At that, Jason did pause and regard Mark curiously. “But you’d want to if it was a possibility?”
“No, I—”What? Do I want to see him again?He pictured dark hair, dark eyes, and those broad, strong shoulders…. The answer was a resounding yes. Will snorted, and Mark scowled at him before facing Jason. “If things were different, then yes, I would. But since he’s a beta in a pack my alpha probably hates right now, then I don’t suspect it’s a good idea.”
Jasonhmmed. “But having sex with him was?” He didn’t look annoyed. If anything, Mark thought he seemed a little amused.
“Well, I might have been a little drunk at the start and a whole lot pissed off.” He didn’t say anything else, conscious of the fact Will still didn’t know about yesterday morning.
After a quick glance at Will, Jason met Mark’s gaze. “That’s understandable. I’d probably feel the same under the circumstances.”
“Are you going to tell Newell?” Mark sucked his bottom lip between his teeth, waiting for Jason’s reply.
“No. And I don’t think you should either.” Another not-so-subtle glance at Will, who caught it this time.
Will managed not to roll his eyes. Mark was impressed. “Do you need me to leave the room?”
Jason reached out and grasped the back of Will’s neck, rubbing his fingers back and forth. “That won’t be necessary. Sorry for keeping you in the dark, but it’s for your own safety. You’ll have to trust me on that.”
“Of course.” Will relaxed into the sofa cushions, and Jason let go of him, clasping his hands in his lap.
“Alpha Newell is under a great deal of pressure at the moment. He’s not quite… himself of late.” Jason sighed, and Mark got the feeling Newell wasn’t the only one under a lot of pressure. “That’s why you need to keep the jackets to yourself. Don’t tell anyone where you got them, or why.”
Will frowned. “I already told my sister.”
“Shit.” Jason rested his head in his hands. “Just don’t tell anyone else until this whole mess is dealt with.”
Will looked from Jason to Mark, then back again. “What mess?”
“I can’t say just yet, but you’ll find out soon enough.” He stood and smoothed down the front of his jeans before facing Mark. “There’s an out-of-territory meeting tomorrow. I’ll come here for you at nine fifteen. Until then, try not to leave your flat but shower some more. With any luck, it’ll have faded enough by morning.” Before heading for the door, he glanced at each of them in turn. “Just be careful for the next few days, okay?”
They both nodded.
Mark walked him to the door. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
Jason moved in close and ran his nose along Mark’s neck. The gesture soothed him until Jason laughed softly. “Fuck, Mark, you have the worst timing. Just try not to get too close to Newell tomorrow.”
“I’ll do my best.” Personally, Mark didn’t think it would be a problem at all. He had no intention of getting anywhere near him if he could help it.
“I’ll fill you in on the details when I pick you up.” With a squeeze of Mark’s neck, Jason opened the door and was gone.
When Mark walked back into the living room, he met Will’s incredulous expression.
“What the fuck was that all about?”
“You know I can’t—”
“I know, and that was fine before, but come on, Mark. Out-of-territory pack meetings? Since when did you get to be so important?” He shot up out of his seat and started to pace. “I thought you only went yesterday as the bloody driver? And what’s that crap about our jackets? Why can’t we tell anyone? Have I dropped Jen in the shit?”
Mark stared at him, wondering which question to answer first and how much he could tell him. “Oh fuck it.” It was all going to come out soon, anyway. It wasn’t as though they could hide the fact they were being investigated by the bloody alpha council. Will was his best friend. He trusted him with his life. But… “I want to tell you, but Jason said it was for your own safety that I didn’t. I’m trying not to think about why that is, but I think the less you know, the better.”
Will came to a stop in front of him. “Now you’re starting to worry me.”
Sighing, Mark ran a hand through his hair. “The rumours are true. Alpha Harley reported Newell to the alpha council. It’s something to do with the attack on Seb. That’s all I can tell you, so please don’t ask me anymore.”
“Fucking hell.” Will resumed pacing, pausing every so often to glance at Mark. “What could he have accused him of? Don’t feel the need to answer that, I’m just thinking aloud.” He finally stopped and collapsed onto the sofa. “And what’s it got to do with those bloody jackets?”
Mark was desperate to tell him everything, but Jason’s warning kept the words in. He might not know exactly why Jason had said that—unless everything Alpha Harley said was true—but since Jason wasn’t one to say things for the sake of it, Mark was going to do as he was told. If it turned out Harley was right and Newell had done what he was accused of… what the fuck would happen to the pack, then?
One thing at a time.
