Page 49 of Brutal Alpha's Sold Mate
We pass a vendor selling flowers, and on a whim, I stop. She watches me with a puzzled look as I pick out a small bouquet of bright blossoms and hand it to her.
“For me?” she asks softly, glancing down at the petals.
I shrug. “Figured you might like them.”
Her cheeks warm again. “They’re lovely. Thanks. They’ll probably die in a day or two, though.”
“Doesn’t matter. In the meantime, they’re pretty. Like you.”
She exhales, half amused, half charmed. “You’re really out to make me blush today, aren’t you?”
I grin. “Maybe a little. Let’s keep going.”
We check out another store that sells dresses. She’s reluctant at first—grumbling about never getting to wear dresses back home unless it’s a special pack celebration—but eventually, she rifles through the racks, squinting at tags. I lounge near the fitting room, trying to play it cool while inside, I’m buzzing with curiosity about what she’ll pick.
When she finally emerges from the fitting room wearing a simple deep-blue dress, my breath stutters. She does a littleturn, looking anywhere but at me. “What do you think? Too formal?”
“It’s perfect,” I manage. “You look incredible.”
She ducks back into the fitting room without comment, but I spot a faint grin on her face. Minutes later, she returns, changed into her normal clothes and holding the dress over her arm. “I guess I’ll take it.”
We pay and leave, and the store owner shoots us a curious smile as if she’s witnessing the blossoming relationship that neither of us fully acknowledges. Back outside, Kai grabs my sleeve. “Don’t expect me to walk around in that all the time. It’s for special occasions.”
“I’d be honored to see you in it even once,” I tell her, trying not to gush too obviously. “But I won’t push my luck.”
She purses her lips, probably fighting off a witty retort. Instead, she checks her list, crossing off items. “Last on my list: sweet treat.”
I clap my hands. “My favorite part.”
We find the same bakery-café that we visited the last time we visited. The smell of freshly baked pastries hits us before we even step inside. Kai’s face lights up, and I know we chose well. I order us pastries stuffed with fruit, plus two cold drinks that look suspiciously sugary. She slides into a chair across from me, setting her bags near her feet.
“Didn’t know you had such a romantic side,” she remarks, eyeing me as I bite into a pastry. “Never pegged you for a sweet-talker.”
I shrug, a pastry crumb tumbling off my lip. “I can be sweet when I want. Besides, you deserve it. You’ve made everyone stronger around here, including me.”
She tilts her head. “Careful. You’ll get me all sentimental.”
I reach across the table, gently taking her hand in mine. “I don’t mind if you do.”
Her gaze shifts to our joined hands, then back up. There’s a tenderness in her expression that tightens something deep in my chest. Maybe it’s my heart, reminding me I’m capable of more than war and territory battles. For once, the problems with Jacob and Reed fade into the background.
We finish our pastries and chat about random things: improvements in the training sessions, Rhea’s unstoppable jab, Tara’s comedic commentary, and a new recruit who’s a natural with grappling. Kai’s eyes sparkle as she talks. She’s clearly proud of how far the novices have come.
“Soon enough, they’ll be just as fierce as the seasoned watchers,” she states, leaning back in her chair. “Not that I’m taking all the credit, but it’s nice to see them flourish.”
“You should take the credit,” I reply. “You poured your soul into them. They owe you their newfound confidence.”
Her lips curve into a pleased smile. “Still not sure how long I’ll be around, though.”
My chest constricts at the reminder. “Right.”
Silence descends, neither of us wanting to dwell on her leaving. But it’s there, looming at the edges of our day.
I force a smile, rising to collect our trash. “Let’s head out. We can stroll around more if you’d like. Or do you want to head home?”
She glances at her watch. “I can wander a bit more, but sure, then we’ll go back.”
Nodding, I gather our bags, holding them all in one hand like a pack mule, determined to show off my strength. We step onto the bustling walkway, weaving through clusters of shifters. My mind drifts to how normal everything feels, how comfortable. Before Kai came to town, I can’t recall the last time I indulged in an afternoon like this, free of watchers, free of the constant worry about my siblings.
