For a second Mark wondered if Alec would object to being ordered around, but his eyes darkened and he walked backwards towards the bed, slipping out of Mark’s grasp.
Immediately missing the contact, Mark followed, lunging at him, and tumbled them both onto the mattress in a tangle of limbs and laughter.
Alec ended up underneath, and Mark took the opportunity to bury his head in the crook of Alec’s neck. Fuck, he smelled good there. His teeth ached, and the sudden need to bite took him by surprise with its urgency. Lifting his head quickly as his fangs extended, Mark met Alec’s gaze. “Alec.”
Alec opened his mouth to show Mark his own fangs. “I know.” He pulled Mark down, with a hand on the back of his head, and rolled his hips up at the same time, his cock rubbing against Mark’s in the most delicious way.
Mark moaned, instinctively setting his teeth at the side of Alec’s neck, and matched the slow grind Alec started.
“I wanted to take my time with you,” Alec whispered, his lips brushing Mark’s throat with each word. “Wanted to draw it out, make you beg.”
“Mmmm….” It sounded like the best idea. For later. Their scents combined in the air around them, and Mark couldn’t concentrate on much other than the inviting expanse of skin under his teeth. “Can’t wait.”
Alec nipped him, drawing the skin between his teeth, and Mark whined.
Desire lit Mark up inside, claw tips pressing into Alec’s shoulders where he gripped them. “Fuck me.”
A low growl was the only response he got, then Alec was reaching off to the side and grabbing a bottle of lube off his bedside table.
Mark sat up, straddling Alec’s thighs to give him room, and watched, mesmerized as Alec slicked his cock. He went to pour some on his fingers, but Mark stayed his hand. “I’m good.”
Alec raised an eyebrow but set the lube down on the bed. “Like this?” He gestured to their positions.
“Sit up a bit.”
He waited for Alec to shuffle back and lean against the headboard, then moved to straddle his lap again. This was it. At twenty-four it wasn’t something he’d expected to be doing anytime soon, but when he met Alec’s gaze, the rightness of it all made his chest tight.
For a moment neither of them moved, the sounds of their breathing the only thing Mark heard above the pounding of his heart. Then Alec took hold of his cock, put his other hand on Mark’s hip, and slowly guided him down.
Closing his eyes, Mark’s focus narrowed to the press of Alec’s dick inside him. Every sensation seemed magnified, his senses heightened as though he was half-shifted.
“Look at me.” Alec coaxed Mark’s eyes open, and he looked down to find Alec licking over the tips of his fangs. It was insanely hot to think soon they’d be buried in Mark’s neck, binding them together.
He wanted it so badly, his whole body ached with it.
Neither of them looked away as Mark started to move, slowly at first, teasing them both with a slow, easy roll of his hips. Then his gaze drifted to Alec’s throat, and it was as though something inside of him snapped. Gripping Alec’s shoulders he started to ride him hard, and Alec soon caught on, driving up into him, hitting that spot inside of him with each thrust.
“Want to… bite you.” It was like Mark was fixated, unable to tear his gaze away from that spot to the side of Alec’s neck.
Alec grabbed his hips, claw tips sinking in as though securing him in place, and Mark’s head swam with the mix of pleasure and pain. Then Alec tilted his head to the side, whispered “Do it,” and his focus was back with a snap.
He barrelled towards climax, the thought of marking Alec almost enough to send him over the edge. He held on until he had his fangs set against Alec’s skin. One, two, three more thrusts of Alec’s cock and he came with a roar, tipping his head back before sinking his teeth into Alec and biting hard.
Blood filled his mouth, and he swallowed it down before retracting his teeth and licking at the wound as it began to heal. A curl of satisfaction spread through his body, and Mark wanted to howl with it. But they weren’t done yet.
Alec had stilled underneath him, and Mark drew back a little to meet his eyes. “Your turn.”
With a low growl, Alec flipped them over and pinned Mark to the bed. Ever so slowly he pulled out, then pushed back in. Mark might have just come, but as his gaze flicked from Alec’s fangs to his fading bite mark, he felt like he could go again. He grinned up at Alec and tilted his head like Alec had before. “That all you got?”
