The Pack: Rule Number 1 - No Mates

Chapter Two Hundred Eighty–Seven

ROSE

When I sneak downstairs with Bartlett’s phone, he doesn’t stir and for that I am grateful. Dawn is cresting on the horizon and as we spent most of the night making love, he should be in a deep sleep. The entire house is at rest, but I don’t slip outside the way I originally planned to. I’m too afraid the alarm system might go off or something. And even though Fartlett added me to the electronic entry, I’m still not entirely sure how it works, so I opt to stay indoors.

After a quick look around, I take a deep breath and dial my brother Rosen.

“Rosie! Hey…” my brother says after only half a ring. He must have here up all night because it’s super early in the morning and Rosen is NOT a morning person, which worries me. “Is something wrong? Why are you calling so early? Is your beau giving you trouble?”

I have to smile at that. Ever the protective brother.

I whisper into the phone with the simple hope that he can hear me, “No, No trouble and there’s nothing wrong. At least not here. I just wanted to hear your voice.” A lie, but a necessary one. I can’t exactly tell him that my boyfriend is a shifter and unless I call while he’s asleep he’ll be privy to every single word I say, “Uhm, Ros, are you still at-

“Home,” he says in a defeated voice. “Yes. I told you, mom and dad aren’t going to let me go Rosie. They’re pushing me to Join the enforcers now. But hey, ya know, it’s fine. I can finish out the year of school online until I figure out how to get free of this… place.”

My heart begins to pulse with pain upon hearing that. I hate that my brother is being made to suffer for me. I hate it so much I almost don’t know what to do. “It’s not fair, Ros! You’re an adult. You don’t have to stay there. Why don’t you just leave??? What about football? Won’t you lose your scholarship? And your opportunity to play in the NFL? What about your dreams?”

My brother chuckles darkly and I can almost see him smiling at the phone. “You know better than that, Rosie. Dad’s paying my tuition now and as far as football is concerned… well… it is what it is. But I don’t want you to worry about it. I fucked up when I made you take my place. I never should have done that. It wasn’t your cross to bear and I’m sorry for it. It makes me happy that you are happy. I won’t let you marry that bastard, Cygnus.”

Tears streak from my eyes hearing that. My brother has always sought to protect me. He’s my angel. My savior. This shit is simply not fair. Im going to find a way to get you out. I swear to God. The Elder Few have to end.”

“It’s not that simple, Rosie,” he says, then clears his throat. When he speaks next, his voice is significantly lower, “I need you to listen to me carefully Rosie. They’re coming for you. The enforcers are. They know where you are and they’re coming-

“Wh–what? Ros I don’t think they do. You don’t understand I-”

“You’re on an island, right?”

Oh my God. Yes. How… “What?“–

Chobe go now. Love you. Don’t call back!”

They know, Rosie, they know. I have

Ros!

goes dead and I’m left staring at

They can’t possibly

How?

come,” a voice says

1/3

Two Hundred

drop the phone and it

“Bartlett. !–

nwys my bo

and leaning over to pocket his phone. He smirks at me, his eyes glazing over head to toe. I’m not wearing much, just his t–shirt that stops an inch below my thighs. I didnt

of the shirt and cross one leg over the other. “I have to go back,” I whisper, nodding when

forward to grab me up against him. “No you don’t. I won’t let you.

even. But it’s not fair. My brother has as much right to his life as I have to mine. Even more so, if you ask

No one.

quietly, stroking my hands up over his bare chest. The enforcer that they want me to marry… his name is Cygnus Marshall. He’s the meanest of them.

“Stop!”

at least be

“Stop!”

that 1

STOP

tips and he has me in a death grip. I should be scared of him. I should be terrified… but I’m not.

by his reaction. He’s so sexy when he gets possessive.

moment my words sink in, it’s obvious. His hands gentle on my back, and his eyes go back to normal. Heaving a sigh of relief, he finally

at him, my eyes snagging on his mouthwatering tattooed chest and arms. “I told you, I’m yours, Bartlett. But please… can’t you find a way for me to go and refuse Cygnus proposal? Face to face? If my parents

I beg him for something. Whether I’m on my knees or in his arms… But when he suddenly turns around and shoyus the

Someone’s coming.

me a feral smile“-but it was enlightening.” He fixes a glare on Bartlett. “Would

snarls. “Don’t-