Marked Northern Shifters 1

worse than feckless Bill.
Alec walked in, threw his keys and wallet on the table and went to the fridge for a beer. He opened one for Liam, silently gave it to him, then sat on a chair.
He would not speak, dammit, though Liam evidently felt at a loss for words. A part of Alec wanted to help out, but he didn’t have the energy to make awkward conversation.
He didn’t even have the energy to look at Liam. Those golden eyes and beautiful face made him weak in the knees.
Liam sighed, exhaling shaky despair. When Alec lifted his gaze, Liam immediately did the same. The golden boy looked a little lost. Which didn’t explain what he was doing here, even if it eased something within Alec.
“Are you going to jump on me today?” Alec asked.
Liam grimaced. “No. I’m sorry about the other night.”
Alec guzzled some beer, ignoring the apology. “Then why are you here?”
Avoiding Alec’s eyes, Liam muttered, “I have a request.”
“Okay.”
That sigh again. It rather got to Alec. If either he or Liam were halfway normal, they might be able to start something. But not like this, not like this.
Liam hunched forward.
“Yes?” demanded Alec, impatient.
“Would you take off your shirt?” Liam winced while he asked.
“No.” Keeping hold of his temper, Alec put down his beer and stood. “There’s your answer. You can leave now.”
“Christ.” Liam looked away. The man’s desperation made Alec uneasy. He’d invited Liam up because he just didn’t care about anything. But apathy never lasted long and he was beginning to care enough to be unnerved by Liam’s behavior.
“I want you to leave.”
“Look.” That intense gaze of Liam’s pinned Alec. “I promise you I will be out that door in a heartbeat. Just take off your shirt.”
“No.” This was fucking stupid. A fucking stupid end to a stupid day. The hottest guy Alec had met in years had asked him to take off his shirt and it made him angry. Alec had the urge to slug Liam.
With apology in his eyes, Liam set aside his untouched beer.
“Oh, no.” Alec backed up and Liam followed him.
“That’s all, Alec. That’s all.”
“I don’t want to,” said Alec between gritted teeth. He didn’t know what Liam expected to see. His chest wasn’t bad, but the scar marred everything, inside and out. It made him sick.
Liam reached for him and Alec jolted back, hitting the wall.
“Shhh,” soothed Liam, and Alec considered fighting and fighting hard. His heart was pounding now but not entirely out of fear, and wasn’t that fucked. Did he like feeling threatened by Liam? What the fuck was wrong with him?
“Okay, okay.” Liam touched Alec’s neck.
Alec glared at him, furious his body and his mind were not in sync. To be ordered to take off his shirt and not fight it—everything was wrong with that scenario.
Slowly unbuttoning the shirt, Liam avoided his eyes, his expression grim, not full of desire like last time. Confusion made Alec jerk sideways and, grabbing his shoulder and waist, Liam pinned him against the wall.
“Hold on,” Liam murmured. “Please.” When Alec didn’t move he returned to the last of the buttons.
“What the fuck are you doing, Liam?” hissed Alec. His pulse was beating in his neck now. Fear, because Liam would soon see the bite. Even if Liam didn’t know where it came from, Alec did.
Liam looked down as if bracing himself. Alec didn’t know what Liam was waiting for because the buttons were all undone. Taking a deep breath, he brushed the shirt to the side to reveal the ugly, torn flesh—healed, yet the angry, red glare of it radiated. Or so Alec felt. Sometimes he thought the scar was alive, infecting him. Liam stared, as if memorizing the hideous pattern.
“Dog bite,” claimed Alec, needing to take away the mark’s power.
For the briefest of moments, Liam let his forehead drop against Alec’s, and Alec caught a glimpse of a white, bloodless face. Then Liam pulled the shirt closed again and stepped back.
Christ, this hadn’t gone at all as Alec expected.
“Satisfied?” asked Alec, all bravado. There wasn’t much else left of him right now. He’d forgotten to eat today. He was living on air.
Stricken, Liam met his gaze. “I’m sorry.”
“You’re sorry.” Alec stepped towards Liam. “What the fuck for?”
Liam opened his hands but that was no answer. Pressing his palms against Liam’s chest, Alec shoved, causing Liam to stumble back.
He frowned. “Alec?”
“What is wrong with you?” Alec went to push again