Page 20

Ivy

Briggs halted behind me.

I craned my neck, watching as he leaned close to one of the guards, speaking low.

Colten put a hand on my shoulder and steered me into the cabin.

“Head to the kitchen.”

"I’m not sure I’m allowed in the kitchen." The sarcasm was so strong even I could tell how juvenile I sounded.

Oops.

There was a serious situation at hand and I shouldn’t let my disappointing thought over being separated from my family overtake the reality that Colten’s sister could have very easily been killed today.

Well, maybe not easily.

Her brother and Alpha obviously trained her well.

Colten shot a glance at Briggs before prodding me forward again.

"It's fine."

I let the Beta guide me past the stairs and towards the back of the spacious home.

Passing a long hall on the other side of the stairs, I asked him what was down there.

"Workout room and a small media room. A meeting room takes up the opposite side of the hall, but big meetings are held at the Pack House."

I’d yet to be anywhere near the Pack House. The day Briggs carried me past it on the way to the healer didn’t count.

Memories of gatherings sparked. I’d lived as a rogue and craved the sense of belonging that a pack provided.

Rieka perked up, feeling the same.

I’m working on it , I assured her.

We entered the kitchen, all stainless steel appliances and dark wooden cabinets. Rustic yet modern at the same time.

What had Emery always called such things? Shabby chic?

"This is nice," I stated.

Colten studied me. “You’ve not been in the kitchen before?”

“No.”

He muttered under his breath and set about getting glasses out of the cabinet.

Waiting for the Alpha, I got comfortable in the breakfast nook. Several familiar scents lingered.

Baylor’s scent was there but more faint. So was Link’s and another enforcer’s.

Ruby hadn’t died all that long ago, yet I didn’t pick up a trace of her.

She probably refused to step foot inside the kitchen because she expected everything to be handed to her .

I shushed my wolf, still uncomfortable bad mouthing the traitor. It was probably because I felt so strongly about the loss of their child. Briggs didn’t open up much about that, but I knew he and Onyx would carry that loss with them forever.

Next my stupid brain decided to torture me in Rieka’s stead, wondering what life was like for Briggs and Ruby here as mates.

Did they share meals? Share coffee in the morning? Have sex on every surface?

My stomach rolled imagining their intimacy in this space I'm now confined to. Briggs may not have liked the two-faced bitch, but she didn't get pregnant on her own.

Trying to hide my discomfort, I asked Colten if there was an extra television or more books I could take upstairs to ward off the boredom.

“You should take a look at the bookshelves near the door to the balcony.”

“Which would be where?” The cabin wasn’t a mansion but it was large by most standards.

“You haven’t seen any of the Alpha’s cabin, have you?”

“Well, I was in the study for a few minutes earlier, but I've only really seen whatever is in view from the room I sleep in to the front door.”

Why I felt a little defensive was a mystery. I would not defend Briggs, not on this.

He and I had come to a sort of truce and I was working through my feelings, but I was more than unhappy about my internment.

Colten set three tumblers down. “Ivy, I’m sorry. I know this isn’t easy for you.”

“Thank you.”

The aroma of sweet vanilla and cinnamon tickled my nose. “Bourbon, Colten?”

“Trust me, we’ll need it.”

Briggs entered the kitchen with the envelope in his hand. Dread pooled in my stomach.

We each picked up our glasses and took a drink. Or, I took a drink and the big bad wolves drained theirs.

Briggs slammed down his glass and tore open the envelope. Quickly, he scanned the contents, shot me a look, then scanned them again.

He threw the letter on the table. "The Blood Fang Alpha asked for you yesterday. That's what I was going to tell you before Baylor interrupted."

“They’ve come to demand me twice?”

“Yes.”

Colten cleared his throat. "What's in the letter?"

Briggs's lip curled. "It’s a formal challenge. Turner claims I stole and then killed his true mate. He'll dissolve the challenge if I give him Ivy in recompense."

" No. " The word left my lips soft but vehement.

Briggs stilled. "You think I would actually agree?"

I shook my head. "No, but you can't accept his challenge, Briggs. He’s already proven to be an underhanded bastard."

"You don’t think I can beat him?"

Alphas didn't turn down formal challenges. It was an unforgivable show of weakness. But this was completely different than a typical challenge.

"Briggs, I don't want you risking your life in a duel with a deceitful wolf like him. He won't fight fair. He’ll do something dirty and I … I fear he'll win. He’ll make sure of it."

Dominance and anger furled around him. A low growl vibrated from his chest.

Damn his Alpha pride! "That is not what I meant and if you’d stop being so arrogant for a damned second you’d agree with me!"

Briggs's nostrils flared. He turned to Colten. "The challenge will happen at the next full moon. I’ll let you handle the details."

My anxiety grew. "Briggs, please don’t."

He cut me a look. "Don’t leave this cabin without my permission."

Then he was gone.

“He’s going to get himself killed,” I whispered.

Colten put his hand on mine. “Ivy, Briggs is an Alpha desperate to keep his mate safe. You’ve been in far more danger than you’ve realized and he’s doing the best he can. He’s an asshole, for sure, but insulting his ability to handle a challenge, to protect you, might be more than he can handle right now.”

My elbows went to the table, my face resting in my hands.

“Can I do anything?”

“No. I think I’m just going to go back upstairs.”

Dejectedly, I trudged up to my prison. Sleep proved impossible.

I knew Briggs was a powerful fighter. I'd seen him in action, all deadly grace and raw strength.

But Turner would use every devious trick to win. I was sure of it.

What if Briggs wasn't prepared for that? What if we never got the chance to—

I shook my head, trying to dislodge the catastrophic scenarios playing out in my mind. It didn't work.

No one had come to lock the door and I considered slipping out to find him, to talk some sense into him before it was too late.

Rieka snapped at me so I let the idea go.

Dawn arrived slowly. I stood at the window, watching the sun climb higher in the sky, until my eyes burned and my vision blurred.

Finally, I forced myself to turn away and made my way downstairs.

The cabin was quiet. The guards on duty must have remained outside.

In the kitchen, I busied myself with making coffee, trying to occupy my hands and my mind. I was so preoccupied I barely acknowledged the fact I hadn’t been locked in last night.

The minutes ticked by, each one feeling like an eternity. And still, there was no sign of Briggs.

Until, suddenly, there was.

The front door opened. Footsteps, slow and purposeful, came into the kitchen.

I poured him a cup of coffee and slid it across the island. His lungs expanded, pulling his shirt tighter across his chest.

After a long pause, he came around to me and nuzzled the top of my head. “Thank you,” he breathed into my hair.

My tongue was too thick to reply.

Briggs kissed my forehead sweetly, grabbed my offering, and went to his study.