Marked Northern Shifters 1

right?”
    Liam’s gaze intensified, the annoyance sliding into something else, and Alec thought he might melt. Instead he closed his eyes, and Liam’s breath was against his ear. “You don’t have to goad me into fucking you.”
    Alec cupped Liam’s sac and then before he knew it, he was against the wall, both arms pinned up above his head while Liam kissed him, hard and punishing, making everything flee, his fear, his doubts, his skepticism. All that was left was Liam and the fire in his blood. He no longer tried to control the whimpers that spoke of his need and he didn’t know where the lube came from, but Liam’s dick was at his hole, asking for entry and Alec shuddered as he opened to the golden fire.
    Alec gave himself up to making love to Liam, who caught him when he came, who came himself, shuddering, heart pounding. It was only after Liam pulled out and carried him to bed that Alec admitted, whispering into Liam’s ear, “I don’t want you to go tomorrow.”
    Liam forked a hand into Alec’s hair, holding him close. “Is that what you were trying to tell me earlier when you picked a fight?”
Alec just shook his head, though not in denial. He didn’t want to discuss his declaration.
And Liam knew, for he didn’t speak. But he caressed and kissed while Alec clung and, at some point, they both slipped into oblivion.
They woke in the middle of the night. A while later Liam was gasping to catch his breath and he said, sounding quite confused, “The sex just keeps getting better and better.”
Since Alec wanted to see his golden lover, he turned on the light. Liam looked sated and well loved, which made Alec grin at him. “Well, yeah. We get to understand exactly what the other likes. Sex usually improves on acquaintance, haven’t you found? At least until it’s time to break it off.”
Liam seemed a little uncertain.
“What?”
Crawling onto Alec, Liam buried his face in Alec’s neck. “Haven’t been with anyone like this before,” he muttered against Alec’s skin.
“You mean hanging out with eight people in one house figuring out how to kill psychopathic werewolves?”
Liam retreated, his face slightly red, his expression tense. “No.”
Alec felt guilty. “Okay, babe, I know what you meant. Come here.” He traced Liam’s check before pulling him back into his embrace. “I understand I’m ‘marked’ as your mate, but I’d rather return to a normal life before we figure out whatever the fuck that means.”
“ I know what it means.”
“It means you can fuck me to your heart’s content.”
Liam drew circles on Alec’s chest. “You can fuck me, too, Alec. I’ve told you.”
“You have told me. Verbal permission isn’t quite enough.”
Apparently unable to look Alec in the eye, Liam traced Alec’s ribs. But his brow was furrowed, as if confused.
“You stiffen, Liam, if I make any kind of move in that direction.”
“Still,” Liam insisted, as if it were a matter of principle.
Alec caught Liam’s hand so his lover would look at him. “And why is that? Because I’m your mate?”
He hesitated. “Yes.”
“So, it’s my duty or something?”
Scrubbing his face, Liam let out a weary sigh. “You said you were a top before we met.”
“Well, I gotta wonder, given the last couple of weeks…”
Liam growled. “ That is because you’re my mate.”
“Ah. Fated, were we?”
Liam refused to rise to the bait. “It just may be.” For the first time, Alec saw Liam smirk. It was rather cute. “You’re fated to fuck me.”
“I’m going to remember that.” He stroked Liam’s beautiful cheek one more time. “Problem is, Lee, I don’t believe in fate.”
“That’s okay, Al,” Liam said sleepily and sank down beside him.
Alec had to laugh. Then he ran his palms lightly over Liam’s arms and back, because Liam loved touch when he was on top. And the better Liam slept, the better shape he’d be in tomorrow when he went hunting quad.
Alec switched off the light and lay most of the night staring at the ceiling. But he took comfort in Liam’s heartbeat, his scent and his steady breathing.
    The next morning, their closeness seemed to evaporate as the tension overtook them all. Certainly the ability to relax fled Alec during breakfast. Little was said as everyone knew about today’s scouting expedition. Alec was not the only one worried about Liam, and Trey.
    After a light meal, Liam stood in the kitchen, ready to undress and shift to wolf. He turned to Alec who held