The Pack: Rule Number 1 - No Mates

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The Pack: Rule Number 1 – No Mates

Chapter Two Hundred Forty–Seven

ROSE

It’s been five minutes and in that time I’ve felt the yacht pick up speed and turn, then sway to the right and cruise. Now, we safe still, Viell, basically, if you don’t count the slight bob of the craft on the water, I hear Bartlett’s footsteps on the deck then voices speaking in low hushed tones somewhere on the ground, but the howling has stopped. Almost as if by command.

Could they have trained wolves out here?

Like guard wolves?

They must be guard wolves of some kind. I mean, I doubt there is much game out here on this island. Then again, it might be bigger than I imagine it to be.

But if it was, wouldn’t I have heard of it before?

I still hear the voices and after a moment more of heightened anticipation, I decide to face my fears, step out of the cabin and into the night. Creeping along the deck so slowly I begin to feel like that girl in the movie, I take in the surrounding trees and rocky cliffs. There is an enormous white house at the top of the hill. Modern and box like, three stories tall. Large glass windows for walls on every floor, most

that fan out of them shaded, some of them, bright with light. A thick curl of fog travels within the trees. Thick wisps of haunted breath over the pebbled shoreline.

As I scan the yacht, I realize I don’t see Bartlett, so I make my way toward the voices then peer over the rail. He stands there with a beautiful woman garbed in nothing but a bathrobe. She has long, dark, curly hair and a seductive smile on her face as she speaks to him. Instant jealousy coils through me. Sliding into my gut with a venomous sting. They are standing much too close. She notices me first and stops talking, granting me a welcoming smile. I don’t return it.

Bartlett says something to her that I can’t hear and she nods before turning around and heading up a staircase of stone steps that must lead up to the house.

“Hey Princess,” Bartlett says from the bottom of the ladder. “Come on down. The wolves are…put away.”

One eyebrow shoots up quizzically. Put away? Really? So they are guard wolves then. That is the craziest thing I’ve ever heard and although I’m a hunter, it almost makes me sad. Wolves are wild, majestic creatures. They shouldn’t be domesticated, or forced to watch over an island.

And why not? So they could be hunted?

With a frown, I make my way down the ladder, eyeing the surrounding wharf the moment my feet hit the boards. The forest is dark and still, but the fog that moves through it gives it life, making it appear almost sinister. The black water that splashes along the rocky shore reminds me of the first part of my dream, the swim through miles and miles of ocean. There was an island there too. Once shrouded by

darkness that I simply could not get to.

Well. I’m here now.

Bartlett watches me carefully as I approach, I can see the wariness in his eyes, like he’s afraid of something.

“Who was that woman?” I ask sharply, closing my arms around myself to rub the chill away.

hands into one of his own. “Her name is Sophia. She’s just visiting here from

realize she probably has one of those sexy Italian accents and when Bartlett tugs me toward the stone stairs

she leaving?” I grumble a little more waspishly

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Hundred Forty–Seven

up the side of the hill. Not for a couple of weeks at least. Maybe not

all?‘ ask before I can stop

one of his friends or maybe she’s dating

house mother or live–in

it Rose! That’s not

a couple of weeks, he may decide for her to stay and watch over his

staircase can be seen with

says easily, dragging me toward the front door and placing his hand on a panel along the wall.

must have cost them a

the barracks and sometimes we are allowed to

coos when the door pops

the room chases the chill away immediately and for the first time I realize, it’s

gives the place an almost futuristic vibe. The open floor/ plan allows me to see most of the space from the doorway, aside from the kitchen and what must

Stop touching it? A tiny, pixie of a girl, with long shimmering blond hair is saying to an adorably handsome young man that looks nothing like her.

many people live

he said twelve

and he grins wide and proud

Fresh bread! But Em says we can eat it yet. Did Koda come with you?” the boy asks, eyeing

have something really important they’re handling tonight. But Draven and Gio should be back later tonight,” Bartlett answers him,

and says, “I already told Draven, that Roman dude is not the one! They’ve got the wrong guy. It was a lady that started

more than a little alarmed by what the kid

in

way. Can’t be,

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Hundred Forty–Seven

the kitchen seems to notice me for the first time and her dark onyx eyes widen almond manically. are you talking about? Didn’t Sophia just talk to you about the fact that we

a smirk turning his lips. ‘Yeah,

kid?” the

whispers loudly, “I didn’t give away our

What secret? What?

girl says sharply. “Go upstairs, I’ll see you