Page 22 of Dark Sold Mate

“And you abandoned your mission to purchase her.”

“I couldn't leave her there!” Silas's control cracked at the edges. “Do you know what they would have done to her? I couldn't think about the mission at that moment. All I wanted to do was get her out.”

August looked at his best friend. “Your wolf took over.”

“Yes.”

“The mate bond.”

“Yes.”

There was a moment of silence. Then August cleared his throat. “You still should have let her have a choice concerning the bonding.”

“I know.”

“You should have asked her first before bringing her here.”

“I know that too.”

“But you did it anyway.”

Silas’ eyes flickered to Elle's. “I did it anyway.”

August turned to look at Elle. The rage in his eyes had subsided, replaced by something else.

“Give me a minute with my sister.”

Silas nodded and entered the house, leaving Elle and August alone.

August went back to the bench, and Elle sat next to him. Her mind was still spinning with all that she had heard. Silas had fought against her exile. Silas was also trying to investigate the traffickers. Silas had rescued her, however badly he may have done it.

“I need your help,” she turned to her brother.

“Anything.”

“I need you to help me escape.”

August froze. “Elle.”

“Please, August. I can't stay here. I can't be bonded to Silas. I cannot live in this pack that despises me.” Elle grabbed his hands. “Help me get away. I will not tell anybody that you were involved. I will go somewhere far away. They won’t find me. I will change my name and relocate to another country if I need to. Just please, help me.”

“I can't do that.”

Her stomach dropped. “What?”

“Elle, I can't help you escape. I won't.”

“But you're my brother!”

“Which is exactly why I can't.” August caressed her hair. “You're safer here than anywhere else.”

“I don't care about being safe. I care about my freedom!”

“The traffickers are still out there. They saw you. If you run, they'll find you, and Silas won't be there to save you.”

“Then I'll fight them myself. I will learn self-defense.”

“Elle, they're shifters. You can't fight shifters.”