Page 14 of Brutal Alpha's Forced Mate

The word bounces around the room, and my breath catches. The room erupts into cheers and applause, and I feel like I’m going to be sick.Savior? These people are calling me their savior? What the hell have I done to earn that title?

My magic stirs uneasily beneath my skin, a low hint of energy that matches the rising panic in my chest. I try to shove it down, to keep it buried where it belongs, but the weight of their eyes, their expectations, is too much.

It happens before I can stop it.

The hint ignites into a spark, and the spark becomes a flash of light that crackles across my hands. Gasps ripple through the room as the air grows heavy with static. Plates rattle, and the flames on the candles flicker wildly. Someone whispers my name, half in awe, half in fear.

I shove my hands behind my back, clenching them into fists to smother the energy, but the damage is done. The room is silent again, but their stares are even heavier now.

“Jaslyn,” Gray says softly, stepping closer. There’s no judgment in his voice, but I can’t bear to look at him.

“I can’t do this,” I whisper with a trembling voice. “I can’t—” I break off, swallowing hard as the tears threaten to spill. “Please, Gray. Get me out of here. Now.”

I don’t wait for his response. I can’t. My heart is pounding, my magic is teetering on the edge of control, and all I can think about is getting out of this room before I break something—or someone.

Chapter 5 - Gray

Jaslyn doesn’t say a word as I lead her out of the banquet hall, though the tension rolling off her could probably level a forest. Her shoulders are stiff, and her arms are crossed like she’s holding herself together by sheer force of will. I know better than to push her right now. She’s a storm barely contained, and the last thing I need is her magic going off again while we’re surrounded by the pack.

The path to the lake is quiet, save for the crunch of gravel beneath our boots and the faint rustle of wind through the trees. The air is cooler here, fresher, and the faint scent of water grows stronger with every step. It’s always been my go-to spot for clearing my head, though I’m pretty sure Jaslyn isn’t interested in the therapeutic scenery right now.

“Would you stop it?” she snaps suddenly, her voice cutting through the silence.

I blink, caught off-guard. “I haven’t said anything.”

“Exactly.” She spins on her heel to glare at me, her green eyes blazing. “You’ve been silent this whole time, and it’s driving me insane. If you’ve got something to say, say it. Otherwise, quit acting like you’re leading me to my execution.”

“I’m not—” I stop myself and take a calming breath. “I thought you could use the quiet.”

“Oh, because you’re so thoughtful now?” Her voice drips with sarcasm, and she throws her hands up. “Fantastic. I guess we’re all just supposed to forget that you didn’t give a damn about me for the last ten years.”

My jaw tightens, but I don’t rise to the bait. Instead, I keep walking, gesturing for her to follow. “Come on. We’re almost there.”

She mutters something under her breath but falls into step behind me. The trees thin out as we reach the edge of the lake. Its surface is as smooth as glass under the pale moonlight. The sight is serene, almost surreal, but I can feel Jaslyn’s anger crackling in the air like static electricity.

“This is it?” she asks, crossing her arms. “What, you’re hoping a scenic view will fix everything?”

“No,” I reply evenly. “But it might help you calm down before you blow something up. I heard that water can absorb magic, so…”

Her eyes narrow, and for a moment, I think she’s going to argue. Then she exhales sharply and stalks toward the water’s edge, kicking off her boots as she goes. “Fine. Let’s get this over with.”

I stay back, giving her space as she steps into the shallows. The water laps at her ankles, and she closes her eyes as her hands curl and uncurl at her sides. A faint shimmer of light pulses around her, almost too subtle to notice, but I feel it—a shift in the air, like the lake is holding its breath.

Her magic flares, and the water ripples in response. She tilts her head back, exhaling slowly, and I watch as the tension drains from her shoulders. The shimmer fades until it’s replaced by an almost eerie stillness, and for the first time all night, she looks… peaceful.

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding before stepping closer to the edge of the water. “Better?”

She doesn’t answer right away. She just keeps her gaze fixed on the moonlit ripples around her feet. When she finally looks at me, her expression is guarded but calmer. “You brought me out here just so I could vent my powers?”

“It’s part of it,” I admit, shoving my hands into my pockets. “Figured it might help.”

Her lips twitch, but it’s not quite a smile. “Well, congratulations. You did one thing right tonight.”

“Glad to hear it.” I keep my tone light, though the weight of what I need to say next is already settling on my shoulders. “But we need to talk.”

Her brows knit together, and I don’t miss the suspicion flickering in her green eyes. “About what?”

I hesitate and run a hand through my hair as I search for the right words. “About why I brought you back. Why we need you here.”

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