Bitten By Desire (Regent's Park Pack Book 3) Read online

  The alpha council.

  Mark swallowed, throat suddenly dry. They were all so imposing. Which duh, they were all alphas, but seeing so many together affected him in a way he hadn’t anticipated. The power in the room was almost palpable. It crackled in the air, as though one wrong move by either pack and all hell could break loose.

  The room was silent as the ten council members took their seats.

  Asha and Anna stood at either side of the room, like sentries.

  One of the council members stood, and all eyes focused on her. She stood about six-foot-tall, with high cheekbones, and hair plaited in a long braid down her back. Her gaze took in everyone in front of her, and Mark had to look away as it landed on him.

  She was both beautiful and terrifying.

  When she leaned forward and placed both hands on the table, radiating power, Mark shrank back a little in his seat.

  “Alpha Newell, Alpha Harley.” Her voice easily filled the room, clear and commanding. The authority in her tone sent a shiver down Mark’s spine and he had a sudden urge to bare his throat in submission. “I am Alpha Karin Wallace, leader of this council. While you are in our house, we expect you and your packs to behave with the courtesy and respect as befits both your rank and ours.” She waited for them to nod in agreement. “No investigations will begin today. You have been called here to listen to the accusations levelled against you and your respective packs and hear our ruling on how we will proceed. Our word is final. By bringing this matter to us, you have acknowledged this and will accept whatever decision we come to. Is that clear?”

  “Yes, Alpha.”

  “Yes, Alpha.”

  “Very well.” She turned to the alpha on her right, an older-looking guy with white hair that fell to his shoulders, and sharp blue eyes. A silvery scar on his cheek stood out against his pale skin. Mark wondered if he got that in the pack wars. Must have been bad to not heal properly. “Curtis, you may begin.”

  Curtis stood, again a sense of strength and authority rolled off him, and Mark curled his fingers around the edge of the seat to ground himself. “Alpha Steven Newell of the Primrose Hill pack, you stand accused of the following transgressions: One, attempting to cause bodily harm and/or death to members of the Regent’s Park pack with the intent of discrediting their alpha and taking the pack for yourself. Two, putting a member of your own pack in danger to help facilitate this. Three, repeatedly lying to another alpha when questioned about the existence of rogue shifters in your pack.”

  Mark glanced from Newell to Harley, then back again. He’d expected some show of emotion in response to that, but neither one of them so much as twitched, whereas Mark clung to the bench with a grip so hard the wood creaked. Newell had insisted it was all lies, but with Alpha Harley standing there in front of the council and not looking the least bit worried, how could they be? No alpha in their right mind would bring matters to the council unless they had substantial evidence.

  Fuck. This was his pack, his alpha. Mark didn’t want to believe Newell would betray them like that, but his gut told him there was at least some semblance of truth to it. A wave of nausea threatened to bring his breakfast back up, and Mark swallowed convulsively. Throwing up in the council rooms wasn’t something he was eager to do.

  Curtis now addressed R-pack. “Alpha Cameron Harley of the Regent’s Park pack, you stand accused of the following transgressions: One, not reporting an illegal bite to the proper authorities. Two, allowing a member of your pack to go unpunished after carrying out an illegal bite. Three, forging the required paperwork to prevent said member from being arrested after the fact.”

  Wow, Mark had been there for the joint pack meetings, so he knew all about Jared and Nathan. But they were happily mated now. What did it matter how it had happened? He also remembered his own alpha agreeing to keep quiet about it in exchange for R-pack’s help with the rogues and Nathan being the bait.

  He gave his word.

  That should hold no matter what.

  The sick feeling in Mark’s gut intensified. If Newell could so easily go back on his word to another alpha, what else was he capable of?

  Curtis sat down and Karin stood again. She gestured to the men and women sitting beside her. “We, the alpha council, are of the opinion there is significant proof offered to warrant a full investigation into all the accusations. You are free to return to your respective territories. The day after tomorrow we will visit both packs, and you will help us in any way we see fit. Any obstruction by either pack will be taken as a sign of guilt and treated accordingly. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, Alpha.”

