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.”

with only

but ask this-

an eyebrow. “We can only reproduce with our mates that we have marked, yes. At least,” he sighs-“that’s what we were taught growing up.”

he want me to leave?

what he’s doing and it isn’t right, but I do understand why he’s doing it. He reaches across the center

I’m done trying to figure out what

your pipe and snake

go doing anything you know you will regret. Just give him

I’m concerned, his time is up. He had that bitch Margo in his fucking bed and my mind refuses to forgive it. There’s no

1/3

Chapter Sixty–Nine

march toward the bar hot so

do, but I’ve already decided that I’m going to leave. Not only to punish Demonic, but to heal

dit just com

a ticket and get the fuck on. The only

of heartache.

says. “I have an offer for

bow,” But I slide into the booth anyway, clasping my hands in front of me to keep them

to the bar wings open and I know who it is just by the blush

saunters forward all decked out in 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

walking up toward the table. He is staring at Emily and for the

know about mates is accurate. Could she be his? And if in fact, she

mind giving me a moment to talk to Bart?

on duty, I just came by to make sure

in on Dom’s bullshit too. As ift dit already know. “Nevermind,” I snap, losing my temper. I turn to Emily. “I told you from now on where I

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

here in the apartment upstairs. Like Draven

different one. Like asshole.

mouth set in a firm line.

gratefully, pressing back the tears back once ag

Koda snaps, his jaw clenching ‘Suit yourself. I’m glad you’re both okay” Then he tums around and leaves

bad as his

you. Out of everyone that I met since I got off the train, I trust you

Draven, I-

off. “No. I get it. I do. Domonic’s tha say thanks for

blah blah, you have no control. Whatever. I no longer give a fuck, I just wanted

me to send you to Miami,” Bart suddenly bursts out and