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The Pack: Rule Number 1 – No Mates
Chapter Two Hundred Forty–Seven
ROSE
It’s been five minutes and in that time I’ve felt the yacht pick up speed and turn, then sway to the right and cruise. Now, we safe still, Viell, basically, if you don’t count the slight bob of the craft on the water, I hear Bartlett’s footsteps on the deck then voices speaking in low hushed tones somewhere on the ground, but the howling has stopped. Almost as if by command.
Could they have trained wolves out here?
Like guard wolves?
They must be guard wolves of some kind. I mean, I doubt there is much game out here on this island. Then again, it might be bigger than I imagine it to be.
But if it was, wouldn’t I have heard of it before?
I still hear the voices and after a moment more of heightened anticipation, I decide to face my fears, step out of the cabin and into the night. Creeping along the deck so slowly I begin to feel like that girl in the movie, I take in the surrounding trees and rocky cliffs. There is an enormous white house at the top of the hill. Modern and box like, three stories tall. Large glass windows for walls on every floor, most
that fan out of them shaded, some of them, bright with light. A thick curl of fog travels within the trees. Thick wisps of haunted breath over the pebbled shoreline.
As I scan the yacht, I realize I don’t see Bartlett, so I make my way toward the voices then peer over the rail. He stands there with a beautiful woman garbed in nothing but a bathrobe. She has long, dark, curly hair and a seductive smile on her face as she speaks to him. Instant jealousy coils through me. Sliding into my gut with a venomous sting. They are standing much too close. She notices me first and stops talking, granting me a welcoming smile. I don’t return it.
Bartlett says something to her that I can’t hear and she nods before turning around and heading up a staircase of stone steps that must lead up to the house.
“Hey Princess,” Bartlett says from the bottom of the ladder. “Come on down. The wolves are…put away.”
One eyebrow shoots up quizzically. Put away? Really? So they are guard wolves then. That is the craziest thing I’ve ever heard and although I’m a hunter, it almost makes me sad. Wolves are wild, majestic creatures. They shouldn’t be domesticated, or forced to watch over an island.
And why not? So they could be hunted?
With a frown, I make my way down the ladder, eyeing the surrounding wharf the moment my feet hit the boards. The forest is dark and still, but the fog that moves through it gives it life, making it appear almost sinister. The black water that splashes along the rocky shore reminds me of the first part of my dream, the swim through miles and miles of ocean. There was an island there too. Once shrouded by
darkness that I simply could not get to.
Well. I’m here now.
Bartlett watches me carefully as I approach, I can see the wariness in his eyes, like he’s afraid of something.
“Who was that woman?” I ask sharply, closing my arms around myself to rub the chill away.
Bartlett smiles down at me, forcing one of my hands into one of his own. “Her name is Sophia. She’s just visiting here from Italy.”
My jealousy grows when I realize she probably has one of those sexy Italian accents and when Bartlett tugs me toward the stone stairs I follow reluctantly.
“When is she leaving?” I grumble a little more waspishly than I mean to
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Chapter Two Hundred Forty–Seven
Bartlett chuckles, squeezing m/hand in his as we make caur way up the side of the hill. Not for a couple of weeks at least. Maybe not at
“Why tot at all?‘ ask before I can stop myself.
Maybe she’s dating one of his friends or maybe she’s dating all of them.
Kind of like a house mother or live–in who-
Stop it Rose! That’s not fair.
“When her…boss returns to Italy in a couple of weeks, he may decide for her to stay and watch over his daughter.”
“His daughter?” I ask, glancing through one of the large glass windows that isn’t shaded. A modern floating staircase can be seen with glowing steps that appear to be lit from underneath. Does she live here too?”
“Sometimes,” Bartlett says easily, dragging me toward the front door and placing his hand on a panel along the wall.
Whoa. This place must have cost them a fortune.
“Sometimes…” I repeat. Kind of like at the compound. Sometimes we are made to sleep there in the barracks and sometimes we are allowed to go home/But when I get back, I have a feeling it will become my permanent residence.
“Come on, Princess, Bartlett coos when the door pops open.
