Page 9 of Brutal Alpha's Forced Mate

Wiley snorts from his corner, pushing off the wall with a lazy grin. “Don’t take it personally, wolf. Father’s just sentimental about his favorite toy.”

Malcolm stiffens, shooting his son a warning glare, but I catch the slight twitch in his jaw, the crack in his confidence. Good.

I lean forward slightly, lowering my voice so only Malcolm can hear. “Sentimental doesn’t pay debts, Malcolm. But I do.”

That lands exactly where I want it to. Malcolm’s eyes flicker, the barest hint of panic flashing across his face. He returns to his chair, and his fingers tighten around the armrests as he avoids my gaze. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t you?” I counter, straightening and stepping back just enough to give him room to squirm. “Because I’m fairly certain I know why you’re entertaining buyers at all, Malcolm. Gambling debts are a nasty habit. And from what I hear, yours are piling up faster than you can handle.”

Malcolm’s face goes pale, and his mouth opens and closes like a fish out of water. I can practically see the gears turning in his head as he calculates just how much I know and how much I’m bluffing. The truth is, I’ve heard enough whispers to pose a danger to him, but I don’t need to know every detail. His reaction tells me everything I need.

“Let’s make this simple,” I continue, cutting off whatever pathetic excuse he’s about to stammer out. “I’ll pay you double what you’d get from any other buyer. Right here, right now. Enough to clear your debts and then some.”

Malcolm hesitates, and his eyes dart toward Wiley, who shrugs and gives him a look that says,Why not? I hate him even more for it.

“You’ll pay double?” Malcolm repeats as if he can’t quite believe it.

I nod once, keeping my expression calm even as I feel my wolf clawing to the surface. “Cash. Immediate transfer. All you have to do is sign her over.”

Malcolm glances at Jaslyn, who hasn’t moved or spoken since this whole exchange began. She’s standing perfectly still, her shoulders tight and her eyes fixed on the ground like she’s trying to disappear. The sight of her like this—beaten-down, silenced—fuels the fire already raging in my chest.

“Fine,” Malcolm says at last, though the word is heavy with reluctance and greed. “You’ve got a deal.”

Relief flickers in me, but it’s quickly doused by the seething anger that I can’t quite push away. He should be groveling for what he’s done to her, not haggling like she’s some piece of furniture he’s outgrown. But I hold it in, because this isn’t about him. It’s about her. And getting her out of this hellhole is all that matters.

The transfer is as sickening as I imagined it would be. The paperwork is quick, transactional, and thoroughly dehumanizing. Malcolm smiles far too much during the process, and Wiley lingers nearby, watching with barely concealed amusement. I keep my focus on the pen in Malcolm’s hand, counting down the seconds until this is over.

When it’s done, Malcolm leans back with a satisfied grin, sliding the papers across the table toward me. “Pleasure doing business with you, Alpha.”

I don’t dignify him with a response. Instead, I tuck the papers into my coat, turn on my heel, and make my way toward Jaslyn. She doesn’t look at me, but I can see the tension in her frame as I approach.

“Come on,” I tell her quietly, keeping my voice as gentle as I can.

She hesitates for a fraction of a second before stepping forward.

We make it out of the house without incident, though I can feel Malcolm and Wiley’s eyes burning into my back the whole way. The second we’re outside, Jaslyn pulls away, putting several feet of space between us as she rounds on me.

“What the hell are you doing here?” she snaps. “Do you have any idea—”

“Saving you,” I cut in, turning to face her fully. “That’s what I’m doing.”

She lets out a bitter laugh, crossing her arms over her chest. “Saving me? That’s rich. Where was all this heroism ten years ago, Gray? Oh, wait… you were too busy banishing me to care.”

I step closer, lowering my voice. “I didn’t have a choice then.”

Her eyes narrow, and her voice rises with every word. “You always have a choice. Don’t stand there and act like—”

“Keep your voice down,” I warn, glancing back toward the house. The last thing we need is Malcolm or Wiley overhearing this.

“Why?” she demands, her voice shaking with anger. “Afraid they’ll realize what a hypocrite you are? That the great Alpha Gray Reed has a thing for ruining lives and then swooping in to play the hero when it suits him?”

“Enough,” I bark.

She flinches slightly, and guilt slams into me. She’s been through enough. The last thing she needs is me barking at her.

I take a breath, forcing myself to calm down. “I know you’re angry. You have every right to be. But right now, the only thing that matters is getting you out of here.”

Her glare could cut steel, but she doesn’t argue. Instead, she storms past me toward my truck parked at the edge of the property. I follow without a word, quickening my steps as I send one last glance over my shoulder.

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