Marked Northern Shifters 1

didn’t need to stand in cold water.
    Liam knocked, then knocked more loudly. Turning the handle, he slowly opened the door and peered into the steamy room. “Alec?”
No response.
A little alarmed, Liam dispensed with the niceties of giving Alec privacy and strode over to the tub to push aside the shower curtain. He cut off the now cooling water and looked down at Alec who was curled up and leaning against the side of the bathtub.
“Alec?”
His eyelids fluttered, but did not open. Alec didn’t even react when Liam touched his neck. Feeling a strong pulse, Liam breathed easier. He grabbed a towel and dried Alec off as best he could before lifting him out and carrying him to his bed.
If Claire was right, Alec had been shackled in that shed for five days. The ankle was scraped raw and discolored. Alec’s face was bruised. At least the quad hadn’t bitten him again, even if they’d banged him up some.
Though Liam wanted to hold, warm and comfort Alec, he kept touch to a minimum and simply covered a shivery Alec with blankets. For days, Gabriel had controlled Alec and Liam intended to tread lightly. Still, he brushed damp hair off Alec’s forehead and caressed his cheek with one knuckle. Alec released a soft sigh. Then Liam let him be.
Alec’s short, dark eyelashes didn’t move now. His face showed strain, but Liam hoped Alec found some peace in his bed. Liam chose to lie on the floor for a couple of hours, otherwise he would reach for Alec in his sleep and he didn’t know how Alec would react to that.
Surprisingly, it wasn’t lonely on his rug, because listening to Alec breathe was such a reassuring noise after the terrible fear Liam had carried with him this past week. When they’d picked up Claire, he hadn’t known if her garbled account was accurate. The girl had appeared lucid, even clever, but she became easily confused by conversation, as if she had spoken little in her short life. Still she’d given them enough information to convince Veronica, David and Liam that they had to drive out to rescue Alec.
At six thirty in the morning, Ira rose and Liam crept out of the bedroom, leaving Alec to his deep sleep.
Ira wanted to see Alec right away, since Claire had seen him last night and Ira felt he had a prior claim on his friend. He refused to understand why he couldn’t just sneak in to peek at Alec sleeping.
“Alec is not on display, Ira.” Not anymore .
Ira frowned, uncomprehending, then started up again.
“Give it a rest,” Liam finally snapped and Ira stumped off to sulk in a corner. He wasn’t best pleased to have another child in the house.
Later, Veronica came downstairs with Claire. Ira was also jealous that Claire shared Veronica’s bedroom, for the girl was desperate for company and became distressed by the idea of sleeping alone. They all had breakfast after which the kids got distracted by David and a game of Uno in the living room.
Pulling Liam aside, Veronica took him back into the kitchen. “I’m really worried about Trey. He should be here by now. Do you think the quad could have got him?”
Liam grimaced. Right now he had a hard time thinking about anyone but Alec. The murderous rage that accompanied any thoughts of the quad kept Liam off balance. But he had to think, not let the fury and anger overtake him.
“Liam?”
“Huh?”
“I was talking to you. About what we should do about Trey.”
“Trey knows how to look after himself, because that’s all he ever does.” She regarded him steadily and while he didn’t look away, Liam’s face heated up.
“Trey busts his ass for us every fucking time we ask him to. Who helped extract Ira from the quad last year?”
“Okay.” Liam held up his hand. “I’m sorry. That was uncalled for. The guy just bothers me.”
“Alphas don’t like alphas,” she said dryly. “You know that. You also know Trey is one of the good guys.”
Trey also reminded Liam eerily of Gabriel. They both had the same cold-hearted approach to life, except Trey used his strength for good. Apparently.
Veronica sighed. “I understand you’re upset by what happened to Alec but, you know, I can be worried about Trey and be concerned about Alec’s well-being. One does not preclude the other.” She placed a hand on his arm, steadying him. “For what it’s worth, I’d be spitting with rage if someone did that to my David.”
Liam jerked away and stared, realizing the implications of what Veronica had just said. Her eyes were clear and she nodded