Page 18

Briggs

Ivy sat in the leather armchair.

Her smooth skin glowed in the soft light coming in from the window.

Strands of long dark mahogany reflected lighter tones hidden in the thick locks that fell in soft waves around her shoulders.

Today, her hazel eyes were flashing back and forth from deep blues and greens to golden amber.

I leaned against my desk, savoring her presence in my study despite the seriousness of our discussion.

"So the eastern border patrols have been doubled?" Ivy asked, her brow furrowing slightly.

“Every border has extra patrols, but I’m most worried about that one.”

I’d brought her in here to tell her about the incident with Turner Phelps and my theories on it.

I began with the topic of security so she would know why I was going to change our walking routine on top of all the additional enforcers nearby.

Just as I started to explain the rest, the door burst open with a bang.

Baylor stormed in, his fierce eyes focused.

He made a beeline for Ivy.

"Colten needs you both. Now.” The male grabbed Ivy's arm and yanked her up from the chair.

Before he took another breath, I had Baylor pinned against the wall, my forearm pressing into his neck.

"Briggs, stop!" Ivy's soft voice cut through the haze of my rage.

I ignored her, adding pressure. "You do not put your hands on her," I snarled. “Not ever!”

He’d done it once, at my request, and I hadn’t handled it well when she’d taunted me with it.

“Alpha," he choked out. "Blood Fangs … they … have Lila."

Lila?

"Briggs." Ivy's hand on my arm was gentle but insistent. “Let him go.”

I released Baylor and he slumped against the wall. I’d never seen him act like this before.

I turned to Ivy. “Go upstairs.”

Panting, Baylor shook his head. “No. Both of you. They demanded both of you. Alpha, they hurt her.”

A rumble reverberated from my chest. Claws poked through my flesh. “Was it Phelps?”

I’d kill him. Slowly.

“No sign of him,” he answered. “Looks like a group of enforcers snagged her. They’re near Pike Point on their side of the border.”

If my Beta was unharmed, he wouldn’t be for long. He tended to act rashly where his sister was concerned.

He and his wolf must be going nuts. “Colten was alright when you left him?” I pressed.

The male bobbed his head. More composed, he straightened. “He used his damned powers to order me here. Wouldn’t let me call.”

I’d only ever seen Colten use his Alpha-like ability once. It wasn’t as strong as mine, but he could manage to force Baylor to obey.

“Did you drive here?”

“Truck’s out front.”

I looked down at my mate. She was looking up at me like she was waiting for a fight.

“Come on.” I grabbed her hand and led her outside while barking orders to the wolves guarding the cabin.

Baylor drove us to the small lot near Moss Creek’s best fishing hole. I didn’t let Ivy out until I took a look around and scented the air.

I don’t want our mate here. We should take her back , Onyx protested.

I don’t want her here, either, but you know Colten wouldn’t have sent Baylor for both me and Ivy if it wasn’t necessary, especially if he wasn’t sure Ivy would be safe.

The scent of the woods and the muddy bank filled my nostrils. I could smell something else too—blood. I tucked Ivy safely behind me as we followed Baylor right to the source.

My heart nearly stopped. Six Blood Fang wolves stood in a half-circle. In the center, held tight by rough hands, was Lila, Colten's fifteen-year-old sister.

Bruises mottled her face, arms, and legs. Blood trickled from a gash on her forehead, but her eyes blazed with defiance.

Colten stood nearby, muscles bunched, fists opening and closing. I could sense his wolf, poised to explode.

"Do we have your attention now, Alpha?" one of the Blood Fangs taunted, his lips curling into a cruel smile.

“I suggest you let her go."

"I don't think so, McClellan,” the male laughed, digging his claws deeper into Lila's arm. She winced but didn't cry out.

“Here's how this is going to work. You're going to hand over your pretty little mate to me so I can take her to my Alpha, and then I’ll give you back this little spitfire. If you don’t …" he trailed off, running a claw along Lila's throat.

The scene before me blurred into a deep, fiery red. They were dead and had yet to realize it.

"Clock's ticking, Alpha," the Blood Fang jeered. "What's it gonna be? Your mate or the girl? Personally, I’d like to spend a little more time with this one."

My Alpha power rocketed into a tight, condensed ball, ready to be unleashed.

"Last chance," I warned, low and dangerous.

To my surprise, Lila let out a bold laugh. “You’re in for it now, fuckwad.”

Her captor snarled, digging his claws deeper into her throat. Fresh trails of crimson trickled down her neck.

"Shut up, you little bitch," he hissed.

That was the final straw. Seeing their violence toward a young wolf under my protection shattered the last shred of my restraint.

"You've made your choice, then" I stated, my voice eerily calm despite the rage boiling inside me.

I drew deeply on my Alpha power, feeling it surge through my body like liquid fire. The air around us crackled with energy as I focused my will on the Blood Fang wolves.

"Kneel," I commanded, pushing all of my power into that single word.

The effect was instantaneous.

The six enforcers dropped to their knees, their faces contorted in shock and fear. Even Lila's captor released her, his body trembling as he fought against my command.

The wolves whimpered and cowered, their bodies lowering to the ground by the sheer weight of my power. Sweat beaded on their brows, eyes wide with terror.

They looked pathetic, like pups experiencing their first taste of true dominance. They must have only ever had weak Alphas.

"What … what are you?" the leader gasped, struggling to lift his head.

I chuckled darkly. "Me? I’m your worst fucking nightmare."