Sandwich and drink in hand, and wearing a new T-shirt, Alec settled on his sofa with a sigh. His phone buzzed before he had a chance to take the first bite, and Alec groaned. But when he glanced at the screen, his smile was automatic. He should have known.
Mark.
Hope your day is going better than mine. Just been assigned barista duty all fucking day tomorrow. And I have to open up at 5am. That’s like the middle of the night FFS.
Alec’s smiled faded as he read. By the end he was frowning hard. What the fuck was Newell playing at? Apart from Felix’s evidence, Mark was key to the investigation. It was his fucking jacket that Newell had tried to bait Tim with. In all likelihood the council members would want to speak to him first.
He couldn’t exactly say any of that.
Instead he typed out, Is that not your usual job then?
Fuck no. I do accounts, not coffee. I’m going to be shit at it. I suggest you avoid our place in Shepherd’s Bush if you want good coffee tomorrow.
Alec smiled despite himself. Noted.
He rested his head against the back of the sofa, sandwich forgotten. Probably without even realising, Mark had fed him information that Alec shouldn’t have. Information that technically he should report back to Cam. But the thought of relaying their conversation to his alpha left him feeling uncomfortable. Guilty. And what he didn’t need was more fucking guilt. This was why he should never have given Mark his bloody phone number.
Bollocks.
He needed to tell Cam. He couldn’t not tell him, but….
To Mark he typed, You shouldn’t be telling me things like that. The council will want to talk to you. I think Newell’s deliberately trying to make you unavailable.
Shit.
Alec agreed wholeheartedly.
Mark sent another. Can’t they just come find me at the coffee shop?
They prefer to keep investigations to pack buildings only. The alpha council aren’t overly fond of being out among the humans. Which was probably better for everyone. Alec couldn’t imagine them roaming around London and not drawing a lot of unwanted attention. They were a recognised authority by the human government but, as with all shifter laws and practices, only as long as no humans were injured or killed. Then they were expected to hand over investigations to the police. So the less human interaction this investigation required, the better. His thoughts quickly turned to Kelly, Seb’s sister.
Still human.
Fuck.
Something else to bring up with Cam. He quickly typed another message to Mark. Lying was something he liked to avoid if at all possible.
I’m going to have to tell Cam.
A few seconds passed, then, I understand. I’ll try and be more careful with what I tell you. It’s just
Alec waited, presuming Mark had hit Send by accident. When nothing else came after a couple of minutes, he sent back Just what?
Doesn’t matter. Forget I said anything.
Mark? If there was one thing Alec disliked intensely, it was someone almost telling him something and then going ‘never mind.’ Because now, even if it was the most mundane thing in the world, Alec was desperate to know what it was. And in Mark’s case, he doubted it would have been mundane.
You were right. I’m just trying to be more careful with what I say.
Arse, now he had Alec worrying, which he couldn’t afford to do. P-pack intra-pack goings-on were none of his business. But he’d started this thing between them. If anything happened to Mark because of it…. Fuck what I said. If you’re in trouble then tell me. Maybe I can help.
Srsly I’m fine. The thought of serving bad coffee all day is making me overly dramatic. But thanks for the offer.
Alec frowned at his phone. So fucking hard to tell tone in a text. Mark’s message didn’t set his mind at ease like it should have done. Instinct told him Mark was hiding something, but there was nothing he could do and that left him unsettled and antsy.
He finally replied with Anytime and hoped Mark would know that he meant it. Investigation or no, if Mark asked Alec for help, he’d find a way to give it. He liked to think the council would step in if Newell put his pack in danger again.
After about five minutes with no more texts, it was obvious their conversation was over, and although his appetite had waned considerably, Alec ate his sandwich and planned what to say to Cam with each bite.
He also debated the possibility of nipping out for coffee at some point tomorrow.
CHAPTER NINE
Mark sat up in bed and scowled at his phone. Nine o’clock. No way was he going to be able to fall asleep in the next half hour, but the thought of getting up at four in the morning had him settling down onto his pillows anyway. Tomorrow was going to suck so fucking much. He’d been pissed off when Jason had told him, but after Alec’s texts, he was a mix of angry and worried.
