Page 50 of Brutal Alpha's Forced Mate

The rest of the world fades away, leaving just the two of us and the raw, unrelenting pull that binds us together.

When his hands slide down to my hips and lift me effortlessly, I wrap my legs around his waist, my fingers tangling in his hair as he carries me deeper into the forest. His lips never leave mine, and I’m vaguely aware of the rough bark of a tree against my back as he presses me against it, his body anchoring me in place.

“I told you,” I whisper against his mouth, my voice breathless. “There are other ways to relax.”

His laughter is low and rough, and it vibrates through me in a way that makes my head spin. “You’re impossible,” he mutters before claiming my lips again.

And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Chapter 17 - Gray

Jade and Isadora are talking about herbs, and I’m pretty sure Jaslyn is two seconds away from offering to set the whole conversation on fire. Not that she says anything—her jaw is locked, and her green eyes are moving between the two witches like she’s watching a tennis match, but the irritation is practically radiating off her.

I’ve learned enough about Jaslyn to know she doesn’t like feeling out of place. Walking next to two witches who could probably weave spells in their sleep has her magic bristling under her skin like a cornered wolf.

“Yarrow can amplify protective wards,” Jade comments, gesturing with a sprig of the stuff like she’s in the middle of a lecture. “But too much of it, and you’ll end up weakening the energy lines. Balance is key.”

Isadora hums in agreement, and her dark hair bounces as she nods. “True, but you can counteract that with a touch of vervain. It stabilizes the flow.”

Jaslyn arches a brow, clearly unimpressed. “Or,” she cuts in, “you could just use basil and avoid the headache altogether.”

Both witches stop dead in their tracks, turning to stare at her like she just told them their favorite spellbook was trash. I bite back a grin, already knowing where this is going.

“Basil?” Jade repeats, skeptical. “That’s… unorthodox.”

“Doesn’t make it wrong,” Jaslyn fires back. “Basil’s got natural protective properties, and it doesn’t interfere with energy flow. It’s simple and efficient.”

Isadora tilts her head, studying Jaslyn with renewed interest. “You’re not wrong. But that’s a very instinctive approach to magic. Did someone teach you that?”

Jaslyn straightens her spine. For a moment, I think she’s going to shut the conversation down entirely. But then she squares her shoulders and lifts her chin. “No one taught me. Not officially. I had to figure it out on my own.”

The admission is quiet but charged, like a storm cloud ready to burst. Jade and Isadora exchange a look, and something unreadable passes between them before Jade speaks again.

“That’s impressive,” she says. “Most witches would struggle without guidance. Magic can be unforgiving.”

“Tell me about it,” Jaslyn mutters under her breath, but there’s less venom in her voice now. Her gaze flits to me for a fraction of a second, as if checking to see if I’m paying attention. I am. I always am when it comes to her.

“Figuring it out on your own must’ve been hard,” Isadora comments. “But it sounds like you’ve got a good handle on it now.”

Jaslyn shrugs. “You do what you have to.”

I step closer, keeping my voice casual as I interrupt. “Are we done swapping potion recipes, or should I break out the campfire and marshmallows?”

Jade smirks. “What’s the matter, Alpha? Magic talk over your head?”

“Not in the slightest. I’m just wondering if this is the part where you all start cackling and turning people into toads.”

“You’d make an adorable toad,” Jaslyn deadpans. “Very commanding.”

“You’d miss me in five minutes.”

“Maybe ten.”

Before I can retort, Theo jogs up from the rear of our little caravan, his face unusually tense. “Gray, we’ve got movement up ahead.”

“Demons?” My wolf snaps to attention, every muscle in my body going taut.

“Not sure,” Theo answers, glancing toward the dense trees ahead. “Could be, but it doesn’t feel… wrong enough. Might just be humans. There’s a clearing about fifty yards ahead. We’ll know more when we get there.”

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