Cam’s hand on his arm made him reluctantly draw back and face his alpha. “We should go. Nathan needs Tim to have a look at his wounds.”
Immediately contrite, Alec nodded. “Of course.” He glanced from Mark to Cam and back again.
Cam smiled softly. “Whatever the two of you decide to do, you have my blessing as alpha.”
Alec’s chest constricted, words failing him.
Squeezing his shoulder, Cam added, “I’ll see you back home.”
“Thank you.” Alec finally managed to get out, his throat thick with emotion.
“Always.”
Mark cleared his throat, and Cam’s attention turned to him. “What’s happened with my cousin and Will’s sister?”
“At their request, they’ve been taken back to their parents’ homes. Both were understandably shaken, but otherwise in good spirits, I understand.” Cam spared a quick glance at Alec. “I’m sure your cousin would appreciate a day to recover before seeing anyone.” With a pointed look at Alec, Cam then headed off towards the house and their cars.
Jared and Gareth walked behind him, helping a limping Nathan.
Alec let go of Mark. “There’s something I need to do.”
“Of course.”
Alec stepped in front of Jared. “Can I have a moment, Nathan?”
Nathan nodded, and both Gareth and Jared stepped to one side, giving them the illusion of privacy.
He met Nathan’s gaze, trying to convey everything he was feeling—gratitude, forgiveness, a tentative offer of friendship. The animosity between them had gone on far too long. Alec was more than ready to finally let it go. “Thank you.”
Nathan smiled at him, small, but the first real smile that had passed between them in over a decade. “You’re welcome.” Their gaze lingered for a second, then Jared was back at Nathan’s side, steering him away.
With the rest of his pack gone, Alec turned back to find Mark talking to the two remaining members of Wes’s unit with Will.
Alec made no attempt not to listen. If either of them so much as said anything remotely threatening, Alec would be in there like a shot. His nerves were frayed to the point of breaking; he’d welcome an excuse to shift and let his wolf have at them.
“We didn’t know,” one of them said. “Wes told us Harry and the others were working at one of the clubs for a few days, said they were staying in a pack flat there to save on commute time.”
Alec wasn’t easily convinced, but Mark and Will knew them far better than he did. They spoke a few minutes more and seemed satisfied the pack members hadn’t been involved.
Will gave Mark a look, then escorted the other two back to the house.
He and Mark were alone at last.
Alec cast a glance over him, checking the injuries he’d inflicted during their fight. A few scrapes remained, along with faded bruises, but Mark appeared to be healing fine.
“I’m okay.” Mark deliberately stepped forward, forcing Alec to meet his gaze. “Are you?”
“I’m good.”
“Alec, I—”
“Shh.” Alec put his fingers on Mark’s lips. “I know we have a lot to talk about. But I really don’t want to do it here. Or now.”
Mark reached up, peeled his hand away, and twined their fingers. “What do you suggest?”
“Come home with me?” Alec wanted nothing more than to curl up in his bed with Mark wrapped around him.
“To your shared flat or—”
