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

by Annabelle Jacobs

  “It is.” He thumbed at Mark’s nipple, grinning when Mark hissed. “Just not by much. Now tell me what happened.”

  Knowing Alec wasn’t going to give up on this, Mark gave him a brief rundown of what happened without mentioning pack business, ending with, “Basically, I pissed him off and he decided to show me who was boss.”

  Alec had gone back to leaning against the door frame, fists clenched. His fangs were still on show, distractingly so, especially the way he kept licking over them every few seconds.

  “He’s a poor fucking excuse for a beta. You should report him to—”

  “To my alpha?” Mark stared at him, and Alec stared back, neither of them saying the obvious. Newell wouldn’t give a shit, based on recent events. “Let’s try to forget about it. He’s an arsehole with a temper, but the council want to see me tomorrow, so he won’t do it again.”

  Alec frowned but didn’t say anything even though Mark could tell he wanted to. “Come to bed. I won’t bite you, but I can make damn sure you smell enough like me that he won’t dare do it again.”

  Mark should’ve protested; he didn’t need Alec doing his big, bad beta routine. He wasn’t helpless. But having Alec’s growly protectiveness aimed at him was seriously hot, and Mark knew when to swallow his pride. Instead, he brushed past Alec into the bedroom and started to take off his trousers.

  They hit the floor with a thunk, and Alec was behind him in an instant, mouthing at his neck with short sharp nips of fang. Still fully clothed, Alec’s jeans were rough against his thighs, the buckle of his belt digging into Mark’s lower back.

  Mark smiled as Alec slid his hands over the front of his boxers, deft fingers tracing the outline of his erection. “Take your clothes off, works better that way.”

  Alec’s huff of laughter tickled his neck. “I know how it works.”

  “I’m not so sure.”

  Alec’s heat disappeared from his back, and Mark’s smile widened at the sound of him undressing. As quick as he’d gone, he was back, this time naked, and a wall of warm skin pressed up behind Mark, making him itch to get his underwear off.

  Obviously thinking along similar lines, Alec hooked his thumbs in Mark’s waistband and slowly slid his boxers down over his thighs, letting them pool on the ground. He fit his cock between Mark’s arsecheeks and nuzzled his neck. “You’re right. This is much better.”

  “Told you.”

  Alec trailed kisses along the top of Mark’s shoulder and up the side of his neck, paying particular attention to one spot.

  Mark groaned, pushing his hips back and tilting his head to the side. He wanted Wes’s scent gone just as much as Alec did.

  Bite me.

  The words were on the tip of his tongue. They weren’t in a P-pack flat anymore, but neither were they in one of their homes. And there was still the investigation to think about. Mark kept his mouth shut, closed his eyes, and focused on the feel of Alec wrapped around him—all that power and protectiveness made for a heady combination.

  Alec guided him towards the bed, and Mark went willingly, crawling on all fours to the middle, then flipping onto his back. He’d not told Alec everything before, some sense of pack duty holding him back, but as he watched Alec stalk towards him, eyes dark and hungry, he couldn’t hold the words in.

  “Wes is going to tell Newell.”

  Alec didn’t pause, climbing onto the bed until he settled himself between Mark’s legs. “Of course he is.”

  Mark spread his thighs wider, and Alec dropped to his forearms, bringing them closer together. “Newell will order me not to see you again.”

  “I know.” Alec dipped his head and placed his teeth at the base of Mark’s throat.

  Do it. Fucking hell, he wanted it so much. Wanted Alec to bite down and claim him. Wanted to be his.

  Mark moaned underneath him, pushing his hips up for some friction, and Alec obliged.

  “Can he do that?”

  “He shouldn’t. We might not have planned for it, but the bond process has already kicked in. I can feel it, and I know you can too. If we wanted to, all we’d need to do to complete it is to perform the bite. No alpha should come between that. It’s a cause for celebration.” The way Alec said it made Mark think he didn’t totally agree. Not in this case anyway.

  But then Alec was back to nipping at his neck and rolling his hips in a slow easy grind, and Mark didn’t care anymore. He lost himself to the promise of Alec’s teeth and the press of his cock against Mark’s. Anything else could wait until morning.

