Page 100 of Dark Sold Mate

“Alpha Killian. I’m glad you could make it.” Silas gripped his forearm in the traditional greeting between pack leaders. “Your presence honors us.”

“The honor is mine. After all that your pack has accomplished, revealing that trafficking operation, saving those women, clearing your name, and keeping the innocent safe, it is a privilege to consider you allies.” Killian glanced over where Elle was standing. “And congratulations on the pregnancy. A child is a blessing.”

“Thank you. We’re very excited.”

“I imagine you are. A new generation, a new beginning.” His face suddenly turned serious. “There is something that I would like to discuss with you. The Council at headquarters is in the process of establishing a task force that is specifically aimed at fighting human trafficking. They desire an experienced person to head it. Proven that they could get results.”

Silas’s eyebrows rose. “You mean they are asking me to be the leader of this task force?”

“Or someone from your pack. You have established a team of people who can work well together, who can successfully do this kind of work, with the necessary skills and commitment.” Killian paused. “And it won’t be the only operation you are taking down. There are others. And the Council would like to take the initiative in preventing them before they harm more women.”

It was a huge responsibility. A huge investment of time and resources, and precisely that sort of thing that Silas’s wolf got excited about—fighting on behalf of those who could not.

But it was not a decision that he could make on his own. Not anymore. Not at this time, when he had a pregnant mate.

“I will talk to Elle about it and with my brothers, too. This would affect all of us.”

“Of course. Take your time. The Council is not seeking to establish this task force immediately. But they wanted you to know.” Killian smiled. “Between you and me? I think you’d be perfect for it. You already demonstrated that you’d rather do what is right and not what is easy.”

Then Killian patted him on the shoulders and left. Silas watched him as his mind went over the implications of the offer. It was an opportunity to create a tangible impact, to destroy the activities of trafficking systematically in the region. But it would also take him away from home often, putting him in danger.

He needed to talk to Elle.

As if summoned by his thoughts, she appeared at the base of the platform stairs, looking up at him with those eyes that never failed to make his heart skip a beat.

“Is everything okay? You look tense.”

“Everything’s fine. Just thinking.” Silas went down the stairs and grabbed her hand. “Dance with me?”

Elle giggled. “There’s no music playing.”

“Then we’ll make our own.”

He took her to a more secluded corner, far from the main party, where they might enjoy some privacy. And then he pulled her closer and started swaying.

“There’s no music,” Elle muttered, smiling as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

“I do not need music when I have you.”

They swayed under the sky, tuning out the noise around. Silas dropped his forehead against hers and inhaled sharply, enjoying the way their bond pulsed with contentment and happiness.

“Alpha Killian gave me something. A role at the head of a task force in headquarters to prevent trafficking within the region.”

Elle drew back and looked at him thoughtfully. “That’s a big deal.”

“It is. It would imply additional missions, additional time away, additional danger.” He lifted his hand and caressed her face. “I wanted to discuss it with you first. This affects you, too. Affects our baby.”

“Do you want to do it?”

“Part of me does. I don’t want what happened to you or those other women to happen to another human. And there is another side of me, which only wants to give attention to our family. To be here. To be present for our child.”

“You can do both,” Elle gave him a small smile. “Silas, you are a great Alpha. You are a powerful, competent, and empathetic person. That’s not going to change because we are expecting a child.”

“But the risks—”

“Are they the same as the risks you have already. The responsibility as the head of this task force would not be more risky than what we already do. It would only be better structured, more official.” She gently interlaced their fingers. “I know you’ll make the right call. Whatever you do, I’ll stand by you.”

Silas felt love flood through him, so intense it nearly brought him to his knees. This woman. This incredible, strong, compassionate woman who’d forgiven him for his past cruelty, who’d trusted him with her heart, who was carrying his child and offering him unwavering support for whatever path he chose.