“Um… no one, I don’t think.” They’d only got them that morning, and then he’d had to go straight over to R-pack.
“And Will?”
“I don’t…” Mark looked to Jason. How was he supposed to know who Will had and hadn’t told?
Jason stepped up beside him, his shoulder brushing Mark’s. “Will’s working at one of the clubs tonight. He’ll be sleeping now, so chances are he’s not had the opportunity to tell anyone yet.”
“Good.” Newell switched his focus to Jason. “Make sure he keeps it that way.”
“Yes, Alpha.”
“That goes for you, too.” When he looked at Mark, Newell’s expression changed from cold to… not warm exactly, but a little less harsh. “Not that I have anything to hide. It’s an unfortunate coincidence that yours carried some of the rogue’s scent, but luckily no harm was done.”
I was almost killed.
“Thankfully, at least one of Harley’s pack isn’t totally useless.”
Alec.He’d saved Mark’s life.
“The alpha council will want to talk to the whole pack. The fewer who know about this the better for all of us.” He turned his back on them, as good as a dismissal, in Mark’s mind.
Jason seemed to agree, and he steered Mark towards the door.
As Mark pulled on the handle, Newell added quietly, “Jason, see that Mark gets to his flat safely. I would think after today’s events he’ll be in need of a rest.”
Jason nodded. “Yes, Alpha.”
“And then I’d like you back here. We have a lot to discuss.”
Mark and Jason left the meeting room and made their way down the flights of stairs in silence. Even though the walls were soundproofed to a degree, the possibility of being overheard kept them both silent. Mark wasn’t sure what he wanted to say, anyway.
Mark’s flat was in the other building, and as soon as they got outside, Jason paused, glanced up and down the street, and only then did he relax. The tension in Mark’s shoulders eased a little. The fresh air was wonderful after the stifling atmosphere inside, but he had so many unanswered questions and doubts. At least there was no one around to hear if he could find the courage to voice them.
Jason started to walk towards their building, albeit a lot slower than they’d normally walk. “I don’t have much time; he’ll be suspicious if I take too long.”
Mark didn’t need to ask who, but… “Is it all true then? What Alpha Harley accused them of?” He used ‘them,’ refusing to lump Jason in with the others just yet.
Jason sighed and rubbed his temple. “I don’t know. Fuck, I’ve got a bad feeling about this. We shouldn’t even be discussing it, and for the safety of the rest of the pack, don’t mention this to anyone else. Okay?” He stopped Mark with a hand on his arm. “Not even Will.”
Mark swallowed. Will was his best friend, they told each other everything. “Okay.”
“One thing I can say is that if any of itistrue, I want you to know I’ve had no part in it. You can trust me, Mark. I would never put you in danger.” He put his hand on Mark’s neck and tugged him close.
Jason’s scent enveloped him, a feeling of comfort and safety soothing his frayed nerves, such a different experience to when his alpha had done the same. Whatever doubts Mark had about everything else, he knew for sure that wasn’t right. He kept his thoughts to himself. “What do we do now?”
“You do nothing, except go back to your flat and stay there. As your alpha suggested.”
“But—”
“It’s the safest place for you right now. The alpha council will begin their investigations soon, and if there’s any truth to Harley’s accusations, they’ll find it. No one lies to the council.”
Mark shuddered. No, because if found out, it was punishable by however the council saw fit. Even death.
Jason left him at the door to his flat with a promise to stop by and check on him the next day.
The relief at being inside his own home left Mark slumped against the wall, and for the first time in what felt like hours, he relaxed fully. What a fucking day. The reality of almost having his throat ripped out slammed into him, and his hands shook until he clenched them tightly. The adrenaline had long ago worn off, and he’d managed to avoid thinking about it.
It’s not personal. That’s what he kept telling himself. The rogue shifter’s scent his leather jacket carried had forced Tim Walters—the normally placid R-pack doctor—into protective mode. It was a mate’s instinct; he’d been protecting Seb. Nothing to do with Mark.
