cooped up in there isn't good for you or your wolf."

Ha!

The consequences of my captivity were my fault now?

Inside, Rieka whined and scratched, desperate to escape these confining walls.

We need to get out, Ivy.

I squeezed my eyes shut.

I know, I'm sorry. Just hold on a little longer, okay?

She whined again. Please.

Guilt settled in my gut. Confinement was terrible for a human, but it was basically torture for a wolf.

Briggs's voice came again, softer now.

"It doesn't have to be for long. Rieka needs to be outside, even if only for a few minutes."

With an aggravated huff, I pushed up from my chair and marched to the door.

Rieka's relief momentarily doused my irritation. But when I yanked the door open to find Briggs waiting, something twisted painfully in my chest at the sight of him.

He looked so earnest, so hopeful, those piercing blue eyes entreating mine.

I hardened my expression and brushed past him without a word, thankful the stairs were close by. When I hit the bottom step, the scent of coffee, bacon, and something sweet made my mouth water.

Briggs cleared his throat behind me. “Would you like to eat breakfast with me before—”

“No.”

The front door was easy enough to find. Stepping out onto the porch, I took a deep cleansing breath of fresh morning air.

It helped. A lot.

It also helped that Briggs didn’t speak while I took it all in.

Huh. Maybe he wasn’t going to ruin every second of my time outdoors after all.

More relaxed, I hurried off the porch and headed straight for the nearest path. Tall trees loomed over its entrance, like an archway to welcome us into the forest.

I’d forgotten how much I’d loved wandering Darkwood. It had been my home forever. My home until …

Nope . Not going there.

My jailor caught up as I reached the trail. I looked around to see if any pack enforcers were nearby in case I tried to run off.

I didn’t sense anyone. It was just me and the Alpha.

I did nothing to acknowledge Briggs's presence beside me. But I felt it—felt him— like a soft current dancing along my skin.

Being out here, surrounded by the soothing scent of home, close to my mate, was soothing to my frayed nerves. That was, as long as I didn’t think too hard about things.

I’d been on guard all day every day for two years. Not having to worry about being attacked or defending my territory lifted my spirits.

It could always be like this , my wolf offered.

Rieka wanted to mate with Onyx and I didn’t blame her. All the blame was attached to the man who’d hurt us.

Lost in my thoughts, we walked on, winding our way deeper into the heart of the forest. Still, neither of us spoke.

Just as I was accepting the peaceful silence between us, Briggs had to go and break it. "Ivy, I—"

"Don't," I bit out, my voice harsh even to my own ears.

"I didn't come out here to talk to you."

He expelled a rough breath. "I know. But I hate that you won’t even look at me."

Then maybe you shouldn't have rejected me , I wanted to scream.

I swallowed the words. Same old song, different day.

"I agreed to take a walk for me and for my wolf, not for you."

Briggs didn’t say anything else, but I could feel the tension radiating off him in waves.

We continued our stroll, the minutes stretching into an eternity. Finally, the cabin came back into view through the trees.

Thank you , Rieka murmured. We needed that .

I know , I soothed. I’m sorry I refused for so many days. Maybe he’ll let you out to run soon.

Rieka perked up at the suggestion.

Briggs and I took the front steps in sync. I quickened my steps to enter the home first. A tug on my hand stopped me.

“Would you like a cup of coffee, Ivy?”

I would have loved one, but …

“I don’t think drinking caffeine while confined inside a small space would be good for me or my wolf, Alpha McClellan.”

My tone had lost its bite. I must have been tired.

I headed to the second floor and into my lovely prison. I waited for the next attempt from the Alpha, but he didn’t come inside.

The lock clicked, sounding like a gunshot in the quiet of morning.

We’ll be okay , Rieka assured.

I wanted to believe her. But as I sank down onto the edge of the bed, I worried we’d never be truly free of him and this weeping wound that refused to heal.

The next morning, a sharp knock jolted me from sleep's merciful embrace. I cracked one eye open.

"Ivy?" Briggs's deep timbre seeped through the door. "The weather’s warm this morning. Would you care to join me for another walk?”

Rieka stretched languidly within me. Her eagerness countered my own reluctance. Sighing, I pushed to my feet.

“Give me a minute,” I answered.

“No rush. Come out when you’re ready.”

I dressed quickly, pausing before I tried the handle, which was unlocked. If he was trying to give me a sense of freedom it didn’t work.

