Alec waited, presuming Mark had hit Send by accident. When nothing else came after a couple of minutes, he sent backJust what?
Doesn’t matter. Forget I said anything.
Mark?If there was one thing Alec disliked intensely, it was someone almost telling him something and then going ‘never mind.’ Because now, even if it was the most mundane thing in the world, Alec was desperate to know what it was. And in Mark’s case, he doubted it would have been mundane.
You were right. I’m just trying to be more careful with what I say.
Arse, now he had Alec worrying, which he couldn’t afford to do. P-pack intra-pack goings-on were none of his business. But he’d started this thing between them. If anything happened to Mark because of it….Fuck what I said. If you’re in trouble then tell me. Maybe I can help.
Srsly I’m fine. The thought of serving bad coffee all day is making me overly dramatic. But thanks for the offer.
Alec frowned at his phone. So fucking hard to tell tone in a text. Mark’s message didn’t set his mind at ease like it should have done. Instinct told him Mark was hiding something, but there was nothing he could do and that left him unsettled and antsy.
He finally replied withAnytimeand hoped Mark would know that he meant it. Investigation or no, if Mark asked Alec for help, he’d find a way to give it. He liked to think the council would step in if Newell put his pack in danger again.
After about five minutes with no more texts, it was obvious their conversation was over, and although his appetite had waned considerably, Alec ate his sandwich and planned what to say to Cam with each bite.
He also debated the possibility of nipping out for coffee at some point tomorrow.
CHAPTER NINE
Mark sat up in bed and scowled at his phone. Nine o’clock. No way was he going to be able to fall asleep in the next half hour, but the thought of getting up at four in the morning had him settling down onto his pillows anyway. Tomorrow was going to suck so fucking much. He’d been pissed off when Jason had told him, but after Alec’s texts, he was a mix of angry and worried.
Disrespectful or not, fuck Newell for making him do this just to get him out of the way. And if he did want Mark away from the council, what the hell did that say about everything? The more Mark learned, the more convinced he was that Newell, Wes, and fuck knew who else were guilty of at leastsomewrong doing.
He hoped the council worked quickly and sorted this mess out before…. Swallowing thickly, he closed his eyes, unwilling to follow through on that train of thought. Whatever the outcome, Mark didn’t fancy being in a pack with Newell as his alpha, especially not when he chose betas like fucking Wes.
Which reminded him.
Pulling up his contacts list, he scrolled through to his cousin’s name. He hadn’t spoken to him in a couple of days, and with everything that was happening, he should really check in. Would the council want to talk to Harry? He and his mate had been the ones to scratch Seb’s door, after all.Hey, everything okay with you? I’m working at the pack coffee shop in Shepherd’s Bush tomorrow morning, if you fancy stopping by?
After waiting a couple of minutes with no reply, Mark decided he might as well text Will too. He’d been suspiciously quiet since the pack meeting that morning. And what a farce that had been. Jason had warned him beforehand that Newell wouldn’t tell the pack everything, as he didn’t deem it necessary. But Mark had expected more than just “The alpha council will be in the pack buildings for the next few days, clearing up a misunderstanding with the Regent’s Park pack alpha. Please keep out of their way. Only talk to them if asked a direct question.” He’d left after making that announcement, not allowing any of the pack to ask questions, and by the murmurings going around the room, there were plenty.
The betas, and Mark and Will, had been ordered not to talk about the investigation. Fortunately Mark hadn’t seen anyone since the council meeting, so he hadn’t needed to deal with that issue. With any luck, Jason had told the rest of their unit not to ask.
He typed a quickHey, what shift you working tomorrow?message to Will and placed his phone on his bedside table, alarm set for four o’clock.
Fucking hell.
Kill me now.
Mark stared at the growing line of customers in utter dismay. Why did so many people want coffee at arse o’clock in the morning? It wasn’t even half past six and yet the line was almost to the door. His co-workers, both human on this shift, had already taken pity on him and let him man the till. Or rather, they’d had enough of him messing up the orders.
He quickly got the hang of the till though, and before he realised it, the morning rush was over, and the shop wasn’t exactly dead but no longer had a line of jittery people waiting for their morning fix. Just as well because he’d been dying for a piss for the last half an hour.
The staff toilets were next to the break room in the back. Mark pulled his phone out of his pocket as he walked—nothing from his cousin, but there was a text from Will.
Got the 9-3 shift tonight. Have your coffee making skills improved? Can’t believe you got landed with that, lol. You of all people.
Mark rolled his eyes.Funny. I’m on the till, anyway.
Didn’t take them long to ban you from the coffee machines then?
He pictured Will’s face, creased up in laughter.Obv my maths skills are better served taking people’s money.
Yeah that must be it. Anyway, you’re missing all the fun here. Council arrived, scary AF. Apparently we’ve got the council leader heading up our investigation. Rumour has it Newell’s well pissed off.
Mark remembered her vividly. Alpha Karin Wallace gave the impression she took no shit from anyone. He almost felt sorry for Newell.Have you had to speak to anyone yet?
