Page 31 of Dark Sold Mate

“I want to help you with the investigation. I will tell you what I remember about my kidnapping and the auction. But I have conditions.”

Javi leaned forward. “What kind of conditions?”

“I work at my own pace. If I need to stop, we stop. And you don't take me anywhere in an attempt to jog my memory. I'm a person, not a tool. Treat me like one or find another way of procuring your information.”

Rael nodded slowly. “Those are more than reasonable.”

“Reasonable?” Javi frowned. “We are trying to save our pack's reputation. We need answers, not—”

“We need Elle's cooperation,” Rael cut in. “Your conditions are fair. We accept them.”

August smiled slightly. “Good.”

Some of the tension within her melted away. “Then I'm willing to help. Ask me whatever, but respect my boundaries.”

“We will,” Rael assured her.

Javi did not look happy, though he nodded reluctantly. “Fine.”

“Anything more you want to talk about?” Rael asked.

Elle shook her head. She had said what she needed to say.

“Then we shall get in touch. Thank you, Elle.”

Elle didn't respond. She just walked away from the house without paying attention to Silas behind her.

She needed space and air. She wanted to be left alone with her thoughts and with no one watching or expecting anything from her.

Elle walked through the pack's territory with no clear destination in mind. The sun was out in full force, and for a moment, she imagined she was back in the human world, walking through the streets, leading an ordinary life.

Then she felt it. That pull in her chest. That pain that Silas told her about.

The mate bond tugged painfully, wanting her to go back to him. Elle grit her teeth and continued walking. She didn't want to go back and prove Silas right.

But the pain increased with each step. Her chest felt tight, and it was getting difficult to breathe. It was like an invisible string pulling her back to Silas.

“Damn it,” Elle muttered.

She hated that he'd been right. She hated yearning for the company of a man she hated.

Elle had to continue walking. She would endure this suffering. She would show that she did not need him.

“Well, well. Look who crawled back.”

Elle froze. She knew that voice.

Three women came out of a building. Even though eight years had passed, Elle still recognized them. Madison—a flawless blonde with a cruel smile. She had two friends, Joan and Lauren, who currently flanked her on both sides. Elle's former bullies.

“Madison,” Elle said flatly.

“Elle Jones.” Madison's lip twisted in disgust. “Or shall I say now, Elle Weston? Because you have somehow managed to entrap our Alpha into mating with you.”

Elle stared at her head on. The old Elle would have cowered, apologized for existing, and fled before they could harm her.

But Elle wasn't that girl anymore.

“I did not entrap anybody,” Elle said coldly.