Chapter 20 - Elle #3
“Ignore it,” he said, trying to draw Elle back in another kiss.
The knock came again—more insistent.
Elle broke the kiss, laughing. “You should answer that.”
Silas groaned and buried his face in her neck. “Do I really have to?”
Elle ran her hand through his hair and grinned at his petulance. “You’re acting like a big baby.”
Silas lifted his head to stare at her, his lips curved into a little smile. “I’m your baby.”
The playfulness in his eyes made her stomach flutter. “Yes, you are. Now answer whoever that is, before they destroy the door.”
Silas groaned and yelled, “Come in!”
Elle tried to get off his lap, but Silas tightened his grip on her hips.
“Silas,” Elle hissed. “Let me up.”
“No.”
“But what if that happens to be one of your brothers?”
“Then they can handle the sight of seeing my mate in my lap.”
The door swung open, and Rael entered. He looked at their position and raised an eyebrow. “Bad time?”
“Yes,” Silas responded.
“Too bad. Alpha Killian is here. From the Clearwater pack. He would like to discuss the trafficking claims with you. Says it’s urgent.”
Every bit of playfulness disappeared. “Where is he?”
“In the meeting hall with his representatives. He did not want to make presumptions of going to your house.”
Silas sighed deeply and eventually freed Elle, who scrambled off his lap and adjusted her dress. Her face was aflame, and she was not able to look at Rael.
“We’ll be there,” Silas pulled himself up, too.
Rael nodded and left. Silas turned towards Elle, looking apologetic. “I’m sorry. I have to deal with this.”
“You don’t have to do it alone.” She reached out to smooth his hair and clothes. “I’ll be right there with you.”
Silas leaned forward for one more fast and rough kiss. “I love you.”
“I love you too. Now off we go before Killian thinks we’re avoiding him.”
The meeting hall was in a building right in the center of the territory. When Silas and Elle got there, Alpha Killian rose. “Alpha Silas. Thank you for seeing me.”
“Alpha Killian,” Silas nodded. “What brings you to my territory?”
“We must discuss the allegations against your pack,” Killian spoke in a diplomatic, yet firm voice, carefully selecting his words. “Our partnership is appreciated by my pack. Your sister, Sara, built a wonderful relationship between both of our packs. But we have concerns.”
“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.”