Another growl was all the warning he gave, then Alec started to fuck him in earnest, his gaze trained on Mark’s neck. The need in his eyes sent tingles down Mark’s spine, and he gripped Alec’s shoulders, tugging him forward. “Come on.”
“Never knew… you were so… bossy.” Alec punctuated each with a thrust, and Mark laughed, breathless and hard again. Fuck, he could get used to this.
The pulse in his neck throbbed like a beacon guiding Alec in, and he pulled him down further until warm breath tickled his skin. “Bite me.”
“Fuck.” Alec thrust into him one more time, then bit deep.
Mark clung to him, the pain lighting up all his nerve endings. He felt the connection flare between them, elation surging through his body, then settling into a steady hum. A contentment that wasn’t his filled his mind, and it took a second to realise it was coming from Alec.
Fucking hell.
With a gentleness that surprised him, Alec retracted his teeth from Mark’s skin and placed soft kisses over the wound. When he lifted his head and met Mark’s gaze, his expression was full of awe. He looked so much younger in that moment it took Mark’s breath away. “Can you feel it?”
“Yes.” Mark smiled up at him.
Alec smiled back, big and wide, his eyes crinkling at the edges.
Mark reached up to trace over them with his fingers. “I’ve never seen you look so happy.” In the days he’d known Alec, there’d always been something he held back. But now… now he seemed so open.
Leaning down to kiss him, Alec whispered against his lips, “I’ve never been happier.” The kiss was slow, deep and full of the promise of what lay in store for them. Mark felt it in his bones.
Alec was his.
He was Alec’s.
Everything he’d been through in the last two days had been worth it for this exact moment. Maybe it was too soon for the words bursting to come out, but they were bonded now. His skin still throbbed from Alec’s bite. “I love you.”
Alec’s breath hitched, and he trailed kisses along Mark jaw until his mouth found the mark he’d left. With a soft sigh, he whispered, “I love you too.”
EPILOGUE
One week later
Mark woke to the feel of Alec wrapped around him like he had every morning for the past week. The steady hum of their bond sat in the back of his mind, both reassuring and thrilling. Being mated with Alec was nothing like he imagined, but he wouldn’t change it for anything.
The phone vibrated again, and Mark reached over to stop it this time instead of snooze. Unlike the other mornings, they had to be up at a reasonable hour today. Cam had given Alec time off from all pack activity, and Jason had done the same for Mark.
Today, the alpha council were coming to give their decision about the fate of P-pack.
Alec appeared dead to the world still, but Mark knew better.
“Stop pretending. You can’t get away with that anymore.” He nudged Alec in the ribs and was rewarded with a grunt.
“Bonding with you was the worst idea I’ve ever had.”
Alec’s sleepy contentment was the only thing Mark felt through their connection, and he laughed softly. “You can’t lie to me. Remember?”
Another grunt, but Alec tightened his arms, pulling Mark back against him. Soft, warm lips tickled the back of Mark’s neck, and he sighed, closing his eyes for a second and enjoying Alec’s touch.
But they had places to be. “We need to get up. The meeting’s in less than an hour.” They were cutting it fi
ne as it was, and Mark knew that Alec hated being late to anything, let alone a meeting involving both packs and the alpha council. “Come on. I want to find out what’s going to happen to my pack.”
Alec kissed him once more, his mouth finding the spot on Mark’s neck where Alec had bitten him, then he rolled onto his back with a sigh. “You’re right. Let’s shower together to save time.” He squeezed Mark’s arsecheek, making Mark chuckle.
“Like that’s ever saved us time.” He still let Alec lead him out of bed and into the bathroom.
Under the hot spray, Alec drew him close. “Are you worried?” He squeezed shower gel onto his hands and began to wash Mark with slow, thorough motions.
Mark tilted his head back onto Alec’s shoulder and let him work. “Yes.” He shivered as Alec neared his groin. “I mean I’m glad Newell’s gone, but what if the alpha who replaces him turns out to be just as bad?”
