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 those

not being able to help but ask this- “So you mean to tell me,

our mates that we have

why would he do this? Why would he want me to leave? I don’t get it. I don’t

right, but I do understand why he’s doing it. He reaches across the center console to squeeze my hand. “Maybe it’s for the

telling me, but I’m done trying to figure out what it is. “Well,” I snipe. Unlike wolves, humans can reproduce with whomever

in your pipe and snake

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

time to figure shit out. As far as 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 reason in the world that one could give me that would make such

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Chapter Sixty–Nine

march toward the bar hot so much as a backwards

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

just

and get the fuck on. The only thing left for me here is a whole lot of

of heartache.

offer for you that might

I can’t imagine bow,” But I slide into the booth anyway,

and I know who it

out that he’s a wolf and I study her for any trace of fear, but all I see there is admiration. She

walking up toward the table. He is staring at Emily and for the first time I begin to wonder if maybe there’s been a reason

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

moment to talk to Bart? Maybe, step outside with

by to make sure the two of you had somewhere to

snap, losing my temper. I turn to Emily. “I told you from now on where I go – you go. I’m leaving today All I need to know is if you

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

here at the bar and stay here in the apartment upstairs. Like Draven did before…” He cuts

key word. The now being a different one. Like asshole. Or liar. Maybe even

set in a firm line. Im sticking with Draven. Where she goes, I do.”

smile at her gratefully, pressing back the tears back

okay” Then he tums around and leaves

as bad as

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

Draven, I-

“No. I get it. I do.

control. Whatever. I

to Miami,”