  “Yes, Alpha.”

  “As soon as our investigation is complete, we will reconvene here and deliver our findings and any punishment that results from them.” She glanced from Alpha Newell to Alpha Harley. “I hope I don’t need to remind you that any further hostilities between your two packs will not be tolerated.” Not waiting for an answer to that, she bowed her head a fraction in a show of respect, Newell and Harley did the same, then she turned and left the room, followed by the rest of the council.

  Mark sighed in relief when the last of them exited. Fuck, that was intense. Not thinking, he glanced over at R-pack and caught Alec watching him. Quickly averting his eyes, Mark concentrated on looking anywhere than the other side of the room. The air inside suddenly felt stifling, and he tugged at his collar, wanting to get outside.

  Jason nudged him and whispered, “Almost done.”

  Anna led R-pack out first, and this time Mark kept his gaze on his feet as they filed out. He felt the weight of Alec’s stare as he passed, and it warmed him inside just the same as if he’d made eye contact.

  Once outside, they headed over to their cars, the R-pack convoy already setting off down the drive. Mark followed Jason and was just about to shut his car door when Wes appeared. He held onto the frame, preventing Mark from closing it.

  Jason leaned over the centre console. “Something we can help you with, Wes?”

  Glancing at the other two cars, Mark noticed both had all their doors shut. No one could hear them.

  Wes grinned, ignored Jason, and focused on Mark. Like a snake, he darted in, took a long sniff of Mark’s throat, and then sprung back.

  “What the fuck?” Mark hissed. He clapped a hand over his neck, praying Alec’s scent had disappeared already.

  From beside him Jason growled. “Go back to your car before I do something we’ll both regret.”

  When Mark glanced over, he wasn’t surprised to see Jason’s fangs sliding out. You didn’t scent a member of another unit without permission. Especially not when their beta was sat right there next to them.

  Wes had the good sense to step back, but he still held onto the car door. “I was just testing out a theory. Don’t overreact.” Jason snarled, and Wes flinched. He turned his attention to Mark. “I saw the way you looked at Knight. Don’t even think of fraternising with the enemy, Appleton, or I’ll be forced to report you to our alpha. And you know how he hates a traitor to the pack.” He slammed the door and walked away.

  Slumping back in his seat, all Mark could think of was thank fuck it had faded. He laid a hand on his throat, wanting Wes’s scent to be gone. Pack or not, it left a bad taste in his mouth.

  “Come here.” Jason gently turned him and angled his head to expose his neck. Leaning forward, he ran his nose up the length of Mark’s neck, steadily breathing in and out.

  Calmness washed over him, and Mark closed his eyes for a second, sighing. “Thank you.” The car moved a little as Jason sat back in his seat, and Mark glanced at him. “Shit, that was a close call.”

  Jason started the engine but didn’t move. He met Mark’s gaze, his serious expression slightly worrying. “Closer than you think, actually.”

  “What do you mean?”

  The other two cars reversed and started down the driveway. Jason followed suit before answering. “I can still smell Alec on you.”

  Mark’s heart stutte
red. “What? But then—”

  “Wes would have smelled it too. I don’t know what game he’s playing, but we both need to be careful. He’ll know you fucked Alec and that I know about it and haven’t reported it to Newell.”

  “Fucking bollocks.”

  “Yep.”

  They drove out of the forest and onto the main road. Mark’s gaze was drawn to the lead car and Wes. “Why do you think he didn’t say anything?”

  Jason bit at his lip, then glanced at Mark.

  It gave Mark the feeling he was being assessed, and he raised an eyebrow. “What?”

  “Do you believe Newell did the things he’s accused of?”

  So not what he was expecting Jason to say. “I, um….” Shit, he had no idea what the right answer to that was. Jason was his beta, but Newell was their alpha.

  “You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to, but can I tell you what I think.”

  Mark nodded. “Sure.”