Briggs stood in the hallway, hands clasped behind his back, expression inscrutable.

His t-shirt clung to the dips and curves of his chiseled muscles. His jeans hung low in that just-right way.

“Ready?” he asked.

I inclined my head, not trusting myself to speak, and made a quick exit to the great outdoors.

“This way,” he motioned with his head.

We fell into step, our shoulders nearly brushing as we wound our way down the driveway and onto a different path from the one we took yesterday.

"Did you hear about the Miller twins' attempted mating ceremony?" he asked offhandedly.

I stopped and stared at him. “Are you joking?”

He blinked.

“How would I have possibly heard anything of it, Alpha McClellan? I’ve been gone for years and now I’m living under lock and key. So no, I haven’t heard anything about anyone.”

I moved around him. Briggs ignored my snippy retort and kept talking.

"Apparently, the boys tried to sneak off and elope with the Perez sisters. Their parents—both sets—tracked them down and dragged them back by their ears. Made them apologize to the entire pack for being stupid teenagers controlled by hormones." He chuckled, the sound grating against my raw nerves.

How adorable , Rieka grinned.

How humiliating , I countered. The twins are only, what? Sixteen now? Sophia has to be seventeen and her sister is even younger.

“I had a private chat with each of them about making poor choices, especially when it comes to mating.”

I wouldn’t touch that comment with a ten-foot pole.

“Colten was tempted to send Lila off to some military school just to keep her from getting such an idea in her young head.”

“I doubt his baby sister would ever entertain such an asinine thought.”

Briggs looked down at me as though he were surprised I’d spoken. He should have been surprised. I hadn’t planned on making conversation.

When I said nothing else, he rambled on, filling the time with mundane information about the pack. From what I remembered, he wasn’t much of a talker in the past.

He feels the need to catch you up on what you missed , Rieka spoke up.

Ah. He probably thought it would make me feel more connected to the pack, more amenable to his efforts.

It wouldn’t work. The only connections I wanted right now were to my brother and our adopted family members, subjects Briggs didn’t go near.

He also carefully avoided any mention of Ruby. It was as if she had never existed, as if he hadn't upended my entire world for her.

The thought rose with blistering indignity. I swallowed it back down, letting it smolder in my gut.

Breathe , Rieka reminded me.

I inhaled deeply, holding my breath until my lungs burned. As I exhaled, I imagined expelling the ugly feelings within. It helped, but only just.

After an hour or so, Briggs stopped with the updates, only speaking to point out something here and there along the path.

Like the fungicides they’d had to spray on the elms to stop the spread of disease. Moreso for Rieka than for me, he made sure we could see how the trees were flagged and to steer clear of those areas.

It made me think he was making plans to allow my wolf to roam, eventually. He didn’t say and I didn’t ask.

We simply existed, neither breaking the dubious peace between us.

And so we fell into an adjusted routine, an unspoken agreement. Each day, he arrived at my door and courteously extended the same invitation. And each day I accepted.

We would walk side by side but worlds apart. Briggs filled the quiet with idle chatter, and I would retreat into myself.

Then we would go our separate ways. Me behind a locked door. Him to his duties, to his life as Alpha.

Still, not once, had I picked up on any trace of his mate. And not once did he mention her.

It was all a farce of normalcy. But it was all I had, and so I clung to it in an attempt to keep my sanity.

The taste of freedom, however fleeting, only served to fuel the restless desperation building within my wolf. Each day, beneath the evergreens’ branches swaying gently in the breeze, I could feel Rieka strain against the confines of my human form.

She wanted to run, to hunt, to lose herself in the primal joy of the wild. And Goddess help me, so did I.

But always, always, we were tethered to Briggs, to his will. He held the key to our cage.

"You're especially somber today," he remarked one afternoon.

I shot him a look.

His gaze bore into mine, seeking out the cracks in my armor. “You can talk to me, Ivy.”

“No, I really can’t.”

He's trying , Rieka murmured.

I shook my head, a tight, jerky motion. It doesn’t matter.

When I returned to my quarters, I took an especially long shower, vainly attempting to relax the tensity in my muscles.

We could try to run away again , Rieka suggested worriedly.

I considered the idea. But as the fantasy took shape, I knew it was impossible. I couldn't abandon Caleb and Emery again, not without speaking to them, no matter how much I might want to get away from Briggs.

Assuming I even could get away from him. I at least owed my family more than another disappearance. For them, I would endure.

At least for a little while longer.