  Alec still wanted to talk, though. “When this is all over—”

  “Shh.” Mark couldn’t be certain he wanted to hear whatever Alec was going to say next. He wanted to stay in this moment for as long as possible. Closing his eyes, Mark let his claws slide out and very deliberately raked his hands down Alec’s back.

  Alec arched into him with a gasp; his hips pushed forward, sending a spike of pleasure straight up Mark’s spine.

  “Fuck me,” he whispered, hands resting in the dip above Alec’s arse. “I want your scent all over me, in me. I want them to know.” He hadn’t realised how true that was until he said it. To hell with the consequences, Mark wanted everyone to know that Alec was his.

  A little voice in the back of his head whispered, But he’s not.

  Not yet.

  Alec growled, fangs glorious in the moonlight peeking through the curtains. “Turn over.” He leaned to the side for lube, and Mark hurried to get on all fours.

  He flinched as cold lube trickled down the crack of his arse, but then Alec rubbed it around his rim, using the head of his cock, and Mark pushed back, needing more. Claws pricked his skin when Alec grabbed his hips, holding him steady as he slowly pushed inside.

  Oh fuck, that felt good.

  The torturously slow slide of Alec’s cock had him biting his lip, fingers digging into the bedsheets. “Alec—” Fuck me, bite me, make me yours. “—come on.”

  Alec’s grip tightened. Anticipation had Mark on edge with just enough time to glance over his shoulder. That split second showed Alec staring back at him, gaze full of heat, before Alec pulled out and slammed back in, knocking the breath out of him.

  No slow and steady this time; Alec set a brutal pace, each thrust forceful enough to push Mark up the bed if he wasn’t holding on tight. He might not intend to bite him, but Alec fucked him like Mark was his, claiming him with his cock and his hands, claws tips still embedded in his hips.

  Mark struggled not to come. Having six feet four of beta shifter pounding into him like their lives depended on it wasn’t easy to resist. Pleasure burned deep in his belly, climbing up his spine in a dizzying wave, one Mark was quickly losing control of. He breathed in, the air around them heavy with sex and their scent. Together.

  Fuck.

  It filled his lungs. His chest tightened with how right it felt to be here with Alec wrapped around him. “Gonna come.” He reached for his cock, only needing a few strokes to get him there, but Alec batted his hand out of the way, leaned back on his knees, and took Mark with him.

  Straddling Alec’s thighs with his back to Alec’s front, Mark was helpless to do anything other than let Alec get him off. He held tight to the arm Alec held across his chest, head dropping back onto Alec’s shoulder, exposing his throat as Alec jacked him off hard and fast.

  “Bite me.” He wasn’t sure if he said the words out loud or if he imagined Alec’s soft “I can’t,” because three strokes were all it took for Mark to come, shooting over his belly in thick spurts.

  Alec kept him close while he shuddered with the aftershocks, his cock still inside him, until Mark sighed and relaxed against him.

  Carefully, Alec eased him up and off him, encouraging Mark to lie down on his back. He met Mark’s gaze, cock in hand, stroking himself slowly with blunt fingers. “You want them all to know?”

  Mark licked his lips. “Yeah.”

  Moving up alongside him, Alec knelt next to Mark’s shoulder. Not looking a
way, he jacked himself off, his pace steadily increasing until his eyes clamped shut and he came with a cry, coating Mark’s chin and neck.

  Fucking hell. Mark was ready to go again, just from watching. He reached up, trailing his fingers through the mess.

  “Rub it in.” Alec’s voice was rough, slurred, and the fingers that joined Alec’s were claw-tipped once more. Together they rubbed Alec’s come into Mark’s skin, ensuring their scents would cling to him for days. A shiver of nervous excitement ran through him.

  “Okay?” Alec lay down next to him, and Mark rolled onto his side to face him.

  “Yeah.” He yawned, knackered suddenly, even though it was early still. “Was just thinking about tomorrow.”

  Alec reached for his hand. “Come back with me.”

  “What?”

  “I don’t trust Newell. I don’t want to send you back there knowing what he’s capable of.” He squeezed Mark’s hand, eyes pleading.

