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.

girl… huh… that is the second time you’ve gone and said it. Better

he eyes the scented candles up front, right next to Kyle. “Are you working here, dude?” His tone is mildly insulting and I half expect Kyle to

um… a friend of mine owns this spot and I promised I’d help her out by watching the place

a lie in his words. Not all of them, but there is some sort of untruth in what he claims. I don’t know why, or how I know this, but I do. This man, Kyle,

How peculiar.

double take when I see Paul gathering two armfuls of golden brown candles. What the devil? Is this the entire inventory?”

blue eyes flicking briefly toward the beaded doorway then back again. “Um… yes.”

1/3

Chapter Three Hundred

complete one

Huh.

the door angrily, only to be stopped by Paul when he whistles my way and drops about fifty pounds of useless wax on the counter. “Wait a minute, baby, I thought you needed candles. What’s wrong with the ones

and romantic dinners. But they’re not what I’m looking for. The one’s that I

snaps, dropping his phone in his pocket. “Who

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

and Honey, Honeybun, Sugared Honey, Vanilla Caramel and Honey… What in the actual fuck? “Paul…” I say, batting

of his lips, his eyes glint in the artificial firelight of the lantern on the

my breath catches when I see his cheeks redden with embarrassment. “Why?”

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,

• Oh? Really?

on the inside of my cheek so I don’t erupt in a girlish

me a helpless look. “Only…

interest is well and truly piqued. When I say my next words, I push out my

he answers reluctantly, “My sister selects them herself. Based on something she sees in their eyes. At least, that’s what

believe her, do you?” I go on, still coaxing him, still

would be so fucking cool!

straight and he scowls, looking from me to Kyle and then back again like he knows exactly what I’ve

forgot. Paul can see

Damn it.

You can’t just go around charming my friends.” But then he fixes his eyes on Kyle and the look he gives him is cold and