“Yeah, yeah. Some of us worked half the night.”
Good point.
Mark left him to it, closed his bedroom door, and began to undress. As he took his shirt off, he caught sight of his reflection in the mirror and ran his fingers along the top of his shoulder. The skin was unmarked, no sign that any damage had ever been done to it. Alec’s teeth marks might have long since faded, but Mark felt an ache. Probably his imagination. He pressed down a little harder, wanting it to hurt.
Nothing but the pressure of his fingers.
Forget it.
It’s done.
Over.
His wolf wasn’t happy at that thought; he liked Alec. Mark ignored him.
If only it was that simple.
He shrugged off the rest of his clothes and climbed under his quilt.
CHAPTER FOUR
By the time Alec got home after dropping off Mark, there were only a few hours until his meeting with Cam and the other betas. He managed about two hours sleep before his alarm woke him.
Better than nothing.
Another shower would dull Mark’s scent, but Alec was under no illusion that he could get through the meeting without anyone noticing. Better to get it out of the way first.
By 8.35am he was outside the meeting room, not surprised to find Cam’s scent coming from inside when he pulled on the door handle.
“Something on your mind, Alec?” Cam asked the question before Alec had even fully opened the door.
“You could say that.” He walked into the room and over to where Cam stood looking out the window. His lean frame was outlined against the sky, and the early morning sun added a shine to his jet-black hair.
Cam turned, inhaled, and raised an eyebrow. His lips twitched with what Alec hoped was amusement. “I see.”
Perching on the table next to him, Alec clasped his hands and rested them on his thighs. “I had to get out, let off some steam.” He didn’t need to tell Cam what day was coming up. He was as aware as Alec.
“And you couldn’t find anyone else to let off steam with?” Definitely amusement.
Alec shrugged, his own smile wry. “You know me. Never one for the easy option.”
Cam laughed. “God forbid.” He sobered a little and met Alec’s gaze. “I trust your judgement. I take it you believe Mark Appleton has no involvement with Newell’s plans?”
“I do.”
“Newell will think we were after information.”
“I know.” Which was why Alec had insisted on no pack business. “We didn’t discuss anything.”
“No, I imagine you didn’t.” Cam turned to the window again. “Do you plan on seeing him again?”
Alec shook his head. “No. Will it cause problems with the alpha council?” From what he knew of them and how their investigations worked, he didn’t think so, but he wanted to be sure. Even if it was too late now.
Cam glanced over to the door, and a second later, Alec heard footsteps approaching. “The council are interested only in the accusations I levelled at Newell and whoever else is involved. Who you sleep with will be of no concern to them. It has no bearing on past actions.”
The door swung open, and Cam’s other three betas entered the room, followed by Tim Walters—the pack doctor and Alec’s closest friend—and Nathan Kohl. Alec immediately looked to Cam. He’d thought this was betas only.
“I thought it prudent to have Tim and Nathan present, as they are heavily involved with this too.”
