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.

whisper. “Never. Not me But the other

“If anyone

at the wall directly ahead of him. “So if thats why you’re really here, that’s fine. Go ahead,”

not why

should,” he says, “Were you unconscious after

my head. “No.““”

closes his eyes. “So

me

it, he snaps.

for him and trying to take his hand, but he shakes me off and

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

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

I take a

about Quinn. “Special… Special how?”

the way he was before

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 I probably watched you a little longer than was necessary. I remember thinking that you had a thousand different smiles and all of them were

lips quirking

trap,” I pause, watching him carefully. “I didn’t

mean?” he asks.

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

him tugging on the ends of my hair. “Slow down. I

I ask, turning around to see him smiling at

“You skipped that

knows? “L… I–um–I thought your sister

my hair. She tells everyone that too.” 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 told, I was going to come

“To hunt me?”

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Two Hundred

he was the only chance I might have at finding you again.

wide. “But you land those goggles on, so I really

under the sweater. “I switched the night

I say shivering when his hand grazes the bare skin of my back. But it was so dark.”

my arms,” he murmurs, sliding closer

something.” I say in awe.

of my sweatpants and tracing the line of my spine downward. “Yes,” he says. “But

mood darkening. “You s

he’s a shifter expert. Tell me, what makes him an expert?”

filling with worry. “Why? You know him,

another hunter. One he was interrogating after my mother’s murder.

hand from my clothes altogether.

them? I managed to get out.

*Gayle

seen them? His trophies?”

somewhere here?” 1 hiss, my skin suddenly itching to search the place.

“No.”

have seen them. You know where

admits. “Each successful hunter is given a wall at the compound. You don’t