The Pack: Rule Number 1 - No Mates

The Pack: Rule Number 1 – No Mates

Chapter Two Hundred Fifty–Five

GAYLE

The house is still quiet when Cane and I slip through the door of my room and into the hall. The clock on the wall reads that it’s four am in the morning and despite the early hour I am wide awake. Before we decided to come down here I threw on a light pair of pajama bottoms and a loose white top. I’m not wearing a bra or panties, so when I race down the stairs the wind catches my shorts, whipping them upward and before I can step one foot beyond the landing Cane is on me.

The space is dark around us, but even so, our lion sight makes everything easy for us to see. Yet I don’t check the room, because as far as I know everyone here is still sleeping.

“These shorts are going to be a problem, Cane hisses softly in my ear, snaring me around the waist with one arm and cupping my ass cheek with his free hand.

I start to laugh, pressing back into his growing erection so that I can feel it rocking behind his jeans.

“I agree. Definitely going to be a problem. Especially for me, after all the yelling you both were doing only minutes ago, Quinn’s voice spills across the space and that’s when I remember that he and Delilah had fallen asleep together on the couch in the living room that evening. He doesn’t stand up, simply tilts his head in our direction to flash Cane a wide–toothed smile. “Good to see you again, Cane. I stand up and hug you, but your sister is asleep across my lap.

Cane smiles, wandering toward the back of the couch to peer down at her for a long moment. As glad as I am to see her, Cane whispers, “I’m not entirely ready to hear her mouth, so carry on.”

Quinn laughs silently in the dark, then says, “I really am happy to see that you’re okay, man.” His face falls, guilt tainting his features. “It never should have happened that way. I’m a wolf shifter and I should have-

“No,” Cane interrupts. “No, bro. Everything happened just the way it was supposed to. Don’t you dare go feeling responsible for my fucked up mistakes. They were mine to make and I own them. You did what you were supposed to do. You took care of my sister.”

at each other for a long moment, a silent understanding passing between the two of them before Quinn simply

away.

guestrooms for you two. What are you both still doing down here?”

the villa and Lilac refused to let me move her until she knew whether or not Cane would be waking up,” Quinn says. “So we both fell asleep here and were honestly sleeping pretty well until that small earthquake rocked the house a few moments ago. Which I can pretty much guarantee you,

Cane answers smoothly, tossing me a

is lying. “You know where

a roll of my eyes and Cane

comments. “Sometimes it’s an absolute bitch. Especially during earthquakes.”

it’s closing in on five a.m. and when I step toward

says. “I’ll handle this and then meet you in just a

him, He’s just some little crybaby weasel that-

1/2

Hundred

quietly, pulling me into his arms for a ferocious kiss. “And I know you’re not going to like

you, Cane,” I whine. “It’s you that needs to trust me. I don’t want any more secrets

at me, seeming to be lost in thought for a moment. “You’re right, he says. “God help me, you’re right. If I only would have listened to you before… he trails off

now. And maybe – for whatever fucked up reason – we were supposed to go through that so that you and

with his hand on the lock. “Let’s get this bastard ready to

hiss. “Why would we do

somewhat of his trademark. “Because in order to get rid of the rangers scouting the woods for you and get the Elder Few to release your mom’s body, we’re going to need him