Page 24 of Brutal Alpha’s Sold Mate (Starfire Hollow Alphas #4)

I’m pretty sure the sun’s never shone brighter than it does today, or maybe I’m just in a good mood because Kai insisted on another trip to town.

Either way, I’m not complaining. The moment she walked up to me this morning and said she wanted a day off—no training, no watchers, just us—I practically jumped at the chance.

This is the first time in ages I’ve felt genuine excitement that has nothing to do with territory disputes or half-baked plans to take down my brothers.

She sits beside me in the truck, looking over a short list she scribbled right before we left. I spot items like “new boots,” “maybe a dress,” and “treats” jotted in her neat handwriting. The last line makes me grin. A treat for her or for me? Either way, I’m in.

She looks up, catching my sideways glance. “Quit gawking and keep your eyes on the road, mister alpha.”

I snicker. “Yes, ma’am. Just letting myself appreciate how you look today.”

Her cheeks color. “You’re laying it on thick.”

“I aim to please.”

Despite rolling her eyes, she can’t hide a small smile.

It’s the kind of smile that feels like a private victory, reminding me how far we’ve come from the day she arrived, when she’d do little more than hiss at me like a cornered cat.

Back then, I never thought she’d be riding shotgun in my old beater truck, ready for a carefree day together.

We reach the same parking spot we used last time, near the general store. The place is full of people chatting, loading supplies, and grabbing midday meals from a row of street vendors. I hop out first and speed around the truck to open her door. She arches a brow at my gesture.

“I can open my own door, you know,” she teases.

I offer a playful shrug. “I just like spoiling you. Is that a crime?”

“Not at all,” she replies, sliding down. She fiddles with the cuffs of her new jacket, and I can’t help noticing how it hugs her form. Not that I’d ever complain about any clothes she wears.

“Tell me the plan,” I say, falling into step beside her.

She consults her list. “We start with the boots, then maybe a dress—because apparently I’m due for something that’s not combat attire. Then we eat something sweet, because I have an incurable sweet tooth lately. Sound good?”

“That’s the best plan I’ve heard all week. Lead on.”

We stroll toward a shop on the main street. It’s a cozy little place with a wooden sign showing a boot silhouette. Inside, rows of footwear line the walls. The owner, an older wolf with a graying beard, greets us courteously. Kai heads straight for a display of sturdy boots.

“This pair is a close match to my size,” she comments, pulling one boot off the shelf. “Seems rugged enough for training sessions. Not too flashy.”

“Try it on,” I urge. “We can find something flashier if you want to show off.”

She smirks. “I show off with my fists, not my footwear.”

I chuckle. “Point taken.”

She tests the boots and walks a few paces, bouncing on the balls of her feet. Satisfied, she glances my way. “They’ll do. What do you think?”

I hold out my arms. “They look perfect for kicking me in the ribs if I ever mouth off.”

“Exactly what I had in mind,” she deadpans. Then she snickers when I pretend to cringe in fear.

After paying, we step back onto the street.

She thanks me with a small nod, and we continue strolling.

The sun’s rays beam down on us, hot enough that I tug off my jacket and drape it over my arm.

A few pack members wave at us from across the road, but none approach.

Kai and I get a wide berth, just like last time.

We pass a vendor selling flowers, and on a whim, I stop. She watches me with a puzzled look as I pick out a small bouquet of bright blossoms and hand it to her.

“For me?” she asks softly, glancing down at the petals.

I shrug. “Figured you might like them.”

Her cheeks warm again. “They’re lovely. Thanks. They’ll probably die in a day or two, though.”

“Doesn’t matter. In the meantime, they’re pretty. Like you.”

She exhales, half amused, half charmed. “You’re really out to make me blush today, aren’t you?”

I grin. “Maybe a little. Let’s keep going.”

We check out another store that sells dresses.

She’s reluctant at first—grumbling about never getting to wear dresses back home unless it’s a special pack celebration—but eventually, she rifles through the racks, squinting at tags.

I lounge near the fitting room, trying to play it cool while inside, I’m buzzing with curiosity about what she’ll pick.

When she finally emerges from the fitting room wearing a simple deep-blue dress, my breath stutters. She does a little turn, looking anywhere but at me. “What do you think? Too formal?”

“It’s perfect,” I manage. “You look incredible.”