As we step inside we are greeted by the tummy grumbling smell of baked bread and I almost moan in pleasure, it is that good. The warmth in the room chases the chill away immediately and for the first time I realize, it’s really not that late. We must only be about an hour or so ride away from the mainland.
The decor in the room is done in shades of gray, with teal blue track lighting that gives the place an almost futuristic vibe. The open floor/ plan allows me to see most of the space from the doorway, aside from the kitchen and what must be a bathroom. Voices sound around the wall and Bartlett tugs me in that direction.
“It has to cool first! Stop touching it? A tiny, pixie of a girl, with long shimmering blond hair is saying to an adorably handsome young man that looks nothing like her.
How many people live here? Jesus.
That’s right, he said twelve brothers.
The boy turns the moment we step within view and he grins wide and proud when he looks at Bartlett.
‘Bartlett! I made bread! Fresh bread! But Em says we can eat it yet. Did Koda come with you?” the boy asks, eyeing me suspiciously.
“He’s not. He and the others have something really important they’re handling tonight. But Draven and Gio should be back later tonight,” Bartlett answers him, ruffling his hair.
The kid shakes his head and says, “I already told Draven, that Roman dude is not the one! They’ve got the wrong guy. It was a lady that started the fire. Not a man. I hope they’re not going to kill him.”
Bartlett stiffens, his hand tensing over mine and although I’m more than a little alarmed by what the kid said, I try not to show it.
Roman? As in Elder Roman?
way. Can’t be,
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Chapter Two Hundred Forty–Seven
The blond girl in the kitchen seems to notice me for the first time and her dark onyx eyes widen almond manically. are you talking about? Didn’t Sophia just talk to you about the fact that we have a guest?!?!*
Ryder rolls his eyes, a smirk turning his lips. ‘Yeah, I remember. So?
“So then, what are you doing kid?” the girl chuckles stepping out of the kitchen.
Ryder smiles up at her and whispers loudly, “I didn’t give away our secret.
What secret? What?
“Okay I think it’s time for a little talk,” the girl says sharply. “Go upstairs, I’ll see you in a minute.”
“No! I don’t want to! I want to get to know Bartlett’s ma
“Hey!” Bartlett suddenly barks, dropping my hand to cover Ryder’s mouth playfully. “You don’t talk to your elders that way, remember? There will be plenty of time for you to get to know Rose later. I promise. Okay?
Ryder nods, reluctantly, going completely quiet when Bartlett releases his mouth.
I stare at this kid with dark blue eyes and I suddenly feel like he may be my only ally in this place. A place that is seemingly full of secrets and set apart from the mainland. A place where they have wolves as guard dogs and little boys that speak of things like killings and fires.
What have I gotten myself into?
“This Roman, he wouldn’t happen to be a hunter, would he?” I ask Bartlett.
The boy, Ryder, freezes on his way to the stairs as if he’s going to turn around, but before he can, Blondie yells, “Upstairs, now! She huffi as Ryder finally trudges up the steps, then turns to me and smiles. “Hi! I’m Emily, Koda’s fiance.”
“Hello Emily, I’m Rose,” I say quietly, shaking her hand.
“Do you cook, Rose?” she asks me and I’m acutely aware of Bartlett’s tantalizing gaze on me.
“I do, yes,” I answer. Not well, but…details…
“Perfect! Would you mind listening for the timer and taking my roast out when it goes off? It will need to be basted. There are seasonin in a bowl of melted butter to the right-*
“Em!” Bartlett interrupts her and her mouth snaps shut. “I’ll handle it. You handle that.” He’s obviously referring to the kid and I have to wonder what secret little Ryder was talking about.
“Right! Be back in a few,” Emily says before disappearing up the stairs.
Bartlett turns to me, his blue eyes still wary. “Have a seat, Princess. I need a drink.
“What about the roast?” I ask, studded in place as I watch Bartlett saunter over to the bar in the corner and open a glass bottle of whi:
“We’ll hear the timer from here. Sit down, Princess. Please,” he says almost rudely and I bristle.
I watch him pour two glasses of amber liquid as I step into the posh living room and take a precarious seat at the end of the couch. Downing one glass somewhat purposefully, he pours another then heads my way.
Here,” he says, handing me one. “Drink it.”
Nov 17 Uu
Chapter Two Hundred Forty–Seven
