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.”

my mate’s

Fuck! I don’t want her disappearing with him, Quinn.

Roman is there

the fuck? How do they even know my

What

I’m just supposed to forget about it because he turns out to be her mate?”

her? Who?

going to tell him…change sides…already wants

little fuck. He’s ready to tell us everything so hurry up and

few more minutes as Gryllin, leader of the

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 thousand degrees when I

never have left him

been able

never have had a

really had high hopes for you. And for your sister.

a couple of options and as usual, I choose the one that fits me

the headphones and saying fuck the ill–fated rescue mission, I start the car and head back to the highway.

CANE

“What d

be right, can it? Roman that I’ve known for years. Roman who is the most legendary of hunters in all of Elder Few history. He’s a

inside this house. Before this, it was only a suspicion. But even then, it made sense. Now that I’m here, it’s obvious. He’s a shifter.

at Gayle, “You didn’t smell

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

aren’t you adorable,

Two Hundred Twenty

“We can also see better than

Quinn fake coughs.

can climb too, Gayle snarls. “In both

off. “Yeah, fuck

it! Is

to help myself. I look at my sister. “Put a moonde on that one

it out of my pocket to see Roman has just tested. I foreboding washing over

ELDER ROMAN-

thought. Don’t expect

ME

Got it.

feels off. Now that I’m aware that Roman a

the shortcuts he could

have set up some kind of

SWE

and I leap up

it?” Quinn snaps, following my lead

phone call you made to Cayle’s brother – where was

“What? Why?”

Is that where he was when you

it’s okay. He checked and the

need to leave. All of you. Now.”

Why?”

Quinn asks.

I know what he would have done perfind Ted. I know that be natural skills and his hunting skills together to free

me not to expect him back for

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

and even mite

that. I know that because Roman has no idea when the right time will be for him to strike. He road listening for the perfect in. The perfect time. He

mean, he wouldn’t call and tell you not

Two Hundred Twenty