Alec hummed as he eased Mark forward to get at his back. “The council won’t put your pack in danger. Whoever they choose will be someone they have the utmost trust in and will no doubt be closely monitored.”
Their connection remained steady, but something in Alec’s tone made Mark turn and face him. “You know who they’re going to choose?”
“No, but I have theories.”
“Care to share?”
“We’ll find out for ourselves soon enough. There’s no point.”
Mark narrowed his eyes, frustrated, but he’s learned over the past week that trying to get anything out of Alec was useless. Bond or no bond, if he didn’t want to talk about something, he wouldn’t. “Fine.” He huffed and turned away again. “It’s only my future we’re discussing. Nothing important.”
Alec tugged him back against his chest. “I don’t want to get your hopes up, that’s all. It’s just one option that they could choose. I have no insight into their decision making, so I’d rather not comment. Okay?”
Mark had an idea of what Alec’s theory was, and to be honest, he was trying not to think about it either. “You’re right. Sorry.”
“It’ll be okay, Mark.” Alec kissed that spot on Mark’s neck and held him close for a moment longer. “Now let’s get dressed and get this over with.”
When they got up there, the meeting rooms were empty apart from Cam and the other betas. Mark still felt like he was intruding. Sensing his discomfort, Alec took his hand and threaded their fingers together.
Mark didn’t need to ask if the council were here, he’d smelled them on the stairs as they walked up.
Alec walked over to the coffee machine in the corner, taking Mark with him, and fixed them both a drink. Leaning back against the desk, he asked, “Where are they?”
Cam glanced towards the double doors. “In my flat. It’s only Karin and Curtis this time.” Alec opened his mouth to speak, but Cam raised a hand, silencing him. “Yes, I spoke with them, and no, I can’t talk about it.”
Mark’s heart skipped a beat, and he tried not to get excited. If they’d already spoken to Cam, then maybe that meant….
The familiar smell of P-pack shifters wafted through the door, and Mark was up, letting go of Alec’s hand and heading towards it.
He grinned as Will came into view, followed by Jason and Harry.
“Hey, stranger.” Will pulled him into a hug, his face pushed into the crook of Mark’s neck, and Mark felt him wrinkle his nose. “Fucking hell, did you bathe in his ji—”
“Will!” Mark hissed and squeezed him a little too tight, making Will wriggle out of Mark’s arms.
“Sorry.” Will grinned back at him. “I’ve missed you this week.” His gaze drifted over to Alec, then back to Mark. He took a rather large step back. “Ugh, yeah. We can talk later.”
Mark looked over to find Alec glaring at them. As much as possessive Alec was a pain in the arse, he was also hot, and— No. He needed to stop that train of thought right now.
When Will shuffled to the side, Harry took his place, wrapping his arms around Mark and scenting him. Mark had visited Harry the day after he’d bonded with Alec, but he still took a moment to hold him close for that little bit longer. The threat of losing him was too recent for Mark to let it go quite yet.
Finally Harry released him, and Jason stood in front of him. He took Mark’s face in his hands and met his gaze. “Being mated looks good on you.”
Mark blushed but didn’t look away. “Thank you.”
Jason had fully recovered from his attack within a couple of days of being under Tim’s care, but his eyes still held a slightly haunted expression sometimes. Being attacked by his fellow beta had left an impression on him.
Tilting Mark’s head slightly, Jason dipped his head and scented him, and Mark relaxed under his touch. Thank fuck he hadn’t died. When Jason pulled back, he sighed. “I spoke to the council this morning. About Newell.”
“Oh?” Ever since the council meeting a week ago, there’d been no word about either Newell or Wes. Initially Mark hadn’t given a shit what happened to either of them, as long as they were gone. But now he wanted to know. Needed to for his own peace of mind.
“They’ve made their decision and will announce it in the meeting.”
“They didn’t tell you first?”
Jason gave a wry smile. “No. But I suspect they might have told Cam. Alpha courtesy.” If Jason had any thoughts on what was coming, he didn’t give anything away.
The meeting rooms had started to fill while Mark had been talking, members of both packs trickling in. The divide was easy to see, and Mark looked from Jason and Will, over to where Alec now stood with members of his unit.
