Marked Northern Shifters 1

large frame did look gaunt.
“So you thought I was Gabriel?” Trey inquired, tone mild.
    Heat flushed through Alec’s face as he wondered if Trey was taunting him for his fear. Which, no doubt, the wolf could easily smell, no matter that Alec tried to hide it. He had to swallow before he said, “You look like him.”
“We’re similar,” Trey agreed. “Quite admirable.” And he gave a sharp nod.
    Admirably similar? Alec tried to decipher what game Trey was playing, except his manner suggested he was playing nothing at all. At a loss, Alec looked around but Liam was attending to some concern of Ira’s. “Pardon me?” Alec asked Trey.
“He admires what you did,” Veronica translated.
    Here, Liam turned back to the conversation. “Trey’s been mostly wolf this past year and has forgotten how to make conversation.”
Trey looked at him darkly. “Good to see your fighting spirit, pup.”
“What, exactly, is admirable?” put in Alec.
“You stepped between Ira and me,” Trey informed him. “Not that it would have been any use if I’d meant you harm.”
Alec shrugged irritably. It wasn’t admirable to be useless, he knew that much. Liam squeezed his arm.
“Well, since you’re Liam’s mate…” Trey trailed off as Alec stiffened. He didn’t like discussing this with Liam, let alone others. It was like being told he was married when he’d never made it to the wedding.
“Was there an announcement I missed, then?” Alec asked.
“No.” Trey continued to chew. “You’re marked.”
Alec blanched. “Yes, I am. I have a fucking bite from your brother to show for it. But that was before I actually met Liam.”
Trey glanced at Liam with something Alec thought was reproof. “Have you explained nothing to him?” He turned back to Alec. “You’re marked by Liam’s scent.”
Once again, Alec felt himself turning red and he could just imagine the mottled color of his face. It was ridiculous, what this conversation was doing to his composure. He wanted to get out of here.
Trey went on, seemingly oblivious. Though no, Trey—this was just so great, a real bonus to living with wolves—would smell Alec’s emotions. Fantastic.
“The quad used the term ‘marked’ with you, I’m sure. But they stole the word and distorted something of beauty, as is their wont. Originally, a mark, among werewolves, is a mate’s mark.”
“You know, Trey,” interrupted Veronica, “I think Alec’s had enough.”
“Okay,” said Trey, strangely affable. He shot a look at Liam, who glowered over his plate. “Hey, Veronica marks David, too. We just don’t usually comment on it.”
“For good reason,” noted Seth. “It’s considered rude. What the fuck is wrong with you?”
So, Alec wasn’t the only one made uncomfortable by the conversation. That was semi-reassuring.
Trey’s affable expression disappeared. “I’ve been in my head too long and now I have to hunt and kill my baby brother.”
Veronica jerked a nod towards Claire and Ira who were listening, wide eyed.
“I think they know, Vee, better than anyone else, given their recent history.” Trey pushed away from the table. “I’ve lost my appetite.” He strode off.
Seth and Veronica exchanged worried looks, then she followed Trey out. “So.” David gave a heavy sigh. “Who wants to pull out the train set?” “Me!” exclaimed Claire who had developed a fascination for the toy. “Ira?”
“Okay,” he answered David ungraciously.
Alec, Liam and Seth cleaned up the kitchen.
    As they got ready for bed that night, Alec tried not to think about tomorrow, when Liam would leave him again. He tried not to think about his stupid dependency and this “mate” shit, too, but it was difficult. Everything was difficult these days.
“What’s your problem with Trey?” Alec asked.
    Liam glared, which actually did something quite delicious to that golden gaze of his. Then he looked down at his hands and flexed them. Lowering one’s gaze signified some kind of acquiescence to a werewolf, Alec knew. But Alec wasn’t a werewolf and he didn’t trust the gesture.
    “It’s just complicated,” Liam said finally.
“You think I won’t understand, then?”
“Are you trying to annoy me?”
Alec threw Liam a tight smile.
“Trey Walters is Veronica and Seth’s uncle.”
“That’s not too complicated, Liam. I think my little non-wolf brain can grasp the
relationship. In fact, I already knew that, but no doubt you felt I needed a refresher course. So, uncle,