She ducks back into the fitting room without comment, but I spot a faint grin on her face. Minutes later, she returns, changed into her normal clothes and holding the dress over her arm. “I guess I’ll take it.”

We pay and leave, and the store owner shoots us a curious smile as if she’s witnessing the blossoming relationship that neither of us fully acknowledges. Back outside, Kai grabs my sleeve. “Don’t expect me to walk around in that all the time. It’s for special occasions.”

“I’d be honored to see you in it even once,” I tell her, trying not to gush too obviously. “But I won’t push my luck.”

She purses her lips, probably fighting off a witty retort. Instead, she checks her list, crossing off items. “Last on my list: sweet treat.”

I clap my hands. “My favorite part.”

We find the same bakery-café that we visited the last time we visited.

The smell of freshly baked pastries hits us before we even step inside.

Kai’s face lights up, and I know we chose well.

I order us pastries stuffed with fruit, plus two cold drinks that look suspiciously sugary.

She slides into a chair across from me, setting her bags near her feet.

“Didn’t know you had such a romantic side,” she remarks, eyeing me as I bite into a pastry. “Never pegged you for a sweet-talker.”

I shrug, a pastry crumb tumbling off my lip. “I can be sweet when I want. Besides, you deserve it. You’ve made everyone stronger around here, including me.”

She tilts her head. “Careful. You’ll get me all sentimental.”

I reach across the table, gently taking her hand in mine. “I don’t mind if you do.”

Her gaze shifts to our joined hands, then back up. There’s a tenderness in her expression that tightens something deep in my chest. Maybe it’s my heart, reminding me I’m capable of more than war and territory battles. For once, the problems with Jacob and Reed fade into the background.

We finish our pastries and chat about random things: improvements in the training sessions, Rhea’s unstoppable jab, Tara’s comedic commentary, and a new recruit who’s a natural with grappling. Kai’s eyes sparkle as she talks. She’s clearly proud of how far the novices have come.

“Soon enough, they’ll be just as fierce as the seasoned watchers,” she states, leaning back in her chair. “Not that I’m taking all the credit, but it’s nice to see them flourish.”

“You should take the credit,” I reply. “You poured your soul into them. They owe you their newfound confidence.”

Her lips curve into a pleased smile. “Still not sure how long I’ll be around, though.”

My chest constricts at the reminder. “Right.”

Silence descends, neither of us wanting to dwell on her leaving. But it’s there, looming at the edges of our day.

I force a smile, rising to collect our trash. “Let’s head out. We can stroll around more if you’d like. Or do you want to head home?”

She glances at her watch. “I can wander a bit more, but sure, then we’ll go back.”

Nodding, I gather our bags, holding them all in one hand like a pack mule, determined to show off my strength.

We step onto the bustling walkway, weaving through clusters of shifters.

My mind drifts to how normal everything feels, how comfortable.

Before Kai came to town, I can’t recall the last time I indulged in an afternoon like this, free of watchers, free of the constant worry about my siblings.

At some point, I turn to ask her opinion about a store sign that’s peeling, but she’s not beside me. My heart lurches, and a cold dread rips through my gut. She was just here a second ago, wasn’t she? I spin around, scanning the crowd. My pulse skyrockets. Did she wander off? Was she pulled away?

“Kai?” I bark. Heads turn, curious or alarmed. No response from her. I drop the bags at my feet and push through the throng, calling her name again. Nothing. It’s like she vanished into thin air.

Panic blazes through me. Could she have been snatched by some lurking threat?

Malcolm and Wiley’s allies? Or one of Jacob’s men, striking where I’d least expect?

My wolf roars, demanding I chase down every potential lead.

With adrenaline pounding, I question anyone who might have seen her.

A middle-aged shifter shakes his head, clueless.

An elderly woman says she saw a figure slip between two buildings, but wasn’t sure who.

I dash to the alleyway with my heart in my throat. Empty. No footprints, no sign of a struggle. My mind reels. She’s strong—someone would need a lot of muscle or cunning to abduct her. Unless they ambushed her with potions again. The idea sends a white-hot fury through my veins.

I comb the streets, shouting her name, ignoring the stares of onlookers. My watchers, whom I deliberately left behind today, are nowhere to help. The afternoon sun beats down on me, and sweat is pouring down my back, but I barely notice. My entire focus is on finding Kai.