The Pack: Rule Number 1 - No Mates

The Pack: Rule Number 1 – No Mates

Chapter Sixty–Nine

DRAVEN

“You dont have to stay at the bar Dr, Phal says when we pull into the lot behind the Moonlight Lounge “You can stay with me if you want to

I glance back at Ennily, “Can you take my stuff inside Em? 11l be there in just a moment,”

She nods, her eves sympathetic. “Sure”

I watch her as she exits the car and drag my things into the back entrance. Then I turn to Paid and plaster a grateful smile onto my face, despite the anger I’m feeling deep down in my bones. That’s okay Paul. I’d rather not

He pulls in a sharp breath, nodding like that was the answer be expected. Tunderstand that you’re hurting right now and I can’t imagine how you must be feeling. Penah, I still haven’t met my mate, but I cant insagine what it would feel like to be rejected by her.”

My brow furrows, “According to Domenic, I’m not his mate. Margo is.”

| chackles, staring out at the street beyond the bat. “You know that’s bullshit, right?”

“Margo Paul ch

Despite my strongest attempt to portray myself as a caneless bitch, his words bring fresh tears to my eyes. “Is it?” I whimper,

He tims to me with a smirk. “Hell yeah it is.” He sighs, Tm net supposed to butt into his business. After all, he is the Alpha of the pack and my best friend. But know him better than anybody does and I promise you this – you are his mate.”

do you know that? I screech. Tell me or I’ll never speak to you again.”

He shrugs. “It was pretty obvious to me right from the start. The insane jealousy, the possessiveness. He marked you!”

1 giggle, throwing my head back against the seat. “He literally and You are just so hitch that I marked. That is what he told me, so I wouldn t call that proof.”

Paulshakes his head knowingly. “That’s because you don’t know shit about shifters

mates.

“So tell m me then. What do I not know? I glare at him, paying acute

be attention to his next words,

“First of all, wolves don’t mark just anybody.” He glances at me, his gaze serious. “He might have acted like we do, but I swear to you, we don’t. For wolf shifters, mates are sacred. They are a once in a hfetime thing. We’re not like lions that have been known to have more than one mate- and God knows why that happens. In fact, most shifters only ever have one.” He smiles. And we can’t mark just anybody, because our venom is specifically designed to bond us to our partner, making their bodies strong enough to bear our children. Marking just anyone would get them killed. The venom would serve as a poison for them. They would die.”

only have babies with only

to help but ask this- “So you mean to tell

our mates that we have marked, yes.

do this? Why would he want

laughs. “I think I know what he’s doing and it isn’t right, but I do understand why he’s doing it.

but I’m done trying to figure out what it is. “Well,” I snipe.

your pipe and

“Don’t go doing anything you know you will regret. Just give

He had that bitch Margo in his fucking bed and my mind refuses to forgive it. There’s no reason in the world that one could give me that would make such an act acceptable.

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Chapter Sixty–Nine

get out and march toward the bar

step inside I see Emily and Bart deep in conversation in one of the corner booths. The look Bart gives me is so full of pity that I want to curl up and die right there on the spot. I adore Bart, I do, but I’ve already decided that I’m going to leave. Not only to punish Demonic, but to heal myself. Looking around here all I can

just com

have plenty of money. A few grand. It buy a ticket and get the fuck on. The only thing left for me here is

of heartache.

seat Draven,” Bart says. “I have an offer for you that might make

I can’t imagine bow,” But I slide into the booth anyway, clasping my hands in front of me to keep

the bar wings open and I know who

his fall sheriff uniform. It occurs to me that this is the first time Emily is seeing him since Boding out that he’s a wolf and I study her for any trace of fear,

for

things that I do know about mates is accurate. Could she be his? And if in

giving me a moment to talk to Bart? Maybe, step outside with Roda?”

scowl. To on duty, I just came by to make sure the two of

told you from now on

tense. “Of course I am,” she says. “I dont have anywhere else to

in the apartment upstairs. Like Draven did before…” He cuts off, leaving

being a different one. Like asshole. Or liar. Maybe even

with her mouth set in a firm line. Im sticking with Draven.

gratefully, pressing back the tears back

yourself. I’m glad you’re both okay” Then he

bad as his Alpha

trying to control my suddenly trembling voice. “I appreciate you. Out of everyone that I met since I got off the train, I trust you the most. So I’m not going to ask you what the fuck is going on, because I know if I do, you’ll

Draven, I-

hold up my hand, cutting him off. “No. I get it. I do. Domonic’s tha

have no control. Whatever. I no longer give a fuck, I

you to Miami,” Bart