The Pack: Rule Number 1 - No Mates

Chapter One Hundred–Seventy–Two

DOMONIC

“So,” Paul begins, “You’re thinking that if we spend more time in our well forms that maybe we can alter the effects of the forced shift?”

I nod. “Yes, exactly. But it has to be at night. When the nannn is in its wading phases.”

“When its giving power,” Rainier comments. “That makes a weird amouch of sense.”

“It does, doesn’t it,” I say with a grin, watching the girls and Bartlett talk to Goal behind the counter. “We hardly ever run as a pack anymore. And even when we did, we did it because we were forced to by our fathers,”

“Even then, it was before sun down,” Paul adds, his blue eyes twinkling with amusement. As if he’s lost in an old memory. “Those were the days, man. Remember?”

“Haha!” Lief says. “Yess! They were!”

Grant guffaws, sitting back to take a deep drink of the beer in his hand You mean, when we used to break off from our training route and scare all the human campers?”

“Yup, Paul chuckles. “What the hell did you think I was talking about? Surely not the few times we followed the rules and stuck to the

woods.”

I turn back to Rainier. “I don’t think Felix should stay here above the bar anymore.”

“I agree,” Rainier states. That’s why I just booked one of Old Bob’s beach houses just down the street from Quinn’s place. She and I will stay there until I find a place.”

“Where the fuck is Quinn, anyway?” I ask, glancing around in confusion “He was here just a few minutes ago. He needs to hear this! We all need to be up to date.” I glare at Timmons. “Where the fuck is he?”

Timmons shakes his head, a sneer on his lips. “You know how he gets. He found a new piece of pussy and left it back at our place. He probably went home to hang her a few times before tossing her out. He knows I won’t let her stay more than one night.”

“You won’t let her?” P

Paul snorts. “It’s his house. How would you stop her?

in Blackjack, Timmons says with

Even Goose is listening now as he approaches

“Yup. Why do you think I was so pissed at him this moming when we both came in? Why do your think we came in separate cars?”

ride me I’m your roommate, ridiculous shit!” I growl. “I didn’t think, asshole. I didn’t

Goose says suddenly, looking at Timmons. “You’re talking about the redhead that Gayle attacked this morning? The one you came and told me about?

insisted on stepping between her and Gayle, I thought he was only trying to keep the rest of us safe by keeping the body count down. On account of what happened last night, to homeboy in the parking

1/3

One Hundred Seventy Two

to Gayle, Cerite says. “The

dressed to bunt, nor was

Pand seps eftly. Then why dat Gayle attack berse of

to be protected, not

www gee. And you knew her Gayle and Griffin are about catching all prachers. They want to end them on this Barth just as badly at gras prys want to find the arsonist from five years ago.” He sighs. In Gayler’s eyes, the girl is just as guilty as the meni are Simply on the strength of her turning a blind eye. I know it’s not right, and so does the which is why I stepped in after Timmons showed up at the den to tell me about

“She’s committed a crime just by not reporting her companions. You call it turning a blind eye – I call it

with more animosity than anyone seemed to expect coming from

reaching for her hand

“I don’t understand? Is that what you were about to say? That / don’t understand what it feels like to be hunted? Or chased? Or rejected

wrong,” I admit, trying to catch her eye, but failing. “But this girl isn’t anybody’s mate. She’s not one

sheepish. Right then I finally see it – the Alpha Wolf in her that I never knew was there. Or rather that I didn’t recognize until after hearing

and forth between me, Rainier, and Koda. “You’re so sure about that, are you? Really? Because obviously Quinn must bring bitches as you called them back

1. me. “He act

he clears his

1. looks

Timmons gaze

innocence. “How strange then, that he would choose a poacher female as the first. I wonder what

of us differently as we slowly try to accept what she

here,”

like that,