  “I don’t trust him much either, but he’s still my alpha. I can’t abandon my pack like that.” Mark couldn’t just up and leave, Alec knew that. There were rules in place for changing packs. And Newell and Wes aside, did he really want to? “The alpha council are there and they want to talk to me. Newell’s not going to do anything to risk their wrath.”

  Alec scoffed. “He’s gambled with your life before.”

  “But he’s not stupid. I’m going to go back tomorrow and talk to the council, tell them what I know.” Silence stretched between them. “Nothing’s going to happen.”

  Finally Alec sighed. “If he or Wes threaten you in any way, please call me.”

  Mark smiled softly. “You can’t swoop in and save me. You have no authority.”

  Alec’s fingers tightened painfully around his. “I’ll talk to Cam. We’ll think of something. Just promise me.”

  “I promise.”

  “Thank you.” Alec pulled him close and wrapped an arm around him. “Now sleep, you have to be up at the crack of dawn, remember.”

  Humming his agreement, Mark closed his eyes and hoped he’d never need to make that call.

  Mark left Alec two streets away from the coffee shop with a hurried kiss goodbye and another promise to ring him if he felt threatened. Stopping at Alec’s had seemed fine last night when he’d been in his don’t-give-a-fuck mood, but in the cold light of day, it seemed like an unnecessary risk. Wes had freaked out just knowing he and Alec were fucking, smelling it for himself—and despite two showers, Mark reeked of Alec and sex—would probably send him over the edge.

  The thought of Wes losing his shit brought a smile to Mark’s face. Fuck it. It’d be worth whatever came his way. He’d heal.

  Carole had already opened up when Mark arrived at the shop, and she smiled in greeting when Mark walked in.

  “Morning.” He joined her behind the counter and grabbed an apron. “You’re in early. I thought I was opening up today?”

  She shrugged. “I was awake anyway.”

  “Freak.” Mark nudged her and she laughed.

  “You’re a fine one to talk.”

  He grinned. “Yeah, whatever.”

  They were up and running in plenty of time for the early morning rush, and once there were three of them working, Mark lost track of time. When he looked at the clock next, it was already nine thirty.

  With the lull in customers, he took the opportunity for a break and disappeared into the back with his phone for ten minutes. Still nothing from either Jason or Will. Mark frowned down at the phone. Even if Jason hadn’t finished with the council until late, he would have called or texted. Will too. Had Newell ordered them not to contact him?

  He sent another quick message to each of them, asking if everything was okay, then pocketed his phone. Calling Will’s parents or his sister to check was out of the question because then he’d have to explain.

  If they didn’t reply, he’d hunt them down when he went home after his shift. Assuming the council didn’t want to see him straight away.

  Carole popped her head around the door. “You have a visitor.” The cheeriness in her voice seemed a little forced, and when Mark looked up, she mouthed “Wes” at him.

  Fuck. What the hell did he want?

  “Okay, I’ll be out in a sec.”

  She hesitated, then slipped inside and closed the door. Keeping her voice barely audible, she said. “He’s in a really bad mood. Be careful.”

  “Thanks.”

  He waited for her to leave, then stood. Just before he reached for the door handle, Mark pulled out his phone and sent a quick text to Alec, just to be on the safe side.

  Wes just came to the shop. Not in the best of moods.

  The reply was immediate.

  Be careful. Remember what I said.

  Mark smiled, despite the angry beta waiting for him, and opened the door.

  Wes’s scent greeted him as he entered the shop, and judging by Wes’s sharp intake of breath, he’d just got a whiff of Mark too. At least there were too many people about for him to make a scene.

  He slipped behind the counter beside Carole. She offered him a small smile but didn’t speak. Wes stood the other side of the till at the far end. Waiting. Having no other option, Mark walked over to him. “What do you want?” The need for pleasantries disappeared when Wes slammed him into a wall last night.

  Cold, dark eyes bore into him, and Mark fought a shudder. “You’re a disgrace to your pack,” he hissed. “After everything I said yesterday, you still went to see him.”

