The Pack Rule Number 1 No Mates

Chapter One Hundred-Twenty-Four RAINIER

"Angie, baby, I'm sorry, but I'm going to be late tonight." I whispered in the phone from the inside of my SUV.

Timmons and Koda had the three misfits from the har anfely tucked away in the lower level cells used for booking of our regular criminals, Regular meaning-human. After a thorough back lot beating of the three at the bar, we were pretty positive that was all they were, Humans

But Hector... he was a tough guy through and through. I had to crack there of his ribs before he could bring himself to stop resisting. The other two were easy. Even now they were ready and willing to divulge all types of information on Hector and his bosses. But, I still did not have all the facts about Felix. From what I saw on the club security footage, she was basically forced to perform oral ser on Tommy Deluca. Hector had his gun to her head the entire time. After the act was complete, Tommy refused to pay whatever he agreed to pay and that was when things went bad for him. Out in the parking lot in front of the public, Tommy must have thought he was safe when he refused Hector his money. Tommy and David were just a couple of silly stupid kids that had only just turned twenty-one. They were new to Cock Tails and never should have been allowed in in the first place. Unfortunately, with James on his way back from Florida, the human bartender Mikey had been left in charge of running the club until James returned. Mikey didn't have the nose for trouble that we Shifters do. Paul should have been the one in charge from the get, but he fucken hated the club and only went in during emergencies. Much like the one Hector and Tommy created.

The fact that Felix was forced changes things. It is why I am still waiting to hear back about whether or not she has been abducted. Because if she has been reported missing- there is a chance I can just send her off without interacting with her. But so far, I haven't heard anything back on that APB and it was beginning to look like I was going to have to actually sit down and talk to her. Fuck me. Hence the conversation I am having right fucking now.

"You're sorry," Angie hiccups, her voice echoing as it from the inside of a wine glass. "You're never sorry. I'm the only one who's ever sorry. Sorry we met and sorry that I married you." Jesus Christ. "You're drinking. Again."

She chuckles thickly as she slurps. "How observant of you, Nice that you notice something about me."

"Angie..." I hiss, rubbing my temple with two fingers. "I have to go. I'll be there soon okay, I have to question a witness, but I'll be home right after. Then maybe tomorrow I'll take you out on the yacht. What do you say?"

I can almost see her smile and my chest aches. Not because I love her smile - which I honestly do, it's the most beautiful thing about her - but because of guilt I'm feeling from forcing myself to care. And yes, that is what this is. Me forcing myself to live with the mistake I made when I married a woman who is not my mate.

baby," she says softly. "Wake me when you get home."

"Okay baby,"

I hang up

ing up the phone and before I walk into the station i slip my wedding ring back into my pocket again. I don't ask myself why I do it, I don't berate myself for the act. Most certainly, I know why. Whether married or not, there is a woman inside that I know I can't have, but for whatever reason I don't want her to think I'm taken. Don't want her to know! Nor think! I AM TAKEN.

What a fucking shit show this is about to be. We haven't called in the arrests yet. We haven't run the names yet. Why? Because I said not to and I said not to because I have yet to decide whether or not I'm going to take Hector into the woods and give him a sporting start. Just from the look of the bastard and the way he forced Felix into unspeakable acts has the wolf in me salivating for his flesh. I want to taste his life's blood as I rip into his chest. I want his heart to beat its last against my unjmal fangs

But I'm going to need a really good reason for doing that to him if I want to keep my secret. With any luck, Felix will give me a couple.

Stepping into the quiet of the front office, I nod toward Koda and Timmons. "Thanks for the help brother," I say to Koda, avoiding th questions in his eyes. Koda and I have always been best friends. But he didn't tell me shit about Emily when he first found her, so I don't 1/3 Chapter One Hundred-Twenty Four

I'm just not quite my to. He might say something to ma

to that makes

Timmon, you can head home," I say with my eyes on my office door,et some rest. Well deal with the three in lock-up after they ve

Timmon chackles. Alright. But what about Telix? I thought I might offer to take her somewhere more comfortable.

push her onto the street with no way to get home."

my anger, forcing for into my gare. "I have some questions for her. She can sleep in the cell tonight and tomorrow you can give her a lift wherever she needs to go. I he. Not fucken doing that. I take her out of here tonight myself.

