The Pack: Rule Number 1 - No Mates

Chapter One Hundred–Sixty–Six

RAINIER

After Demonic finished laying out what sounded to me like a very solid complaint, he turned to Taedora and waited. And… walled.

She shrugged at him, “What do you want me to say? Check the camera buddy. And you will see how lazy I was about protecting Draven. You might see some other stuff too.”

“Yes,” Draven says. “After you’ve watched it, then we’ll put your little theory about my locket to the test, huh? Since, as you said, I’m too emotional to think rationally about it. I obviously don’t have a clue. In fact I probably wouldn’t know the truth, if it was on my finger!”

The girls all laugh hysterically and I’m more confused than ever.

“Baby, that’s not what I said, I just don’t want you to get your hopes up is all,” Domonic says defensively. “I just don’t think you-”

Watch it! Until you do, I don’t want to hear another word.”

“No, Domonic! Watch the fucking tape. Watch

“Baby…he trails off, crouching down in front of her, and messing with his phone.

It’s on the tip of my tongue to ask if the ladies are dismissed, because 131 be in limbo until I get Felix alone, but that’s when I notice the girls acting strangely.

First, the three females on the couch don’t seem at all alarmed about the wolves Domonic mentioned. None of them seems to care. In

fact, all three are brazenly ignoring him as they make a pretty ridiculous show of examining their nails. They look like mimes, copying one another’s movements as Domonic’s knuckles whiten on his phone in anger. I assume, whatever is on the tape is the cause. Does he realize there’s audio? I don’t hear anything, so I assume he has yet to work it out. Could he be drunk?

T

1 turn my attention back to the girls who are still doing ridiculous shit while they wait for my Alpha’s next move. Even Felix is doing it and that fact makes me smile. She’s getting along with them. Good. Maybe she’ll like it here more if she has friends and she’ll stay. She did seem happy to see me so…

Something twinkles in the light as the ladies raise their left hands, catching my eye.

Domonic growls, standing up. “Who the fuck is this guy?” he asks. That’s not a wolf.”

Everybody ignores him, even me, as I step closer to the couch and watch the next time they raise their hands. There it is! Draven is

wearing a ring. Could it be the ring?

“Is that what I think it is?” I ask and each of the girls smile.

“Finally! Someone who isn’t blind!” Draven says happily. She leapt from the couch, heading my way. That’s why you’re a cop and Domonic

is a fool.”

You mean, he hasn’t-”

She shakes her head, putting her finger to her lips. “I want to see how long it takes him.”

I cringe, wanting to laugh because I know the longer it takes him to notice, the more groveling he’ll have to do. “But how did you get it?” i

mouth the words

She mouths back, “Angle.”

Įtense, shaking my head in anger when I realize that she had it all along and I never even asked her about it. “That bitch.”

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Chapter One Hundred–Sixty–Six

Draven alongs. “Talon’t really blame her for taking it,” she says. “She thought you bought it for one of your ‘whores. If Domonic bought

faf take I. Chee hundred percent. But… there’s something else too. Something I didn’t tell you guys.”

nettem,

you met? I

your phantom! I can’t say anymore than that. It’s Draven’s story to tell. Thedora says to Domonic, chuckling as she heads for the front door. “I have to go check on some things at home!

second, Simba, Damsonic protests, pocketing his phone.

turns around with her hand on the

smirk. “Even if he did get the

be back ladiest Felix, tonight is Mucho

does that mean she’s

moment ago, she was a bundle of confidence, and

Domonic says. “Who was the

smiles, putting her left hand under her chin playfully, her ring glinting in the light. “You heard what Thedora said. It’s my story to tell and I’m not going to tell it until you stop obsessing and notice me!

T

including Felixs. She’s frowning for some reason and that’s when I notice the bruise on her forehead “What the fuck? I snap, charging for

Benjamin?”

ask distractedly.

Draven smiles. “Benjamin?”

Right,” I say, still studying Felix’s wound. “My dad.

Domonie say

and I nod.

thought we could call Old Ben during the meeting and find out what went down

“Well, I think it’s about time I start attending. In fact,

hope that I’m not even sure it’s safe to have.

“Now will you tell me who the fuck

stage whispers before prancing up the stairs

second floor landing. He ends up right behind her and the two disappear

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One Hundred

I reach for her hand, hoping to God she

warmth travel spiny

quiet as

to the front. That’s when I notice Hector’s car parked at the curb

What the fuck

that Caddy doing

I immediately miss her touch. drove it here last night

my eyes going for her head. “Is that what happened to you? Is that why you’re all bruised up?”

mods, biting her lip and making me want

and Talora left, I heard a

you might see one, I finish for her and she nods. My heart skips

she called me

that night

him and I didn’t think he saw me, so I tried to sneak back in the bar but her voice cracks-“I didn’t make

to find the bastard and show him what

to cry. “He dragged me to the car and pulled a

She drove the car here. So, she must

to go,” she

acho to hold her right at this moment, but I don’t want

y–you,” she whimpers and I melt.

chest. Then, when her arms go around my waist, my chest trembles

her head. “So, how did you get

the open, so I lift her into my arms and place

rimmed, and her lips swollen and pouty. Her tears have stopped flowing, and I wipe the rest with my fingers. Taking a deep breath to control my temper, I wait for her to speak. Really, I’m dying

reminded of my mother, I never stopped to think of how my dad must have felt after the fire and nmw… I wonder if he imagined her screaming for him. Knowing he had no way to protect her and knowing he was probably the last thing she thought of

father’s son, just the loss of self–control I had when she told me to let her go… tells me he and

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