Page 82 of Dark Sold Mate

“What kind of concerns?”

“The human trafficking allegations. Which are heinous. We cannot go on associating with you, should there be any truth in them. It is contrary to our principles.” Killian visibly hesitated. “It has always been the belief of the Clearwater pack to protect both humans and shifters. We cannot side with a pack that does the opposite.”

“There is no iota of truth in those allegations,” Silas assured him firmly. “My pack is being framed. We are trying to locate the actual traffickers and get our name cleared.”

“Then you can show that you are innocent?”

Silas’s jaw clenched. “We are looking for evidence to stop the trafficking ring. We have collected some intelligence, located some of the members of the operation-”

“All these aren’t an indication of innocence, I’m afraid. We need something concrete, Alpha Silas.”

Before Silas could respond, an alarm blared in the building. It was from an inbuilt security system that Rael once told her about. And that security system was now warning them about a visitor on the premises.

Silas moved before the second alarm came up, his body tense and ready for a fight. Elle followed despite his sharp look that clearly said she should stay put.

They went out to see Javi and August already dragging someone towards them. As they came closer, it turned out to be just a kid looking scared as hell with the two Alpha wolves towering over him.

“Who are you?” Silas asked harshly, making the boy flinch.

“I didn’t mean any harm!” The boy blurted out, trembling. “I was only expected to leave some. That’s all. I swear!”

“Leave what?” Javi took the boy’s backpack and dumped its contents on the ground.

Documents spilled out, along with what looked like planted evidence—files with the Weston pack’s letterhead, photographs that had clearly been doctored, fabricated proof that would further incriminate Silas’ pack in the trafficking operation.

“Who sent you?” Silas’ voice was deadly quiet, more terrifying than if he’d yelled.

“I don’t know his name,” the boy sniffled. I swear. Someone paid me to plant this. Said it was a prank. Please, I’m sorry!”

Alpha Killian walked up from behind, staring at the terrified boy and the scattered evidence on the ground.

“That,” Silas turned to him, “is what has been happening. Someone has been planting evidence in order to bring my pack down. Hiring individuals to make us look like we are benefiting from or are in charge of the trafficking ring. This boy is not the first one to try.”

“But who would do this?” Killian’s brows pulled together, forming a frown. “What would they gain in ruining the reputation of your pack?”

“That is what we are going to find out,” Silas looked down at the boy. “And this boy is going to help us.”

Chapter 21 - Silas

The kid was sitting in Silas’ home office, with his hands tied and his face flushed with fear. Silas, his brothers, and August were standing in the corner of the room, looking at the teenager who had been caught leaving evidence on their territory.

“We need answers,” Javi spoke out loud, walking around the little room like a caged animal. “We should know who hired him. Who’s the mastermind.”

“Agreed,” Silas nodded. “But how we get those answers matters.”

Javi ceased his pacing, turned, and stared at his brother. “We make him talk. Whatever it takes.”

“You mean torture,” August grunted, not hiding the disapproval in his tone.

“I mean, do what’s necessary.” Javi’s eyes flashed. “This boy has been working for the people who are out to destroy us. He doesn’t deserve our mercy.”

“He’s a kid,” Rael said quietly. “Look at him. He’s terrified. He’s not some mastermind. He is a teenager who was paid to plant evidence and likely did not realize what he was really getting into.”

“That does not put him in the clear,” Javi shot back.

Whimpering, the boy pressed himself against the wall. Silas could smell fear oozing from him, and he saw the way his hands, and if he was being honest, his entire body trembled.

It was at this moment that Elle opened the door and walked in. She took one glance at the scene, the boy, and Javi’s aggressive stance before tuning to Silas.