Page 45 of Only You, No One Else

Caster’s hand moved to his forearm, tightening to the point of pain. His voice was an eerie, calm whisper. “No.”

He started to argue, but the grip lost its edge, the caress it had become moving past his shoulder and into his hair, drawing a half-moan, half-sigh from him.

“I’ve never been more afraid of anything as I was when you drew me into your mind space. Look at me, my love.”

So lost in Caster’s touch, Mark had no memory of closing his eyes. He gasped when he opened them to find more naked pain in Caster’s expression than he thought was possible. His need to comfort him overtook his resolve to find closure, and his hand closed around Caster’s arm, trying to offer that comfort.

“I have been in a lot of battles, each one a significant threat…” Caster closed his eyes, sighed, and when he opened them again, the pain was gone, in its place his usual determination. “Whatever he wants with you, it is not good. I will not let him have you.”

Mark locked away his argument that if he couldn’t find a way to close that chapter, Zeke would always be a presence in their lives. But like everything else in his mind, he couldn’t keep it from Caster.

“Your brother is here. Let’s go see what he’s dealing with. Then, we’ll make a plan to take care of it all, yes?”

He wanted to see his brother, make sure he was OK, as absurd as it was to worry about the strongest wolf in existence. But he wanted to stay here just a little longer. The evil threatening their love had reared its ugly head again, and with it their resolve to find a way over that hurdle. They would have scant few happy moments as long as Zeke and the witch were out there. It was time to take the fight to them.

***

It still took a while for them to make it to Marcus’s study. The spacious room appeared smaller as everyone with a stake in vengeance against the witch, which was everyone in this house, crowded the space.

The King was not present, and although Mark had hoped to see him again, Marcus was all the authority the room needed. Cy smiled at him with a curt nod as he walked in, and he returned the greeting. He heard his brother before he saw him, and relief, misplaced, given Dean’s habit of always being OK no matter what, washed away all his worry. He released his hold on Caster’s hand and strode towards his brother, who was engaged in what seemed like a heated argument with Xavier, Julian, and James.

His brilliant, very Dean smile broke through as soon as their eyes met, and Mark braced himself for his Alpha’s presence in his mind. It didn’t come, and he frowned at his brother.

Xavier, Julian, and James stepped away from the little circle, and Mark’s breath left his lungs in a rush when Dean surprised him by pulling him into his arms. Had he missed something? It's not like they’d been apart for weeks. Dean’s hug was brief, but a bit tight, and Mark worried.

But when he searched his brother’s face for what he seemed unwilling or unable to talk about, Dean just shook his head and smiled. “It’s good to see you, is all.” He shrugged, but Mark didn’t believe him for a second. He was hiding something, something Mark would not like.

He glanced at James, seeking an inkling of something, but the Alpha, who was always privy to Dean’s every move, was noncommittal as always, his face revealing nothing. Whatever it was, they didn’t seem willing to share it with vampires. He resolved to get it out of them later, just as Marcus’s booming voice called a halt to all the side discussions going on. Mark’s gaze found Caster, and the small smile on his lips was enough to ease some of the worry.

“OK. First things first. Is there a possibility of finding the witch?” Marcus addressed the only person in the room who would have an answer to that question.

Riley sighed, but even subdued, his power could not be denied. Now that he had full access to his wolf, Mark could almost see the halo of his immense power even in human form. “Locator spells won’t work. We need a new way. All of that darkness, the source of it, is enough to protect her from the most powerful spell.”

“You’re right.” Marcus’s commanding stature was not diminished even though he was the only one who chose to sit. “It is best to use our resources wisely. That’s why I thought we’d all get everything out in the light.” He stared Dean down, and Mark couldn’t help glance at his brother. “The only way to deal with this threat is together. If we let that little witch divide us, she has already won.”

Dean nodded. “Well. There were the beginnings of a revolt in my ranks, but I have that handled. Most wolves remain loyal to me.”

His unwavering pronouncement was emphatic, and Mark knew his brother well enough to know that it was all true. Dean didn’t stomach dissent. It was the one aspect of his rule that made him the best Prime Alpha the wolves had had for a long time.

“There is the issue of that resurrected Alpha,” Caster said, earning nods from the rest of the room and drawing Mark’s attention. Zeke wasn’t just after him, although he did seem fixated. He was a threat to all of them.

“Is it true?” Everyone turned to Cy, who shrugged and tipped his chin at Dean, his demeanor relaxed. “We need to know what we would be dealing with. Is it true that you can control all other wolves?”

There was a smile on Cy’s face, the same disarming charm he’d displayed last night, but Mark still braced himself for a less-than-cordial response from his brother. That secret had been a guarded one. It was the only reason wolves had survived so long, against long odds. Giving your enemy the chance to counter that strength was not wise.

But when he glanced at his brother, there was a small smile. The familiarity between him and Caster’s brother was not surprising. Of course, they knew each other, perhaps had even fought each other on the battlefield.

Dean nodded. “It's true.”

“That’s a problem.” Riley’s low voice settled over the room as everyone turned to him. He sighed. “We don’t know the extent of Zeke’s power now or how different it is from yours.”

Dean stepped forward. “What do you mean different?”

Riley shook his head. “I’ve been thinking about it ever since Caster told me about it.” His blue gaze found Mark. “And if it is borne of Ethel’s darkness, there is a chance it will progress faster than we can counter.”

“What can we do?” Caster asked, drawing Riley's attention and everyone else’s away from Mark.

Riley nodded at Caster as if seeking his permission, and then he looked at Mark again. “There is a spell to help me find the signature of his influence. He was in your mind?”