The Pack: Rule Number 1 - No Mates

Chapter One Hundred Ninety-Nine GAYLE The peilbad behind the glass looks more than a little upset. With nursed eyes, her gaze travels over my seemingly perfect figure. I know what she sees and lyant blher for gawking atlike she is Truth be told, I do spend copious amounts of tlooking at myself in the mitrot. Admiring ones attributes is not a food thing, but I probably do it a little more than your average beauty does. What can I say? 1 like the way I look. I have the kind of body you might The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition and that's not likely to My honey blonde hair is touched with shimmering autumu hurs, filling down past my shoulders, and although it is straight, it's not for straight like say, Draven's is. No, my hair is tem fine and refuses to lay is heavily as all that. It's the kind of hair that goes wild with just a touch of wind, flying about like I'm caught in a cycline. If I'm perfectly honest, it is my least favorite feature. The strands may be as soft as goose feathers, but I live in northern Washington and ninety percent of the time, my head is draped in a blanket of frizz. However, my skin holds a golden glow to it that I was I will and I never get pul hot even in winter time, just part of my feline heritage, I suppose. Gryffin is the exact sway. He and I could have been cut from exactly the scloth, our coloring is identical. Well, we are full- blonded brother and sister, so there is tint. He is older, but not by much. Alright so he has the better hair ton, so what? Can't win them all, Gryffin's alphabolism used to be pretty bad, but he's tempered it down since our mother died. I'm the opposite, I guess. After mom was killed, † just sort of got worse. Even luck then, I was way more cunning Dian he was, and definitely more aggressive, but I never used to go as all out as I do now. These days, I apply the 'it's easter to ask for forgess than permission' philosophy to nearly every little thing I do, A habit that seems to be gettingin more than my fair share of trouble lately, Just ask the ghetto bird and the forest full of humans scouting forin the woods. They know I'm dangerous. Gryffin tends to show restraint, whereas I prefer snap judgment and immediate Tonight... I may have even erred on the bad side of sadistic behavior (as if there's a good side lol), but I'm not sorry about it. Even though the result hasducking through the back alleys of Port Orchand in my very naked and very human form, it was worth it if you ask me.

ctually enjoyed feeling that bitch's pulse go from frantic and strong, to faded out and non-existent. Fucking Bartlett, though? What the hell was his problem? Personality wise, I'm the only one of our lion pride with an almost non-existent fuse and a verifiably explosive temper, to the next tI see Bartlett I may decide to try that little trick on him for robbingof my kill.

For now though, I have an entirely different agenda and this fiery little damsel of Quinn's needs to get with the program. Did I mention that I am also short on patience as well? No? Well, I am, and this flhaired little fire sprite has yet to even askmy name. She's still staring atwith murder in her eyes. Not for me, of course. She must think I'm one of Quinn's late night booty calls, which is almost kind of hymny since lie's chutely had plenty of them. In fact, he and I love even been together. Only once! What can I say, the man has a very nice ass, a big dick, and an extremely sinful mouth. He can be very very, convincing. We were young when it happened, but it did happen.

Yet, here we stand, she and 1. Her, as Quinn's mate and me, as her brother's.

Her brother is the actant reason I'm here. Sure, I could use a place to hide as well, but there are plenty of empty houses on this beach. They wouldn't be hard to break into. I know which one's have owner's and which one's are truly vacant.

But the first thing I thought of when I realized I was in trouble was my nate, It was the strangest thing. It was like I suddenly yearned for. his comfort. Like I needed him to keepsafe. It's hard to explain, but the closest thing I can cup with to compare it to, is the natural born instinct that off creatures are equipped with when they first cinto the world - the urge to go to their mother. It's a default behavior, not all mothers are good. But mine was and I haven't felt that way about anyone since she died.

I have to get to him before the others do. If I don't, he's as good as dead, Gryffin wants to kill him. He said as much. Gryffin never makes idle threats. He's already forbiddenfrom going after the guy and I know that only means one thing. Gryffin doesn't wantto get attached because even if I do manage to change the human's heart, or decide that I want to be with him... even if I go out and marry the shade, Gryffin is going to kill him. That tellsthat when I see him, my mate, and maybe decide to forgive him, I won't ever be able to bring him back here. To my home.

ing I tried to attack this girl in the river this morning or might never have learned that my mate was her brother and not her Good thing 1 boyfriend "Are you going to letin?" I shout just to be sure that she can hear me. Quinn's windows are more than likely bulletproof, so it might take a cool minute to force my way in if it comes to that.

1/2 Chapter One Hundred Ninety-Nine The girl sports as d1 tant trally blama ber but she needs to. Shur's probably the only other person su twallow my taughter. "He your goodies somewhere else, skank " This time, I do smile, but only until | see well when the shades are half drawn.

The girl freezes, eyeingwarily. "What? Then who at jrou here for thee? Not Obar That other dude, the p 1 I grin, yeah, Timmons is kind of a douchebag and a bit. He's always getting sight to say about one. "The's human and her brother's a hunter, so I can only imagine what type of colorful introduction chey must harive hard).

Tm here to see you," I tell her, stupidly.

Right away, she assumes I'm playing with her and tipsas far as you re concerned, ever again.

Nice try bitibi. Live I said. Quien s not here and "No!" I shout again, but she continues to close the shades. "You hat

Her hand is all that's still visible behind the glass and when it squeeze the xhades wide open, her gaze even more wary than before. I nod, offering her a feline smile. Im afraid there wa but we met in the men this maring jendly on the shades, I know her curiosity is piqued. The puls

She tilts her head atquizzically, studying my features as if trying to and nibbles her lip, the wheels head spinning in her head as m as she takes stock together in her mind. The moment it clicks into place for her, the tes shock. But she still looks a little unsure and I decide it can't hurt to show her equation yes and my coloring almost ba nous piecing somethin lightning her back and slapping

Hold a finger up to catch her attention, I stretch my neck and crack a few joints to loosen myself up.

m Taking a quick pesk sure there aren't apy helicopters or rangers anywhere nearby. One should always double check. Then I sum back to face her and my lion as quickly as possible, a soft mewl emitting from my throat when I do. I'm completely Bubbergasted by what she does net. She opens the doors and I wander inside on all fours.