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

my fear for him a new, yet powerful, 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.

STOP!”

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

a gesture of surrender, he notices the blood and bite marks that track up his

like I’ve just smoked a fat ass joint,” Cane mumbles as I step past

car,” Timmons tells him. “Trust me, this

Mmmkayyyy…

shift back and is still flashing his fangs in anger. “Paul, I call out. His heavy white head

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 up onto his feet and says, with heavy eyes, “I’ll have you arrested if you touch me,

for Pete’s sake.

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 cotton covered knees crunching

wolf

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

upward then growling lightly at the shards of glass on the deck. Laughter bubbles in my throat when

around his thick neck. “I’ll get up if

hasn’t he changed back yet?” I hear Cane ask.

to you, Newbie, should you get abnormally pissed off,” Koda informs him. “It’s happened to me more than few times. I once spent an entire week stuck

Cane giggles. “What had

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

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

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good,” Cane acknowledges. “How long does it

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I need Paul to come back to me first, Leaning in closer, to whisper in Paul’s ear, “You promised to taste me, Paul. Are you breaking that promise?”

Paul’s head swivels in his direction, a snarl

snap at Timmons, aiming a glare at him over my shoulder. “If you

drops open, no doubt to comment further on my innuendo, but Koda slaps a hand over his mouth and I smile at him

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

it can calm him, but I try it anyway and it

dick jutting out like the arm of destiny. The damn thing is so big that I’m momentarily starstruck. “Goddess is good,” I moan

his eyes wide and his

with a bite of my lip. “Nah. You’re fine just like

for Rainier. Back bedroom, top drawer, close