The Pack: Rule Number 1 - No Mates

Chapter One Hundred Eighty–One

DELILAIL

My head snaps forward at the sound of Elder Matthew’s wice and I immediately think unaware that a member of the Elder Few is here.

And, he’s also alive, when they probably intended for him to die.

“Delilah?” Elder Matthew says again.

Shir, shit, shir

“Y–yes! Hi! Matthew!” I say, peering over Quinn’s broad shoulders and smiling as brightly as my hate will prattle, making small talk while I try and figure out what to do.

Matthew’s eyes are twinkling with merriment as he studies my features, only darkening when they to the onion of Quin “Who might this young man be? Matthew inquires nosily.

“Um-” I mumble, stilling Quinn when he tries to turn around, and casting him a pointed look. Charlier I try and sey with a eyebrows arch upward in confusion and I groan, shit! This is my ”

ck, bumping into the parked “Fiance!” Quinn finishes for me, whirling on Matthew so quickly that the old buzzard stumbles

right that I am completaty him. Placing his imposing form directly in front of me, Quinn manages to somehow push back just from view.

T

see,” Matthew condescends, with a sne

a snort. “What might your

se be, young man?”

Quinn’s muscles were flexing in irritation, I could see them rippling along his back through the thin fabric of his shirt. “Mezmun,” be tells Matthew, and I grin behind him stupidly. “Maximus Quinn.”

“Maximus Quinn,” Matthew repeats, as if committing the name to memory

“A powerful name, Maximus. Are you and your family from Oregon? Matthew asks, but Quinn doesn’t get younger, much more vexing voice sounds at the forefront.

“Fiance?” I know who it is without even looking. Ted Barrows. Elder Matthew’s favorite son. And yes, I say favorite. All the Elders that ba more than one son, have their favorites. They make no secret of it, either. That’s strange, dad. Did the council vote on a marriage for

What the fuck? Fuck you, Ted. You smuke

I’m

croons

sound of things, I can tell he’s now standing closer. “You see, Maximus, Ted explains as if he’s talking to a small child. “Delilah and her family are longtime members of our church, and as our way of life demands, the council has to approve all marriages of each and every

marriages?” Quinn laughs. “Is that like a fantasy football thing? Because I can assure you, my female does not need their

core pulses. The absolute conviction in Quinn’s voice, making me wish his words were true. I know he’s only trying to anger them, but

even looking I know what Quinn sees when he

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One Hundred

also pretty well built. Out of all of the sons of Elders, I’d say he’s probably the strongest. But, from what I can see beyond Quinn’s shoulders, he hasn’t gotten much bigger. And Quinn… well… Quinn’s

I have the sudden desire to see him

of her family now, andshe belongs to him until he chooses someone to give her to. It’s the way of our church.

thing I’m not a

to wish anyone ili will in my

sardonically. “Is that what they’re calling cults these

shit… Despite

Elder Few have always hated that label.

appalled. “If I were you I’d watch

Elder Few no–no. Not that I care. But, if I were an actual member, like my father was, they would punish me, maybe even kill me. However, I’m not – I don’t know enough about the inner workings of

bone chilling. If you were me you’d do no such thing,” Quinn promises, the muscles of his aring twitching and tightening deliciously. And if you were me you’d know why.” Quinn’s hands suddenly close into fists at his sides. “I can demonstrate for you, if you

–

Chi mama.

Quinn is forcibly blocking access to me, because

the

hear the sudden twinge of fear in it when he does. “Whatever.” He speaks over Quinn’s shoulder to me and for th first time in two years, I’m forced to look him in his wicked green eyes again. “I spoke to Cane this morning, Delilah. I made it pretty clear to

growing or coiling into something stronger. The sight is startling, but

fick? The moment I think I see it, it disappears. His jaw is set, a muscle flexing in his cheek, as it

with her while you can… Maximus, Ted whispers, pulling out of earshot of his father. “But I’ll be taking her off your hands soon enough, and

want to do this right now, I wanted to get out of here and go find Cane. Knowing what was about to happen would ultimately cost us more time, I spring into action. Leaping up as best I can, without slamming my head into the roof of the

topples back into me. “Lilac,” he hisses, the sound thrumming with pleasure.

My jaw

suck on the flesh I just mangled, not wanting to come away from him without soothing whatever damage I just Tased to his skin. My tongue traipses over the dozen or so toothmarks swirling across the edges as they quickly disappear. What….the… hell? Whatever I’m doing seems to be working

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Nov 15