The Pack: Rule Number 1 - No Mates

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The Pack: Rule Number 1 – No Mates

Chapter Two Hundred Sixty–Three

BARTLETT

“Bartlett…” she whispers and beyond the fear in her eyes 1 can see the longing there too. “What are you saying?”

My eyes catch on Draven’s for a short moment before she nods and stands up, helping Rose to her feet when she does.

“I’m saying exactly what it sounds like I’m saying,” I decree. The bark of my words fighting through the ache in my chest that started the moment when I read her father’s message. “There is no way in this world I’m letting go of you so that you can go home and marry some sorry fucking prick that isn’t me.”

“Have you spoken to Gayle?” Draven asks as she approaches.

“I have,” I say softly, my eyes still on my mate and the insecurity of her gaze. Maybe if I can just get her inside and beneath me again, I can get her to listen to me. Maybe if I stake my claim over and over with my dick, she’ll see reason.

Seriously, Bartlett?

But I can’t help it. My hunger for the beauty on the docks has only multiplied tenfold since having her last night and there is no way in the world I’m going to let her go. The longer I watched her out here with my Luna, the harder it became for me to adhere to my promise of allowing her to leave. The more and more I thought about it, the old ways – the ways of our ancestors – became deviously tempting. They believed a mate should not only be claimed but forced to accept their lot in life, and sure, out in Port Orchard we have never done things that way, but I was starting to see the appeal.

Draven’s arms wrap around me in a hug and despite the sudden jealousy I see flare in Rose’s eyes, I hug her back. Im so happy for you.” Draven whispers. “She’s shy, but lovely. She’s going to need you to make yourself perfectly clear. She doesn’t think that you want her enough.”

I flinched at that last part, especially when Draven gifted me with a quick kiss on the cheek and the sound of my Alpha growling barreled

down the hill.

the fuck?” Domonic’s voice could be heard from the top of the hill, but all he received in return was Draven’s

turning around to bounce up the stone walkway and back up to the

made our momentary embrace look like more than what it actually was and the cute little snark on Rose’s face couldn’t be denied.

I say with a grin, stepping down onto the docks

“No.”

she glares up at

And someone who I could

gripping her chin in my hands and ignoring the spark of electricity that

maple brown of her long, long, locks waving in the

as my dick hardens painfully in my pants. The memory of the way she looked last night when she came undone is still so fresh

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Two Hundred Sixty–Three

to snag her into my arms and lock her against my chest.

me to look away from her so that she isn’t afraid. “How much I want you. It’s unreal. I can’t let anyone even sneer your way without-”

that they could almost come from our Luna. God help me, I do. I can’t not. So I turn my face toward hers, fangs and all, and steel myself against the fear I expect to see in her eyes. “Why did you look away from me, Bartlett?”

back into hiding, but they don’t go. They can’t. She’s already threatened me with leaving and my beast is hovering, waiting to pounce. The need to keep her from leaving so great I’m almost afraid I might shift right here. ‘I don’t

I feel it. The gentle, erotic, stroke of her fingers over my teeth and God help me, I groan. “There’s no monster in you,” she whimpers. “I’m so sorry I

open before her fingers leave my fangs and I kiss the tops of them before she can pull away. “I would never hurt you and I’m sorry if my fangs scare you but… they seem to come out

really just say that? What the fuck

make you horny? Have you any idea what

her. “Tell me. Don’t be shy. I want

face heats, coloring to full on red and she yanks my head closer. “They drive me insane,