Page 30 of Brutal Alpha’s Sold Mate (Starfire Hollow Alphas #4)

“You can’t possibly think this is a good idea,” I declare, pacing a narrow path along the cluster of trees.

My nerves are practically on fire. Theo stands in the middle of our makeshift camp, fiddling with a worn map of the region while a handful of shifters and witches from both our packs, along with some from River Valley and Red Arrow, linger nearby, waiting for final instructions.

My impatience grows with each second he spends double-checking those scribbles.

“Malcolm and Wiley are the lowest scum I’ve ever dealt with,” I hiss. “And I hate that you’re going back to them like this.”

Theo gives me a long look, his lips pressed together in annoyance.

“I’m the only one they trust enough to deal with, thanks to that twisted transaction we had before.

” He sets the map aside. “Look, I know you’re not excited to see me go in alone, but it’s the simplest path.

They expect me to show up ready to make another deal, maybe expand on the previous one.

If they suspect I’ve brought a small army, they’ll vanish into the night. ”

A low growl builds in my throat. “I know. It doesn’t make me hate it any less.

” My wolf paces inside me, wanting to rip Malcolm and Wiley limb from limb for everything they’ve done.

Not just to me, but to the poor souls they’ve trafficked, including these demons.

“You sure they’ll agree to meet you at their so-called secret lair? ” I ask.

Theo nods as he rummages through a battered supply crate for a small transmitter our witches rigged.

“I’ve convinced them I’m looking to expand my dominion, that I need some demon muscle.

That means heading to their base, checking out what they’re stockpiling, and negotiating a purchase.

When they see how serious I am, I’m hoping they’ll invite me deeper into their hideout, giving us a chance to strike from within.

We’ve been over this plan a dozen times, Kai. ”

I grit my teeth. “Excuse me for worrying about the rat’s nest you’re marching into. I remember what it felt like when they sold me off like goods on a shelf. They’re cunning, sleazy, and they always have an escape route. Be on guard.”

He sets down the transmitter and steps closer.

“I’m not naive enough to think I can just waltz in and place an order.

Malcolm and Wiley will probably try to wring more money out of me, or attempt to set their own trap.

That’s why you and your packmates will be waiting, right?

” He lifts one brow. “You still plan to climb that big oak near the eastern boundary and get a vantage point on their cages?”

I nod. “Absolutely. One of the witches brewed a special toxin to dart those demons. It should weaken them enough for a swift kill, or at least keep them from rampaging if Malcolm and Wiley decide to unleash them. I’ll be perched on a tree limb, hidden in the foliage, ready to start tagging them one by one. ”

Theo’s eyes flick to the witches, who are quietly organizing small vials of that same toxin. “You realize it’s risky. The demon might scream once you dart it, and that could blow our cover.”

I scowl. “We don’t have a better plan. If they sense we’re all sneaking around, they’ll bolt, and we’ll lose the chance to shut them down for good. You said yourself, better to risk them crying out than let them run off with an army of demons.”

He looks like he wants to argue, but our witches from East Hills and Red Arrow step in to confirm everything’s ready.

River Valley’s shifters have reported demon sightings in this region a few days ago, all pointing to Malcolm and Wiley stockpiling more creatures for their revolting trade.

The mere idea of caged demons sets my blood boiling, especially after that last fiasco when we had to fight them in East Hills territory.

Our small group finalizes details: I’ll circle ahead of Theo, climb the giant oak near the lair’s perimeter, and wait until he signals that negotiations are underway.

Once I see cages, I’ll start darting the demon occupants.

Meanwhile, the watchers from both packs will remain hidden just outside the clearing, ready to pounce if things go south.

The plan feels tight, but Malcolm and Wiley are always full of surprises.

I cast one more look at Theo, swallowing the lump in my throat. “If they suspect betrayal, they’ll kill you on the spot.” The words taste bitter because imagining him dead at their hands makes me want to scream. “Please… be careful.”

He reaches out, hooking one finger around mine in a small gesture that makes my heart ache. “I’ll do my best. Promise.” A flicker of tension crosses his features. “Just don’t take any demon slime to the face. I can’t exactly bail you out if I’m in the middle of haggling.”

I roll my eyes. “I’m not the one strolling into a liar’s den. But sure, I’ll avoid the demon drool.”

With that, we part ways. My team and I slip into the forest, skirting the main path to remain unseen.

The trees grow denser as we approach the lair’s rumored coordinates.

According to Theo, Malcolm gave him the location, though I suspect it’s only one of many hideouts they use.

Still, if they’re focusing on demon trade, they’ll need cages, supplies, and enough open space to store and feed those beasts.

That means a bigger base than their usual cramped dungeons.

I break off from the others and drift to my vantage point: the old oak towering above the rest of the area.

The trunk is thick and knotted, perfect for climbing.

I scale it with ease. Once perched high among the leaves, I settle in, scanning the clearing below.

