Page 10 of Brutal Alpha's Sold Mate
“Yes,” he says firmly. “Once I’ve secured the alpha position and you’ve regained your strength, you’re free to go wherever you want.”
“And if your brothers don’t back down? If this whole plan of yours falls apart?” I squint at him, searching for cracks in his calm exterior. “What happens then?”
“Then we deal with it.”
I snort, shaking my head. “You make it sound so simple.”
“It doesn’t have to be complicated. You help me. I help you. That’s it.”
My wolf stirs faintly in the back of my mind, restless but still too weak to communicate whatever she’s trying to say. This isn’t how I wanted things to go. I had a plan, a purpose. I was supposed to help my brother and my own alpha keep East Hills safe, and now it feels like everything has been ripped out from under me.
But he’s right about one thing: I need options. And right now, he’s the only one offering me any.
“Fine,” I say. “I’ll play your game. But don’t think for a second that I’m doing this for you.”
“Noted,” he replies with a curt nod. “Welcome to the Black Cauldron pack, Kai.”
Chapter 4 - Theo
The woman sitting next to me is a mystery wrapped in defiance. Any other wolf in her position would be groveling or trying to play nice to get on my good side. Not her. No, Kai’s made it abundantly clear she thinks I’m beneath her and that she’d rather be anywhere but here.
It’s… fascinating.
She should be afraid of me. I’m bigger, stronger, and, in every sense of the word, her captor. I could literally control her if I chose to. But instead of fear, she exudes irritation, as if I’ve interrupted her busy schedule by saving her from what I assume was a nightmare. I can feel the heat of her glare, even as I focus on the rutted dirt road ahead.
“How much longer are we driving through this… nothing?” she grumbles, her tone laced with disdain as she peers out the window. “I didn’t know there were still places on the map where civilization hasn’t caught up.”
I smirk, but don’t take my eyes off the road. “Not much farther. You’ll find it worth the wait.”
She snorts, but her muttering doesn’t stop. Something about the wilderness, the gravel road, the ancient barn we passed half a mile back. It’s as if she’s deliberately trying to get under my skin. It almost works.
“Civilization isn’t all it’s cracked up to be,” I claim after a beat. “Sometimes simpler is better.”
She scoffs, clearly unimpressed. “Spoken like someone who’s never been anywhere worth visiting.”
Her opinion doesn’t surprise me. She’s from a modern pack, that much is obvious. East Hills wolves have their fancypackhouses, a full town full of touristy bullshit, and more human amenities than most wolves know what to do with. We’re different. The Black Cauldron pack prefers things rugged and functional.
The road curves sharply, and the tree line thins, revealing the heart of my pack’s territory. It’s not much to look at—wooden cabins nestled in a clearing, smoke curling from a few chimneys, and a handful of wolves milling about in their human forms. Most of the vehicles are trucks that have seen better days, and a group of pups chases each other around a dilapidated swing set near the packhouse.
Kai’s reaction is immediate. She stiffens in her seat, and her lips part as she takes it all in. It’s not shock but something more subtle, like disbelief laced with judgment. I’d be offended if it weren’t so damn amusing.
“This is it?” she asks, incredulous. “You livehere?”
I park the SUV in front of the largest building: a two-story structure with a wide porch and a sagging roof. This is our version of a church. A building dedicated to ceremonies and pack meetings.
“It’s home,” I say simply, stepping out of the vehicle.
She doesn’t follow right away. Her gaze sweeps the scene like she’s waiting for the punchline. When she finally climbs out, it’s with a resigned sigh that makes me want to laugh.
“Welcome to the Black Cauldron pack,” I declare, gesturing to the area. “It’s not much, but it’s ours.”
She hikes up a brow, crossing her arms. “I’ve seen hunting cabins with more charm.”
“Good thing we’re not here to impress you,” I reply, earning a scowl.
Leonard steps out onto the porch as we approach. He’s dressed in his usual attire: a flannel shirt, worn jeans, and boots that have seen more miles than most cars. His weathered face breaks into a grin when he sees me.
“Well, if it isn’t Theo Hunt,” Leonard greets us. “Didn’t expect to see you back so soon. Thought that meeting would take a bit longer.”
