Alec smiled in greeting to Tim and offered a curt nod to Nathan. “Why not Sebastian and Jared also?”
“Jared’s working,” Cam supplied, when Nathan didn’t offer a response.
Tim coughed, two spots of colour appearing on his cheeks. “Seb’s still adjusting to the change.”
Ahh. Alec grinned. “We better get this meeting underway. I’m sure you’re eager to get back to him.”
Tim glared at Alec and took a seat around the oval table in the centre of the room.
Nathan, unusually quiet for once, took the seat next to him. Alec didn’t need to ask what was wrong. However shit he felt at this time of year was probably nothing compared to how it affected Nathan. It was his parents who’d died, among others. Today Alec would do his best to go easier on him. Although that wasn’t always possible with Nathan.
Unsurprisingly, Gareth sat by Nathan, his hand brushing Nathan’s back as he sat down, and Nathan’s shoulders relaxed a little.
“Did you hear our conversation?” Cam addressed his question to Daryl and Mike as they joined the others at the table.
“Enough of it.” Daryl shot a quick glance to Alec. “And I saw the security tape a minute ago.” He shook his head and let out a harsh breath. “You couldn’t have found anyone else to fuck?”
Alec shrugged. “He caught my eye.”
“I guess saving someone’s life will do that.”
Tim flinched. No one expected him to apologise for attacking Mark—protecting your mate was instinctual—but Alec knew he didn’t like to be reminded of it.
Clearing his throat, Cam gestured for Alec to sit with the others and then walked around to the head of the table. “I spoke with a member of the council last night.” Alec sat straighter in his chair. “It seems Alpha Newell made good on his threat. He’s accused this pack, me as alpha, of knowingly performing an illegal bite, covering up the crime by kidnapping said human, and forging documentation.”
“Fuck.” Alec couldn’t help but glance over at Nathan; along with everyone else around the table.
Ignoring everyone but Cam, Nathan met his alpha’s gaze and rubbed a hand over his eyes. “I’m so sorry. Forgive me for putting you and our pack in this situation.” He looked tired and was far too quiet for Alec’s liking. This wasn’t the version of Nathan he found easy to dislike—the memory of that pack meeting would be forever burned in Alec’s memory. It was what he’d clung to when the guilt became too much in those first few months.
This Nathan, who sat at the table, looked subdued and sad, like a man approaching the anniversary of his parents’ death. Glimpses of that angry, hurt, and scared eighteen-year-old boy sneaked through as Nathan watched Cam walk towards him.
Guilt tightened Alec’s chest, and he averted his gaze when Cam put his hand on Nathan’s neck and bent down to whisper to him. The words were clear enough for everyone present to hear though.
“No matter how it started, by his own free will, Jared chose not to report you to the authorities. I made the decision to offer him a place in our pack and to organise the necessary paperwork. From that point forth it was my doing, not yours. As your alpha, I take full responsibility for whatever happens.” He ran his nose along Nathan’s neck, scenting him, and Nathan shivered before slumping against the back of the chair. “Thank you for your apology, but it’s unnecessary. Forgiveness has already been granted and is no longer an issue.”
Nathan let out a long, shaky sigh. “Thank you.”
Cam stood and returned to his seat. “All I ask is that when you’re questioned by the council, tell the truth. No matter what that might reveal.”
Nathan’s head snapped up. “But—”
“Lying to the council can be punishable by death, Nathan. Nothing is worth that.”
Gareth laid a hand on Nathan’s arm, and Nathan nodded. “So, what happens now?”
Cam sat and looked at each beta in turn. “The council have called a meeting, which we are all obligated to attend. We’ll find out everything there and how they plan to proceed.”
“When?” Alec didn’t tend to get nervous, but the thought of Cam standing in front of the alpha council sent a prickle of anxiety through him.
“Tomorrow afternoon. Three o’clock.”
“That soon?”
Cam’s smile was wry. “The purpose of the council is to stop another pack war from ever starting. They need to move fast to prevent escalation.”
Daryl glanced over at the double doors. “And to prevent any evidence from disappearing.”
Cam nodded. “That too.”
