Page 86 of Dark Sold Mate

Elle paused and closed her eyes in order to concentrate on the feeling. It was not a ringing, but it had texture and its dimension, and something that varied and altered depending on the distance and direction. As they went eastward, it became weaker, more distant. But when they turned back on track, it increased and tugged at the inner part of her chest.

“Strong,” she said as she opened her eyes. “We're getting closer. Perhaps one and a half miles forward, a little north-westward.”

Rael, who'd taken point position, adjusted their trajectory without any objections.

Even now, Elle was still dazed at that mere gesture of trust; the manner in which he blindly and effortlessly took her magical counsel. Eight years ago, she was an outcast, a human being who did not fit in their world.

Now, she was a part of their operation, and her skills were appreciated and needed.

Elle had gotten used to Rael being analytical in solving any problem, Javi making impulsive yet effective decisions, and August knowing how to read people through subtle cues and body language.

And they, likewise, had learned to read her magical signs and to believe in her intuitions even when they did not necessarily understand them.

This turned out to be what Elle never hoped to experience after being banished from her pack—a sense of belonging.

They were walking silently through the forest, and everyone knew their roles. Rael scanned for possible physical dangers with his shifter senses. Javi was holding their left flank, August was on the right, with his eyes constantly glancing around, and noting every shadow and movement, while the rest of the shifter warriors remained observant as well.

And Silas stayed close to Elle, making sure not to overstep and allowing her to lead the way.

“The frequency is altering,” Elle said, after another few minutes of walking. “The ringing is more insistent. It's getting stronger. He's close now.”

Rael held up a hand, bringing everyone to a halt. Elle held her breath, listening not just with her ears but with her magic, letting it tell her what lay ahead.

The ringing pulsed urgently, pointing her attention forward and slightly left. Very close. Maybe a hundred yards.

“I hear voices,” Rael mumbled, tilting his head sideways. “Two people. One of them is younger—it is likely Carter. The other is male, older, angry.”

“Whoever hired him, maybe,” Javi stated.

“Or family,” August added. The child said that his mother was ill, and she needed money. Could be a parent.”

Silas gestured for them to spread out, a hand signal they'd practiced until it became second nature. Immediately, the team dispersed into the shadows, each person moving to a different angle of approach. They'd surround the clearing, observing, gathering information before making their presence known.

Elle went with Silas, and they were so close to Carter now that the ringing had become nearly intolerable—a constant pounding behind her eyes that made her wish to close them.

But she forced herself to concentrate and push through the pain, knowing that her magic was working just as it was supposed to.

They came to the edge of a small clearing and immediately hid behind the bushes.

There was Carter in the middle of the clearing, his face was streaked with tears and dirt. And right in front of him was a man who looked angry and disappointed—his father.

The resemblance was uncanny. They had the same build, the same features, and the same posture.

“You idiot!” The older man's voice was sharp and bitter. “You were not supposed to be caught! The entire plan was easy. Plant the evidence, get out of there, and make sure no one notices you!”

“I am sorry, Dad,” Carter said, lowering his head. “I did as you instructed, but they had security I was unaware of and alarms and—”

“Excuses!” His father slapped him. “You had one job. One simple job. And you screwed it up!”

Elle could tell that Silas was tense next to her. She knew that he was extremely displeased at a father scolding his son over the inability to complete a criminal mission and being unconcerned with the well-being or safety of his son. At least she knew she was.

It gave a clear picture of what type of man they were dealing with.

“I didn't say anything,” Carter choked out. “They asked, but I did not say anything against you or about the people who hired us. I did not betray you, Dad. I swear.”

“Yes, you better not have,” the father snarled and walked closer, making Carter visibly flinch. “If you somehow jeopardize the operation, there will be consequences. Do you understand me? Consequences.”

Elle frowned. This was not a father who was concerned about his son. This was a criminal who feared his operation being brought into the limelight, and the only thing he viewed his own child as was nothing but a liability.