The Pack: Rule Number 1 - No Mates

hapter One Hundred–Thirteen

DOMONIC

Once I was finally able to ding Koda outside and away from Emily, I sen the infirmary stall home. Cadence included. The rest of us- Bartlett, James, Rainier, Timmons, Andrew, Lief, and Benjamin congregled just outside the building next to our cars.

“If this is about that fucking rule, it can wait. I don’t want to fight right now. I want to be the first person Emily sees when she wakes.”

I shake my head, swallowing my guilt for the moment. I’ll apologize eventually, sure, but right now there are more important things to discuss. “I’ve called a vote, and before I tell you what for I need confirmation.”

“Confirmation?” Koda hisses tiredly. “Of what?”

I tilt my head, doing my best to keep my features steady, impassive. “Of whether or not you’ve decided to keep Emily.”

for real?

He snorts, shaking his head as his eyes narrow at me. “Are you fo

“Just a

answer the question Koda.”

His jaw clenches, his back going ramrod straight. “Yes. Of course I am.

“Are you willing to move your life here? I mean – is this place where you want to be?”

“Are you asking me if I’m willing to leave the pack just to be with her?

That’s not what I’m asking, but I nod anyway, just for kicks.

He glares, a low growl rumbling behind his throat. “If that’s the way it has to be, then fine. I’ll leave the pack.”

So the answer is yes.

You’d give it all up for her?”

Koda nods, the dark blue of his gaze going cold as ice.

“Thank God,” I say, “Because I’ve decided I would do the same. But, neither of us should have to.”

Each of my brothers around us laughs, save for Rainier, who has gone eerily quiet.

“What the fuck does that mean, Dom?” Koda whispers, his muscles tensing. ‘Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

I nod, “Yup.

Called in a vole e with Paul and the others already. The only one left undecided was you.”

Koda smiles, “And you already knew what my answer would be.”

a pretty good idea.”

it unanimous then? Koda

eyes locking with Rainier’s cold brown gaze for a long,

I clench my

wheel of

grin, “Where is he going?”

1/4

Hundred

To Argie, To

get mer it,” Bartlett remarks. “Give

the one vote against, huh? Why? I thought he

I don’t think his wife for an had

around as be shimmer of sunlight begins to shutter behind the mountains. “What are we going to do about

smile as I turn toward Benjamin. “I think I have a plan for that

DRAVEN

soft sing song voice chimes through

cool plastic and my arms are curled around my head shading my eyes. Drool dribbles from my mouth as I come to and I finally realize that there is a table beneath my face

have fallen

The voice snaps and I finally jolt

my lips as I straighten my limbs. For a moment, I simply sit there in my seat, eyes blinking against the light, body wobbling back and forth as I try and make

“Emily?” I yelp.

crush her beneath my

as we crash the bed into the wall.

the golden tan of her skin. My eyes go straight for her throat, for the bare trace of a crescent shaped mark near the side of her neck where Koda bit her hours ago. There are no black veins anywhere to be found and 1 suddenly feel like breaking out in a dance. That’s when I notice, we are alone in

alone.

absently, releasing Emily to wander a few steps into the

shrugs. “Who is everyone?”

as I work to remember

in the chair and must have simply passed out. After the last couple of

I

know. A few minutes. When I woke up, you were the only one here.

is going to flip out. He wanted to be here when you woke

me, didn’t he?” she chokes out and L–meet her gaze with

2/4

One Hundred Thirteen

gas and

that andele Koda was going to come for me, for he didnt

sighs, her eyes falling

was going to look for me or not. I cally fold Sanon that to try

I came. He was so afraid he was

tear spes her eyes to slide down her chank “Restart the

raps

on, I want to hear every little thing you have to say about what happened, but I’m through twing in this place. Let’s go find the go

wasn’t able to stop them sherges into my neck. “1-1 tried to get tops, but then he