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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is crazy. A witch mate… don’t know if that’s a good thing or a

thing. In the deep of 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, I send my words booming toward the white wolf

STOP!”

animal in him shudders, whining with confusion when Rainier shifts back into his

“Why am I so tired?” Raising his hands in a gesture of surrender, he notices the blood and bite

joint,” Cane mumbles as I step past him toward Paul.

my squad car,” Timmons tells him. “Trust

Mmmkayyyy…

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

furrows when Rainier jerks back, scurrying away from me. Shifting his hands to hide his junk, he 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

for Pete’s

behind me, fall into a fit of giggles and my mouth curves upward, unable to completely wash them out. Turning my attention back to Paul, I kneel in front of him, my

wolf is

what you said about me before. I don’t care. It no

growling lightly at the shards of glass on the deck. Laughter bubbles in my throat when I realize he doesn’t want me to cut

whisper, drawing him closer by slipping my arms around his thick neck. “I’ll get up if you

back yet?” I

will happen to you, Newbie, should you get abnormally pissed

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

when Koda answers him, he doesn’t seem like one to talk about anything. “My dad disappeared and

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

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good,” Cane acknowledges. “How long

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in closer, to whisper in Paul’s ear, “You promised to taste me, Paul. Are you breaking that promise?” I’m

hard–on,” Timmons hisses and Paul’s head swivels in

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

on my innuendo, but Koda slaps a hand over his mouth and I smile at him

to Paul, I raise an eyebrow. “Are you really going to leave me

fix, with the potential to piss Paul off more than it can calm him,

is completely naked in front of me, his dick jutting out like the arm

wide and his chest heaving

my lip. “Nah. You’re fine just

Rainier. Back bedroom, top