Disrespectful or not, fuck Newell for making him do this just to get him out of the way. And if he did want Mark away from the council, what the hell did that say about everything? The more Mark learned, the more convinced he was that Newell, Wes, and fuck knew who else were guilty of at least some wrong doing.
He hoped the council worked quickly and sorted this mess out before…. Swallowing thickly, he closed his eyes, unwilling to follow through on that train of thought. Whatever the outcome, Mark didn’t fancy being in a pack with Newell as his alpha, especially not when he chose betas like fucking Wes.
Which reminded him.
Pulling up his contacts list, he scrolled through to his cousin’s name. He hadn’t spoken to him in a couple of days, and with everything that was happening, he should really check in. Would the council want to talk to Harry? He and his mate had been the ones to scratch Seb’s door, after all. Hey, everything okay with you? I’m working at the pack coffee shop in Shepherd’s Bush tomorrow morning, if you fancy stopping by?
After waiting a couple of minutes with no reply, Mark decided he might as well text Will too. He’d been suspiciously quiet since the pack meeting that morning. And what a farce that had been. Jason had warned him beforehand that Newell wouldn’t tell the pack everything, as he didn’t deem it necessary. But Mark had expected more than just “The alpha council will be in the pack buildings for the next few days, clearing up a misunderstanding with the Regent’s Park pack alpha. Please keep out of their way. Only talk to them if asked a direct question.” He’d left after making that announcement, not allowing any of the pack to ask questions, and by the murmurings going around the room, there were plenty.
The betas, and Mark and Will, had been ordered not to talk about the investigation. Fortunately Mark hadn’t seen anyone since the council meeting, so he hadn’t needed to deal with that issue. With any luck, Jason had told the rest of their unit not to ask.
He typed a quick Hey, what shift you working tomorrow? message to Will and placed his phone on his bedside table, alarm set for four o’clock.
Fucking hell.
Kill me now.
Mark stared at the growing line of customers in utter dismay. Why did so many people want coffee at arse o’clock in the morning? It wasn’t even half past six and yet the line was almost to the door. His co-workers, both human on this shift, had already taken pity on him and let him man the till. Or rather, they’d had enough of him messing up the orders.
He quickly got the hang of the till though, and before he realised it, the morning rush was over, and the shop wasn’t exactly dead but no longer had a line of jittery people waiting for their morning fix. Just as well because he’d been dying for a piss for the last half an hour.
The staff toilets were next to the break room in the back. Mark pulled his phone out of his pocket as he walked—nothing from his cousin, but there was a text from Will.
Got the 9-3 shift tonight. Have your coffee making skills improved? Can’t believe you got landed with that, lol. You of all people.
Mark rolled his eyes. Funny. I’m on the till, anyway.
Didn’t take them long to
ban you from the coffee machines then?
He pictured Will’s face, creased up in laughter. Obv my maths skills are better served taking people’s money.
Yeah that must be it. Anyway, you’re missing all the fun here. Council arrived, scary AF. Apparently we’ve got the council leader heading up our investigation. Rumour has it Newell’s well pissed off.
Mark remembered her vividly. Alpha Karin Wallace gave the impression she took no shit from anyone. He almost felt sorry for Newell. Have you had to speak to anyone yet?
No, the four of them were in with Newell for a while this morning. Now they’re interviewing the betas, one at a time.
Let me know if anything happens, might see you later.
Ok.
Shoving his phone into his pocket, Mark hurried into the loo before the others thought he’d got lost or something.
An hour later, Mark had started to flag. Not used to getting up so early, his body was protesting and he’d yawned three times in the last five minutes.
Carole, the older of his two co-workers, laughed at him and pointed to the old-fashioned clock on the wall. “It’s only ten fifteen for God’s sake. I thought you shifters were supposed to have stamina?”
Mark couldn’t even be bothered to defend his fellow shifters. “Clearly whoever told you that was a liar.”