  “I’m trusting you with what I’m about to say. But as your beta, if you feel the need to report me, then I’ll still support you for as long as I can. I’m saying this because I think you, me, and possibly Will all need to be on our guard. Okay?”

  A feeling of dread crept over him, and Mark could only nod again, no words forthcoming.

  “Alpha Newell has never been what I’d call a great alpha, but he’s always been fair. Until recently.” Pausing while he manoeuvred into the middle lane, Jason then glanced at him and gave him a grim smile. “Ever since we allied with R-pack and fought the rogue shifters, he’s been….” Jason tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. “Let’s just go with different. The thing with Nathan really got to him. But more than that, being in Cam’s building and seeing up close how much larger his pack was, how obvious it was that every member respected him, especially his betas…. They would give their lives for him in a heartbeat. Newell doesn’t have that.”

  Mark’s breath caught. Talk like that was verging on treasonous. “Jason—”

  “Oh, don’t get me wrong, I’d do my duty for my alpha. But as I’ve come to realise, Newell doesn’t put the needs of the pack before his own. He’s selfish and power hungry, and that doesn’t inspire me to willingly lay down my life for him. I respect the position of alpha, but I don’t respect him. I haven’t spoken to Paul about this, so these are just my thoughts, but I’ve wondered for a while if there was something going on—too many meetings held when I can’t make them seems more than just a coincidence. And appointing Wes as beta when he had few of the traits a beta needs….” He swallowed, and Mark stared at him, stunned. “I think most, if not all the accusations against Newell are true or based on truth. Cam Harley is everything an alpha should be. And I wish he was mine.”

  The next few minutes passed in silence as the full horror of Jason’s words sank in. If it was all true, and Mark couldn’t pretend anymore that he didn’t believe it too, then the last place he wanted to go was back to their pack house.

  Jason mistook his silence for disagreement. “Shit, I’m sorry if I’ve spoken out of turn. If you believe Newell is innocent, that’s okay.”

  “I don’t.” Mark gripped Jason’s shoulder. “I think you’re right, with everything that you said. I’m just fucking terrified of going back there now.” At least Jason had beta strength on his side. Mark had nothing.

  “Hey.” He put his hand on top of Mark’s. “It’ll be okay.”

  “Right!” Mark huffed out a laugh. “You just told me our alpha is crazy and not to be trusted.”

  “I didn’t say he was crazy, but no, I don’t think we should trust him. Maybe he believes what he’s doing is for the good of the pack, but it isn’t for the good of every pack member. And I don’t think most of the pack would approve of his methods if they knew.”

  “But it’ll be common knowledge soon enough.” The council would send their investigators in less than two days. Their questions were bound to lead to rumours and speculation.

  “Oh, I’ve no doubt Newell will hold a pack meeting and put some spin on it. Packs want to believe their alpha until shown concrete proof that they shouldn’t. We just have to be careful and hope the council find him guilty.”

  Mark laughed a little hysterically. “Oh, is that all?”

  Jason squeezed his hand before letting go. “Things should be safer once the council get here. Until then, just keep out of trouble and don’t do anything Wes or Newell can punish you for.”

  “Okay.” Mark wasn’t stupid. “I have no intention of seeing Alec again.”

  Jason’s smile was wry. “Glad to hear it.”

  But that didn’t mean he wasn’t going out.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Once they were back home, Alec lingered until the others had all gone into the building. Of course Cam stayed with him. With a sigh, he went inside and climbed the stairs to his floor, Cam following in silence.

  Alec paused at the stairwell door, his fingers on the door handle.

  “You going to be okay tonight?” Cam stopped beside him.

  Tomorrow was the twenty-seventh. Alec rubbed a hand over his eyes and sighed. “Yeah. I might not be around first thing tomorrow. What time did you want to get together?”

  Cam rolled his eyes, but his voice was soft. “I think eleven will be early enough. That all right with you?”

  “Yes, thank you.” They had one day to prepare themselves for the council investigation. Virtually everything was in place, but it didn’t hurt to go over things again. Cam had severed all ties with Newell today. They would never have a good relationship with P-pack while he was in charge. They needed him gone. And for that to happen, the council had to find him guilty of everything.

