Page 69 of Brutal Alpha's Forced Mate

The water is freezing, the cold slicing through me like a blade. Isadora is ahead of me, and her movements are graceful as she swims downward with her potion shimmering faintly in the depths. My lungs burn already, not from lack of air but from anticipation. From the tight grip of fear I refuse to acknowledge.

The portal comes into view—a swirling mass of black and crimson that looks alive. It pulses erratically like a predator waiting to strike, and the force of its energy pulls at me, clawing at my magic and my sanity.

I push back, steadying myself as Isadora gestures for me to follow. The potion she released swirls toward the vortex, lighting the way and stabilizing the water around us just enough for us to move without being completely thrown off course.

My pulse pounds as we descend. The portal’s pull grows stronger, and the vibrations roll over my skin and make my magic tense. Every instinct screams at me to surface, to breathe, to run, but I force the fear down. This is why I came here.

Isadora reaches into her satchel, pulling out another potion. This one glows gold, and its contents swirl like liquid sunlight. She uncorks it and motions for me to hold steady. I nod, gripping my magic tightly as she moves her mouth in a chant. Her words are muffled and distorted by the water but no less powerful.

The golden potion spreads outward, merging with the vortex. The reaction is immediate—the portal ripples and shrinks, its chaotic energy sputtering like a flame deprived ofoxygen. I add my own magic to the mix, channeling every ounce of focus I have into holding the vortex still as Isadora works.

“Hold it!” Isadora’s muffled shout carries through the water. I grit my teeth, pushing harder. My hands tingle with the effort, and my magic sparkles and sparks.

The portal resists, thrashing like a wild animal caught in a trap. I feel its pull deep in my core, its chaotic energy trying to drag me under. But I don’t let go. I can’t.

Isadora releases another potion as the portal begins to collapse inward. The red and black swirls fade, their edges fraying and disintegrating. The pull grows fiercer, and my chest aches as my magic strains to keep it contained.

One more push. One more surge of magic, and—

The portal implodes.

The force of it sends a shockwave through the water, knocking me back and leaving a strange stillness in its wake. My magic falters, flickering out as I float there, staring at the empty space where the vortex once was.

We did it.

Relief washes over me, followed quickly by exhaustion. My lungs scream for air, but I can’t help the smile that tugs at my lips. I glance at Isadora, ready to celebrate, but her eyes widen, and she points frantically at my leg.

That’s when I feel it.

Something cold and slimy wraps around my ankle, yanking me downward. I twist, panic flaring as I see the vines, dark, writhing things that move like they’re alive. I kick hard, but they only tighten, dragging me closer to the lake bed.

The water distorts my scream as I claw at the vines. I hear Isadora shouting, see her swimming toward me, but another vine lashes out, forcing her back.

My chest burns, and my vision blurs as dark spots creep in at the edges and my lungs beg for air.

I’m not ready for this. I don’t want this.

Gray’s face flashes in my mind, his piercing blue eyes filled with the quiet intensity that always steadies me. I should’ve told him. I should’ve said the words that have been sitting on the tip of my tongue for weeks now before I came into this wretched lake.

I love him.

The thought tears through me, followed by the notion that I’ll never get to tell him. Never get to see the way his eyes soften when he looks at me, or feel the warmth of his touch, or hear the quiet way he says my name like it’s a prayer.

The darkness closes in.

And then—

A sudden burst of movement.

The vines loosen, and something crashes into me, pulling me upward with a force that leaves me spinning. Strong arms wrap around me, dragging me toward the surface, and I feel a rush of air as we break through the water.

I gasp, choking on the cold night air, and it burns in the best way possible. My chest heaves as I cling to the person holding me.

Gray.

He pulls me to the shore, dragging me inch by inch, and we collapse onto the muddy bank in a tangle of limbs. I’mshaking, coughing, struggling to process what just happened, but he doesn’t let go.

“Don’t—” His voice is raw, his breath ragged as he presses his forehead against mine. “Don’t ever scare me like that again.”

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