Losing Myself in You by Heather C. Myers

never liked speaking in front of them, but when it was necessary, he forced himself to do it. And if anything, this particular topic was quite necessary.
    "I know many members of this pack are wondering when I am going to take a wife," Marcus began. He never spoke with a preamble, instead going straight for the point. He could be quite blunt when it came to what he wanted to get across, but his pack respected him for his honesty. "I have put it off for a long time because I wanted to concentrate on the betterment and advancement of the pack, as well as the fact I have yet to actually experience phasing. But I do want to reassure everyone that I do know my responsibility concerning my position as Alpha male, and just because I have yet to actually take a mate does not mean I won't in the future."  He plopped back down and started cutting at his food, clearly done with saying anything more on the matter.
    "We are just worried," one of the Elders, a man named Thane, said. "There are just so many women out there who would suit you and this pack quite well…"
    "Maybe our expectations of you were higher than necessary," the other Elder, a woman name Razi, put in. "Your parents, may they rest in peace, found each other just when your father inherited the title of Alpha male. They had you shortly thereafter, and you were raised during his best years. Without your mother, he may have never made certain decisions that helped our pack prosper and gain the respect that we have."
    Marcus felt him growl softly at the mention of his paren ts. They had died a hundred years ago. Because of their shocking and abrupt death – Marcus never found the hunter that shot them - Marcus had to take control of the pack at a young age, and instead of turning his attention to potential mates, he focused on attaining as much knowledge as he could in order to be a great leader. He didn’t like anyone mentioning his parents; he felt like he failed them.
    "But he has chosen a mate," Julianne said, speaking up for the first time. Everyone, including the Elders and Marcus, turned to look at her. Marcus clenched his teeth together in order to gain some sort of control.  His first piece of food was left forgotten on his fork. How could she possibly know…?
    "She’s a human. I saw her. ”  A gasp from someone down the table.  Marcus didn’t even turn his head to see who it was.  His hazel eyes were set on Julianne, narrowed, calculating.  Her rose-red lips were turned up and her eyes sparkled brilliantly.  She was enjoying this. “She came to talk to him, but I intercepted her, unsure of her true intentions. His mark was there, though, on her neck."  She tilted her head down to draw eyes to her own slender neck, her finger brushing her pulse.
    E veryone turned to look at Marcus. How could Julianne have known and not spoken of Bridgette's presence, especially when she had supposedly wanted to speak to him? He couldn't exactly reprimand her now, and she knew this too, because most everyone was looking at him for some sort of explanation.  Some were looking at him with their full mouths hanging open, while others avoided looking at him altogether.  As though they were ashamed for him… or of him.
    "If I had my head on straight, it never would have happened," Marcus said, attempting to defend his actions as best as he possibly could. "Something just took over me, and I bit her. It was more animalistic than anything else."
    "A human?" Thane asked, completely ignoring Marcus's defense.  He didn’t sound too disgusted by it, Marcus noted.  Curious, sure.  Definitely weary.  But not disgusted.
    "I have never heard of an Alpha marking a human," Razi murmured, her face losing color.
    Murmuring pierced the silence.  Silverware clattered to the china plates.  One pack member – on older fellow – gulped down his goblet of wine.  The pups were still chattering away at their table on the other side of the room, as though nothing happened.
    "I'm not