She laughed again. “Go take your lunch break before you fall asleep. Oh wait.” She turned to the machine behind her, messed with a few of the things on it—Mark hadn’t paid all that much attention earlier—and then handed him a small cup. “Drink this.”
He eyed it dubiously. “Espresso?”
“Yep. Double. That should perk you right up.”
“Thanks.” He didn’t have the heart to remind her it didn’t quite work the same way on shifters. Instead he gave her a big, genuine smile. As co-workers went, these two weren’t half bad, and he needed all the help he could get.
Just as he turned to go through the staff-only door, someone came into the shop, and Mark stopped dead in his tracks, his stupid stomach all aflutter. He’d recognise that scent anywhere.
Coffee in hand, he half-turned to see Alec standing in front of the counter, hair a tousled mess from the wind, and dark eyes as intense as ever. And wearing a fucking suit. A charcoal, well-fitted suit, with a white shirt and dark-red tie. Mark didn’t need the coffee anymore; he was wide awake. He took a sip anyway, just for something to do instead of drool.
Carol’s eyes lit up and she was at the counter like a shot. “Can I help you?”
Mark almost choked on his coffee. Her voice never normally sounded like that. To his amusement, Alec’s gaze shot straight to him.
“Actually I wanted to take Mark out for—” He glanced at the clock. “—brunch. I heard you say it was his lunch break.” He winked and Mark grinned back at him.
Yes, brunch sounded like an excellent idea.
Carole sighed, graciously accepting defeat. She faced Mark and plucked the coffee cup out of his hand. “I don’t think you’ll be needing that now.” As she passed him to put it in the sink, she whispered, “I bet he’s got stamina.” She must have pegged Alec for a shifter—he was huge and oozed raw animal power—but she’d clearly forgotten he had supernatural senses.
Alec coughed at her remark, Carole went bright red as realisation set in, and Mark laughed.
“Okay then, I’ll be back in an hour.” He left his apron under the counter and followed Alec to the door. Once outside, Mark glanced around nervously. As happy as he was to see Alec after such a shitty morning, maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. “You didn’t think to text me first?”
Alec shrugged. “It was a spur-of-the-moment decision.”
Somehow Mark doubted that. He suspected Alec wasn’t a fan of spontaneity. “Should we be doing this?”
“What, talking?” Alec regarded him curiously. “You’ve been back to your building smelling of my jizz, yet you’re worried someone might see us talking?”
Well, when he put it like that. But still…. “The council’s here now, though. Won’t it look suspicious?”
Alec sighed, then met Mark’s gaze, pinning him to the spot. “If a council member asks me about you, I’ll tell them the truth. What we’ve done is probably ill-advised but only because of the possible complications. There’s no pack law that says we can’t fuck.”
“I know, but the investigation—”
“Is for very specific allegations.” He sighed, and Mark knew what was coming. “I can go if this makes you uncomfortable.”
Mark should tell him to go. It was the sensible thing to do, at least until all this was over and done with. But he’d never had the best willpower, and Alec in a suit wasn’t something he could turn away. “I don’t want you to go.”
They’d walked a few feet away from the coffee shop, enough that he could tug Alec around the corner into the side alley and sort of out of sight. Careful of that expensive suit material, Mark positioned himself against the wall and pulled Alec to him.
Alec ducked his head to the crook of Mark’s neck and breathed him in. Their bodies weren’t quite touching, but Mark felt the heat from him all the same. His whispered “So, I don’t make you uncomfortable?” sent a shiver down Mark’s spine, his cock filling in the tight confines of his uniform trousers.
He grinned and reached between them to adjust himself. “Maybe a little.”
Alec’s soft huff of laughter was a surprise. Mark never expected him to be this way, and each time he caught a glimpse of another side to Alec’s personality, it made him greedy for more. He slid his hands into Alec’s hair, then guided his head up for a long lingering kiss that left him breathless and hard.
“You’ll smell like me again.” Alec stepped close, finally pressing his body against Mark’s.
