Page 33 of Dark Sold Mate

“Good. Now get out of my sight.”

Madison, Joan, and Lauren virtually ran away with their tails between their legs.

Silas turned to Elle. “Are you alright?”

“I didn't need you to do that.”

“She was about to attack you.”

“I was handling it.”

“She's a shifter, Elle. She would have hurt you.”

“So? That does not mean that you can fly in and act as a hero.” Elle crossed her arms. “I told them off. I stood my ground. And then you came and made it seem like I needed your protection.”

“You did need my protection,” his voice tinged with annoyance. “You're human. They're shifters. The power imbalance—”

“Is something I have been handling my whole life!” Elle yelled. “I know I'm weaker than them. I know that I would never stand a chance in physical combat. But, it does not mean that I am helpless or you should fight my battles.”

“I'm your mate. Protecting you is my job.”

“I didn't ask for a mate! I didn't ask for protection! I didn't ask for any of this!” She cried as she felt tears in her eyes. Elle felt angry, frustrated, and disgusted with her lack of powers. “You continue to make choices for me, and now you are taking away my power to defend myself as well?”

Silas's expression softened. “That's not what I'm trying to do.”

“You told them not to mess with your “wife.” You put it plainly that I am under your protection. Which only makes me look more pathetic in their eyes. The woman who needs the great, powerful Alpha to protect her.”

“I was trying to help.”

“Well, you didn't.” Elle walked past him, heading back. “You just made things worse.”

Silas followed her. “Elle, wait.”

“No. I'm done talking. I am fed up with you coming in whenever I have a problem. I am sick and tired of you treating me like I am a piece of glass. Like, I am fragile.”

“I don't think you're fragile.”

Elle whirled around. “Then stop acting like I am! Stop making decisions for me. Stop catering to me.” She sighed loudly. “Just stop.”

“My wolf couldn't just let me watch.”

“Then learn,” Elle said. “Because I can't live like this. I cannot be with a person who believes that I should be rescued every time. Next time, let me try to handle it first.”

“Okay.”

“Okay?”

“I'll try.”

“Thank you,” she said quietly.

They walked back home in silence. The ache Elle felt had disappeared due to Silas’ presence. It was replaced by a weird, sweet sensation. She didn't like it, but she was too powerless to stop it. So she would have to make it bearable, like starting with setting boundaries. It wasn't much. But it was a start.

Chapter 9 - Silas

Silas stood in front of Elle's bedroom, his hand raised to knock, second-guessing himself for the hundredth time.

This was a terrible idea. Elle could hardly bear his existence. She had already shown him quite clearly that she did not want to have anything to do with him. Trying to spend time with her would most likely complicate things.