The Pack: Rule Number 1 - No Mates

Chapter Two Hundred Seven GAYLE "I almost can't believe he bought it, I say, excitement that I really shouldn't be feeling barreling into me. The chance to see him again, my mate, overriding the murky fact that he shot me, It really shouldn't fill the with joy. After all, he wants to kill me, but in true shifter form 1 want to believe his heart can be changed. I want to believe that he might be helpless in falling for me. That's fair, right? "Why wouldn't he buy it? Delilah shorts. Tm the one who was selling it to him. I'm his sister. He would never suspectto side with you guys." "Any why not?" I have to ask. "Did you hate us too?" She shakes her head. "No. Actually, I've always had an extrlove for animals, but I've never been a believer in shifters. I never thought they were real. Ironically enough, I was still a little in doubt even after I watched the bullets pop out of Quinn's back." "You've got to be kidding," I giggle. "What was your reasoning for that happening, if you didn't think he was a shifter?" She shrugs, turning toward the Idaho exit instead of the Oregon one we were originally headed for. “I don't know, Vampire maybe. Anything that wouldn't allow my brother the satisfaction of being right for once.

"Vampires," I laugh. "Believe it or not. That thought isn't too far off - as there are giant bat shifters in the world." You've got to be kidding?" she snaps.

"I'm not. I know one. His nis Antoand he is an excellent lover, inform. "Taedora and I were both convinced he was our mate for a time.

"Oh really?" she aks, her voice taking on a disapproving tone. "Does that happen often? Two of you having the smate?" I shake my head. "No. Not typically. And never when the mate is human. At least not as far as lions are concerned. I've heard draguns do though." She almost steers off the road. "I'm sorry. But did you say dragons?" I have to laugh. "Yes. They're real too." Then I think about it and realize, it could be bullshit. I've never seen proof that they do actually exist. "Not that I've ever met one. I guess it could be considered Shifter Lore. But when I was little my mom used to tellstories about twin dragons with the shuman mate. Supposedly they live in the mountains of Japan and Hawaii. And wherever there are volcanos." "There are volcanoes in Washington," she says matter of factly.

"Oh crap," I say, just realizing. "I guess you're right. Touche"." "I think I'll stick "I think I stick with wolves," she says almost absently.

I smile. "Quinn's a pretty good catch." Her head jerks toward me. "You say that almost as if you know." I swallow thickly, not wanting to dive into that one. Our friendship is too new. "He has quite the reputation." “Uh-huh,” she murmurs. “So I've gathered." She sighs heavily. "Maybe I should call him and let him know I'm safe.", almost choke. "Don't get crazy. Remember, he stole your phone! If you call him right now, not only will he be pissed enough to kill ine, hell bring the whole brigade with him to stop you from interfering in what they have planned for your brother, 1/4 Chapter Two Hundred Seven She sighs unhappily, "I don't want to believe that." "Well, you need to believe it. It's true," I state grimly.

"He should already know I would never forgive him for hurting my brother. Never." He probably does, but I don't tell her that. The truth is, he probably wdir't hurt Cane if he realizes that Delilah would never forgive him. But Gryffin... be will. And Domonic owes Gryffin big tfor helping him save Draven. Their alliance may just be important enough to trump anything that Quinn might want. At the stime, it might not, but I'm not willing to take that chance.

"How long until we get there?" she asks, knowing I'm the one on GPS duly. "Two hours," I say, my heart thumping a bit more heavily at the thought. Not quite enough tto mentally prepare myself, but it will have to do. "Do you think he'll recognize me?" She shakes her head. "I don't think so, He only saw you for a few seconds in the dark, with night goggles on. He shouldn't. If anything, he may be wary of you. But he would never expectto have befriended you and lie about anything shifter related, so we should be fine.” "What if he doesn't want me? I can't help but ask.

She looks atsympathetically. "If what you guys feel is anything close to how I feel about Quinn... he will.” Then she smirks. “Just baptize him and you win." "Baptize him?" I ask, confused.

She shakes her head, laughing. "I've got news for your sexy little ass. My brother? He is still a virgin." No fucking way "What?" QUINN "What do you mean, she's not there?” I ask Timmons again, trying to incorporate my deep breathing techniques into hearing this news.

He shakes his head atarrogantly. "Your little manipulative human left a note. She's with Cayle."..

Anger rolls throughand despite that we're in the hospital lobby, I'm forced to stop myself from shifting. The note said that?" "No. Cayle's scent was all over your room and outside of the house. Plus, the jeep is gone." "That fucking bitch!" I snap. "Well, at least I know where they're heading Timmons' eyes light up. "Oh really? Where's that?" "They're heading after her brother. Cane. Gayle's mate." "Holy shit," Timmons grumbles. "That's right. Rainier said something to that effect when we joined the arch party earlier.

A familiar voice on the telephone behindhas my back going ramrod straight and my nerves prickling I just walked into the hospital," the voice says. "I'll call you when I have news." "Son-of-a-bitch,” I hiss, keeping my back turned so the man doesn't seeme, "What?" Timmons gripes. "What's wrong?"" wait until I hear Matthew get on the elevator and for the doors to ding closed. "That old bastard that just got on the elevator. He's one of the Elder Few," I say, turning my head in the direction of the elevato Chapter Two Hundred Seven "What?" Timmons replies, "I thought Rainier hut the dode outside," "They must have cseparately," I inform him "We knew they might try and enter like strangers, but we didn't think they'd spara hour apart-filad I stayed." arrival an be Timmons nods, acing the stairs. Then this one's mine. Il grab him and get him off the floor. It I be up to you and Bartlett to get the girl mut of here," "Agreed," I say warily. "I can't believe were about to try and pull this shit off." "What is this we shit?" Timmons cackles. I'm the It's you and old Barty Boy when are about to beccriminals." "Right," Lagree, flipping him off as he heads for the stairs.

I don't have tfor this! I need to go after my mate, but I'm going to have to try and trust her for now, Gayle has probably convinced her that we want to hurt Cane. In fact, she might even believe we do Weldont. Well, I don't. Domonur probably does, but he wont if I ask him not to. Why? For the very sreason that I refuse to hurt that fucker. Because of our mates. All it will take is forto tell Draven that Domonc intends to go after my mate's brother against my wishes. She'll go ballistic on his ass. He's still not all the way out of the doghouse yet when it comes to her and he knows it, so... It is what it is. Whipping g out my phone, I send Bartlett a text.