“Newell?” With the way they threw names around, Seb could do with a who’s-who wall planner or something.
Alec turned to face him and his features softened a bit. When he wasn’t glaring at Nathan, Alec was seriously hot for an older guy. Shifters seemed to luck out in the gene pool, and being around so many of them was undermining Seb’s no-shifter rule.
Alec said, “Steven Newell is the alpha of the Primrose Hill pack.”
Seb perked up. He knew all about what had gone down with the rogue pack and how the P-Pack alpha suggested they should use Nathan as bait. Jared had been quite vocal with how he felt about it all. “Oh, you mean the wanker who wanted Nathan dead?”
“Alpha Newell is a well-respected alpha and should be treated as such.” Alec’s steady gaze seemed to bore right through Seb, and for a second he feared he’d overstepped. Until Alec smirked. “But yes, he’s the wanker who wanted Nathan dead.”
Alec’s gaze flicked to Nathan, and for the first time that afternoon, his expression showed something other than annoyance. Seb couldn’t place it, but whatever it was disappeared as quickly as it came.
Alec admitted, “Alpha Newell wasn’t happy with the way that turned out, and relations between our two packs are somewhat strained.”
Jared visibly paled at the reminder, and Seb remembered in unfortunate detail what Jared had told him about Nathan’s injuries from that night. No one needed to see their partner’s bones first-hand. If Seb was in Jared’s position, he’d probably feel ill at the reminder too.
Nathan looked to Gareth. “What now? Can we go to the police, since Seb’s human?”
Gareth sighed and stood to join Alec. “No. They haven’t done anything for us to formally complain about.” His gaze landed on Seb and he offered him an apologetic smile. “I know you probably think otherwise, but unless they were the ones to actually cause you bodily harm, then we have no proof that the police can act on. They won’t take our word for it against another pack.”
Nathan directed his question to Gareth. “What about between our packs? They’ll know I caught their scent because they made absolutely no attempt to hide it.”
God, Seb was almost bursting to know what was up between him and Alec. Jared had to know, and Seb was going to ask him as soon as this little gathering was over.
Gareth answered Nathan. “I’m sure Newell’sirritationwith you has filtered down through his ranks.” Alec scoffed at the wordirritation, but Gareth ignored him and carried on. “It could just be a few idiots wanting to impress their alpha, or it could be something else. We’ll go and talk to Cam and see how he wants to handle this. But for now, I suggest you keep Seb here.”
“What?” Seb had been quite happy to sit back and watch as they discussed their shifter politics, since inter-pack fighting had nothing to do with him, but this…. “I’m not staying here. I have a home and a job. Besides which, I have no wish to be the third wheel with these two.”
Jared overshared about his sex life with Nathan, which was fine; Seb didn’t give a shit about that. But he didn’t want to be around the pair of them 24/7, knowing how much time they spent having sex. That would be awkward and—since Seb wasn’t getting laid anytime soon considering the state of him—frustrating.
Jared gestured to Seb’s foot and frowned. “Will they let you work with a cast on?”
“I work at a desk. It’s not like I have a lot of walking to do.”
“I’m sure there’s health and safety issues, though.”
“I very much doubt it.” Seb rolled his eyes. He so wasn’t staying with Jared and Nathan. “I’ll call them first thing Monday morning and see. But I can always work at home for a bit. There’s a couple of people I know who did that last month, so I’ll—” He caught Jared’s grin and sighed. “—work from my home, not yours.”
Before Jared could protest further, Alec spoke. He had the kind of authority that made everyone stop and listen. “Sebastian. While we all understand that you’re eager to get back home, would you please consider remaining under our close protection until we’ve had chance to talk to Cam?”
Seb found himself wanting to agree, but he stubbornly kept quiet.
Alec sighed. “If you don’t want to stay here with Jared and Nathan, Tim has a flat in my building. I’m sure he has a spare room that you could use.”
Alec’s lips twitched, and Seb felt warmth spread across his cheeks. The thought of sharing with Tim made him all kinds of uncomfortable, and he wasn’t really thinking when he replied. “I can stay here. It’s fine.”
Shit.
Both Jared and Nathan had a smug look about them, and Seb gave Jared the finger, just to be petty.
Gareth said, “Okay, now that’s settled, we’ll leave you to it.” He gestured for Alec to go first.
Alec hesitated. “I’d appreciate you letting us know immediately of anything remotely suspicious from now on.”
Seb nodded. He wasn’t stupid. “Sure.”
“Good.” Without bothering to say anything further, Alec turned on his heel and left the room.
Gareth rolled his eyes at Alec’s departure. “I’ll see you guys later, let you know what Cam said.” He gave Nathan a one-armed hug and then hurried after Alec.
