It gave Mark the feeling he was being assessed, and he raised an eyebrow. “What?”
“Do you believe Newell did the things he’s accused of?”
So not what he was expecting Jason to say. “I, um….” Shit, he had no idea what the right answer to that was. Jason was his beta, but Newell was their alpha.
“You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to, but can I tell you what I think.”
Mark nodded. “Sure.”
“I’m trusting you with what I’m about to say. But as your beta, if you feel the need to report me, then I’ll still support you for as long as I can. I’m saying this because I think you, me, and possibly Will all need to be on our guard. Okay?”
A feeling of dread crept over him, and Mark could only nod again, no words forthcoming.
“Alpha Newell has never been what I’d call a great alpha, but he’s always been fair. Until recently.” Pausing while he manoeuvred into the middle lane, Jason then glanced at him and gave him a grim smile. “Ever since we allied with R-pack and fought the rogue shifters, he’s been….” Jason tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. “Let’s just go withdifferent.The thing with Nathan really got to him. But more than that, being in Cam’s building and seeing up close how much larger his pack was, how obvious it was that every member respected him, especially his betas…. They would give their lives for him in a heartbeat. Newell doesn’t have that.”
Mark’s breath caught. Talk like that was verging on treasonous. “Jason—”
“Oh, don’t get me wrong, I’d do my duty for my alpha. But as I’ve come to realise, Newell doesn’t put the needs of the pack before his own. He’s selfish and power hungry, and that doesn’t inspire me to willingly lay down my life for him. I respect the position of alpha, but I don’t respect him. I haven’t spoken to Paul about this, so these are just my thoughts, but I’ve wondered for a while if there was something going on—too many meetings held when I can’t make them seems more than just a coincidence. And appointing Wes as beta when he had few of the traits a beta needs….” He swallowed, and Mark stared at him, stunned. “I think most, if not all the accusations against Newell are true or based on truth. Cam Harley is everything an alpha should be. And I wish he was mine.”
The next few minutes passed in silence as the full horror of Jason’s words sank in. If it was all true, and Mark couldn’t pretend anymore that he didn’t believe it too, then the last place he wanted to go was back to their pack house.
Jason mistook his silence for disagreement. “Shit, I’m sorry if I’ve spoken out of turn. If you believe Newell is innocent, that’s okay.”
“I don’t.” Mark gripped Jason’s shoulder. “I think you’re right, with everything that you said. I’m just fucking terrified of going back there now.” At least Jason had beta strength on his side. Mark had nothing.
“Hey.” He put his hand on top of Mark’s. “It’ll be okay.”
“Right!” Mark huffed out a laugh. “You just told me our alpha is crazy and not to be trusted.”
“I didn’t say he was crazy, but no, I don’t think we should trust him. Maybe he believes what he’s doing is for the good of the pack, but it isn’t for the good ofeverypack member. And I don’t think most of the pack would approve of his methods if they knew.”
“But it’ll be common knowledge soon enough.” The council would send their investigators in less than two days. Their questions were bound to lead to rumours and speculation.
“Oh, I’ve no doubt Newell will hold a pack meeting and put some spin on it. Packs want to believe their alpha until shown concrete proof that they shouldn’t. We just have to be careful and hope the council find him guilty.”
Mark laughed a little hysterically. “Oh, is that all?”
Jason squeezed his hand before letting go. “Things should be safer once the council get here. Until then, just keep out of trouble and don’t do anything Wes or Newell can punish you for.”
“Okay.” Mark wasn’t stupid. “I have no intention of seeing Alec again.”
Jason’s smile was wry. “Glad to hear it.”
But that didn’t mean he wasn’t going out.
CHAPTER SIX
Once they were back home, Alec lingered until the others had all gone into the building. Of course Cam stayed with him. With a sigh, he went inside and climbed the stairs to his floor, Cam following in silence.
Alec paused at the stairwell door, his fingers on the door handle.
“You going to be okay tonight?” Cam stopped beside him.
Tomorrow was the twenty-seventh. Alec rubbed a hand over his eyes and sighed. “Yeah. I might not be around first thing tomorrow. What time did you want to get together?”
Cam rolled his eyes, but his voice was soft. “I think eleven will be early enough. That all right with you?”
“Yes, thank you.” They had one day to prepare themselves for the council investigation. Virtually everything was in place, but it didn’t hurt to go over things again. Cam had severed all ties with Newell today. They would never have a good relationship with P-pack while he was in charge. They needed him gone. And for that to happen, the council had to find him guilty of everything.
