Page 41 of Brutal Alpha's Sold Mate
Not yet, I think back. I’m not risking shifting too soon. I need a full recovery before I test that boundary.
I circle the perimeter, weaving around clusters of trees and small cabins. A few watchers wave, and I wave back. My stamina outlasts any previous attempts I’ve made in the past few weeks. When I finally slow, my heart’s pounding in a satisfying way, not out of weakness. I’m breathless but triumphant.
Returning to the training field, I find it mostly empty except for a couple of watchers exchanging notes. The breeze ruffles my hair, sending a mild shiver down my spine. I wipe sweat from my forehead and head back toward Theo’s cabin, stepping inside to find him flipping through a stack of papers on the table.
“You’re back faster than I expected,” he remarks, glancing up.
“I covered more ground in less time,” I explain, stretching my arms overhead. “My endurance is improving.”
He sets the papers aside and angles his head toward me. “That’s good to hear. Because I’ve got a proposition.”
“Another one of your brilliant ideas?” I tease, dropping onto a chair.
“Funny,” he says dryly. “I’d like to expand the training you’re doing. Make it mandatory for all adult pack members, regardless of gender or rank. You’d lead, with watchers assisting.”
I stare at him. “Mandatory? Even for the older wolves who think they know everything?”
“We can’t have lazy attitudes. Reed and Jacob’s antics prove that any vulnerability can be exploited. I want this pack prepared. And since you’re basically the reason half these novices are badasses now, you’re the best teacher.”
I feel a surge of pride in my chest. “I’m flattered. For real. But I’m not staying forever.” The words catch in my throat, though I force them out. “I have my own pack to return to.”
His mouth forms a line. “I know. But until you leave, you’re the most capable trainer we’ve got for the wide range of skill levels.”
Silence stretches. My chest feels tight, and not from pain. “All right. I’ll help as long as I’m here.” A pause. “Are we sure I can leave soon? Because I’m starting to wonder if I can break free at all, with how this pack drama keeps rearing its head.”
He brushes a hand through his hair. “I won’t force you to stay. Once your wolf is truly back and I’ve officially been named alpha, your life is yours. I just…” He trails off, something heavy in his expression.
I want to push him to finish, but I also want to avoid hearing whatever complicated confession might come out. If he asks me to stay, I’m not sure what I’ll do. My heart lurches at the idea of leaving him behind, but I can’t ignore that East Hills is my home, and my brother is waiting there.
I clear my throat. “So, mandatory classes, watchers assisting. We’ll need a rotation schedule if we’re training all ages.”
“I was thinking daily sessions, morning and evening,” he continues without missing a beat. “Some wolves work nights, so we’ll adapt.”
We hammer out details for the next hour, scribbling on scraps of paper. I can’t help but admire the concentration on Theo’s face, the way he’s truly listening to my suggestions. It’s a far cry from the arrogant alpha I first encountered, the one who shoved me into this bizarre mate arrangement. Lately, he’s been respectful. Thoughtful, even.
Eventually, we finalize a rough plan. My stomach rumbles, reminding me I skipped lunch. “I’m starving,” I state. “Is there anything to eat around here, or did you forget we need actual meals?”
He smirks. “I hunted a few rabbits earlier, but not sure how you feel about stew for dinner.”
“Sounds good if you actually know how to cook them.”
“I’m not completely incompetent in the kitchen. Want to help?”
I shrug, following him to the small cooking area. We work side by side, cleaning the meat and tossing it into a pot with some sparse vegetables. I add a pinch of salt, and he contributesa dash of pepper. The whole thing simmers, and the aroma eventually fills the cabin.
While we wait, he rummages for bread, cutting thick slices. “You taught my watchers better knife skills than they had,” he remarks. “I caught them practicing the stances you showed them in secret.”
I grin. “Yourwatchers, hmm?”
He rolls his eyes. “Fine,the pack’swatchers. But they’re definitely more disciplined since you came.”
“That’s the idea.” I swirl the stew. “You realize my pack might appreciate these skills, too. I used to train plenty of novices in East Hills. Then I got dragged into all this madness.”
He flinches. “Right, madness. Sorry about that.”
His apology lands between us. It’s not the first time he’s said sorry for the circumstances, but each time, it hits differently.
“I’ve never told you the full story,” I say. “How I got caught. How I ended up being bought and sold like some useless object.
