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.

me But the other shifters,

“If anyone

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

it’s not why and I don’t want

unconscious after I

I shake my head.

closes his eyes.

felt me kick

it, he snaps.

I say, reaching out for him and trying to take his

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

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

I take a

news about Quinn.

me, staring into my eyes the way he 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 you were handsome, so

laughs, his lips quirking

and stepped right into that trap,” I pause, watching

mean?” he asks.

it’s okay if you don’t want me. You don’t have to accept me. I

the ends of my

to see him smiling at me.

think so,” he chuckles. “You skipped that

thought your sister said you were stupid.”

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

“To hunt me?”

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Hundred

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

on, so I really didn’t think you could

grins, his hand sliding up my back under the sweater. “I switched

when his hand grazes the bare skin of my back. But

were in my arms,” he murmurs, sliding closer to

did feel something.” I say

my spine downward. “Yes,” he says. “But I didn’t know much about mates until I came

repeat, my mood darkening. “You

Tell me, what makes him an

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

He learned his name from another hunter. One he was interrogating after my mother’s murder. So

from my clothes

I managed

*Gayle

you seen them?

they somewhere here?” 1 hiss, my skin suddenly

“No.”

have seen them. You

kept,” he admits. “Each successful hunter is given a wall at the compound. You don’t become and Elder until you’ve had a