I had no choice but to initiate the call. It was a Saturday, and I expected Elliot to be within his territory, likely resting after handling matters with his pack. At the mansion, Elliot had just stepped away from a video conference when his phone rang. He glanced at the screen and recognized Hayley's name before answering with a steady tone.
"Hi, Hayley."
"Elliot, did you receive the necklace?" Hayley asked, her voice sweet and carefully controlled.
"Yes, I did."
"Could you wear it? Think of it as protection against bad fortune," she added, her tone soft and coaxing.
"What is the reason behind this?" Elliot asked, his voice calm but attentive, instincts sharpening.
"I recently had a reading," Hayley said, continuing without pause. "The fortune teller said my Mercury is in retrograde."
"She explained that the man I'm connected to should wear the same item as me to neutralize negative influence."
