Page 34 of Brutal Alpha's Sold Mate
Leonard shrugs. “Damien said he’ll arrange a meeting, but you’ll have to deal with him directly, too. He’s apparently protective of Jade. She’s his wife, after all. They’ll want your cooperation if there’s any whiff of demon involvement in our territory.”
I snatch the parchment and skim its contents. It’s a polite invitation to come to the River Valley pack’s meeting hall in two days. I can’t wait that long, but I guess I have no choice.
I grit my teeth but keep my tone civil. “You did well. I’ll handle it. Thanks.”
Leonard breathes out. “Just be mindful. Damien’s arrogant. He might test you, see how far he can push. But if you make it clear you’re serious about taking down any demon threat, he’ll likely keep it professional.”
“Yeah, I’ve heard stories about Damien Lucas. Rich, cocky, huge ego. Sounds like half the alphas I know.” I tuck the parchment under my arm. “Appreciate this, Leonard.”
“Don’t mention it. I want Kai to get better, too.”
I step outside, my mind racing with the possibilities. If Jade truly has a solution, Kai could regain her wolf. The idea alone makes me want to sprint for River Valley immediately. Still, we have the scheduled meeting to respect. Storming in unannounced is a bad look.
I spend the next day preparing for the trip, ensuring my watchers keep a close eye on our borders. Reed may or may not be behind the attack on Kai, but I’m not ruling out that he’s planning more. I trust Kai’s capacity to train our untested fighters, but I need them to hurry. We can’t remain in this shaky position forever.
Finally, the day arrives. I load up a sturdy truck with supplies—and some gifts for good measure—then set off for River Valley. I bring only two watchers because I want to show that we mean no aggression.
The drive is uneventful, though my impatience grows with each mile. I think about Kai back home, probably pacing or—knowing her—pretending to be fine while she works with the trainees. I hate leaving her, but this trip is a necessary step.
River Valley pack territory is more modern than ours: wide roads, well-kept structures, a sense of prosperity. Damien’s people direct me to their main gathering hall, a stone building near the center of their territory. A couple of serious-faced guards greet me, confirm my identity, and then lead me inside to a spacious chamber. The vibe is formal, with polished floors and a large table set up near the front. Much more modern than I’m used to.
Damien Lucas stands at that table, flanked by a few of his senior wolves. He’s tall, broad, dark-haired, and wearing a tailored shirt that probably cost a small fortune. His gray eyesflash as I approach, reminding me of the rumors about them turning silver under the moon. He offers a polite greeting, though there’s something keen in his stare, like he’s evaluating me as a potential threat or ally.
Next to him is Jade Thornton, a woman with kind features and russet eyes. She’s dressed in a flowing outfit that suggests she’s a witch and wants the world to know. She’s plus-sized, and the slight slump to her shoulders indicates she’s still getting used to being in the spotlight. Regardless, her eyes hold a quiet confidence I find surprising.
Damien motions for me to approach. “Theo Hunt, correct? My father had a few dealings with yours before he passed. I hear you’re leading the Black Cauldron pack now.”
I stand tall. “Yes. And I appreciate you taking time to see me. I have business regarding a cure for my mate.”
“I’ve heard about that. Poison that dampens a wolf.”
I glance at Jade, who grimaces. “We heard your mate was targeted by slavers, the ones who supply witches to demons. That’s… vile.” She exhales quietly. “I’ll do what I can.”
“Thank you,” I say. “If you have something that can help her, whatever the cost, I’m willing to pay.”
Damien smirks. “Money’s easy to come by. We want information. Our alliance stands firm against any demon infiltration, and those slavers, Malcolm and Wiley, are rumored to be working with forces none of us want on our land. If you learn anything about them or their dealings, you tell us.”
“That’s the deal, then?” I ask. “I keep you informed, and in exchange, Jade provides a cure for my mate?”
“We might also need you to stand with us if demon trouble escalates. But for now, yes, the main requirement is intel.”
“Done,” I agree. “If anything suspicious pops up, you’ll be the first to know.”
He glances at Jade, who gives a small nod. Then she lifts a small wooden box from a bag at her feet and passes it to me. “Inside is a potion designed to cleanse residual dark magic. It might not be an instant fix, but she should take it daily for a week. If her wolf is still suppressed, I can craft something stronger.”
I cradle the box in my hands as though it’s the key to saving Kai’s life. “I appreciate this more than you know.”
“I hope it works,” Jade tells me. “Come back if you need further help. I’m still honing my healing magic, but I’ve had success with potions like this.”
Damien nods at me. “Spread the word among your watchers—any news on enslavers or demon sightings, funnel it our way. This is bigger than just one pack. We can’t risk them taking hold anywhere.”
“Agreed. My watchers are already on the lookout.” I glance around the hall, noting the well-equipped guards. “You seem prepared for a fight.”
Damien’s lips twitch. “We learned from our own past misfortunes. The presence of demon sympathizers anywhere near our land is unacceptable.”
I can respect that. I secure the wooden box under my arm. “Thank you. This means everything to me.”
He waves a hand dismissively. “We’ll see if it actually fixes her. But for now, good luck.”
