Page 55 of Dark Sold Mate

“No. I’m not hurt.” A pause. “It’s just a lot.”

“Yes.”

“But it doesn’t hurt.”

“Good.” He moved, rolling to his side and dragging her with him so that she was not supporting his weight. “I’m sorry I didn’t warn you.”

“Can you control it?”

“Apparently not. Look, Elle—”

“Stop apologizing.” She said quietly. “Just… stay still.”

So, he stayed still. He could feel her heart beat against his chest.

“What was that?” Elle asked.

“The knot. It’s—it’s an Alpha thing. It occurs in orgasm, in some instances. I’ve never—” He stopped, unable to spin any sensible lies. “I will explain it properly. I will explain everything. Just not right now.”

“Okay.”

Elle didn’t pull away. She was pressed against him with her hand on his chest, and Silas held her in the dark, thinking about what Margaret had said, how warm Elle felt, and how much he had to tell her.

Chapter 14 - Elle

The heat lasted two more days.

It was not until the second morning that Margaret came to her with a small glass bottle and a rather detached explanation that Elle really realized what was going on with her.

Heat suppressants—a substance that would control her body, break the cycle, and prevent its recurrence until she decided to do so. Something to take back what her own body had stolen without her permission. Elle went to the bathroom and swallowed the first dose.

Then she spent the rest of the day in her bed. She was sore and angry at the fact that this happened without her consent. Hours later, Elle got up from the bed, took a long shower, and felt that the only thing to do was to move on.

***

Elle rubbed her fingers against the truck’s window as Silas drove past the forest. They were going home after another futile search.

It had been three days since the heat broke. Three days had passed since she and Silas had slept together, and her magic remained dormant and useless.

She could feel it vibrating under her skin. But when she wanted to try to use it, it would slip through her fingers just like water.

“Nothing again?” Rael asked from the driver’s seat.

Elle shook her head. “Same as before. I touched the walls, and I saw what happened there. But it was just the past. Nothing as to where the operation is based or where the next auction will be.”

She closed her eyes in frustration. What is the use of her powers if it only showed her horrible things that had already taken place? Could it really serve a purpose of making them end the trafficking ring, or rescue the women who remained in the ring?

Beside her in the backseat, August patted her shoulder. “Give it time.”

Her eyes snapped open. “But we do not have time. Another day spent with no progress is yet another day those women are suffering.”

“We are doing whatever we can with the available information.” Rael glanced at her through the rearview mirror. “Javi has been using the descriptions that you provided us.”

“And?”

“And we’re getting closer. It is proving a bit difficult. But we’re right on track.”

She tsked in annoyance. “Not enough.”