Page 11 of Brutal Alpha’s Sold Mate (Starfire Hollow Alphas #4)

I can’t get the memory of her taste out of my mind.

It follows me through every part of my routine: checking on our elders, fielding questions about the banquet debacle, and making sure patrols stick to their schedule.

Normally, I’d give each task my full attention, but I keep picturing Kai’s face when I pushed her against that wall.

Every time the image drifts into my thoughts, my heartbeat picks up.

I try distracting myself by going over supply inventories. One of the watchers, named Amber, pulls me aside to mention some dispute about territory lines. I stand there, nodding, hoping I look attentive. My focus wavers, and she notices.

“You okay, Theo?” she asks with a wary frown.

“I’m fine,” I answer too quickly. “Just handling a lot. I’ll look into those boundary issues.”

She still looks concerned, but I manage to slip away. The rest of my morning is the same: me drifting through duties on autopilot, refusing to acknowledge how restless I feel. A fight with Reed or a round with Jacob used to be my biggest headache. Now, my own mate consumes most of my thoughts.

Eventually, I wrap up the errands and head toward the forest. I tell myself it’s just to patrol, maybe spot any trouble, but deep down, I think I’m hoping I’ll find Kai somewhere amid the trees.

I push aside a branch, looking for signs of life. Something rustles beyond a cluster of evergreens.

I move closer, half expecting to find a rabbit or something innocuous, but no. It’s her—again. Kai’s in a small meadow, running through fighting forms on her own. My curiosity spikes. She’s graceful, though there’s an obvious frustration in her moves, like something’s limiting her usual power.

I clear my throat and inadvertently step on a twig to announce myself. She spins, and when her eyes land on me, her shoulders slump. “You spying on me?”

“Hardly. I’m doing my rounds.” I pause, giving her a once-over. “That’s a nice side kick.”

She raises her brows. “You want a demonstration?”

My wolf stirs, pleased by her confidence. “I was going to offer to show you a few techniques if you’re up for it.”

She folds her arms, skeptical. “You think I need lessons from you?”

I shrug. “We had a decent spar last time. If you want to improve, maybe I can help. If not, keep punching trees.”

“Fine,” she relents with a huff. “Show me something.”

I step into the clearing and drop into a fighting stance. “Let’s start with footwork.”

She matches my stance and eyes me from head to toe. “Make it quick. I don’t have all day.”

“I’ll try.”

I show her how to shift weight, pivot, and launch a counterstrike. She picks it up fast, and we circle each other, exchanging light blows. She’s quick, especially with her feet, but I can’t shake the sense that she’s holding back.

She tries a sweeping kick. I block, then tap her side in a soft strike. She grimaces. “You waiting for me to rip your head off?”

“Just helping you see the openings,” I reply.

She exhales and comes at me again. This time, she lands a blow on my shoulder, which I feel more than I expect. I grunt, pivot, and catch her around the waist. Before she can pull free, I shift my balance and pin her against a nearby trunk, though I’m careful not to slam her.

She struggles, trying to elbow me in the ribs. I grab her arm and hold it firm. My wolf rumbles with approval, and satisfaction brims in my chest.

She glares. “Get off.”

I let her go and step back. “You did well until the last second.”

She rolls her eyes. “I’m a little out of shape.”

“Out of shape, or something else?” She looks away, almost like she’s ashamed. “You seem frustrated,” I add, gentling my tone.

She crosses her arms, but something in her eyes betrays her. “I told you Malcolm and Wiley didn’t just bind me to you. When they first captured me, they poisoned me. Whatever concoction they used messed with my wolf. I can’t shift when I want, and my strength is half what it used to be.”

I stare as shock ties my thoughts in knots. “They weakened you permanently?”

She shrugs. “I’m hoping it’s not permanent. But I’m nowhere near my full power. It was a defensive measure meant to protect them and whoever was stupid enough to pay for me. I hate it.”

Anger churns in me, aimed at those two slavers. “You never said how bad it was.”

She tugs at a stray thread on her sleeve. “Why would I? I barely trust you as it is.”

My wolf roars inside me, demanding I protect her. I reach for her arm but stop. “I’m sorry. I had no idea they did that. If I’d known, I never would have gone through with their deal.”

She gives a tired laugh. “You keep saying that, but you still bought me.”

“I’ll make it right,” I insist.

She plants her hands on her hips. “Why do you even care?”

“Because this is partly my fault. If I can fix it, I will.”

Her gaze dips, and she exhales slowly. “Fine. Let’s keep training. I need to compensate for whatever they took from me.”

I nod, ignoring the twinge in my chest. We work on grappling drills.

She’s agile but can’t match my strength, which I doubt she could do even without that poison in her system.

I show her how to use an opponent’s momentum against them, which she picks up after a few tries.

A flash of determination glints in her eyes every time she lunges. I admire it more than I should.

She scores a small victory by locking my arm behind my back. I grit my teeth through the pressure and shift my hips, slipping free. She curses as I grin.

“You’re strong,” I comment. “Even if you don’t feel at your peak.”

She doesn’t reply; she just circles me, panting.

We exchange more strikes. Eventually, I catch her by the waist and spin her to the ground, careful to cushion her landing so she won’t be hurt.

She thrashes, trying to dislodge me, but I brace my knees on either side of her thighs and grab her wrists.

