The Pack: Rule Number 1 - No Mates

Chapter Two Hundred Seventy–Three

ANASTACIA

DREAM SEQUENCE

The fog is thick this morning. Lassoed around my grandma’s house kere twined about a body. It’s winter tone and the sky is more gray than it has ever been, but even so the fog is never quite so thick here, so I have to wonder what the hell is going on. Stepping past the weatherbeaten threshold and into my grim’s living room cases me to hear by breath.

ty ripe with rabia’s egg blue in every

It may be dark outside, but the living room is bright and the new beyond the windows shows a cloudless sky direction. What the – huh??

A quick gaze around finds may gran sitting quietly in her favorite chair, a spl of yarn and fresh knitting on her lap.

“Gran! Hey! Where’s Chelsea? My eyes search the space for my sister, frong when I come up empty.

Gran laughs, her dark blue eyes swirling as she looks up at me. “Child, you ow dong well these visits are personal and private.”

I squint, turning my head to observe her carefully. She looks younger somehow. Not sick the way she was the last time we were

together.

11hen wassss the last time we were together?

“Oh my Goddess!” I exclaim. “This is a dream, isn’t it Gran?”

My grandama smiles at me, nodding her head knowingly. “No child, this is a visit. I’ve been holding onto the veil, waiting for this day for a while now, baby. You’ve been lost to us for the fast two years. It’s nice to know someone has finally breached Draco’s barrier over your heart. you

are free now.

the talking

Free?

right about him. Jo so sorry. But, you’re wrong He’s still out there. He’s been chasing me since the day you died.

One thing I have learned since passing is that straying from the path is sometimes necessary for the greater good, Even if it may not seem that way at the time. She sighs, “I still love you. No matter the choices you made. I held your hand when you sang your song of sorrow. I was there when you finally decided to run

helplessly. Tm sorry I wasn’t there for Chelsea… and what do you mean someone has finally

Gran?

to the plush white carpet at her bare feet. “Draco placed a barrier over your heart, sweet girl siphon. You are my Gifted her. Your innate ability to inherit my gifts sparked to life the day I traveled. So all of your emotions and eff of your magics, along with mine, were

the niligator crust are

i reach forward, to grasp her knees and my hands go straight through “Gran? Her body is fading right before my

girl. A week. Now that I’ve finally been able to say goodbye, I can Nally pass beyond the veil. I love you my angel. The next time you open your eyes you will know true power. You’re going to have to save him from himself. Whatever you take from this visit, let it be that. He will

1/2

Hundred Seventy–Three

about? I cry as everything around me beglas

them, smell them, feel them on the wind… and leap to my feet and race forward. A gray sky looms ahead through a crack in the treeline. The tang of ocean brine rides

know the coast is near. Salt water!

I know that? What

hit

END DREAM SEQUENCE

PALL

in warning. The scent of fear is like a siren’s song to wolf and I take my

man behind the dog grins.

belongs to me. She promised herself to me

hear and I don’t answer to such things. Instead, I growl. Low, angry, and intent on making myself clear. My muscles bunch as 1 prepare to pounce, knowing it will be much easier

pain envelopes my throat and

Anastacia?