The Pack: Rule Number 1 - No Mates

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The Pack: Rule Number 1 – No Mates

Chapter Two Hundred Sixty–Two

ROSE

As I sit swinging my legs over the water and gazing off into the ocean, my heart lurches in my chest. What will Bartlett do when I’m gone? The thought of being not only across the sound from him, but across the state is a physically painful thought that nearly has me buckling over within its clutches.

My parents have informed me that I am to marry Cygnus Marshall. An enforcer of the Elder Few that is at the very least ten years older than I am. I had no idea the man even had interest in me, but he must have. Because that’s the way things work in the Elder Few. A bid must be made for the girl of the family to the head of that family from any male member of the Elder Few and that head of the family in question must accept the bid and enter into a contract for marriage. There is no rule for the female member getting to choose because until me, there has never been any other female member.

I know him though. I remember him. I can almost see him staring at me now. His beady black eyes and his unkempt mustache that always made me think of a train robber from the old west – and not a sexy one. Before this, I always assumed he simply didn’t like me. The way he would stare at me was that ugly, it was almost cruel. He is a big behemoth of a man. Maybe even a little bigger than Bartlett, but not nearly as cut with muscle.

Arghhhh… Bartlett.

I want him so badly it hurts and if I could only summon up the balls to tell him about the marriage contract and the fact that I don’t want it… If I could bring myself to share the reasons behind my need to go back and what it will mean for my dear brother if I don’t, maybe he would understand.

Maybe he would have a solution.

HA! Really Rose? Do you think you’re that important to him?

I mean sure, Domonic says I’m his mate and that I am one of them now, but they don’t actually know me! How hard would they be willing to fight for someone they don’t know?

“Hey there,” a feminine voice says at my back.

talk to me, and when I look back over my shoulder to see her approach, I am once again struck by the beauty of these women. These mates. “H–hi,” I reply, smiling shyly at the green

says, and my face screws up at the lie.

Thanks, but there’s no need to lie to me. I’m as plain as they come I mumble

on the wharf next to me. “The name is Draven,” she says, holding out a dainty hand as

mate.”

her hand which is surprisingly solid with strength. “Rose.”

I’ve heard, she chirps joyfully, a side stretched smile creşting over her lips. “You’re Bart’s mate, and

she sends over her shoulder toward the

I say the best I mean it. He’s one hundred percent my favorite guy. Even more so than my own,” she whispers conspiratorially. Not that I’m attracted to him that way. But my guy is hard headed

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blush at that. You make him sound like a teddy

he one

Absolutely not. Her…. he’s…” My face colors as I trail off, my core heating just with the thought

own. ‘Hes probably way different with

jealousy climbing up my back for just a twinkle of a moment.

is why I hate

over me for a moment. “And how

“Cheated. Sad. Lonely. Which is strange because he’s just found his mate and none of those things should

didn’t mean to make him feel-