Page 53 of Brutal Alpha's Sold Mate
I swallow. “I was. That was before everything went sideways. Before I thought I could handle that mission alone.”
“So who exactly were you here, aside from ‘best warrior’?”
I chew my lip, deciding how much to divulge. “My uncle was the alpha, but after he died, his successor took over. That’s Alec. My parents passed in a rogue attack when I was young, so I poured my entire being into training. I guess I needed to prove I was worthy, that I could protect everyone else so they wouldn’t meet the same fate.”
Theo’s features soften. “I understand that drive. And your brother’s the beta?”
“Yep, Quincey,” I confirm, sinking onto a small stool by the table. “He wanted me to be his right hand, but I never liked politics. I preferred being on the front lines, busting heads if needed.”
Theo huffs a sound close to a laugh. “Sounds like you. Did your pack rely on you a lot?”
“They did,” I admit. “Which brings us to why I ran. I couldn’t leave them wondering, and I also couldn’t watch youmarch to your death, stuck in that plan to fight your brothers for territory. I don’t want you walking into that. My pack might help if you let them.”
“Help how? Force me to back down? Force Reed and Jacob to back down? I can’t just surrender my claim. I have a duty to my pack.”
I sigh. “I’m not asking you to surrender. I’m asking you to consider an alternative. Maybe an alliance or a diplomatic approach that doesn’t involve you beating Reed or Jacob into submission.”
His jaw works for a moment. “You think East Hills will wave a magic wand and solve my family drama?”
I snort. “Hardly. But they might bring enough leverage to the table that your brothers realize they can’t just pick fights. Or at least, we could negotiate. If East Hills stands with you, that’s a pretty big statement.”
He paces the small space, scanning the shelves stacked with old books. “So, your big plan was to run away, recruit your pack, and hope I wouldn’t do anything stupid while you were gone? You didn’t think I’d worry when I found you missing?”
“I knew you’d freak out, but I had no choice. You were so obsessed with that plan, ignoring every warning I gave you. My only hope was to get help. I didn’t want to do it behind your back, but I was out of options.”
“You should’ve told me. I might’ve come with you willingly.”
“Would you, though? You were so certain your plan was the only way.”
He rubs his temple. “Okay, maybe I wouldn’t have. But you could’ve tried.”
We let the moment hang between us, along with the weight of our mutual regrets. Finally, he crosses the room and sits on the bed. “What now? Alec might let me stay, but I doubt he trusts me. Quincey wants my head on a pike, and half your pack probably thinks I’m a kidnapper.”
I take a breath, forcing calm. “Now we see if my pack can help you. I’ll talk to Alec, to the others. We might have to lay out a negotiation plan, or at least gather enough support that your brothers realize attacking you isn’t a quick victory. But we can’t do that if you keep doubling down on a battle plan. Show them you’re open to a nonviolent solution.”
“And if that fails?”
“Then at least I tried. At least we both tried, instead of charging into a bloodbath.”
He exhales, a slow, measured sound. “Fine. I’ll attempt to keep an open mind, for your sake.”
Relief floods me, even though I know this is only the beginning. My wolf aches at how complicated everything’s become, but I remind myself that we’re alive, and we’re here together. That counts for something.
I stand, stepping closer. “Thank you,” I tell him, letting my hand rest on his shoulder. He looks at me, and his expression is torn between anger, sorrow, and that same longing I’ve seen before. My heart clenches at the swirl of emotions in his eyes.
We linger in that fragile moment. There are no immediate answers, but a shared understanding that we both want to find a way out of this mess without losing each other. It might be impossible, but I’m sure as hell going to try.
Chapter 20 - Theo
If I didn’t know any better, I’d think Kai planned this whole thing just to make me question everything I thought I knew about loyalty, ambition, and the meaning of control. But here I am, pacing her bedroom, stewing over every word we’ve said to each other since she dragged me into her world.
Her betrayal? Fine. I can swallow that. She’s been through hell and back, and she has her reasons. But this insistence on meddling in my family’s affairs? On undermining my plans to solidify my place as alpha? That’s what twists the knife.
Does she really think some negotiation or alliance will stop Reed and Jacob from tearing my pack apart? Strength is the only language they understand. And as much as I hate to admit it, I’ve already wasted too much time trying to explain this to her.
The rational move would be to let her go. Walk away, find a more compliant mate, and move on. But the thought of cutting her out makes my chest feel like it’s caving in. I want her to understand, to stand beside me, not constantly fight me on every decision. And yet, every time she speaks, every time she looks at me with that fire in her eyes, I feel myself softening. Weakening.
Damn her.
