The Pack: Rule Number 1 - No Mates

Chapter Two Hundred Twenty

ELDER ROMAN

“I’m going to need you to call my lawyer. These ass backward sheriff’s have me detained here at the station under suspicion of aiding Rose Gruber’s escape,” Matthew spits into the phone.

“Did you do it?” I can’t help it. I have to ask. I need to know where the damn girl went and who the bitch might s

start

talking to.

“What? Of course not! You know what I planned to do, I never even got in to see her. They wouldn’t let me in even after Roosevelt confirmed I was her godfather. They only allowed that damn Aid in there with her.”

My ears perk up. “What damn kid? You didn’t tell me there was a kid.”

“A young man. Apparently he’s the one that saved her. He’s not even family and they had him stationed at her bedside like some kind of bodyguard, Matthew grumbles.

A young man that saved her? From a fucking lion?

“Tell me Matthew… What did the guy look like?**

Matthew sighs, growing frustrated. “What does it matter-

“It does damn it! Just trust me. And speak quietly please… you never know who’s listening,” I warn him.

Okay, alright. Um… he was young, early twenties I’d say, Buff guy, well built. Floppy brown hair, brown beard-”

“Brown beard?”

“Yeah. Brown board. Looked like he might have tattoos on his upper biceps. Some kind of tribal designs.”

The barkeeper. One of the wolf shifters. Well I be damned.

“Got it, Matthew. That’s good enough. I think I’ll be able to handle that particular problem myself. Don’t you worry. As far as Ted is concerned…

“Yes? Do you have him?”

“No. Not yet. But soon. I can’t say any more, you understand? You’re in the belly of the beast. Trust me when I say, the less you speak while there, the better. The place is a 200. Get it?”

He’s silent a moment before he answers. “Got it.”

*T’ll call your lawyer.” Then I hang up.

Turning back to the task at hand, I scan the area to make sure I’m still alone then put on my headphones. Following Ted’s scent this morning wasn’t difficult once I realized he’d been abducted then carted off. But once I realized where he’d been stashed, I knew the task of getting him out would prove much more difficult. I might need to distract them. I probably should have taken Cane up on his offer to join me. In fact, I may need to turn back and go get him. Lions may not be able to scent beyond their own, but they have excellent hearing. It will be close to impossible to get in and out with Ted undetected.

Grabbing my remote switch for the mic 1 planted near the lion den this morning. I hit the ‘activation‘ button.

I’m parked a good half mile away, plenty close enough for an undisrupted feed. I hear the phone call come in on my receiver almost immediately after I flip the switch.

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Chapter Two Hundred Twenty

“What’s up?” One of the lion’s answers, No disgusting the way today’s youth disrespects the common greeting

The voice on the other end of the line is faint and hard to catch, but I

mate.”

…there looking for the hunters, shifter Gaylen

“She’s where??? You’ve got to be fucking kidding met † told her she better not daret She promised me she wouldn’t! What is she saying about him? Don’t tell me she wants him.”

need, he’s my mate’s brother… away with

Fuck! I don’t want her disappearing with him, Quinn. He’s lignan. He can’t

Roman is there kinking for Tet,”

they even know my name?

What

shot her! Hunted her! And now I’m just supposed to forget about

her? Who? A

him…change

just checked on the little fuck. He’s ready to tell us everything

leader of

with his pride. I almost want to thank him because now I have all the little tidbits of information that I wasn’t able to hear before and my blood bods to a

left him there

hadn’t, they wouldn’t have been able

mate would never have had

had high hopes for

only a couple of options and as usual, I choose the

off the headphones and saying fuck the ill–fated rescue mission,

CANE

“What d

I’ve known for years. Roman who is the most legendary of hunters in all of Elder Few history. He’s a fucking

But even then, it made sense. Now that I’m here, it’s obvious. He’s a shifter. I can

didn’t smell a

do. Our sense of smell isn’t nearly as strong. We can scent our own better than they can though.

you adorable, Quinn snarks.

Hundred Twenty

see better

Quinn fake coughs.

climb too, Gayle

“Yeah, fuck you

watch it! Is

snap, not able to help myself. I look at my sister. “Put a moonde on that

chimes and 1 pull it out of my pocket to see Roman

ELDER ROMAN-

than I thought. Don’t

ME

Got it.

I don’t get it. Because something feels off. Now that I’m aware that Roman a shutter, 1 filter

the shortcuts he could

up some kind of reconnaissance.

SWE

up a and I leap

following my lead and

brother – where was

“What? Why?”

there? Is that where he was when you

in the basement. But it’s okay. He checked and the

need to leave. All of you. Now.”

Why?” Quinn

Quinn asks.

perfind Ted. I know that be natural skills and his hunting skills together to

to expect him back for at least another day.

do you know it’s bullshit though? Quinn asks. “You can’t know that

and even

time will be for him to strike. He road listening for the perfect in. The perfect time. He couldnt know it was going

and tell you not to expect him

Two Hundred Twenty