Page 44 of Dark Auctioned Mate

But he knew that nothing was ever that easy.

Nevertheless, stroking Alanis’s head, he thought about how she did not want to be left behind. His heart sank. She wasn’t a liability. She was his mate, and perhaps it was time that he began to treat her like one.

“Together,” he echoed.

She nuzzled into his chest, and he tightened his arms around her. Despite the mission and the danger that lay ahead, Rael had a glimpse of hope. Maybe they could do this. Maybe they might be able to prove the pack’s innocence, destroy the network, and start a new life together that was not shadowed by crisis and survival.

But they needed to get through the week first.

Chapter 14 - Alanis

The journey north began before daylight. The sky was still dark as Alanis got into one of the two cars that would take them to the Shadowridge pack. August drove with Rael in the passenger seat and Alanis in the back, flanked by two of the pack members whom she had seen around but had never met properly.

Rael introduced them to each other. “This is Alanis. Alanis, this is Krival and Tessa. They are our reconnaissance team. Krival does logistics while Tessa scouts.”

Krival was big-shouldered, with sandy hair, brown eyes, and an easy smile. Tessa was smaller, with dark blonde, curly hair and blue eyes that softened when she looked at Alanis.

“Nice to meet you in person, finally,” Krival offered his hand for a shake. “Heard a great deal about you.”

Alanis took his hand. “Good things, I hope.”

“Interesting things,” he said with a smile. “Which is better than good. Good is boring.”

Alanis laughed softly. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“You should.” Tessa leaned in. “Whoever can put Alpha Javi in his place right in front of the whole pack has my respect. That man needs to have his ego checked on a regular basis.”

“I did not put him in his place,” Alanis protested. “He did that himself.”

“Even better.”

The second vehicle behind them had four more pack members and other supplies. Rael told them they must put on a show of strength, yet remain careful not to look too intimidating—just enough to make it clear that the Weston Pack was disciplined, organized, and nothing like the trafficking business they were rumored to be involved in.

Alanis looked out the window. The sun had started to gradually rise, coloring the sky in pink and golden shades as they drove past trees.

Krival and Tessa were talking to August about supply lines. Their conversation was filled with pack slang and jargon Alanis did not completely follow. But they tried to involve her, and when she appeared puzzled, they asked her what she thought about things she may know about.

They traveled hours, stopping once to have lunch and change drivers. Alanis watched

the way the pack members moved. They were efficient, coordinated, and definitely at ease with one another. They were joking and bantering, yet there was a layer of trust that had been built over years of working together.

She wanted that. She wanted to feel like she was part of such a beautiful pack, and that the people were on your side, not because it was their job, but because you were a member of the pack.

To be honest, she didn’t have these sorts of people in her life. She had the Lumen and Deva. They rescued her, trained her, and gave her a purpose. They were her family. But

she had not been in touch with them in weeks. She hadn’t sent word that she was alive, that she was safe. Lord knows what they must be thinking. That she was dead or captured?

Guilt knotted in her stomach. She had to find a means of communicating and let them know she was alright. But each time she contemplated making contact, the possibility of leaving Weston Pack, leaving Rael, made her heart ache.

She wasn’t ready to leave. Not yet. Maybe not ever. It was a terrifying thought.

Later in the afternoon, they arrived at the lands of the Riverdale Pack. At the border, they met Alpha Marcus, who, with a small escort, received them there.

He looked older than Silas with gray strands showing through his black hair. He grabbed Rael by the forearm, smiling. “Alpha Rael, it is good to see you, but I wish it could have been under better circumstances.”

“So do I,” Rael nodded. “Thank you for welcoming us.”

“Your pack has been a good ally. I am not about to turn my back on you because of a few rumors.” Marcus glanced at Alanis. “And you must be?”