Oh.
Where do I go?”
Up until that moment, being in different packs hadn’t been an issue. Mark had spent the days not thinking about much other than Alec, as though they were in their own bubble. But now….
Jason’s hand on his arm startled him. “If you want to go over to Alec, it’s okay. No one will think badly of you.”
A glance over at Alec made Mark smile. His anxiety melted away as Alec walked towards him, their connection strong and steady.
Jason laughed softly next to him “Or he can come to you.”
When Alec reached them, he slipped an arm around Mark’s waist and lowered his voice to barely a whisper. “They’re your pack. Never feel bad for wanting to be with them.”
“How did you…?”
Alec sighed, warm breath tickling Mark’s neck. “I felt your anxiety through the bond. It didn’t take much to figure out the cause.”
Alec made no move to head back to his unit, so Mark nodded over in their direction. “Don’t you need to join them before the council come in?”
“I’ve already spoken to them; they understand.” He kissed the side of Mark’s neck, right above where he’d left his mating mark. “I want to be with you when you find out what’s happening with your alpha.”
For a moment Mark basked in the glow that gave him, then all conversation stopped as the two council members walked in.
With Curtis beside her, Karin Wallace faced the room of shifters and surveyed the room. “Thank you for coming here today.” Like anyone would dare not to. “I understand the last two weeks have been extremely trying for both packs, so I’ll get this over with as quickly as I can.” She paused, and her gaze briefly landed on Mark. “Steven Newell, former alpha of the Primrose Hill pack has been found guilty of all charges made against him, as well as ordering the murder of one of his betas and the kidnapping of two Primrose Hill pack members. In light of his many years served as pack alpha, the council have waived the death sentence, but he will spend no less than fifteen years in the human’s shifter jail. Upon release, he will join a pack of our choosing, but will never again be allowed to attain the rank of either beta or alpha. He will also spend the first five years with that pack on probation.”
A murmur went around the room. The whole of Mark’s pack knew what their alpha had done, but there were still some who refused to believe it.
When everything settled again, Karin continued. “Wes Colford, former beta of the Primrose Hill pack, has been found guilty of kidnapping and attempted murder. We acknowledge this was carried out under his alpha’s orders and have adjusted his punishment accordingly.”
Mark wanted to scoff because Wes hadn’t baulked at doing any of it. He was just as guilty as Newell.
Karin continued. “He will spend five years in the human shifter prison and, upon release, will join a pack of our choosing. Once there he will spend the first two years on probation and will never be allowed to attain the rank of beta or alpha.”
Silence settled over the room as her words sank in.
Fuck, they were gone. They were really gone.
Mark glanced at his fellow pack members; every one of them had their gaze fixed on Karin, waiting to find out who their new alpha was going to be.
She smiled, surprisingly warm and reassuring, considering how terrifying she could be. “We have given great consideration to the future of The Primrose Hill pack. While a new alpha would bring change and a new perspective to your pack, we’re not convinced it’s what your pack needs right now.
“You need an alpha you can trust, someone to bring your packs back together again and mend any rifts that Steven Newell’s actions have caused.” A wry expression crossed her face. “This decision will not be popular with everyone, but we hope that with time, any grievances can be addressed and solutions found.”
Mark held his breath, and Alec’s fingers dug into his hip. So caught up in her speech, Mark had almost forgotten he was there.
“It is with great pleasure, I announce the rejoining of the Primrose Hill and Regent’s Park packs. From this moment forth, Alpha Cameron Harley will be your alpha. All betas remain in their current positions, and Alpha Harley will work with the remaining betas to appoint Wes Colford’s replacement.
“I am aware there will be a period of adjustment while the two packs are integrated, so I urge you all to work with one another to make this transition as smooth as possible. You are one pack now. That said, if there are any members of this pack who absolutely cannot accept this new arrangement after giving it due consideration, then you are welcome to voice your concerns to Alpha Harley, who will, in turn, bring them to me.” She looked around the room, power radiating from her, and Mark swallowed the instinct to bare his throat.
Bitten By Desire (Regent's Park Pack Book 3) Page 23