in the water,” she said, giggling. “I’ve met my mate too.”
“You have? Well hell. Congratulations to you too.”
Marianne blushed. “Thanks, Luke. Actually that’s why I came here. My mate, John, is beta of his pack in New Mexico, so I’m gonna be moving there with him. I wanted to tell Kelan myself that I’ll be leaving the pack.”
“Oh well, Kelan just had some errands to run so he shouldn’t be long if you’d like to come in and wait.”
“I can’t, I was just on my way to work at the hospital. Could you get Kelan to call me this evening?”
“Of course. Say, have you told Cody your news?”
“No, not yet. It’s all happened so fast, I haven’t had the chance.”
“Marianne and Cody were best friends growing up,” Luke clarified to Mark. “They used to get in a whole heap of trouble together. Made Pop insane.”
Mark chuckled.
“We didn’t get in that much trouble, Luke,” Marianne said, her blush deepening. “Have you spoken to Cody recently?”
“No, not for a while. I’ll definitely have to call him now, though. Catch him up on all the news.”
“Yeah, me too. Well I’d better be going or I’ll be late for work. Tell Kelan I’m sorry I missed him.”
“Will do.”
Mark and Luke waved Marianne off then got Mark’s belongings out of the truck and took them into the house. They deposited everything in Luke’s bedroom then went down to the kitchen to make some lunch.
Mark insisted that Luke not go to any trouble so Luke took some cold cuts out of the fridge and set about making a salad to go with them.
“ Mmm , this is good Luke,” Mark said, practically inhaling his food. “I didn’t realise I was so hungry.”
“Well you did miss breakfast,” Luke said, making short work of his own plate.
When they were finished eating, Luke carried their plates to the sink. He had just started the water when Mark snaked his arms around Luke’s waist. He turned around in Mark’s embrace and placed a tender kiss on his lips.
“I’m glad you’re here,” Luke said.
“Yeah me too, Luke. There isn’t anywhere I’d rather be right now.”
Luke kissed Mark again, opening his mouth wider when Mark licked at the seam of his lips then slipped his tongue inside. Luke slid a hand down and palmed Mark’s erection through his jeans. Mark grunted and thrust his hips into Luke’s hand.
“Christ, I’d tell you two to get a room but you already have one here,” Kelan said, striding into the kitchen.
Luke pulled away from the kiss, his face instantly filling with heat. Kelan raised an amused eyebrow, his gaze dropping down to Luke’s hand. Luke’s face grew hotter when he realised he was still groping Mark’s hard cock. He jerked his hand away quickly.
“Sorry,” he mumbled.
Kelan waved away his apology, grabbed a bottle of water out of the fridge and took a seat at the kitchen table.
“So you find out anything at the guesthouse?” he asked.
Luke and Mark filled Kelan in on everything that had happened since they left the house that morning, including their run in with Ethan. Kelan whistled when they finished talking and leant back in his chair.
“Ethan Walker,” Kelan said, shaking his head. “I had no idea the man was gay.”
“Yeah, I bet his daddy doesn’t either,” Mark said. “Maybe then he wouldn’t be so quick to throw stones.”
“Is this the first time he’s said anything to you Luke?” Kelan asked.
Luke hung his head afraid to meet either his brother’s or his mate’s eyes.
“No,” he said, quietly.
“What the hell do you mean no?” Mark fumed. “Has he threatened you before?”
“No, he’s never threatened me but he’s been coming on to me for years, since I was about fifteen.”
Mark growled, nearly toppling his chair over as he jumped to his feet.
“I’m going to kill him,” he spat.
“Calm down,” Kelan said, his voice full of authority. “Luke, why didn’t you say anything before?”
Luke shrugged. “It was no