Page 49 of Brutal Alpha's Forced Mate

Before long, the supplies are sorted, the goodbyes are exchanged, and by morning, we’ll be on the road. But I can’t shake the knot of tension coiled in my chest. The uncertainty over what lies ahead.

I find myself wandering toward the edge of the forest, my steps heavy and aimless. The air is crisp and cool, carrying the faint scent of pine and earth, but it does nothing to ease the restlessness gnawing at me.

Maybe running will help. Shifting always cleared my head when I was younger, grounding me in the primal rhythm of my wolf. It’s simple, instinctual. Just me and the wild.

But when I close my eyes and reach for the wolf, nothing happens.

My magic stutters, faltering like a flame caught in the wind. I grit my teeth and try again, focusing on the familiar pull, the heat, the shift. Still nothing.

Dammit. Not now.

“What are you doing?” Gray’s voice cuts through the quiet, and I whirl around to find him leaning against a nearby tree. How long has he been there?

For a moment, my heart skips—not from surprise, but from the sight of him. The way the fading sunlight catches the sharp angles of his face, the casual confidence in his stance, the way he seems to fill the entire forest with his presence. It’s maddening. Infuriating. And far too distracting for someone who’s supposed to be preparing for a demon hunt.

“Trying to shift,” I admit. “It’s not working.”

He doesn’t respond right away, just watches me with that steady, assessing gaze that makes me feel like he sees more than I’m ready to share. My fingers curl into fists at my sides as I try to ignore the way my pulse quickens under his scrutiny.

Because the truth is, it’s not just the shifting that’s bothering me. It’s him. It’s the way his voice wraps around me like a promise, the way his presence grounds me and unravels me all at once. It’s the way my feelings for him are starting to slip past the boundaries I’ve tried so hard to keep in place.

Feelings I can’t afford right now.

Not when we’re about to walk into the unknown. Not when there’s every chance we might not come back. Letting myself care about Gray—really care—feels like inviting pain. Like reaching for something that might not be there when this is all over.

But as much as I try to remind myself of that, my traitorous heart doesn’t seem to care.

He pushes off the tree and strides toward me. “You’re overthinking it again.”

“Thanks for the groundbreaking insight, Alpha,” I snap, but the edge in my voice doesn’t faze him. If anything, it makes the corner of his mouth twitch like he’s trying not to smile.

“Seriously, Jaslyn,” he says, stopping in front of me. “You’re too wound up. Shifting isn’t just physical, it’s mental. If your head’s not in the right place, your wolf won’t come out.”

“How can I relax when I’m about to head into demon-infested territory?”

He chuckles, low and warm, and the sound sends a shiver down my spine. “There are other ways to relax, you know.”

I narrow my eyes at him, searching for any hint of teasing. But his gaze is steady, intent, and it sends a different kind of tension coiling through me. The air between us shifts, charged with something I can’t quite name but can definitely feel.

“Other ways, huh?” I say, my voice softer now, almost a challenge. I tilt my head, letting the moment linger. “You seem on edge, too,” I murmur. “Maybe we should both take a moment to… relax.”

His blue eyes darken, and for a second, I think he might actually give in. But then he steps back, running a hand through his hair and breaking the spell. “Jaslyn—”

“No.” I close the distance between us, placing my hand on his chest. His heartbeat is strong and steady beneath my palm, but I don’t miss the way it quickens slightly at my touch. “Don’t overthink it.”

He swallows hard. “This isn’t a good idea.”

“Why not?” I press, my voice dropping to a whisper. “Because you’re scared? Or because you want me too much to stop?”

His resolve falters, just for a moment, and it’s all the encouragement I need. I lean in and brush my lips against the line of his jaw. His breath hitches, and I feel a surge of satisfaction at the way his hands flex at his sides like he’s fighting not to touch me.

“Jaslyn…” It’s a warning, but it sounds more like a plea.

I smile against his skin. “Relax, Alpha.”

With that, I close the gap between us, and my lips find his in a kiss that’s anything but tentative. It’s bold and demanding, and he responds with a heat that sends sparks racing through my veins. His hands grip my waist, pulling me closer as his control snaps, and the world tilts beneath me.

Gray’s lips are fire and sin, and I lose myself completely as his hands roam over my body. His touch is both possessive and gentle. Every brush of his fingers, every press of his mouth, ignites something inside me that I didn’t even know was there.

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