Mark shrugged. “I don’t think so. But then, Alpha Newell does things differently sometimes.” He took another sniff of the leather. “I just need to wear it as much as possible to get the smell of other shifters off it.”
“Other shifters?”
“Yeah, you get that sometimes with new stuff.” Mark tilted his head and sniffed. “I can smell a few different scents, including P-Pack’s. It shouldn’t take long to get rid of them.”
They carried on up the stairs until they reached the correct floor. Seb gestured for Mark to go first, and they walked along the short corridor towards the large meeting rooms where everyone was probably waiting for them.
Figuring he should try and play the good host—it was his pack’s building, after all, though it still felt weird saying that—Seb grabbed the door handle. “After you.”
“Thanks.” Mark stepped through with Seb hot on his heels.
Everyone looked their way.
“Sorry we’re la—”
They froze, rooted to the spot as growls and snarls filled the air.
* * * * *
Tim stood to the side with Alec and Gareth, watching as Cam and Newell faced each other across the large oak table.
Alpha Newell said, “I understand the rogue shifters are no longer a problem.”
Newell’s expression betrayed nothing, and Tim wondered what was going on inside his head. Did he not suspect they knew so much, or was he arrogant enough to believe he’d got away with it?
“That’s correct.” Cam sat back in his chair. Relaxed, in complete control. “But not before they attacked and seriously injured one human and kidnapped another, unfortunately.”
Newell shrugged as if that was of no consequence. “These things can’t be helped sometimes.” He glanced at Tim. “But I understand the eventual outcome was more than favourable.”
Tim clenched his fists, wanting nothing more than to wipe the smile off Newell’s face.
Cam turned and met Tim’s gaze for a second, immediately calming him. “A new addition to the pack is always a good thing.”
“Yes, it is,” Newell agreed readily.
Tim smiled, knowing something good must be coming as Cam sat forward, resting his arms on the table.
“Which brings me to the point of this meeting….”
Newell had Wes—his newly appointed beta—present, along with three others. He glanced at Wes, then to the door, before answering. “And that is…?”
“I believe you’ve had a few new additions to your pack recently.”
“You must be mistaken. My pack remains unchanged.”
The doors to the room swung open, but Tim still caught the smug smile on Newell’s face.
Seb and Mark entered, and suddenly Tim was assaulted with a familiar but totally unwelcome scent. Combined with Seb’s, it took him right back to the night when Seb had been injured. A snarl forced its way out, and he took a step towards the new arrivals, teeth bared and claws out. Alec’s and Gareth’s growls sounded alongside his, the warning clear, and it further fuelled his anger.They smell it too—
“Tim!”Cam’s voice cut through the noise, pulling at him like a leash, but just over there by the door was hismate. Their bond hummed strong and vibrant, and the smell of the rogue shifter so close to Seb was quickly blanking everything else from Tim’s mind.
“You!” he gritted out, pointing a clawed finger at Mark, “why the fuck do you smell like that?”
“Like what?” The tremor in Mark’s voice was easy to pick up and it made Tim’s wolf hungry for blood.
Seb glanced from Mark to the others, clearly confused. Tim wanted him away from Mark.
“What’s going on?” Seb asked.