Her breathing spikes. My pulse kicks up. Memories of that kiss flood my mind, stirring a rush of heat. Her face is inches from mine, and her eyes are blazing with a cocktail of anger and something else. My wolf clenches in my chest, urging me to taste her again.

She freezes, then turns her head away. I release her wrists and roll to the side, letting her scramble up. “You almost had me,” I tell her after clearing my throat.

“Sure,” she answers, rubbing her wrists.

“Maybe that’s enough for now.”

She nods, looking anywhere but at me.

“Come on. I’ll walk you back to the cabin.”

“I can find my way.”

I tilt my head. “Suit yourself. I have more business to handle, anyway.”

She lifts her chin. “Then go handle it.”

A trace of tension lingers, but I decide not to push.

I stride off, heading deeper into the forest. Once I’m out of sight, I lean against a trunk, shutting my eyes.

My heart is still pounding from having Kai pinned under me.

Her mention of the poison churns my anger.

If I ever see Malcolm and Wiley again, I’ll make sure they regret laying a hand on her or anyone else.

I force myself to leave the forest, stride back to the settlement, and seek out Leonard. Every question rattling in my head boils down to one: how could he have led me to those degenerates?

I pass a few pack members, who give me puzzled looks when I barely acknowledge their greetings. My pulse hammers harder with each step, driven by the memory of Kai’s confession about that poison.

Leonard is outside a storage cabin, rummaging through crates. He spots me and stands with a mild smile that does nothing to soothe me. I waste no time.

“What were you thinking?” I demand, marching right up to him. “Malcolm and Wiley? Did you even bother to check who they were?”

He sets down the crate. “Theo, calm down. This is unexpected.”

I grab him by the shoulder, just enough pressure to show I’m serious. “I have good reason to be upset. They’re slavers. They’re trafficking witches and shifters. You put me in a room with men who kidnap and poison people for profit.”

His face drains of color. “I didn’t know. I swear. The only reason I contacted them was that they have a reputation for arranging these… marriages. Or deals, or however you want to call it. They were supposed to provide a mate quietly, no fuss.”

I let out a harsh breath. “And that sounded normal to you? Some mysterious duo offering wives to alphas on a whim?”

He bristles but keeps his stance. “You said you needed a mate fast. One with enough spirit to convince the pack it was a solid union. Malcolm and Wiley have a network. Word travels that if a powerful alpha needs a partner, those two can find one. I’d heard rumors, yes, but I never knew it was anything more than them being… under the table.”

I release him. “Rumors about them dealing in underhanded stuff? That didn’t raise any alarms?”

“They’re known for secrecy, not for this level of depravity. I thought they specialized in matchmaking for alphas who don’t want to bother with the usual song and dance. I didn’t realize it went beyond avoiding official ceremonies and documents.”

I step back and throw a glance around to ensure nobody’s eavesdropping. “Well, congratulations. Because of that, I ended up with a mate who’s been fed some potion that hinders her wolf. Now she’s stuck with me, and I’m tied to two men who’ll likely retaliate if I try to expose them.”

Leonard rubs his forehead. “I’m sorry. I truly am. If I’d known—”

“That’s not good enough,” I snap. “Kai’s in pain every day with her wolf suppressed. She and I may not be on the best of terms, but that doesn’t mean I can ignore what they did to her. I can’t believe you didn’t dig deeper.”

Leonard’s voice trembles. “If there’s any way I can fix this, I will. Tell me what to do.”

“You’ll help me find a cure for the poison they gave her. And if Malcolm and Wiley show their faces in my territory again, we take them out. Understood?”

He gives a curt nod. “You have my word.”

I glance at the crates he was sorting, each labeled with supplies and pack inventory.

“Start by telling me everything you know about how you reached them—any name, address, or contact. If they have associates, I want to know. We might need to corner them or gather enough evidence so nobody in this territory will ever trust them again.”

Leonard nods again, then picks up a small notebook from atop a crate. “I have records of every exchange I’ve had with them. It’s not much, but it’s yours. And if you want me to seek out more information quietly, I’ll do that, too.”

I snatch the notebook and flip through pages of scribbled dates and vague references.

The details are minimal, but it’s better than nothing.

“Fine. Do what you can. Let me know if you discover any leads.” I slam the book shut.

“But don’t try to keep me in the dark. If I find out you’re hiding more secrets—”

“Never,” he promises. “I don’t want anyone else suffering because I didn’t ask enough questions.”

I nod once. “Good. You made a mistake bringing Malcolm and Wiley to our doorstep. Now, you’re going to help me get them out of our lives before more damage is done.”

He lifts a hand in a silent vow. “You have it.”

His expression is full of regret, but I offer no sympathy.

He’s the one who started this mess. I turn on my heel, stowing the notebook under my arm.

I’m done wasting time on apologies. What matters is finding a way to undo the harm inflicted on Kai and proving that Malcolm and Wiley can’t just waltz into my life without facing consequences.

Before I leave, Leonard calls after me. “I’ll be discreet, Theo.”

“You’d better be,” I reply, forcing down the swirl of resentment. “And I suggest you do better than that. Because if they get word that we’re turning packs against them and come back for revenge, we won’t have the luxury of playing nice.”

I stride away, all too aware that my next steps must be decisive. Malcolm and Wiley think they’ve scored a victory by selling me a mate. They have no idea what’s coming for them now.