The Pack: Rule Number 1 - No Mates

The Pack: Rule Number 1 – No Mates

Chapter Two Hundred Ninety–One

ANASTACIA

I’d never seen wolves fight before. I know now that it is one of the scariest things one might ever bear witness to.

When Paul shifted in midair it was more than a little shocking. At least it was for me. No one else seemed too surprised by it. I hadn’t even noticed until that moment that Koda was slowly inching closer to the two sifters as they argued. He must have seen it coming. I guess they all did.

Rainier and Paul spun out of the cabin and into the glass like a ball of fur and fury. I couldn’t even tell which wolf was which. They were entangled in a tornado or growls and snarls. Tails flipping, bodies tumbling, and crashing onto the deck.

“Oh my Goddess!” I scream, as they go careening into the railing.

A quick glance around tells me that Koda was inching toward me not them. He’s now standing in front of me like some damn bodyguard, looking bored to tears.

“Calm down, sweetheart,” Timmons laughs, sauntering up next to me. “They’re bound to fall into the ocean and when they do, they’ll stop. That water is freezing.”

I glare at him, as a wolf’s whine fills the air, signaling that one of them is hurt. “Seriously? Either you stop them, or I will!”

“How?” Cane asks, from across the room. His baby blue eyes light up with curiosity and he steps forward. “With magic? I don’t think it’ll work. Paul’s too pissed off.”

Is that a challenge lion shifter?

My fingers begin to tingle, my eyes heating as I focus on the ball of fur spinning out of control on the deck. Willing my heart rate to calm, to slow, I push out my energy in waves. Reaching for the pair of idiots spiraling into madness just fifteen feet away from me. As my magic floats over Timmons, his face changes, as does Gryffin’s, then Koda’s, then Cane’s. Their expressions turn softer, almost pliant as they whirl to face me. They’ve been soothed by my reach, but unfortunately, Paul has not.

Fuck. That’s right. My true mate cannot be influenced by my magic.

Shit.

“Whoa…” Timmons says suddenly, “I can totally feel that.” He smiles at me, his eyes going dark.

“Yeah, Gryffin agrees, falling onto the armchair on top of the shattered glass. “Kind of peaceful, aren’t you?” he asks me.

Rolling my eyes, I stomp my foot and curse. “Fuck. I forgot, Paul cannot be affected by my charges.”

“Your charges?” Koda clips out, his smile wavering and slow. What are those?”

“My energies,” I snip out. “In the same way I cannot charm mated beings into falling for me, I cannot influence my true mate in any way.”

True mate?” Koda mumbles. “So you and Paul-”

“Are mates,” Gryffin says, finishing his question and answering it in the same breath.

“Wait a minute, Timmons spouts. “So you can force unmated beings to fall in love with you?”

Not exactly, I explain swiftly, hedging past Koda and closer to the action. “It’s not actual love, just surface attraction really. Like tricking the eye to see me and only me. Mate bonds protect over matters of the heart.”

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that mate shit is crazy. A witch mate… don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing,” Cane comments,

my heart, I know that Paul doesn’t truly want to hurt him, but if I don’t get Paul’s attention now, he undoubtedly will. Pushing as much force as I can into my voice,

STOP!”

shudders, whining with confusion when Rainier shifts back into his human

fuck?” Rainier grumbles. “Why am I so tired?” Raising his hands in a gesture of surrender, he notices the blood and bite marks that

fat ass joint,” Cane mumbles as I step past him toward

one in my squad car,” Timmons tells him. “Trust me, this feels nicer. Lasts

Mmmkayyyy…

their ridiculous conversation, I keep my attention on the white wolf that has yet to shift back and is still flashing his fangs in anger. “Paul, I call out. His heavy white head turns toward me, his wolf features gentling and another whine escaping his lips. Reaching a hand out to shield Rainier

startles as if I just tried to fondle him. “Nuh–uh! No, no! This package is not for you, madame. My dick is spoken for, my penis betrothed to another. Stand back!” He scrambles up onto his feet and

Pete’s sake.

to completely wash them out. Turning my attention back to Paul, I kneel in front of him, my cotton covered knees crunching

wolf is enormous.

okay, Paul,” I soothe him. “It doesn’t matter what you said about me before. I don’t

shards of glass on the deck. Laughter bubbles in my

by slipping my arms around his thick neck. “I’ll

back yet?” I

angry, we force shift. And when we do, it’s almost painful to get back until we’ve completely calmed down. The same thing will happen to you, Newbie, should you get abnormally pissed off,” Koda informs him. “It’s happened to me more than few times. I

fuck? Really?” Cane giggles. “What had you

about anything. “My dad disappeared and took my little brother away

back right now, because I don’t trust any of you loopy–eyed fools to drive this damn yacht back while you’re enthralled. And now that it’s morning, it’s the safest time for me to move with the shadow hounds out there. They’ll be looking for somewhere to rest. Somewhere dark where they can avoid the high sun at noon,” I toss out, scratching Paul behind the ears when

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good,” Cane acknowledges. “How long does it last?”

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first, Leaning in closer, to whisper in Paul’s ear, “You promised to taste me, Paul. Are you breaking that promise?” I’m completely aware that the others still heard me,

and Paul’s head swivels

I snap at Timmons, aiming a glare at him over my shoulder. “If you don’t

and his mouth drops open, no doubt to comment further on my innuendo, but Koda slaps a hand

an eyebrow. “Are you really going to leave me all alone with

a risky fix, with the potential to piss Paul off more than it can calm him, but I try it anyway and it

a snap of bones later, Paul is completely naked in front of me, his dick jutting out like the arm of destiny. The damn thing is so big that I’m momentarily starstruck. “Goddess

Pauf commands, his eyes wide and his chest heaving as he

him, with a bite of my

meant for Rainier. Back bedroom, top drawer, close your eyes