  “If you go out tonight, be careful.”

  “I’m always careful.”

  Cam smiled, and Alec attempted to return it. From the expression on Cam’s face, he failed miserably. “My door is always open if you need me.”

  “I know.” Alec waited for him to start climbing the stairs before heading to his flat.

  As he turned the corner, a familiar scent filled the air, and Alec glanced up to see Tim leant against the wall next to his door. “Again? This is becoming a habit of yours.”

  Tim smiled, warm and genuine, and this time Alec returned it easily. Tim had that effect on people. It was probably one of the reasons he made such a good doctor. “I wanted to see how you were doing?”

  “You saw me about ten minutes ago.”

  “Yes, I know, but that was with all the others.” He nodded at Alec’s door. “Are you going to invite me in? I can stay for a bit, have a drink, maybe get some dinner?”

  “No.” Alec rested his head against the wood and closed his eyes. “Not tonight. I know what you’re trying to do, and thank you for the offer, but I’d be shit company.”

  “No change there.”

  Alec huffed out a laugh. “Fuck off.” He straightened and turned to face Tim, gently placed his hand at the base of Tim’s neck, and met his gaze. “I just need to get through tonight in my own way.”

  “And tomorrow?”

  Strangely enough, Alec found the day itself easier to cope with. It was always the night before that he struggled with. “There’ll be plenty to keep me busy tomorrow.” He slid his key into the lock. “Night, Tim.”

  “Night.” With a sad smile, Tim turned and made his way to the stairwell.

  Alec watched him go, then unlocked his door and went inside. He checked the time on his phone. 9.15pm. The day had been long, and exhaustion had him eyeing the open door of his bedroom. Attempting to sleep through this night was always a temptation, but he’d tried that. It had yet to work.

  A glance around his flat told him he couldn’t stay there, though. Too empty. He needed to be around people to distract him, occupy his mind so the memories had no chance to resurface. Tim’s offer flashed in his mind, but Alec pushed it aside. It had to be people who didn’t know. Sympathy and understanding weren’t what he wanted tonight.

&nb
sp; After a quick shower, he dressed in his usual dark jeans and T-shirt. It might be a Monday, but early closing hours had been scrapped years ago. Shifters could drink and never get drunk if they paced themselves properly, so the laws had been changed to accommodate them. The amount of money they spent had a lot to do with it.

  Alec had no intention of doing that tonight. Drinking fast and hard was the only way to get through it.

  Grabbing everything he needed for the night, Alec left his flat and headed to the pack warehouse.

  Parking was easy; only one other car sat in the car park. Well, a van, not a car. And not one Alec wanted to see. Especially not tonight.

  Fucking Nathan.

  Alec knew why he was out, understood all too well, but he was literally the last person Alec wanted to bump into. Getting out of his car, he breathed deep—traces of Nathan and Jared’s scent clung to the air. He’d not missed them by much.

  For a split second, he wondered what it would be like to have a mate, someone to be there on a night like this one. The thought was gone as quickly as it appeared. Relationships were a complication he didn’t have either the time or the inclination for.

  Following their scent to ensure he didn’t end up in the same place, Alec traced them to Lycanis. The perfect place for bonded couples. Is Mark in there tonight? The thought surprised him, and Alec cursed under his breath. That was a one off, in hindsight a stupid decision on his part, and not something to be repeated. Particularly not with the council coming soon.

  Walking past the front of the club, Alec glanced across the road, wondering where to go to get trashed. The streets weren’t as busy tonight, individual scents easier to pick up, and because the universe clearly hated him, Alec picked up the one other than Nathan’s that he wanted to avoid.

  Mark.

  Not on his own. Another P-pack scent intertwined with his, and Alec was fairly sure it was the barman from the club, Will. Following that scent wasn’t an option. He should move on, find another club to go to. But the more he breathed it in, the stronger the urge to chase it. His wolf perked up, thrilled with the possibility of seeing Mark again.