Page 70 of Brutal Alpha's Forced Mate

I can’t speak. My body trembles too hard, and my mind is still caught in the moment I thought I’d never escape.

“You could’ve died,” he continues, his voice breaking. “You almost—”

“I’m okay,” I manage, though my voice is barely audible. “I’m here.”

But his arms only tighten around me, and for a long moment, we just sit there, wet and shivering and clinging to each other like the world might end if we let go.

Finally, I pull back just enough to look at him. His blue eyes are filled with an emotion so raw, it makes my heart ache.

“You didn’t have to stay here,” he says quietly. “You could’ve just left, Jaslyn. You didn’t have to do any of this.”

Anger flares, cutting through the lingering fear. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“You could’ve stayed away. You could’ve left, lived your life, been free. You didn’t owe us this.”

“Us?” I snap, sitting up straighter. “Or you?”

His silence is answer enough.

I laugh bitterly, swiping at my face. “Do you think I came back for them, Gray? For your pack? Do you honestly believe that?”

“I don’t know what to believe,” he admits, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Well, let me make it simple for you,” I say, my voice trembling. “I didn’t come back for the pack. I didn’t come back for duty or obligation or any of the crap you keep telling yourself. They treated me like trash most of my life. Why the hell would I risk my life forthem?”

He stares at me, his breath hitching as I lean closer.

“I stayed here for you. Because I love you, Gray. Because even when you pushed me away, even when you thought letting me go was the right thing to do, I couldn’t walk away. Not from you. Not from us.”

His lips part, but I don’t let him speak. Not yet.

“I don’t care what you think you owe me,” I continue. “You mean everything to me, Gray. You’re the one who makes me feel like I can be more than what I’ve been told I’m worth. And if you think I’m walking away from that, you’re insane.”

His blue eyes widen, unguarded and vulnerable in a way that makes my heart flutter.

“You said I didn’t have to stay here,” I whisper. “But I chose to. Don’t take that choice away from me.” I reach out, brushing my fingers against his cheek. “Because I’m not scared of this. I’m not scared of us.”

The silence stretches between us, heavy with everything I’ve said and everything he hasn’t. My heart pounds as I wait for him to respond, to say something, anything.

But all I can do now is hope he understands.

Chapter 25 - Gray

Jaslyn’s just watching me, practically daring me to say something, anything. She’s shivering, dripping wet, and absolutely furious—and all I can think about is how gorgeous she looks. How alive. How much I want to wrap her in my arms and never let her go.

But what do I say to someone who just told me they love me? To someone who stormed back into danger not for herself, not for duty, but for me?

I run a hand through my wet hair, buying a few seconds as my wolf snarls at me to stop being a coward. My throat feels tight, and the words don’t come easily.

“I—” My voice falters, and I clear my throat, trying again. “Jaslyn, you don’t have to—”

“Don’t,” she snaps, cutting me off. “Don’t you dare tell me what I don’t have to do. Not after everything.”

Nearby, I can hear Theo and Isadora moving, their low voices just audible over the water lapping at the shore. They’re giving us space, though I know Theo is still on high alert. Good. He can deal with any surprise attacks while I try to fix the mess I’ve made of this conversation.

“You’re freezing,” I say, reaching for her, but she steps back, shaking her head.

“Stop deflecting, Gray. I want an answer.”

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