Taking the biggest risk of his life so far, Alec shifted back into his human form.
* * * * *
Mark shrank back in horror as the fur in his mouth turned to soft skin. Newell’s hold on him broke, snapping like an overstretched elastic band as the reality of what he’d done sank in. He whined, nosing at the ragged wound on Alec’s shoulder and licking at the blood to make it stop.
Quickly reaching up to cup Mark’s jaw, Alec whispered. “Change back.”
Mark did it without thinking, slipping into his human form and welcoming the pain. He deserved it. “Fuck, Alec.” He clamped his hand on the torn skin, holding it together to try and make it heal faster. “I’m so sorry.”
“Mark!”Newell’s yell made them both flinch.
“Ignore him.” Alec urged, keeping eye contact, and Mark concentrated on those deep brown eyes with everything he had.
“Trying.”
“Mark!Shift back, now!”
His whole body vibrated with the effort it took not to obey. “Hurts.”
“I know, “Alec soothed. “We found them. Your cousin and—”
“Kill him!”
Mark felt himself slipping under, his claws and teeth sliding out unbidden.
Alec’s hand tightened, forcing him to meet his gaze. “Focus on me.” The urge to obey receded along with Mark’s teeth. “We don’t need to do this.Submit.He has no hold on you now.”
Fuck, he wanted to. Wanted to sink into Alec’s embrace and forget any of this had happened. But what he’d done couldn’t be fixed by Alec. Or anybody else. “I lied to the—”
“Don’t.” Alec clamped a hand over his mouth, his eyes pleadingdon’t do this.
Carefully peeling Alec’s fingers away, Mark whispered, “I have to.” He spared a quick glance over to Will. Everyone had heard their exchange. Will would know what had happened, what Mark was about to do. But it wasn’t only his life at stake. Will nodded, and Mark turned to face the council, unabashed by his nakedness. “Alpha Wallace, with your permission I would like to address the coun—”
“No!” Newell roared behind them, and Mark looked over his shoulder to see him charging towards him.
“Alpha Newell.” Karin Wallace stood, her voice like ice. “Any interference will result in a forfeit. Was I not clear?”
“Yes, but he’s my beta and I—”
“No. You need to adhere to the rules of the council while you are here. The fight is forfeit. Alpha Newell, you will—”
“What? That’s ridiculous! You can’t—”
“I can and I have. If you interrupt me one more time, I will have you sent to the human prisons where you will rot for the rest of your days.”
Newell returned to Wes’s side, anger rolling off him. At least Mark wouldn’t have to face it anymore.
Alpha Wallace focused her attention on him, her voice considerably softer. “I believe you wish to address the council?”
Mark swallowed back the huge ball of fear lodged in his throat. He felt fingers twine around his and glanced to the side to see Alec standing next to him, holding his hand. “With your permission, yes.”
“You have it.”
Before he lost his nerve, Mark gripped Alec’s hand tight and began. “Will and I lied to the council.” Alec squeezed his fingers.
Alpha Wallace didn’t appear the least bit surprised. “Go on.”
“I’m not offering this as an excuse; we know what we did was inexcusable. It’s merely a statement of facts. Under Alpha Newell’s instruction, Wes ordered me to change my story and lie to the council.”
