Page 52 of Brutal Alpha's Sold Mate
“Hang on,” Quincey interrupts. “I still don’t know what part he played in your disappearance. Did he buy you? Because I heard rumors about you being sold.”
Theo’s face darkens, and I cringe. “It’s not like that,” I insist. “Yes, a deal was involved, but it’s more involved than amere purchase. Theo wasn’t even aware who Malcolm and Wiley really were when we first crossed paths.”
“That’s a flimsy excuse for someone who got my sister under his roof,” Quincey scoffs. “You better watch it, buddy,” he barks at Theo.
Theo glances at me, then steps forward. “Let me be perfectly clear: I never kidnapped your sister. She stayed with me because we were trying to figure out the best way to handle the poison in her system. I wasn’t about to force her to do anything.”
My brother scoffs. “Right, so we’re supposed to believe you’re some saint? She’s clearly not wearing cuffs right now, but that doesn’t mean you’re not controlling her some other way.”
I see the rage in Theo’s eyes, but I grab his wrist, giving it a quick squeeze. “Theo saved my life. Not just from the poison, but from a hopeless situation. I’d likely still be trapped if he hadn’t intervened.”
Quincey’s scowl deepens. “You said you needed help with his pack’s problems, but why would we do anything for him when he’s half the reason you never came home?”
I open my mouth, uncertain how to phrase this, when Theo’s temper snaps. “I am not half the reason. She chose to stay. Don’t pin this on me.”
Quincey rounds on him, looking ready to punch. “She wouldn’t choose to vanish on her family. You must’ve—”
“Enough!” I shout, pressing a hand against Quincey’s chest. “I’m not a fragile toy. No one forced me. I stayed in Black Cauldron because I was regaining my strength and trying to uphold my part of a bargain we made. And yes, I hid who I was at first. That’s my choice. Not his.”
Theo stands there, chest heaving with emotion, while Quincey clamps his jaw. I spot movement in my peripheral vision—Alec, our alpha, approaching with a small group of shifters. Great, exactly what we need: more onlookers.
Alec halts a few feet away. “Kai. You’re alive.”
I swallow, nodding. “Sorry for the scare, Alec.”
His stern gaze lingers on me, then shifts to Theo. “I see you brought company. Care to explain?”
“He’s… well, I guess you’d call him my mate.” The words nearly catch in my throat. I glance at Theo to see his jaw flex. He might not be thrilled with how I declared it, but I need them to know. “We’re here in peace. He wants to talk about his situation, and I need you to hear him out.”
Silence falls over the gathering. Quincey looks dumbfounded, and Alec’s brow arches. “Your mate? The last time I checked, you refused to even consider a partner from outside East Hills.”
I shift on my feet. “Things change. Long story. He’s not here to fight, but he will defend himself if attacked. Please don’t start something.”
Alec studies Theo, who meets his gaze head-on. “I’ll allow him to stay, for now,” Alec declares. “But if he raises a single fist against us, he’s gone.”
Theo inclines his head in a gesture of acknowledgment. A rush of relief floods my system, though it’s tinged with anxiety. This is far from a warm welcome, but at least it’s not immediate hostility. Well, no more hostility than we already have.
Alec motions for me to take Theo inside the territory. “I expect you both to keep a low profile until we figure out aplan.” Then he gives Theo a pointed look. “Step carefully. I’m not averse to kicking outsiders out.”
Theo’s lips press together. “Understood.”
With that, Alec and the watchers depart, leaving us with Quincey. My brother doesn’t budge, though. He’s still eyeing Theo like he’s deciding whether to punch him, anyway. Finally, he snaps his gaze back to me. “We’ll talk later,” he says before striding off, still fuming.
I exhale, turning to Theo. “You okay?”
He nods, though I can see the tension lining his shoulders. “I’m not about to brawl with your pack’s beta, if that’s what you’re asking. But I’m not thrilled by how everyone’s blaming me.”
I rub my forehead. “Sorry. They’re protective. This is my home, and I vanished. Give them time. Come on. I’ll show you my place.”
I lead him through a maze of houses, much more modern than anything in Black Cauldron territory, until we reach the small cabin I once called mine. A wave of memories assaults me—quiet nights reading by the fire, sparring with Quincey in the yard, patching up stray wolves in the living area. Now I’m bringing Theo, an outsider to East Hills.
I unlock the door and step in. The interior is still cluttered with old personal items. Dust motes swirl in the corners. My bed’s in the far corner, a single table stands near the window, and shelves line one wall with a random collection of books and trinkets. Unlike Theo’s place, my appliances are all stainless steel, and my countertops are marble. I don’t miss the luxury of modern living as much as I thought I would, I’m surprised to find.
Theo follows, setting his bag down. “So, this is your place. It’s… homey.” He looks around, noticing the small touches that say “Kai” even more clearly than the changes I made to his cabin. A battered picture of me and Quincey in front of the packhouse rests on a shelf. He stares at it for a moment.
“Yeah, it’s my place,” I confirm, fiddling with the doorknob nervously. “I always liked being near the boundary so I could come and go for missions. I never enjoyed living in those big old mansions my brother and Alec love so much.”
He sets the photo down carefully. “You look happy in that picture.”
