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?”

feeling guilt ride over me like a tidal wave. “Blackjack Creek

“You’ve got to be kidding me.”

I’m m not. I couldn’t take her with me. She would never have let

I remember her distinct dislike for our ways.” He sighs as if remembering something. “Your mother practically abandoned

nothing practical about it. She more

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

worried. ‘She left?

did tell me.

1/3

Hundred Six

space here. When Treturn, you and I will go

myself. “Oht That I go

gaze. “She doesn’t have to agree. You’re the head of your family

fall back on the bed

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

the ceiling until I hear his motorcycle start up and leave. Then I whip out my

It’s four a.m.

don’t recognize, but as it might be Roman calling

“Hello?”

Delilah’s voice sounds on

up in bed. “I was just about to call you. Whose number is this?

snart of indignation over the line and I can practically see her

“Yes D. I was. Whose phone

“A

my phone somewhere,

in the next day or so. You don’t have to worry anymore! have somewhere for us to stay.” She’s so quiet for so long that for a moment I think she’s hung

me where you are, my friend and I will come to

Na friends. Just you,” I say adamantly.

no! I won’t

won’t come,” she

sake D, Why do you always have to be

your help,” she says. It’s about those creatures