Page 13 of Brutal Alpha’s Sold Mate (Starfire Hollow Alphas #4)

I’m not in the mood to be lectured about leadership by anyone, let alone by Reed.

That thought thunders in my head as I march straight past the half-rotten picket fence marking his territory.

Two of my watchers trail me, glancing around as though they expect some hidden sniper to pop out.

I’ve told them a thousand times that if Reed wants me dead, he’ll attempt it to my face.

And right now, I’m inclined to let him try.

One of my people was attacked on these grounds, and everything points straight back to the hothead I share blood with.

When the first guard stationed at Reed’s boundary sees me, he snaps to attention. His uniform looks two sizes too big, and he can’t be more than eighteen, which does nothing to improve my mood. This kid would crumple if any half-competent wolf took him on.

Typical. Reed’s never been much for actually nurturing his forces. He picks up whichever straggler or runaway is looking for excitement. Maybe that’s how one of them ended up attacking my pack member. Or perhaps it was Reed himself. Either way, I’m here to dig out some answers.

I jab a finger in the direction of the guard. “Where’s Reed?”

He stammers something I don’t bother translating before he motions for me to wait and scuttles off into a rickety cabin. My watchers glance my way, quietly waiting for my signal. I grunt a wordless instruction for them to hang back, then keep my focus pinned on the cabin’s doorway.

Reed emerges moments later. He’s got that perpetual storm on his face that always rubbed me the wrong way as a kid. Probably not a moment goes by without him plotting his next destructive move. That’s how I remember him, anyway.

He doesn’t try to greet me. Instead, he stands on the uneven porch with boots scraping the old boards and his arms locked across his torso like he’s daring me to start something. “Theo.”

I stride forward, ignoring the squeaky step that threatens to snap under my weight. “One of my men was found last night, covered in blood, with a broken arm, and a bunch of footprints leading back into your domain.”

Reed shows me no apology. “Don’t look at me. I don’t ambush people in the dark. That’s your trick.”

There it is, the same old insinuation that I’m the shady one. I force my voice to remain steady. “You can’t seriously be suggesting I attacked one of my own? Maybe start by explaining why footprints from your territory ended up near my injured pack member.”

His eyes slide to my watchers in the distance, then return to me. “Don’t come here acting like I orchestrated an attack on one random wolf.”

I grit my teeth, ignoring the swirl of anger in my gut. “We have more than footprints. Broken twigs, a couple of scraps of fabric that match your pack’s uniform, even an emblem of yours that got dropped in the scuffle. That’s all pointing to you or someone under your command.”

He scoffs. “Not the first time I’ve heard fabricated nonsense.”

My watchers shift position behind me, clearly picking up on the tension. I give them a sideways glance, letting them know I don’t need backup yet. Reed might be a blowhard, but I know him well enough to understand his tells. I’ll know before he makes a move.

I take a step closer, lowering my voice. “If you’re trying to stir up trouble, just say so. We can handle it like wolves instead of sneaking around.”

He bristles, and his upper lip curls into a sneer. “You think I’d stoop to that? If I had an issue with you, I’d call you out publicly. I wouldn’t send some petty thug to jump a lone pack member. That’s your method, or maybe Jacob’s, but it sure as anything isn’t mine.”

I’m not sure if I believe him, but I’m inclined to.

Reed’s never had a reputation for subtlety, though, and that’s precisely the question fueling my anger.

If he wanted to challenge me, he’d do it in broad daylight.

But there’s evidence pointing to him or his people.

Maybe someone’s trying to frame him. It could be Jacob or some rogue I haven’t considered.

But the fact remains: a member of my pack got beaten down, and I’m not leaving until I see for myself whether Reed’s guilty or not.

One of Reed’s lieutenants ambles up, his face too smug for my liking. “We don’t appreciate your accusations, Alpha,” he drawls, spitting the last word like it’s tainted. “Might want to watch yourself.”

“Watch myself, or what? You’ll come at me the way you did one of my men in the middle of the night? Try it.”

Reed steps in between us, never taking his glare off me. “Don’t let your anger blind you, Theo. I’m telling you, if I wanted to pick a fight, you’d know. I’d have posted a challenge for all to see. I don’t skulk around like some rodent.”

