The Pack: Rule Number 1 - No Mates

Chapter One Hundred–Fifty–Two

DELILAH

I don’t scream because – well–what would be the point? In twenty–one years I have yet to hear of someone saving themself from sudden death by screaming for their life. It’s already over, I might as well just accept it. Now if only I had a way to not feel the pain of those fangs plunge into my skin. Too bad I didn’t get knocked out when I flew back if I had, the wolf might have thought I was dead and left me alone.

Come to think of it… why am I not dead yet?

Did the wolf spontaneously combust?

Taking a deep breath to confirm that I’m still alive, I relax my muscles a bit and focus on the heavy breathing that I’m hearing that is not my own. I feel something tickle beneath my chin and I realize the wolf is now sniffing my throat. What the hairy Nttle dent?

I open my eyes slowly, swallowing my fear when the wolf’s big ass head fill my vision. He’s not growling anymore, he’s just sniffing and licking and pushing my face to the side.

“Hey!” I chuckle, putting my hands up in surrender and hoping to keep them on my wrists. “You’re welcome,” I say, carefully stretching my arm upward so that I can pet his neck. You’re an idiot! What the hell are you doing? But the wolf only seems to want more of my pets and drops his heavy ass head right onto my chest. This is the fucking craziest thing I’ve ever experienced I scratch him behind the ears and under his chin, then over the back of his head and the whole while he is licking at my face. “You’re crazy,” I giggle.

Another howl sounds from somewhere beyond the trees and my wolf’s ears perk up and his eyes snap to mine.

“They’re not my friends,” I tell him. “They have to be yours.” God Im dumb.

When a chorus of howls suddenly go up all around us, I allow myself a little more fear.

Oh m

my God,” I whisper, knowing that this wall’s pack has just surrounded our little piece of shit cabin and I am the only thing o

My wolf whines again then jumps up to stalk away from me toward the dark of the woods. I sit up as quickly as I can and shine the light around the surrounding trees. One, two, three, four, five, six, holy shit!” I stopped counting the pairs of eyes when I got to six because, well, six is plenty, I don’t think it’ll take much more than that to well and truly fuck up my night.

Stepping back slowly, I pause when my wolf turns around. He is studying me almost like he expects me to follow him, but that’s just not going to happen, so I wave. “Bye!”

He huffs at me, a strange rumble coming from his throat as he leaps ten feet in my direction just to lick my face and then disappear into the dark

his paw looked completely heated. How odd

wolf bowled into the darkness. I always knew wolves were smart and loyal, but I never realized how swiftly they’d respond to

who saved you!” I call out into the trees, hoping the circle of wolves is no longer converging on this tiny matchstick cabin.

they’re empty now and somehow lonelier. A terrible sense of loss tumbles over me and I’m met with the urge to cry. What the hell? What’s wrong with me? Maybe it’s the adrenaline dying off. Shaking the strange sensations off, I shudder

DRAVEN

1/3

Chapter One Hundred–Fifty–Two-

on what I have feeling is my ring. Her eyes go wide and her cheeks

finally, cracking a nervous smile. “It’s a little small, but I’m going to have it

it,” I repeat suspiciously. “Where? A ring of this value should’ve been turned in to the police. It’s really beautiful and

away from me to glare at Felix. “Or maybe the rightful owner

will leave. “What are you looking at me for?” Felix snaps, with a roll

it never will be Angle says. “I didn’t for a momore think that you are

snorts, “Are you ready to

and block the exit. “Why did you say it like

brown eyes appear wet for a moment, but she battles the tears back quickly. Taedora watches silently from the other side of the room, her muscles tensed. Without even checking, I know

way then the next. The message in the box is the one puzzle piece that does not fit for me. Unless, Angie somehow knows that the guys are Shifters and hist never let on. According to Rainier, she doesn’t, but he might be very, very wrong. I mean, it’s not like he paid enough attention to her to know for sure. In a way, I feel for her, I do. A hot as hell Sheriff swept her off her feet once and then married her,

just pretending not to, that’s an entirely different thing. That would mean that she was aware of the fact that she was not his mate and knew he would never truly

suddenly, walking my way. When I don’t budge, her face begins to puff a little and I have to wonder how many times she did that while yelling at Rainier. So unattractive. “Excuse me, Draven. I don’t have any issues with you and

as I can. “You can go when you tell me why you took that ring out of its little black box

glares down at me. “You’ll move or I’ll

off the wall to step in front

sharpen and her braids begin to twitch. This means she’s fighting her shift and judging by the sudden fear in Angie’s gaze, I’m assuming Tardora’s eyes have started to change. I glance over my shoulder at Felix to see she’s staring out the window not paying attention, which might just be

says. “You’re either going to answer it or you and I can go outside and I can show you a magic trick.”

the ring” She shakes her head sadly. “I–I found it in Rainier’s pocket when he was in the shower,” she shrugs, a tear falling slowly down her cheeks. I knew be probably bought

2/3