Page 33 of Brutal Alpha's Forced Mate

“You’ve got a good alpha, though,” Mason continues, glancing at me for the first time. “Tough. Fair. I’ve heard a lot of good things.”

“Thanks,” I say dryly. “Appreciate the endorsement.”

Mason grins, clearly missing the sarcasm. “Just calling it like I see it.” He turns back to Jaslyn, and his voice drops a little, like he’s trying to sound smooth. “But if you ever feel likeexploring other options, Starfire Hollow’s not too far. I could show you around.”

I stiffen, but before I can say anything, Jaslyn beats me to it.

“Tempting, but I think I’ll pass.”

Mason chuckles, either oblivious or too cocky to care. “Well, the offer’s open.”

“Noted,” she replies, taking a sip of her whiskey. Her eyes flit to me, and there’s a hint of amusement there, like she’s enjoying watching me squirm.

When Mason finally wanders off, I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. “You’ve got a way with people,” I say.

“Jealous, Gray?”

“Not in the slightest,” I lie, finishing my drink.

The rest of the night plays out much the same way. Jaslyn moves through the room with a kind of effortless confidence that draws people to her like moths to a flame. She chats with wolves from Starfire Hollow, East Hills, and even a few of the older Red Arrow members. Every single one of them seems captivated by her. I tell myself it’s a good thing. She’s winning them over, proving that she’s not just some outsider forced into our pack.

But then there are the looks. The way some of the guys linger a little too long, their gazes dipping just a fraction too far. I clench my jaw every time, fighting the urge to step in and remind them who she is. Who she belongs to.

Except she doesn’t belong to me. Not really. And that’s the problem, isn’t it?

“You’re quiet tonight,” Theo mentions as he sidles up next to me, nursing a beer. “Something on your mind?”

“Not really,” I say dismissively.

He follows my gaze to Jaslyn, who’s laughing at something one of the East Hills wolves said. “Ah. Got it.”

“There’s nothing to get,” I snap, but he just grins.

“Sure, there isn’t,” he says.

I glare at him, but he doesn’t seem to care. “Go bother someone else, Theo.”

“Gladly,” he says, clapping me on the shoulder before wandering off.

I watch as Jaslyn finishes her conversation and starts making her way back to me. Her cheeks are flushed, either from the whiskey or the heat of the room, and there’s a lightness in her step that I haven’t seen before. She looks happy. Relaxed.

“Enjoying yourself?” I ask when she stops in front of me.

“More than I thought I would,” she admits. “This place isn’t half bad.”

“High praise,” I comment with a smirk.

She rolls her eyes but doesn’t argue. Instead, she leans against the bar and glances up at me. “Take me home, Gray.”

The words catch me off-guard, and for a moment, I can’t read her tone. She doesn’t seem upset or tired. Just… ready. For what, I’m not sure.

I nod, setting my glass down. “Let’s go.”

She walks beside me in silence, and for once, I don’t feel the need to fill it. Whatever this night was, whatever it meant, I know one thing for sure: Jaslyn Kismet is an enchanting wolf.

And that might just be my undoing.

The ride back to the packhouse is different than any other ride we’ve taken together. Jaslyn leans against the passenger window. Her cheeks are flushed, and her lips are slightly parted as she watches the trees blur by. She’s been babbling off and on since we left the bar, and her usual sharp edges have been dulled by the whiskey.

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