Page 17 of Brutal Alpha’s Sold Mate (Starfire Hollow Alphas #4)

I wake up with a headache the size of Reed’s ego and a pile of papers scattered across my desk.

Last night, I pored over every possible clue linking Reed to the attack on Kai.

It got me nowhere except exhausted. The evidence is so scant it might as well not exist. Half the scraps of fabric we found belong to some random drifter, and the footprints?

Three different pairs of boots match them. In other words, useless.

I shuffle the stack and glance over my notes.

Half of them are scrawled so poorly, I can barely read my own writing.

Not that it matters—every path leads to a dead end.

My watchers say Reed’s recruits are troublemakers, yes, but we can’t tie any of them to Kai’s attacker.

There’s no conclusive proof, and my frustration grows by the hour.

Kai’s obviously top-priority to me. We haven’t talked much about the near-death experience she just endured, but I see it in her eyes—she’s unsettled.

Even now, as I step into the main room of the cabin to see if she’s around, I’m met with silence.

I recall our conversation from last night, the aftermath of…

everything. My chest still tightens at the thought of her pinned under that knife.

If I’d arrived even a minute later, she might’ve been killed.

I try to bury that grim thought and refocus on my second big objective: curing her.

We both know she can handle herself—she’s proven that—but the poison has chipped away at her wolf, leaving her vulnerable.

That can’t continue. I head outside, hoping to spot Leonard or anyone who might have leads on a remedy.

Instead, I find one of my watchers, Heath, and nod to him over.

“Morning, Alpha,” Heath says. “You’re up early.”

“Sleep doesn’t come easy when your territory’s threatened,” I say. “Heard anything new?”

He shuffles on his feet. “Nothing about Reed. Looks like he’s laying low. No sign of the attacker’s associates, either.”

I grunt. “Keep at it. What about a cure for that poison? I told you to spread the word and see if anyone had contacts.”

Heath brightens a little. “Leonard mentioned something. Said he’d talk to you.”

That’s what I want to hear. I wave him off and march straight to Leonard’s cottage, a small structure near the edge of the village.

Leonard emerges as soon as he hears me approach.

He pushes the door open and runs a hand through his thinning hair.

His expression carries relief, which is better than the guilt I’ve seen since I revealed what kind of scumbags he got into business with.

He gestures for me to follow him inside. “I’ve been waiting for you. Got something you’ll like.”

“Talk,” I order once we’re inside.

He rummages through a box on a cluttered table and pulls out a piece of parchment.

“Damien Lucas reached out. Well, I reached out first, but he responded in record time. He’s alpha of the River Valley pack, remember?

Your father had some arrangement with them a few years back.

Mutual respect, minimal contact. Damien says they have a witch who might help with curing your mate. ”

“A witch?” I echo. “A real one? Not some charlatan peddling worthless potions?”

Leonard nods. “She’s Jade Thornton, his mate. It gets complicated since she’s originally from a different pack, but the point is, she’s known for her healing spells. She’s helped River Valley wolves, East Hills wolves, even Red Arrow’s. Pretty much any pack in the Glory Town area.”

I recall hearing rumors about Jade. Some said she was an outcast, a shifter who also wields powerful witchcraft. But if she can reverse what Malcolm and Wiley did to Kai, I’ll happily set aside any prejudices for an alliance.

“What does Damien want in return?” I ask.

Leonard sets the parchment down. “He wants any intel on demon activity or the enslavers—Malcolm and Wiley. They’re wanted in multiple territories. If you hear anything, you pass it along. Seems he’s concerned about a possible resurgence.”

That’s an easy deal. “So we just show up, talk to Jade, she gives us a potion, and we’re good?”

Leonard shrugs. “Damien said he’ll arrange a meeting, but you’ll have to deal with him directly, too. He’s apparently protective of Jade. She’s his wife, after all. They’ll want your cooperation if there’s any whiff of demon involvement in our territory.”

I snatch the parchment and skim its contents. It’s a polite invitation to come to the River Valley pack’s meeting hall in two days. I can’t wait that long, but I guess I have no choice.

I grit my teeth but keep my tone civil. “You did well. I’ll handle it. Thanks.”

Leonard breathes out. “Just be mindful. Damien’s arrogant. He might test you, see how far he can push. But if you make it clear you’re serious about taking down any demon threat, he’ll likely keep it professional.”

“Yeah, I’ve heard stories about Damien Lucas. Rich, cocky, huge ego. Sounds like half the alphas I know.” I tuck the parchment under my arm. “Appreciate this, Leonard.”

“Don’t mention it. I want Kai to get better, too.”

I step outside, my mind racing with the possibilities. If Jade truly has a solution, Kai could regain her wolf. The idea alone makes me want to sprint for River Valley immediately. Still, we have the scheduled meeting to respect. Storming in unannounced is a bad look.

I spend the next day preparing for the trip, ensuring my watchers keep a close eye on our borders.

Reed may or may not be behind the attack on Kai, but I’m not ruling out that he’s planning more.

I trust Kai’s capacity to train our untested fighters, but I need them to hurry.

We can’t remain in this shaky position forever.

Finally, the day arrives. I load up a sturdy truck with supplies—and some gifts for good measure—then set off for River Valley. I bring only two watchers because I want to show that we mean no aggression.

The drive is uneventful, though my impatience grows with each mile. I think about Kai back home, probably pacing or—knowing her—pretending to be fine while she works with the trainees. I hate leaving her, but this trip is a necessary step.

