The Pack: Rule Number 1 - No Mates

Chapter Two Hundred Six

CANE

It’s still dark out when I’m shaken out of a dead sleep by Roman. For some reason I’m extremely groggy. Maybe my body’s just overtined, 1 don’t really know, but when I’m finally able to draw my eyes open, har’s fully dressed in hunting gear and I sit up, instantly alert.

“What’s going on?” I ask.

He flashes me a quick grin. “Don’t get up!“.

“Why are you

dressed?”

Again, he smiles, ‘Elder Matthew called. He has something he needs me to do. III be back by late tonight or early tomorrow morning.

I throw the blankets back and prepare to get up. Tll go with you.”

Roman presses me back down. “No. I don’t want anything to interrupt your training. You’ll stay here.”

“But I can help you! What if”

“No!” Roman says again, this time more forcefully. “I need you here. Last night was very wearing on your body. You need adequate rest. 1 don’t want you to worry. Matthew just needs me to track somebody.” He stands and heads for the door. “When I return we’ll talk mote about how we’re going to take down that shifter you saw.”

I nod begrudgingly, still a little upset that he wants me to stay here. “My sister called last night.”

Roman’s body tenses with interest and he looks back at me over his shoulder. “Oh? What did she want?”

I watch him carefully. My sister’s no saint and she’s had more than a few jerk offs in her life. Something about the way Roman reacts everytime I bring her up makes me wonder if he was ever one of them. He’s not a bad looking man, even though he’s pushing forty–five. Youthful for his age ad definitely well built, but I don’t really think she’d go for someone that old so I ignore it. Still, his undisguised

interest in her irks me a bit.

“She just wanted to know I was safe. She’s pissed that I left her in that cabin,” I admit.

He turns around and studi

studies me. “You

u deft by

her? Where?”

me like

got to be kidding me.”

shake my bead. I’m m not. I couldn’t take her with me. She would never have let me join the Elder Few. She hates you guys, you

for our ways.” He sighs as if remembering something. “Your mother practically abandoned you both when your father died,

nothing practical about it. She more

us. She’s even trying to get her hands on the money my father left us Delilah and Charlie stop mid sentence, painfully aware of what I was about to say. Fuck Charlie. I swallow the lump of pain that tries to climb up my throat with the thought of him. Hoping my face is as blank as I intend it to be, I go on, “Delilah and I have struggled for a while. But I paid for a week at that cabin and she should have been fine. It’s not my fault

worried. ‘She left? Where

realizing she never did tell

1/3

Two Hundred Six

When Treturn, you and I will go and pick her up. She

unable to help myself. “Oht That I go over well.

chuckles and meets my gaze. “She doesn’t have to agree. You’re the head of your

back on the bed

to close the door, then stops. “She’s of age now, you know. You need to start thinking about a match for her.

at the ceiling until I hear his motorcycle start up and leave. Then I whip out my phone and start to dial my sister, but a call comes in before

It’s four

be Roman calling from

“Hello?”

Delilah’s voice sounds on the

in bed. “I was just about to call you. Whose number is this? Why aren’t you using your

over the line and I can practically see her contemptuous

was.

sighs, “A

somewhere, so I’m using hers.”

that I can come and pick you up in the next day or so. You don’t have to worry anymore! have somewhere for us to stay.” She’s so quiet

me

friends. Just you,” I

I won’t

I won’t come,” she snaps.

Why do you always

where you are. My friend needs your help,” she says. It’s about those creatures you were