“Do you think the council believed the shit Felix told them?”
Newell’s laughter followed, then, “He was part of a rogue shifter pack that attacked us and then tried to kill members of Harley’s pack. Of course he’d tell them what they wanted to hear when faced with death. I doubt they’ll believe a fucking thing he has to say. Even if every word of it is true.”
The conversation played out, each sentence more incriminating than the last. Alec glanced over at Newell—his expression was so full of rage, and all of it directed at one person.No.
Fuck, he was too far away, him and Gareth having dragged Wes away from the centre. “Mark!” Alec yelled, but Newell was already on the move.
With nothing left to lose, Newell let out a terrifying roar, half shifting as he leapt through the air towards Mark.
Mark glanced up, reacting too late. Newell already had his arm raised, claws extended. He swung for Mark’s throat as Nathan barrelled into the side of him, sending them both flying across the ground towards the opposite side.
Newell pinned him easily, Nathan no match for alpha strength.
His low whine filled the air and Alec swayed between relief and worry because Mark was safe, but Nathan had thrown himself in the path of a fucking alpha. Cam and Karin raced over, grabbed Newell between them, and dragged him off a bleeding Nathan before throwing him to the floor. Jared rushed to Nathan’s side.
“Curtis, John.” Karin beckoned them over. “Get him out of my sight and restrain him in the lower rooms.” She gestured to Wes. “And take him with you.” She waited for them to take Newell and Wes away, then knelt and gently tilted Nathan’s chin upward. Alec held his breath, his chest unpleasantly tight. “Are you okay?” Alec edged closer to get a better look.
“Yeah.” Nathan coughed, blood spattering his chin. “Or I will be anyway.” Jared held his hand, worry etched in his features, and Alec had to look away.
Nathan had risked his life to save Mark’s. The last of the anger and guilt he’d felt towards him all these years drained away, leaving him feeling strangely light. It wasn’t a feeling he was used to. He glanced over to where Mark still stood in the centre of the clearing, phone in his hand, frozen.
He needed to touch him.
Alec moved quickly; five long strides and he was in front of Mark.
“I’m sorry.” Mark met his gaze, eyes so full of sadness, it hurt to look at them. “For everything.”
Alec shook his head. “I understand.”
“But I lied to you. I lied to the council. They could—”
“Shh.” Alec kissed him, silencing the words he didn’t want to hear. After years of avoiding any sort of connection, he couldn’t lose the one person to break through his walls. His wolf hummed in satisfaction; Alec felt it like a warmth filling him up from the inside out. He wanted this. Mark wanted this, he knew it with every bone in his body. He wrapped his arms around Mark’s back and pulled him close. “I know why you did it. And you never lied to me. You just never answered.”
“Same thing,” Mark muttered against his shoulder.
“No. It’s not.”
“Mr Appleton.” Karin Wallace’s soft voice felt like a bucket of ice water. Alec had almost forgotten where they were.
“Oh fuck.” Mark trembled against him, but he turned to face the leader of the alpha council, head held high. “Alpha Wallace.”
Alec wanted to grab him and leave before they had a chance to take him away.
I can’t lose him now.
She glanced behind her at the remaining council members who nodded in return. “I and the other members of the council accept that there were extenuating circumstances. But the fact remains, you and Mr Farley lied to the alpha council. An act punishable by death if we so choose.” Alec reached for Mark’s hand and gripped it tight. “However, considering the fact your alpha acted so heinously, and the untenable position he forced the pair of you into, we have decided against punishing you for this crime.” Alec fought the urge to grab Mark and kiss him again. “But, we believe it to be in your best interest to revoke your beta status. You are not ready for it, and the circumstance in which it was bestowed is not something to be celebrated.”
Mark squeezed Alec’s hand, then bowed his head. “Thank you. I never wanted to be a beta anyway. At least not yet.”
Karin smiled. “As I thought. You and Mr Farley will be on two years’ probation, overseen by your new alpha, when one is appointed. If you are brought to our attention once more within those two years, the consequences will be severe. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Alpha.”
Will appeared on the other side of Mark. “Yes, Alpha. Thank you.”
She smiled, warmth reaching all the way to her eyes. “I believe that concludes our business. Please, let us not meet again anytime soon.” She inclined her head, then turned and headed towards the path that led back to the house, the remaining council members filing after her.
Alec pulled Mark into his arms, nose buried in the crook of his neck. He breathed in until Mark’s scent filled every part of him. This was where he belonged, and he never wanted to leave.
