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

“If anyone

wall directly ahead of him. “So if thats why

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

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

I shake my head.

closes his eyes. “So

felt me kick

he snaps.

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

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

reminding myself that he is my mate and he deserves

I take a

about Quinn. “Special…

looks at me, staring into my eyes the way he was before Delilah burst in here with

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

lips quirking

that trap,” I

that mean?” he

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

Cane interrupts and I feel him tugging on the ends of my hair. “Slow down.

I ask, turning around to see him smiling at me.

so,” he chuckles. “You skipped that part about me being

I–um–I thought your sister said

that too.” Then he loses his smile, his eyes sad. “You’re too beautiful to forget, Cayle,”

“To hunt me?”

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Hundred Seventeen

the reason I’m here with Roman. He’s the shifter expert and I knew he was 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 needed

goggles on, so I really didn’t

up my back under the sweater.

hand grazes the bare skin of my back.

goggles have a light in front. You were in my arms,” he

feel something.” I say

of my spine downward. “Yes,” he says. “But I didn’t

I repeat, my mood darkening.

me, what makes him

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

whisper. “The hunter that killed my mother, my father once said his name was Roman. He learned his name from another hunter. One he was interrogating after my mother’s murder. So tell me What makes him

sighs, removing his hand from my clothes altogether.

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

*Gayle

them?

they somewhere here?” 1 hiss, my skin suddenly itching

“No.”

seen

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