The Pack: Rule Number 1 - No Mates

Chapter Two Hundred Seventeen

GAYLE

Im gaping at him, my ears ringing as I process what he said.

“You knew?” Delilah asks, jumping up from the bed. “You recognized her and didn’t say anything?”

Cane rips his eyes away from mine to stare at his sister. “You started this. You are the one that lied to me on the phone.”

“Because 1 didn’t think you would tell me where you were if I told you the truth, Delilah snaps.

“Well, it doesnt matter noe does it? You’re already here,” Cane says, his eyes rake over me to settle on my lips. “Both of you are. So go ahead. What did you have to tell me? What do I need to be warned about? Or was that a lie too?”

“No, not a lie,” Delilah says. “Gayle came to me because they were hunting for her in the woods. She said she needed to get to you. She

“Who was hunting for you in the woods?” Cane snaps, his brow furrowed. “The Elder Few?”

I shake my head. “No. Well, yes and no. A few hunters were there, but not for me in particular. For anything I guess. Kind of like you were that night. It’s the authorities that are hunting for me.”

“Why?” Cane asks.

I swallow thickly. “The hunter that I attacked survived and ended up at the hospital. So it was called in as a lion attack.”

“But how would they know which lion?” Cane says.

“They wouldn’t,” I say, “Not really. But the thing is, I ran in the opposite direction of my home and I couldn’t very well walk through the streets naked, so I went to see your sister.”

“Why my sister?” Cane asks. “Had you already met?”

My lips purse and Delilah coughs. “Sort of” I say.

“You know what?” Delilah chirps. “I’m gonna go in the kitchen and make some breakfast. That way when Quinn gets here we can eat and discuss what happens next. Sound good?”

“Close the door behind you,” Cane says, glaring when Delilah hesitates.

“It’s fine,” I say.

“Jesus, D. What is it you think I’m going to do? She’s a damn shifter! Do I look armed?” Cane snaps.

Delilah flips him off and then slams the door.

“When did you realize?” I ask, looking at him.

He’s still watching me sadly when he shrugs. “I knew who you were the moment I saw you, I didn’t know why you were here, and I still don’t. Not really. But you were here with my sister and I knew she would never do anything to hurt me.”

“You’re right. She wouldn’t,” I agree.

“Would you?” he asks, seriously.

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Chapter Two Hundred Seventeen.

Not me But the other shifters, they

“If anyone

me, it should be you.” He frowns, glaring at the wall directly ahead of him. “So if thats why

shake my head. “But it’s not why and

says, “Were you unconscious after I shot you the second time?”

shake my

his eyes. “So

me

he

I say, reaching out for him and trying to take his hand, but he shakes me

you come to warn me?” he asks. “Why should you even care what happens

myself that he is my mate and he deserves to know it. “Because you’re special for me, I

I take a

news about Quinn.

way he was

you for a while that night,” I say. “I was in the trees, with a clear view of you in the cabin. I saw you with your microphone. Ever since my mother was killed I’ve made it my business to watch the hunters that stop through. I thought

his lips

into that trap,” I pause, watching

does that mean?” he

door as doing so will put me on the other side of it, should he not respond well to what I have to say. “I want you to know it’s okay if you don’t want me. You don’t have to accept me. I won’t hold it against you. You’re a hunter and 1 understand

him tugging on the ends of

I?” I ask, turning around to see him smiling

chuckles. “You skipped that part about me being your

knows? “L… I–um–I thought your sister said you

smile, his eyes sad. “You’re too beautiful to forget, Cayle,” he says, trailing his hand down my back. “Truth be told, I was going to

“To hunt me?”

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Two Hundred

the only chance I might have at finding you again. But I never had any intention of hurting you, I just wanted to know how to find you. I

wide. “But you land those goggles on, so

sweater.

the bare skin of

light in front. You were in my arms,” he murmurs, sliding closer to me on

feel something.” I say

sweatpants and tracing the line of my spine downward. “Yes,” he says. “But I didn’t know much about mates

I repeat, my mood darkening.

me, what

filling with worry. “Why? You know him, don’t

He learned his name from another hunter. One he was interrogating after my mother’s murder. So tell me What makes him an expert?

hand from my

tightens. “Did he keep them? I managed to get out. “Does he stuff

*Gayle

them? His

they somewhere here?” 1 hiss, my skin suddenly

“No.”

have seen them. You

successful hunter is given a wall at the compound. You don’t become and Elder until you’ve had a successful hunt.”