  Mark clenched his fist but refused to be cowed. “You said it might be the last time. Thought I’d make the most of it.” For a second he thought Wes was going to jump across the counter, but he stayed put, quietly seething.

  A quick glance around showed that no one was really paying them attention, except maybe Carole, who was working extra hard not to look their way.

  A slow smile spread across Wes’s face, which was somehow worse than the anger. “I told Steven about you and Knight.” Mark tensed, waiting for it, and tried not to grimace at the familiar way Wes said their alpha’s name. Unlike R-pack, they never called their alpha by his first name. “It seems he’s more lenient than I would be in the same position.” Wait, what? “After the council members have finished with you, you’re free to see Knight whenever you choose, as long as it’s not on pack property. But he’ll tell you all about that this morning. You’re seeing him first.”

  An unpleasant feeling settled in the pit of Mark’s stomach. This was too easy. Wes should be far more pissed off that Mark wasn’t going to be punished, or reprimanded, at the very least. Shouldn’t he? “I have to work,” he hedged. “Can’t leave them in the lurch. The lunchtime rush is a bitch.”

  Wes’s smile grew, and he glanced over his shoulder just as a member of his unit came into view. Mark sighed. Fuck. “As you can see, that won’t be a problem.”

  The shifter coming into the shop wasn’t one of Mark’s friends, but he knew him well enough. They exchanged greetings, and although he had to have smelled Alec all over Mark, he didn’t acknowledge it in front of Wes.

  Thank fuck I’m not in Wes’s unit.

  With nothing else for it, Mark handed over his apron and turned to Wes. “Now?”

  “Might as well, seeing as your replacement’s here.” Without waiting for Mark, Wes walked out of the shop.

  After a hasty goodbye to Carole, Mark hurried after him, cursing under his breath.

  They marched in silence to the pack-owned car park, where Wes had left his car, and Wes motioned for Mark to get in. The thought of being in an enclosed space together held no appeal whatsoever. Gritting his teeth, Mark opened the door and climbed inside.

  He’d expected Wes to yell at him now they were in a semi-private space, but he didn’t say a word, just calmly indicated and pulled out into the busy London traffic.

  The silence weighed so heavily on Mark, he’d have preferred the yelling. Wes oozed smugness, and for the life of him, Mark couldn’t fathom why.
Unless he’d lied earlier? But what would be the point in that? Mark would find out for himself soon enough.

  When the pack buildings finally came into view, Mark wanted to cheer with relief. That had to be the most uncomfortable car ride he’d experienced. As soon as Wes parked on the street in front, Mark unclasped his seatbelt. “I thought I’d try to find Will and Jason first. I need to check in with them. It won’t take me long.”

  Shaking his head, Wes turned to face him. “No. Newell’s waiting. Besides, they’re both busy.”

  Busy? Too busy to return a text message? Before Mark could protest further, Wes got out of the car and waited on the pavement for him to do the same.

  As soon as he was done with Newell, Mark was going to do his damnedest to track down one, preferably both of them. This was ridiculous.

  “Come on.” Wes gestured for Mark to go first.

  Out of time, he opened the door and went in. This wasn’t Mark’s building, he only came here for pack meetings, but it had never seemed this foreboding before. He headed for the stairwell, Wes hot on his heels. When he paused on the third floor, where the pack meeting room was, Wes pointed up the stairs.

  “Top floor. The council have taken over the meeting room.”

  Fuck, they were going to Newell’s flat. Mark had never been inside it and was in no hurry to change that now.

  When they left the stairwell, the corridor seemed endless, like a scene in one of the horror films Will watched. Newell’s door faced them from the end of it: dark wood and not at all inviting. Mark didn’t drag his feet exactly, but he didn’t hurry either.

  They reached it, and Wes crowded up behind him, leaving him no escape.

  Mark knocked.

  A few seconds later the door opened, and Alpha Steven Newell greeted him with a smile that showed far too many teeth to be welcoming. He glanced over Mark’s shoulder at Wes, and his smile turned sly. For the first time since this whole thing started, Mark was truly frightened of his alpha. Reaching into his pocket, his hand closed around his phone, and he seriously thought about trying to text Alec.