“Co-workers are human.”
“What about any shifters that come into the shop?” He kissed Mark again, stealing his answer, and Mark was in no hurry to stop him. His mind had gone blank; he couldn’t think of a suitable reply anyway.
When Alec drew back, he hooked his fingers in Mark’s belt loops and rubbed his thumbs over Mark’s hips.
Even through the material, his touch was electric. Mark desperately wanted to go somewhere and get naked. But he had to get back to work soon-ish. And also he was fucking starving. Breakfast had been hours ago. And pack rules or not, they shouldn’t be doing this in the street. No need to invite trouble. It would find them soon enough at this rate.
“Did you mean that about brunch? Or was that just a line?”
Alec cocked his head when Mark’s stomach rumbled. “I meant it.”
Thank fuck. “Good. There’s a nice little cafe a few shops down.”
Stepping back, Alec gestured for him to go first. “Lead the way.”
They walked down the street, not quite touching but close enough that their arms brushed. If Mark didn’t know better, it might feel like a date. “Can I ask why you’re not back at your pack building, or is that against the rules? And why the suit?”
Alec glanced down at him, smirking. “You don’t like it?” He brushed a hand down the front of it, drawing Mark’s attention to the way it fit him like a glove. Fuck, he was hot.
Trying to hide his reaction was pointless. “You know how much I like it. Stop looking so smug.”
Alec laughed, his eyes crinkling in amusement, and Mark’s breath caught at how young and carefree he seemed in that moment. They reached the cafe and Alec’s smile dimmed. “I don’t have long. I’ve just come from the warehouse.” He opened the door and waited for Mark to go in first. “I had to get some papers for the council.”
Mark huffed. “Don’t you have all that information online?”
“Yes, but this particular information can only be accessed from the warehouse computers at the minute. So I had to come and get it myself.”
He wanted to ask what the council could possibly have wanted to see from the warehouse but figured Alec wouldn’t tell him. So instead he
just smiled. “How fortunate for me.”
As they queued up to pay for their sandwiches and drinks, Alec whispered, “Me too.”
Too early for the lunch rush, they easily found a table in the corner. Predictably, Alec took the seat with his back to the wall, giving him a view of the whole room. At Mark’s amused look, he shrugged. “I like to be aware of what’s going on around us.”
Mark took a quick look around the cafe as he sat down, subtly scenting the air. A couple of faint pack scents hung around, but nothing new. They were the only shifters in there. “I think we’re safe.”
Alec met his gaze, expression suddenly serious. “You can never be too careful.”
Hadn’t they just established they weren’t technically doing anything wrong? He opened his mouth to say as much, but Alec gestured to their unopened food.
“Eat your lunch.”
Mark unwrapped his sandwich, not because Alec told him to, but because he was starving. They ate in silence. All the while Mark couldn’t help but wonder what was going on at their respective pack buildings. Curiosity burned inside him; he had no real idea what was happening at his own pack let alone at Alec’s.
After washing down the last of his sandwich with a swig of water, Mark set the near empty bottle on the table. “We’ve apparently got the council leader heading up the investigation into P-pack.”
Alec’s gaze shot to his. “Mark.”
“What? It’s not like that’s secret information. One of us was probably going to end up with her. She’s a little… intimidating.”
Alec screwed up his rubbish into a ball. “Alpha Karin Wallace is honest, loyal, and fair. She won’t be swayed by opinions or personalities, just facts. But yes, she’s very… formidable.” To Mark’s surprise, he laughed. “I would love to have seen Newell’s face when she walked in.”
Mark grinned. “Will said he was less than enthusiastic about it.” One second it was all laughs and easy banter, then it dawned on Mark he was disrespecting his alpha with a shifter from another pack. Out in public. Mark fucking Alec would irritate Newell if he found out, but taking the piss out of him with an R-pack beta would make Newell furious. Mark shuddered at the thought. “Shit. I shouldn’t really talk about him that way.”
Bitten By Desire (Regent's Park Pack Book 3) Page 11
