The Pack: Rule Number 1 - No Mates

The Pack: Rule Number 1 – No Mates

Chapter Three Hundred

ANASTACIA

The interior of the shop was all dark wood and corners of candlelight. Entire shelves devoted to different elements stood in every corner of the room. Candles and herbs, crystals and scrying bowls, books that looked too new to be of any use and jewelry that claimed to bring luck and love. These are all things that drench the space, clogging it and washing it of any true magic. None of it feels real. It is all simple… artificial. The man behind the high glass counter looks as if he would rather be anywhere else but here, and judging by the way he keeps looking at the clock on the wall, it appears it will be a very long day for him.

I am just about to give up what I originally thought was going to be a fantastic find when I feel it… an energy that thrums from beyond a beaded hallway. My eyes fix on the dark space beyond, my breath coming in quick gasps as Paul finally enters the store at my back. He had allowed me to enter on my own, claiming he didn’t want anything to do with any of it, but now here he is. As if he could sense my apprehension. As if he could feel my plight.

“What is it, beautiful?” he whispers, dipping down close to my ear. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s…” I start toward the beaded doorway only to be stopped by the cashier.

“That room is private!” he says quickly, hardly looking up from his phone.

I feel it when Paul tenses at my back, so I’m only half surprised when he speaks to the shopkeeper like they are old friends. “Kyle?” Paul

says.

The shopkeeper flinches, finally looking up from his device and studying Paul for a cool minute before a half smile breaks out across his

handsome features.

“Paul?” the man, Kyle, says.

“Dude! Long time no see. How are you?”

Kyle shrugs, his brow furrowing, despair clouding his energy in such a way that speaks of tremendous grief. “Oh you know. I’ve been

better.” Kyle clears his throat. “What the fuck are you doing here? I never pegged you for a Wiccan.”

Paul chortles, laughing heartily until I jab him in the ribs. “Uh,” he coughs. “Not me. My girl. She’s into this shhhh–stuff.”

“Very cute save Pretty Paul,” I tease him, raising an eyebrow.

gone and said it. Better watch out

drags me against him, keeping my body tight against his as he eyes the scented candles up front, right next to Kyle. “Are you

friend of mine owns this spot and I promised I’d help her out by watching the place for her while

what he claims. I don’t know why, or how I know this, but I do. This man, Kyle, is omitting something with

How peculiar.

take when I see Paul gathering

flicking briefly toward the beaded doorway then back again.

1/3

Chapter Three Hundred

lie. A complete one

Huh.

bit more authentic so… nice meeting you.” Without another word I stomp toward the door angrily, only to be stopped by Paul when he whistles my way and

they’re not what I’m looking for. The one’s that I need are back there in that

Kyle snaps, dropping his phone in his pocket. “Who the fuck-”

hand up, stopping Kyle with a look. “Hey, hey, hey, careful,

Honey, Honeybun, Sugared Honey, Vanilla Caramel and Honey… What in the actual fuck? “Paul…” I say, batting my lashes up at him. “I’m concerned.

muscles flex deliciously. With a lick of his lips, his eyes glint in the artificial firelight of the lantern on the counter and he says, “Yeah… they don’t have honeycomb, so I grabbed everything

catches when I see his cheeks redden with embarrassment.

we weren’t in the middle of a fucking store I’d yank down his pants and ride him into the underworld right here and right now. “Because,” he states, his eyes going heavy with lust, “they might be the only kind I like. And…” he sighs, fishing out his credit card. “They might smell like you.”

• Oh? Really?

don’t erupt in a girlish giggle, I face Kyle who looks utterly amused by Paul’s admonition. “Why can’t I

throwing me a helpless look. “Only… special customers are allowed back there.”

truly piqued. When I say my next words, I push out my energy, asking him with my magic instead of with

them herself. Based on something

him, still fishing for anything I can

That would be so fucking

Kyle and then back again like he knows exactly

that’s right, I forgot. Paul can see my magic in the air.

Damn it.

then he fixes his eyes on Kyle and the look he gives him is cold and hard with disbelief. “And what do you