"Are you sure you don't want someone else to question her?" Koda inquires softly. "You know, so you can go home and question someone

else...

He referring to the missing ring. I know he is, but what he doesn't realize that the guilt I'm feeling won't allow me to interrogate Angle about shit. Not yet. Not right now.

I've got it. Go on home to Emily. I'm sure that's what you'd rather do anyway."

Koda nods, not saying another word before he exits out the front door behind Timmons. There are only a few more deputies on duty. tonight. All of which are human. Two in booking, one in the field, and one at the front desk. It's late and this is a small town. We don't normally need many men during the night.

er alone again, may prove to

ing a step toward my office, I brace myself against the scent of the woman inside. Knowing that having her al be the dumbest thing I ever decided to do.

DRAVEN

"Finally!" I chirp excitedly as Taedora comes out of the kitchen. Domonic's Hummer pulls into the drive and I can't contain my excitement I haven't had a real chance to talk to him since we arrived home.

That's it for me then," Taedora winks. "I'll head out the back"

"Are we still on for tomorrow?

Taedora nods, "Fishing out on the yacht? Hell yeah we are!"

"Great!" I say just as the front door opens and the back door shuts, I spin around, my mouth watering at the sight of Domonic all puffed up with muscle. He is breathing hard, as if he just went on a run and each of his muscles seems to pulse with power. Holy Mother this is my man. "What have you been up to?" I coo, my eyes lighting over the bulge behind his jeans, wishing Id taken the time to shower and primp before he got here.

His gaze narrows, his smile dimpling as he watches me with a darkly amused look. "Who is going fishing tomorrow, baby? You?"

"Me and Taedora. We're taking your yacht. Hope you don't mind."""

"My yacht is your yacht," he says, stepping further into the room. "What's for dinner?"

I shrug, feeling his eyes on every part of me as 1 trail into the kitchen to serve him. "Emily made that stew that I love, I thought we might eat that if you're hungry."

"Oh, I'm hungry alright," he purrs from behind me as I dip the spoon into the pot on the stove. It goes plopping into the soup as I feel Domonic's hands slip under my shirt and over my bare belly. "But not for stew."

I shudder, the feel of his fangs gliding over my bare shoulder and up the side of my throat sending shivers down my spine. He takes a

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Chapter One Hundred-Twenty-Four

deep whiff of my hair and then Treezes, his body going taut as he spinse around to face him. Glowing silver orbe born into me as hét jaw flexes in confusion. He looks angry and for a minute I forget to breathe, "Draven, he growls, his eyes flashing bark and gold then back to silver. "I am going to ask you a question...... and I swear to God, you better not lie to me."

I flinch backward anxiously then yelp as my elbow hits the side

pol. "Ouch!" I shout.

Domonic's face falls in disappointment as he realizes he just caused me to burn myself Fuck," be curtes, lifting me away fenen: to seat me on the counter in front of him. Lifting my arm into the light he inspects my elbow, caressing it with kisses even when it appears to be alright. "I'm sorry," he says dejectedly.

I nod absently, reaching upward to rub the wrinkles from between his eyes. "You're mad about something I say onervantly. "What?"

I study him as he attempts to relax his muscles, watching in wonder at his eyes continue to spiral with color. But after another sniff of my hair, he growls, his voice taking on the state of a half beast half man. "That fucker was acting strange today and I can smell him on you," he snaps, his hands tightening on the counter and he clamps his eyes closed and groans. "Damn it, I'm trying to control my but his scent is on you and I'm about to snap. You may need to run. What? Oh fuck not

"Smell him on me? 1 gasp in complete shock. "Smell who? What the fuck are you talking about Domonic?"

His eyes fly open flat black. Silver irises gone. When he speaks next his voice is more of a snarl and his fangs seem to be elongating to curved points. He says, "Rainier. I can smell him in your hair." Chapter Comments