Marked Northern Shifters 1

had given Liam any advantage. He’d walked away with nothing more than guilt and frustration, and a vow never to talk to Alec again. And now look at him.
A clear voice brought Liam back to what mattered here—Ira’s friendship. “Can you come to our house, Mr. Alec?”
Liam winced. No way would Alec want to visit the weird blond guy.
Alec saw Liam’s expression and answered Ira. “Hey, you visit here anytime, buddy, okay?”
Ira looked up at Liam beseechingly, ready to beg next, and Liam turned beet red. There was no hiding the heat on his face, but he forced himself to meet Alec’s gaze. He’d meant it to be a look of apology, but instead he and Alec locked eyes above the boy’s head and for a moment time stood still. Liam could get lost in those eyes.
Focus.
“Ira,” began Liam, “Mr. Alec is busy.”
Alec raised an eyebrow, as if this wasn’t true.
“No, he isn’t,” declared Ira.
Alec laughed. “Maybe your brother is busy.”
“No! He needs a friend.”
“Ira,” warned Liam and Ira stiffened under Liam’s hands. “Ira,” he repeated more softly. “That’s enough.” Alec didn’t need to know about Liam’s social life, or lack thereof.
Alec crouched down to Ira’s eye level. “Go on to the kids section, okay? Then we’ll chat more.”
Ira thought for two seconds before dashing off to leave Liam with Alec’s dark eyes and quicksilver smile.
“Do you want to invite me over?” asked Alec, amused.
“Sure,” Liam found himself saying.
Alec cocked his head. “You know, I hadn’t thought you and Ira look much alike, but the way you—”
“—look embarrassed?”
That made Alec grin. “Something like that.” He lost his smile. “Ira’s pretty attached to me. I don’t want to overdo it when I’m such a casual presence in his life. But I’d be happy to drop by sometime.”
“How about next weekend?” Liam suggested before he could really think about it and second-guess himself to death.
“Okay. I’m not working. Saturday afternoon?”
“Yep, great.” Liam dug out his business card. “It has my number if you need to cancel.”
“Thanks.”
Liam cleared his throat. “Ira’s had a bit of a rough road. I appreciate you being so kind to him.”
Negating the effort, Alec shook his head. “It’s been my pleasure.”
    “Next week , Liam?” said Ira, appalled at the wait of seven days.
“Well, Alec is working today—”
“Tomorrow—”
“We visit Veronica and David for the day.”
“Oh, yeah.” That quieted Ira, who liked the couple. Their only real friends, Liam
    supposed wryly. He needed to work harder on the social front. Which he had by inviting Alec, but Ira’s classmates should be Liam’s real goal. Unfortunately, Ira wasn’t comfortable around normals his own age.
    Nevertheless, Alec’s pending visit satisfied Ira. He and Liam had a quiet Saturday afternoon and evening, going for a walk and reading books from the library.
The next day they drove across town. Liam could always relax with Veronica. She was his kind, the only wolf he trusted. Her husband, David, put up with Liam and was good to Ira.
After spending a chunk of time with Ira, Veronica called Liam into the kitchen, ostensibly to help her cut vegetables. “Ira was burbling,” she declared. “I never see Ira burble. Who exactly is this Alec?”
“A librarian.”
“A librarian…” She gestured for more information.
“Well, Ira met him through his school.”
“Oh, you’re cute when you blush.”
Liam glared. “Actually, there’s a problem. If you can believe it, Ira is trying to matchmake.” No need to mention the Jazz Festival. Veronica wouldn’t approve. She thought you should become acquainted with people before you fuck, but that never worked for Liam. No one wanted to fuck once they saw his odd behavior up close and personal. But they did want to fuck when they first cast eyes on him.
“That’s so sweet,” Veronica was saying.
“Sweet, cute. Ira and I are quite the adorable pair.”
She flashed him a smile. “Indeed.”
“Too bad David doesn’t think so.”
“Liam, David likes you fine. I just have to reassure him every once in a while that we’re not going to run off together and try to make little wolfies. Never mind that my tubes are tied.”
“What part of gay does he not understand?”
“Don’t ask me.” She eyed him. “You are changing the subject. I think you like this Alec. I’ve never seen you blush—”
“I am not blushing.” He wasn’t. Not