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.

I whisper. “Never. Not me But the other

“If anyone

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

shake my head. “But it’s not why and I don’t want

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

shake my

closes his eyes. “So

me kick you.”

it, he

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

“Why should you even care what

mate and he deserves to know it. “Because you’re special for

I take a

her news about Quinn.

me, staring into my eyes the way he was

since my mother was killed I’ve made it my business to watch the hunters that stop through. I thought you were handsome,

laughs, his lips quirking

I pause, watching him carefully. “I didn’t mean to shift in

mean?” he asks.

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 if the thought of being with me freaks you out! Some of the other shifters know who

tugging on the ends of my hair. “Slow down. I think you skipped something.”

I ask, turning around to see him smiling

“You skipped that

knows? “L… I–um–I thought your sister

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 come looking

“To hunt me?”

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Two Hundred

have at finding you again. But I

you land those goggles on, so I really didn’t think you could

sliding up my back under the sweater.

the bare skin of my back. But it was so

light in front. You were in my arms,” he

something.” I say in

waistline of my sweatpants and tracing the line of my spine downward. “Yes,”

mood

Tell me,

freezes, his eyes filling with worry. “Why?

killed my mother, my father once said his name was Roman. He learned his name from another

removing his hand from my clothes

“Did he keep them? I managed to get

*Gayle

you seen them? His

hiss, my skin suddenly itching to search the

“No.”

nod. Figures. “But you have seen them.

are where all trophies are kept,” he admits. “Each successful hunter is given a wall at the compound. You don’t