CHAPTER 19
“We need the Prime Alpha here, now!” Marcus was barely in control of his anger, and Caster could understand his agitation. But even as he tried to explain the considerable threat Zeke posed to his kind, Caster’s mind remained on Mark’s safety.
His father had been busy, and Caster was not comfortable leaving Mark alone, even with Riley’s reassurance that the protection spell would always work as designed. So, they tore Marcus away from the latest attempt to locate Uncle Lucien.
He shook his head. “Can you imagine what he’s dealing with?”
The tension coming off Marcus in waves was rare.
“So, he always could control all other wolves?”
There was a hint of pride, even admiration, shining through the anger in Marcus’s tone.
Even in the midst of the enormous threat they would soon have to face, it was impossible not to admire the Prime Alpha’s impressive ability.
He nodded. “I always suspected, and Mark confirmed it.”
Marcus rose from his seat, moving around his massive desk to lean against it. “How is he?”
Caster’s heart swelled at the question. The concern Marcus didn’t try to hide shone through the three words, and Caster thanked the man who was a second father to him with a nod.
“He’s fine. Zeke tried to get to him, but he couldn’t.”
There was no need to reiterate that he would die first before allowing that resurrected Alpha anywhere near Mark.
Marcus nodded. “Good. He stays here until we figure this out.” He pushed off the desk, his full attention on Riley. “I need the protection spells on the house reinforced.”
“Already on it,” Riley said, the low hum that was his power distant, but ready to be deployed.
Marcus turned to Caster. “Do you think Mark can convince his brother to come here, even for a few hours? I think we need to have a formal meeting with him and the members of his Council that remain loyal.”
“It's doable. I know his priority is protecting Mark, so yes, he’ll come.”
“Good.” Marcus moved back to his chair and sat with a sigh.
He glanced at his watch. “Damien should be here in a few minutes with X and Cy.”
He rubbed at his eyes, and his mask slipped for a second to reveal a frustration Caster could understand.
“I’ll arrange for that meeting as soon as they get here. Your mother wants everyone gathered for dinner tonight. Do you want Mark to meet your father before then? It might be less overwhelming for him.”
Caster nodded again, Marcus’s concern for Mark warming his heart. He smiled. “He’s already intimidated. A formal dinner with everyone there might not be a great way to introduce them.”
Marcus chuckled. “Yes, your father has that effect on people.”
Riley stood with a sigh, transforming the light moment into one loaded with potent tension. “I’ll go check on Ben and Mikey.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Then deal with the protection spell.”
Caster watched his powerful friend walk out of the room, each step he took towards the door heavier than the last, and he worried for him.
Something was going on with Riley that he seemed unwilling or unable to share.
But a friendship borne of trust over centuries told him patience was the right call.
Riley would tell him when he was ready, and Caster would be here to offer his support in any way he could.
Caster reached for the unique rhythm of Mark’s heart. He seemed awake, but calm, and he breathed a sigh, relaxing into his chair. Other than Damien, Marcus was the only person he could be vulnerable and safe with in equal measure.
“You want to discuss it?” Marcus was always one step ahead.
“He is it, Marcus.” He tried and failed to keep the awe out of his voice even as Marcus’s face maintained the calm assurance he needed. “His surrender is exquisite. I fear he might need me too much.”
Marcus shook his head. “He won’t. And if he does, I am confident you can handle it. Does he trust you?”
Caster’s mind went back to the perfect scene they’d shared in the cabin a few hours earlier. The extent of Mark’s trust in him was apparent in the way he let go of everything, in his total surrender to the pain. He couldn’t help his smile.
Marcus smiled back. “There you go. That’s all you need.”
But then Zeke, the Alpha’s determination to get to Mark, the memory of his confidence that Mark would be his, was impossible to ignore. “But there is Zeke…”
“You seemed to handle that well from what you’ve told me.”
Marcus’s subtle shake of the head stopped his argument.
“Mark is here with you. When that Alpha threatened him, he called to you with such powerful intent, you were dragged into his mind. That is nothing short of extraordinary.”
He smiled. “In all my years, I’ve never heard of that happening.”
“It was strange and sort of normal at the same time.”
“What did Riley say about that?”
Caster shrugged, even though the enormity of what they discussed was a considerable weight on his shoulders. “He said it was a consequence of the protection spell. I don’t understand it, but I am thankful Mother thought to connect it to me.”
Marcus's knowing nod was not surprising. Of course, he was aware. “I learned a long time ago that Celine can see ten steps ahead.”
Caster smiled, his heart lighter. “Yeah, it is best to just do what she wants. It is easier that way.”
Marcus glanced at his watch again and then reached for his phone.
“That’s why I’m praying Damien gets here in time for her dinner. I don’t want to have to explain to her why her boys aren’t here. She needs to see Mark. I told her to give you some space, but you know she doesn’t listen to me.”
He waved a hand between them. “When news of this new threat reaches her, if it hasn’t already, she’ll be looking for him.”
Caster nodded. “I know.” He reached for Mark’s heartbeat again, allowing its echo in his mind to calm him.
“Hey…” Marcus waited for him to meet his gaze.
“Nothing will happen to him.” The conviction in Marcus’s tone was impossible to ignore.
“This time, he has you and me, which means he has the whole vampire army behind him.”
He leaned forward, his tone hardening. “That witch and her resurrected Alpha will find it very difficult to reach him.”
For the first time since he’d occupied Mark’s mind space, Caster felt calm, reassured of his position in Mark’s life.
His love for Mark was exponential in its capacity.
It scared him and thrilled him in equal measure.
But with his family’s support, he was certain they would survive whatever was coming.