Page 22 of Forced Wolf Bride

"Sorry to interrupt your evening, Diego. All right if I stop by? There’s something we need to discuss."

Zack would never ask me unless it was important. "No problem. I'm guessing it must be vital," I mutter before disconnecting the call.

Quinn and I had almost finished our delicious but awkward dinner, anyway. I notice she is back to looking a bit pale.

"Are you sure you're not sick or something?" I ask, touching her face to see if she's warm. It's very unusual for wolves to get sick, but passing bugs do happen.

She shakes her head. "Honestly, I'm fine. You go talk to Zack. It must be important."

I sigh, remembering that everyone in the pack thinks their problems are important. I spend my days sorting out business, personal, and pack problems. But I know Zack wouldn't bring something to me like this lightly, so I'm waiting anxiously for him on the porch when he arrives.

Quinn shot upstairs as soon as I cleared away our plates, and I still can't shake the feeling something's wrong. My wolf is on edge, pacing. He feels it, too.

“What’s that expression about?” Zack asks as he approaches me.

I shake off my concerns about Quinn. "Nah, nothing. Quinn just seems a bit out of sorts," I admit.

"She okay?" he asks, genuinely concerned.

"Yeah, she'll be fine. Probably be better if I let her talk to her friend." I sigh.

Zack shakes his head. "Damn mess, really. But she is your mate, and the two of you seem very bonded. It's actually been a hell of a thing."

It really has. Kidnapping Quinn might just be the only beneficial thing Marcus has ever done for me and the pack.

"Anyway, what brings you here tonight?" I ask.

Zack runs his hand through his thick stubble that’s edging closer to a full beard by the day and sighs, "We gotta talk about Marcus, Diego."

This isn't the first time Zack has started a conversation with that opener. I'm about to tell him to save it for later, but he continues. "Marcus has been holding some meetings of his own, not just with his boys, but inviting others in, too. He's trying to gauge support for a challenge, Diego. It's happening."

This is the least surprising news, though the timing could be better. Marcus is a problem I’ve been planning to deal with for a long time. It was difficult when Tyler was always fighting in his friend's corner, but now I can't help but wonder if ridding the pack of Marcus might have helped Tyler. The two seemed to feed off each other, and they shared many of the same views. Views that didn't help the pack.

But Marcus has been useful since Tyler's death. His sense of outrage has somewhat fueled mine. I've been reluctant to deal with him because I also wanted to use him in my plans for revenge against Mason and the rest of Silverstar.

"What exactly have you heard?" I ask Zack as I sit on the porch step.

"They're obviously ready to step up on plans concerning Mason. We all are," Zack begins carefully. "Marcus is still hot on his plan to use Quinn to taunt Silverstar into retaliating, a video or something threatening her. Tie her up and show some bruises, that kind of thing. He knows Mateo won't stand for it and will agree to meet."

My wolf fumes at the thought of Marcus wanting to use his mate. "Stupid boy. I can't believe the balls on him to still be talking about using Quinn when I already shut that down."

Zack shakes his head before adding, "He thinks the bond is clouding your judgment to how useful she could be."

My eyes flash dangerously. Inside, I'm seething, but I try to temper my reaction. Zack’s on my side. He'dbetterbe on my side.

"And what do you think, Zack? Do you think my judgment is clouded? Do you think I should use and terrify my mate?"

"Hell, no!" Zack scoffs. "There are a ton of different ways to get back at Mason, challenge him, and avenge Tyler. Marcus has caused more problems than he's solved by going off and smashing things up. He likes to pretend he's doing it for Tyler, but you and I know better. This is a power play."

I nod thoughtfully. "Time’s coming to put that boy in his place or out in the cold. I'll meet with the elders tomorrow. Mason and his friends killed Tyler, and it's time I bring this to a close."

"You have the support of the pack, Diego. Always have, always will. Marcus talks a good game, but when it comes down to it, he's no alpha. And sadly for him, he's no match for an alpha," Zack adds darkly.

We both know it could well come down to a physical challenge. There have been only two challenges in the many years I've been alpha. One ended in surrender and banishment. The other, in death.

I love my pack, and however deserving the punishment, killing a pack member is not without sadness for the family and pack members left. But I won't hesitate where Marcus is concerned. Especially if he's looking to hurt or scare my mate, just to continue playing around at revenge.

Zack's about to say something else when he pauses, looking behind me into the house. I turn slightly, just in time to see Quinn slipping away. Damn, I wonder how long she's been there.

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