Page 10 of Brutal Alpha’s Sold Mate (Starfire Hollow Alphas #4)

I realize I’m seconds from watching a brawl the moment Reed steps toward Theo, tension radiating from both men.

I’m stuck between letting them knock each other silly or doing something to prevent a scene nobody here deserves.

Around us, pack members gape. A few kids hover in the corners, and their eyes are huge.

I don’t claim to have a maternal bone in my body, but even I know these little ones should be safe, not watching two alphas-in-waiting lose their minds.

Reed braces his feet, ready to launch. Theo’s on the verge of an explosive counter. I plant myself between them before either can throw a punch. “We have to leave,” I announce, raising my voice so people hear.

Theo looks between Reed and me. “Leave?”

“Yes,” I confirm, letting out a sigh as if exhausted. “We’ve made our appearance, and I’m not feeling well. Unless you two want to entertain the children by beating each other senseless.”

Reed looks me up and down. “Tired already?”

I keep my tone icy. “I’d rather not see blood on the floor.”

A few onlookers nod in agreement. Theo’s exhale is forced, but he gives me a quick nod. Reed lets out a derisive snort, but I don’t wait for another remark. I head for the exit, letting Theo follow if he wants. Jacob stands by a pillar, all fake concern and real delight, but he doesn’t stop us.

Outside, I suck in a breath, still rattled. Theo walks close, and I glare at him. “You really were going to fight in front of kids.”

He doesn’t deny it. “Reed called me out. I couldn’t stand there and do nothing.”

“So, your answer is to start a war?”

He clenches his teeth. “You don’t understand the history here.”

I don’t respond. I climb into the SUV, replaying how Reed nearly swung at him. Theo joins me, and we drive away in tense silence. At his cabin, I hop out before the engine’s off. I stomp inside as he shuts the door behind us.

“Talk,” I demand as I toss my jacket aside. “Because I’m done with your attempts at scaring anyone who challenges you.”

He tosses his own jacket on a chair. “Scaring them? Reed’s no helpless pup. If you’ve seen the way he’s been stirring up the southern part of our land—”

“Save it,” I snap. “Your brother hates you, you hate him, Jacob’s the sneaky one. Great. How are you any different?”

“I’m trying to protect the pack, not tear it apart.”

“Oh, right. By planning to kill your brothers if they don’t bow down.”

He mutters a curse. “It’s not what I want. It’s what might have to happen. You heard him tonight.”

“Yes, I heard. And I know you made a deal with Wiley and Malcolm. That makes you just as bad in my book.”

He points a finger at me, clearly offended. “No. I told you Leonard set up the deal. I trusted him. I had no idea what those two monsters do.”

“Then you’re an idiot. You should’ve checked before ‘buying’ a bride.” I hate using that word, but it’s true.

He flinches. “I’m not proud of that, and I promise you, Leonard will pay for that association. But you don’t see me enslaving anyone.”

“That doesn’t change the fact that you spent money on a living person.” My chest burns with anger. “Explain how that’s different from what they do.”

He struggles to respond. Finally, he exhales.

“I’m not funneling witches to demons or forcing them into cages.

I only discovered how horrible they are after you told me.

I thought this was a consensual exchange between neighboring packs.

Nothing more. I’ll admit, I suspected something, especially after they told me they bound you to me, but I never would have imagined how deep it went. ”

“Congratulations.” I roll my eyes. “So you were too dense to see what was right in front of your face. You’re still ready to spill blood to get your way.”

“If Reed insists on war, I can’t just let him destroy everything. I need control of the territory to keep it stable. If that means fighting my own brothers, I will.”

I step back in disgust. “You don’t see how that makes you sound like them? Malcolm and Wiley will do anything—hurt anyone—to get power.”

He presses his lips together. “I’m not like them.”

“Prove it.”

“How?”

I fling my arms wide. “Release me, for starters. You only bought me because some elder said having a mate would secure your status.”

His tone drops. “I don’t need to capture or force a woman to be mine.”

I let out a laugh. “Could’ve fooled me.”

He stalks closer. “Did I ever use that binding spell on you? I have the power to command you. I haven’t said a single word to force your obedience.”

“So you want credit for not controlling my mind?”

He closes the distance, stomping forward until he’s an inch away from me. My heart thuds as he leans in. “Why would I bother when I could seduce you instead?”

His boldness pisses me off, but it also sends heat needling up my spine. “You think you can just—”

He cups my face, and suddenly his mouth is on mine.

I gasp, grabbing his shirt in anger and need.

He’s confident, insistent, and my head spins at how easily I want to respond.

Part of me wants to push him back, slap him, anything to show I won’t be intimidated.

Instead, I tighten my grip on his shirt.

For a moment, I let the kiss deepen. A rush of something dark and thrilling coils in my stomach.

Theo presses me against the wall, and every sense is electrified.

I hate how good it feels when he slips his tongue across my lower lip.

His body is solid and hot. Every very muscle seems hard and unyielding.

My own wolf responds.

Theo nips at my bottom lip, and a growl rumbles in his chest. He moves his mouth to my throat, and my skin tingles at the scrape of his beard. A small whimper escapes me, and his breath is hot against my neck.

And then he stops.

He lifts his head, staring down at me. The sudden pause throws me off-balance. My brain tries to catch up with what just happened, and the haze in my head is slow to clear.

Theo doesn’t say a word. He simply steps back and storms upstairs.

I remain where I am, stunned and annoyed.

With him.

And with myself.