River Valley pack territory is more modern than ours: wide roads, well-kept structures, a sense of prosperity.

Damien’s people direct me to their main gathering hall, a stone building near the center of their territory.

A couple of serious-faced guards greet me, confirm my identity, and then lead me inside to a spacious chamber.

The vibe is formal, with polished floors and a large table set up near the front. Much more modern than I’m used to.

Damien Lucas stands at that table, flanked by a few of his senior wolves.

He’s tall, broad, dark-haired, and wearing a tailored shirt that probably cost a small fortune.

His gray eyes flash as I approach, reminding me of the rumors about them turning silver under the moon.

He offers a polite greeting, though there’s something keen in his stare, like he’s evaluating me as a potential threat or ally.

Next to him is Jade Thornton, a woman with kind features and russet eyes.

She’s dressed in a flowing outfit that suggests she’s a witch and wants the world to know.

She’s plus-sized, and the slight slump to her shoulders indicates she’s still getting used to being in the spotlight.

Regardless, her eyes hold a quiet confidence I find surprising.

Damien motions for me to approach. “Theo Hunt, correct? My father had a few dealings with yours before he passed. I hear you’re leading the Black Cauldron pack now.”

I stand tall. “Yes. And I appreciate you taking time to see me. I have business regarding a cure for my mate.”

“I’ve heard about that. Poison that dampens a wolf.”

I glance at Jade, who grimaces. “We heard your mate was targeted by slavers, the ones who supply witches to demons. That’s… vile.” She exhales quietly. “I’ll do what I can.”

“Thank you,” I say. “If you have something that can help her, whatever the cost, I’m willing to pay.”

Damien smirks. “Money’s easy to come by. We want information. Our alliance stands firm against any demon infiltration, and those slavers, Malcolm and Wiley, are rumored to be working with forces none of us want on our land. If you learn anything about them or their dealings, you tell us.”

“That’s the deal, then?” I ask. “I keep you informed, and in exchange, Jade provides a cure for my mate?”

“We might also need you to stand with us if demon trouble escalates. But for now, yes, the main requirement is intel.”

“Done,” I agree. “If anything suspicious pops up, you’ll be the first to know.”

He glances at Jade, who gives a small nod.

Then she lifts a small wooden box from a bag at her feet and passes it to me.

“Inside is a potion designed to cleanse residual dark magic. It might not be an instant fix, but she should take it daily for a week. If her wolf is still suppressed, I can craft something stronger.”

I cradle the box in my hands as though it’s the key to saving Kai’s life. “I appreciate this more than you know.”

“I hope it works,” Jade tells me. “Come back if you need further help. I’m still honing my healing magic, but I’ve had success with potions like this.”

Damien nods at me. “Spread the word among your watchers—any news on enslavers or demon sightings, funnel it our way. This is bigger than just one pack. We can’t risk them taking hold anywhere.”

“Agreed. My watchers are already on the lookout.” I glance around the hall, noting the well-equipped guards. “You seem prepared for a fight.”

Damien’s lips twitch. “We learned from our own past misfortunes. The presence of demon sympathizers anywhere near our land is unacceptable.”

I can respect that. I secure the wooden box under my arm. “Thank you. This means everything to me.”

He waves a hand dismissively. “We’ll see if it actually fixes her. But for now, good luck.”

I nod and step back, turning toward the exit. The meeting was brief, but that’s exactly what I needed—straight to the point. My heart pounds with excitement. If Jade’s potion works, Kai could be one step closer to regaining her full strength.

We load ourselves back into the truck, and the ride home feels faster, maybe because I’m eager.

It’s late afternoon by the time I reach my territory.

A few pack members greet me with curiosity.

I keep the small wooden box closed, scanning the buildings for Kai.

I don’t see her in the usual training spot, though a few of her trainees wave me down, saying she already dismissed them.

They also mention she looked tired. My mind flashes to the memory of her injuries, the strain on her body, and how the poison weighs her down.

A fresh burst of worry pushes me to hurry.

I climb the cabin steps, make my way upstairs, and find Kai curled up on the bed, deep in sleep.

She looks peaceful with her lips parted and her hair messy around her face.

My chest tightens at the sight. I want to wake her immediately, show her the potion, watch her gulp it down, and wait for the miracle to happen.

But she looks so worn out. A little more rest might help.

I decide to let her sleep for a while. My plan is to brew tea or something to mix the potion with. According to the accompanying note left by Jade, the potion might taste bitter, so it’s best to dilute it.

I set the wooden box on the table and rifle through the small kitchen, hunting for a suitable mug and some mild herbs. Nothing too strong, in case it counteracts Jade’s potion. I pause, smiling a bit at the thought of Kai’s reaction when she realizes I scored a major lead.

Movement at the threshold catches my eye. Heath steps inside, his face set in a grim expression. I straighten, sensing trouble.

He inclines his head in apology. “Sorry, but we have a situation.”

My shoulders tense. “What’s happened?”

“An attack on the eastern border. Pack members are calling for you. It looks serious.”

The feel of the wooden box under my hand reminds me that I finally have hope for Kai. Yet, there’s no ignoring a threat to my pack. I glance at Kai’s sleeping form, torn between staying and going. If the border is under attack, I’m needed. She’ll understand.

I take one last look at the box, then I nod at the watcher. “Lead me there.”