My vantage offers a decent view of a small compound: a rundown structure that might’ve been a barn once, plus some hastily erected pens.

A chain-link fence encloses a section off to the side, presumably for demon storage.

My fists clench at the thought of those men treating living creatures, no matter how monstrous, like merchandise to be sold.

Silence reigns. I wait, tension coiling in my muscles. In the distance, I pick up faint movement. Eventually, two figures appear at the edge of the clearing—Malcolm and Wiley.

My stomach flips in disgust. Malcolm still carries that smug air, while Wiley is leaner. They approach the barn, presumably waiting for Theo to show.

Moments later, Theo enters from the opposite side, alone.

My heart lurches, but I trust he can handle the initial conversation.

I crane my neck, trying to pick out details.

He greets them with a terse nod. I can’t hear everything, but I see Malcolm wave theatrically, pointing toward the pen.

Theo glances that way, feigning interest. He’s playing the part of a buyer, after all.

My shifters remain hidden just outside the clearing, waiting for a signal.

Wiley leads Theo toward the chain-link fence.

Even from my perch, I spot the black shapes lurking inside, a handful of lesser demons crouched in squalid cages.

The sight sickens me. Some scrawny, some large, but all of them sporting that same scale and horn look.

I fumble in my bag for the blowgun the witches gave me, plus a small case of darts coated in the toxin.

My plan is to neutralize them quietly. If they shriek, well, we’ll adapt.

I load the first dart, raising the blowgun to my lips.

My position is good enough to aim for the biggest demon in the nearest cage.

I exhale, launching the dart. It finds its mark on the demon’s shoulder.

The beast stiffens, and its eyes roll. I hold my breath, counting the seconds.

The demon lets out a muted grunt, but it doesn’t thrash. Good. One down.

Theo keeps talking to Malcolm and Wiley, probably asking about demon specs or something vile like that. My stomach churns, remembering that he once paid them for me—though he didn’t realize what scum they were. Let’s hope his act convinces them he’s still just as naive.

Meanwhile, I line up a second shot for another cage. I fire, and the dart lodges in its flank. It snarls but doesn’t raise an alarm.

So far, so good. I see Theo gesture at the cages, continuing to feign interest. Malcolm puffs out his chest, waving his arms in grand motions.

He’s likely bragging about the demon variety they can supply.

My crew remains unseen on the perimeter, waiting for the sign that we’ll move in.

But we plan to wait until I dart as many as possible, minimizing the risk of a demon rampage.

I load the next dart, focusing on a third demon hunched near a water trough. The shot hits its leg, and it whimpers before sagging. My pulse races. This plan might actually work. We’ll subdue most of the demons, then Theo can capture Malcolm and Wiley once they’re out of demon backup.

But as I pivot to target a fourth demon, I catch a flicker of movement from the corner of my vision.

One of the wounded demons is stirring, letting out a deeper, raspier moan.

Before I can steady my blowgun, it flails, probably feeling the toxin weakening it.

A harsh cry bursts from its throat, loud enough to be heard a mile away.

I curse under my breath. This is exactly what we feared. The demon’s anguished noise ricochets off the barn walls, sending the other caged beasts into frenzied hisses.

Theo, Malcolm, and Wiley whip their heads toward the sound. Theo tries to keep them calm and redirect their attention, but Wiley squints in my direction, eyeing the tree line.

I hold my breath, flattening myself against the oak’s trunk. Malcolm steps closer to the cages, scowling. I see the moment he spots a dart embedded in one demon’s hide. He rips it out, holding it up to the light with a furious snarl.

My heart sinks. They know something’s off. Theo’s cover might be blown.

Malcolm snaps at Wiley, pointing to the cages.

Theo edges in, as if trying to placate them, but the panic in his posture is clear.

My shifters, still out of sight, must be tense, too, ready to charge.

I mouth a silent apology for messing up the stealth portion of the plan.

Not that I had a choice—the demon made the noise.

Then, in a move that crushes our best-laid strategy, Malcolm scrambles to a control panel by the barn.

He slams his fist against a lever, and the chain-link fence slides open.

My blood goes cold. They’re releasing the remaining demons.

Half a dozen shapes lunge out of their cages with their horns raised, hissing with rage. This is a nightmare scenario.

Theo tries to stop Malcolm, but Wiley intercepts him, brandishing a wicked blade. Theo sidesteps, bristling with fury. The others have to move in now, or we’re all doomed. I set aside the blowgun and start to climb down. We’re heading toward full confrontation.

I watch the first demon crash out of its cage, claws scraping the ground.

Another leaps to the fence, thrashing. Malcolm looks ready to bolt, though I can’t see exactly which direction he’ll choose.

The whole scene teeters on the brink of bedlam.

My heart races, and my instincts are screaming that we need to act.

Like it or not, we now have an entire pack of enraged demons set loose by our targets.