Page 6 of Brutal Alpha’s Sold Mate (Starfire Hollow Alphas #4)

The ride to my cabin is quiet—too quiet.

Kai’s sitting ramrod-straight in the passenger seat with her arms crossed and her face set like she’s preparing for battle.

I shouldn’t care. I shouldn’t even be paying attention.

But something about her silence feels heavier than the words we exchanged earlier.

I don’t break the tension by talking, though. I learned long ago that silence can be its own kind of weapon. If she wants to stew, fine. It gives me time to push down my pulse, still thrumming from the kiss.

The Black Cauldron pack is a scattered sprawl of cabins and homes.

Our territory isn’t glamorous, but it’s sensible, carved into the wilderness like we’ve always belonged here.

The pack members we pass nod respectfully, some of them sneaking curious glances at Kai.

I wonder what they see. A woman furious at the world?

A mate who can barely stand me? Or their new luna, who just might have what it takes to lead this pack.

We pull up to my cabin, a two-story structure with rough-hewn logs and a wraparound porch that could use some repair. It’s nothing like the modern homes I know she’s used to. When I park, she doesn’t move. She just stares at the building like she’s been sentenced to serve time here.

“This is where you live?” she finally asks.

“This is where we live.” I suppress a grin. “Expecting something different?”

“I was expecting plumbing that wasn’t from the Stone Age.”

I almost laugh, but I catch myself. “It works. That’s all that matters.”

Her eyes narrow, like she’s looking for another barb to throw, but instead, she steps out of the SUV and stalks toward the cabin. She doesn’t wait for me to catch up before throwing open the door and stepping inside like she owns the place.

“Well, it’s… rustic,” she remarks, glancing around.

The interior is simple: a stone fireplace, sturdy furniture, and walls lined with shelves that hold books, tools, and a few mementos. The kitchen is open, separated from the living room by a long counter, and the upstairs loft serves as the bedroom.

“You’ll find it more comfortable than you think,” I assure her, closing the door behind me.

She spins to face me. “Comfortable enough for what, exactly? Let me guess: this is the part where you drag me upstairs and declare that since we’re married now, it’s time to consummate the deal?”

Her words hit me like a slap, and I have to blink away the sting. “That’s usually how this works.”

She snorts. “Not this time. Let’s get something straight right now. There are rules.”

“Rules?” I raise an eyebrow and lean back against the doorframe. “You’re making rules in my house? This should be good.”

“Damn right I am.” She steps closer, pointing her chin. “Rule one: consummation isn’t required. Rule two: I’m only here for show, to help you secure your alpha position. Nothing more. Rule three: You’re even more despicable than I thought if you actually plan to force me into your bed.”

Her words are meant to cut, and they do. But they also stoke something darker. My wolf stirs, prowling just beneath the surface, and I step forward, closing the distance between us.

“I don’t force women,” I bark out. “I don’t have to.”

“Oh, is that so?” she snaps. “I’m sure they just throw themselves at you, don’t they?”

I smirk, letting her words roll off me. “They usually do.”

She glares at me, and for a second, I swear I can feel the heat of her anger searing my skin. “Well, I’m not one of them. And if you think—”

“You’ll come to me willingly,” I interrupt. “Maybe not tonight. Maybe not tomorrow. But eventually, you will.”

Kai throws her head back and laughs. “Keep dreaming.”

I take another step closer until the space between us is nearly nonexistent. “I don’t need to dream. You can fight this all you want, Kai. Hell, I’d be disappointed if you didn’t. But we both know there’s something here. We both felt that kiss.”

She scoffs, but her defiance falters for just a fraction of a second. It’s enough to make my wolf rumble with satisfaction.

“You’re delusional,” she claims, turning away from me.

“Maybe,” I acknowledge, taking a step back. “Or maybe I just see things you’re not ready to admit.”

She spins back toward me, and the rim of gold around her brown eyes gets thicker, almost drowning out the darker color. The woman looks positively ferocious. “Don’t flatter yourself. You don’t know anything about me.”

“I know enough. I know you’re strong. I know you’re stubborn. And I know you’re not as immune to this as you want me to believe.”

Her hand twitches at her side, and for a second, I think she might actually hit me. Instead, she takes a deep breath, her shoulders rising and falling as she forces herself to stay calm.

“Believe whatever you want,” she says. “But if you think for one second that I’m going to fall in line and play the doting mate, you’re even more delusional than I thought.”

“Good,” I reply. “I wouldn’t want you any other way.”

Her glare follows me as I open the door, but I don’t look back. I need air. Space to think, to push down the fire still burning in my chest. She gets under my skin in a way I can’t explain, and it’s not just her defiance. It’s the way her words linger, the way she challenges me at every turn.

This arrangement was supposed to be simple. Temporary. But with every moment I spend around her, I realize it’s going to be anything but.