Was it all an unfortunate coincidence?Newell could be a dick sometimes, and half the pack knew he was far from the perfect alpha by any means, but would he sacrifice one of his own pack like that? Mark didn’t want to believe it, but why would Alpha Harley lie? Why go to the alpha council if he didn’t have solid proof? They didn’t involve themselves in inter-pack affairs unless the accusations were serious, and false accusations were treated just as seriously. No one wanted to piss off the council. Knowing Jason wasn’t a part of whatever was going on was the only thing keeping him from freaking out.
His beta had his back, and the comfort of knowing that finally stopped his hands from shaking.
A knock on the door startled him, his heart setting off at a gallop before the scent of family hit him.Harry.Mark opened the door to find his cousin standing there; dark blond hair a riotous mess, blue eyes shining as he smiled, and holding a shopping bag in one hand.
Pulling him into a hug, Mark asked. “Shouldn’t you be at work?” Another scent curled around them and Mark’s stomach growled.
“Just on my way, but I needed to drop this off first.” He lifted up the shopping bag, grin widening. Thought you might like it while it was still warm.”
Mark reached for the bag and took a deep breath. His aunt’s apple pies were Mark’s absolute favourite dessert. He glanced up at Harry. “I’m surprised you didn’t eat it.”
“Get lost, I’m not like that.”
Mark laughed. It wouldn’t be the first time he’d done it.
Harry shrugged. “Besides, she made me two and told me she’d check you got yours next time she sees you.”
That was more like it. “I’ll be sure to tell her what a good cousin you are.” He stepped to the side and gestured for Harry to come inside. “Got time for a coffee?”
Harry sighed, looking regretful. “I would kill for a coffee, but I’m already running late, and I don’t want Wes finding out.”
Fuck no. Mark hated the fact that Wes was Harry’s beta, but there was nothing he could do about it. He tugged Harry in for another hug, then gently pushed him back. “You’d better get going, but give me a ring later and we’ll get together soon. I might even cook for you.”
Harry laughed as he turned to head down the hallway, calling back over his shoulder. “Okay, but I’m not sure that’s an incentive.”
After watching him disappear around the corner, Mark shut the door and locked it.
Despite it only being two in the afternoon, Mark yawned, his thoughts going straight back to Newell. Even though he just wanted to keep Mark from seeing anyone—and shit, he hoped no one found out Harry had popped by. He didn’t want him involved in any of this—Newell might have a point about Mark needing rest. Since he’d essentially been told not to leave his flat, he might as well make the most of it.
Setting his phone on his bedside table, Mark shoved his jeans off and crawled under his quilt. His head had barely hit the pillow when he felt the pull of sleep drawing him under.
Mark woke to the buzzing of his phone. Still half asleep, he reached out and grabbed it, not bothering to look at who the caller was. Few people had his number. If someone was calling him, then it was more than likely important. “Hello.” Rolling onto his back with the phone pressed to his ear, Mark yawned.
“Are you in bed?” Will’s voice sounded overly loud in his ear, so Mark pulled it away a little.
“Yeah.”
“You lazy arse.”
Mark yawned again. Afternoon naps always left him feeling shit for a while after he woke up. “Hey, this morning was fucking awful. I deserved a bloody rest.” The words slipped out before Mark realised what he was saying.Bollocks. Maybe Will wouldn’t ask.
“That’s why I was calling. I’ve asked a couple of people what happened, but no one seems to know. Usually you can’t shut Newell up when he comes back from a meeting with the R-pack alpha—”
“Shh, for fuck’s sake, where are you?” Newell would have him cleaning club toilets for a week if he heard him speak like that. And everyone hated that job. “Calm down. If you’d look at your monitor, you’d see exactly where I am.”
Mark glanced up at the security monitor on his bedroom wall. Sure enough, Will stood outside his front door, waving at the camera.
“Why didn’t you ring the bell?”
“I did.”
“Oh.” Mark looked at his closed bedroom door. “Shit, I shut the door. No wonder I didn’t hear you.” The bedrooms and bathrooms in shifter flats were the only fully soundproofed rooms. Mark only tended to shut his door if he had company or was having a wank.
Will laughed. “I don’t want to know. Just get up and come let me in.”
With a groan, Mark rolled out of bed and went to answer the door.
“Thank you.” Will grinned and patted him on the shoulder as he passed.