I exhale slowly, trying to keep from lunging. “If it’s not you, then it’s someone in your territory. You’ve got no control over who your pack hunts?”

“Of course I do,” he snaps. “But if one of my wolves went rogue, I’d hear about it unless they’re a new recruit who hasn’t pledged. We got a few drifters after rumors spread that I’m expanding. Some might think they can do as they please.”

That half-admission irritates me, yet it rings with possibility. Reed’s pack is known for attracting restless types looking for an easy thrill. “Then keep them in check. Because if this happens again, I won’t come knocking politely.”

He barks a short, humorless sound. “Polite? You? Don’t make me laugh. You waltzed in here, barking threats, accusing me of backdoor tactics. You’re no better than Father ever was.”

That’s a low blow, comparing me to the old man. My wolf flares inside, urging me to smash something in Reed’s domain just to prove a point. It’s exactly the kind of macho nonsense that’s plagued our family for years.

I clench my fists at my sides, summoning what little sense remains. “Don’t bring him into this. You know what I think of that man.”

Reed steps closer. We’re nearly toe-to-toe now. “Then get out of my territory. I’ve given you your answer. I’m not behind this.”

My voice drops. “If it turns out you’re lying, we will settle this. Don’t fool yourself into thinking I can’t handle you.”

He glares at me, and for a moment, I’m convinced we’re about to swing at each other.

My watchers inch in, probably anticipating a brawl.

But an odd flash of insight strikes me: right now, my pack isn’t prepared for a full-scale war.

We have a number of younger wolves, plus many women, who were never trained to handle real combat.

Kai’s teaching them, sure, but that’s a recent development.

They need more time. If I push Reed too far now, I might doom my people to a battle they aren’t ready to survive.

So I bring in a deep lungful of air and say, “We’ll settle this soon enough if you’re involved.”

“Don’t waste my time,” Reed spits.

I spit at the ground near his boots and turn to go.

My watchers follow. We walk out the same way we came in, past the fence, ignoring the taunts from some of Reed’s lackeys.

Deep inside, I’m simmering. Part of me wants to rip down every half-broken structure on the property until Reed confesses.

Another part recalls how Kai pointed out the pack’s vulnerabilities.

A real alpha doesn’t push his people into conflict that they can’t handle.

I grimace at the memory of Kai’s pointed tone—“Don’t you think your entire pack deserves to know how to fight?

” She asked it so casually, yet it sliced through my assumption that only the main warriors needed training.

I hated how it made me feel incompetent for not considering more widespread instruction.

But now, I realize her approach might be the best hope we’ve got if Reed decides to strike in a more official capacity.

I lead my watchers back to our side, scanning the tree line in case any of Reed’s men are stupid enough to tail us. Once we’re certain we’re alone, we trek through the wooded paths toward home.

One of the watchers clears his throat. “Theo, you think he’s telling the truth?”

I run a hand through my hair, ignoring the dryness in my throat. “Possibly. Reed’s more of a steamroller. He wants you to know it’s him when he strikes. Sneaky hits aren’t his style. But we can’t discount that he’s changed tactics or that one of his new recruits is going rogue.”

The watcher nods. “We can set more guards along the border. Keep an eye out for suspicious activity.”

“Good,” I say. “Do that. And start training them properly. The entire watch division.”

He looks startled. “Right away?”

I give a curt nod. “We can’t afford to slack. Just because Kai’s working with some folks doesn’t mean it’s enough. We need formal drills. Everyone should know the basics.”

“Yes, Alpha.” He breaks off, leaving me and the other watcher to cross into the main clearing of our settlement.

I let out a ragged breath and glance around.

My mind wanders to Kai, half-hoping she’s still at that improvised training spot.

I need to figure out if she’s advanced her group, maybe see if we can incorporate her methods into a broader program.

It’s something I never considered until she started whipping those novices into shape.

And if we’re going to handle a possible threat from Reed or whoever attacked my wolf, we need every advantage.

I pass a few cabins, keeping an eye out for Kai.

Nothing. I duck behind a storage barn, half-expecting to see her leading a session with the teenage girls and middle-aged women who’ve been quietly funneling in for lessons.

The place is empty. A few wooden practice staffs lean against the fence, but there’s no sign of her or her students.