A/N This one is pretty far outside my comfort zone. I've never been much into werewolves, so thank you leobutler, for the request/suggestion for this story. I hope you enjoy it.

Chapter 1

"Who do you think they'll get to replace me?" Kate asked McGee as he carried the box of her desk contents to her car. She had only just started to waddle, but her pregnancy had relegated her to desk duty for the last month.

"C'mon, Kate, you know no one will ever replace you," Tony chimed in. He was accompanying them, but like Kate, carried nothing.

Tim didn't really mind being the pack horse in this situation. It reinforced the outside view that he was the lowest in the pecking order on NCIS' team Gibbs. The box wasn't heavy enough for him to use his extra abilities, and to be honest, he was going to miss Kate. If only she had the gene so he could have had her join his pack... He made a mental note to ask Ari if there were any known geneticists with an active wolf gene. Although he suspected his mate would either lie or refuse to tell him if there was; Ari didn't believe that every technological advance should be exploited, and he tended to get stubborn about such things. Sometimes it sucked not to be able to use his Alpha coercion on his mate, but he'd never give Ari up.

"I meant who will be joining your team. I hope you make them feel more welcome than I felt," Kate said waspishly. "Maybe if it's a guy your little 'boy's club' can be complete."

McGee regretted having had to keep Kate out of the loop, but when he'd turned Gibbs, then later, DiNozzo, her hard-nosed religious background had contributed to his decision not to tell her she was working with a pack of werewolves.

"I wonder if we'll just be working short-staffed until Gibbs chooses someone," Tim suggested.

"Probably so, Probie," DiNozzo echoed.

Kate unlocked her trunk and Tim put the box inside.

"Good luck, Kate. Being an analyst is still important work, and the weather out there is sure to be better than here," he said. He put his hand out and he was only a little disappointed when she shook it instead of insisting on a hug. Tony gave her no choice and enveloped her, holding on too long, until she had to stomp his foot to get him to let go. McGee had to smile at the entire interaction. He had the best Omega ever. He knew some packs abused their lowest member, and those individuals took on the punishment gladly, knowing they were the pressure valve for the stresses of those higher ranked, but he was so pleased at how Tony dealt with his people, he adored the man. Everyone came to DiNozzo when they needed to, and Tony did whatever he could to help them; usually joking or taking them out to blow off steam, occasionally having sex with them, but more often just providing unending love and patience and humor to any and all of his brothers and sisters.

Tim repeated his well-wishes, then left them to a private good-bye. Back in the squad room, Gibbs gave him a cocked eyebrow to which he replied to his tough old Beta with a nod. After years together, they didn't need wolf senses dialed up to read each other. Tim told him good-night and headed home. Gibbs would probably stay and work for several more hours, maybe keeping Tony with him, or maybe letting the Senior Field Agent leave. It would depend on how annoying DiNozzo was when he came back from Kate's car.

At his apartment building, he sensed before he saw Sevannah Besson, one of the newer pack members, out front doing inclined push-ups with her feet up on the railing. He stopped and watched as she finished.

"Impressive, Sevannah," he said as she dropped her feet back down and popped lightly to a standing position. She laughed, only a little self-consciously. She'd been losing weight for a year before they met and he asked her to join, but the confidence she'd gained from being in the positive environment had fed her interest in health and fitness, and she was now one of the physically strongest members of the pack.

"Thanks! I've gotta get my reps in when I can."

"Well you put the rest of us to shame with your dedication. We need to get a group run in again," he said, referring to a full transformation wolf run in the wilderness. It bonded the disparate, far flung members, and Tim needed to make time for such activity more often.

"Not this weekend -"

"I know. Your son is visiting. I've gotta check my work roster anyway. I'll give you plenty of lead time," Tim assured her. She grinned appreciatively that he remembered details of her personal life. He'd never asked, but he had the feeling that her last pack hadn't been very supportive.

"See you later!" She called, hurrying toward the parking lot.

Tim felt good knowing he could care for his people the way he did. Sevannah's trailer had washed away in a spring flood, and since he and Ari, along with investments from several other pack members, had purchased the apartment building they lived in, she'd had a place to go. They kept several units vacant just for such emergencies, and he'd been proud of his people when everyone had contributed something to her new place with furniture, clothes, and food. She was a hard worker but had chosen to stay with a job she loved rather than chase a higher paycheck, so she hadn't had any reserves when the disaster had struck. He was pretty sure she was going to stay as a tenant in the building, and he liked having her close by.

He climbed the stairs with his mind returning to the problem of a new team member at work, hoping whoever they found would have the gene and either be a solo wolf willing to join his pack, or be someone who would agree to be activated toward the same end. But when he opened the door into his apartment, he made a conscious effort to let work concerns remain outside. Ari had been complaining about how much of NCIS' problems were ending up poured out on their couch with Tim re-hashing every petty squabble from the day. It was always best to keep one's mate happy.

Releasing the shroud from his Alpha power was one of Tim's favorite parts of coming home. Finding Ari there waiting for him was another.

With their heavy front door closed and locked, he slowly rolled his shoulders in his physical key to shrug the shroud away. The scent of his home told him everything Ari had cooked that day, what his mood was, even what time he'd showered. Every object in the front hall came into sharp relief, the light which seemed dim a moment before now holding a cheery brightness even as the colors faded. He listened and could pinpoint that his mate was in their study, sitting in the overstuffed leather recliner. A faint scuff and Tim knew he was reading a hardback book, probably one of the antiques they'd picked up on their last free Saturday when they'd driven up north to various small tourist towns. Being able to relax and just behave like another gay couple on vacation was always fun. Sometimes they'd invite the whole pack and go out in one of the wilderness areas and transform together. It had been months since they'd done that, so Tim made a stronger mental note to tell Gibbs to arrange for it soon. His Beta was always good at finding areas so secluded that they never saw another wolf, ranger, hermit, or hiker as they roamed.

Tim went into the kitchen, allowing Ari to come to him when he was at a good stopping point in his reading. Plating up the bloody rare steak Ari had left warming for him, and a scoop of rice pilaf, Tim let pleasure suffuse his body in greeting when he sensed his mate put his book down and head toward him. He set the plate down on the table and turned to embrace the older man, pulling him close and breathing all the subtleties and comfort of his scent.

Tim ate, and they spoke quietly, each of his day. As expected, Ari's eyes flashed a warning when Tim commented on his regret that Kate had been unable to be turned. Tim shrugged and gave a small smile, which broadened when Ari's mouth twisted, acknowledging the discussion that didn't need to happen since they both knew the outcome.

After dinner, they settled on their huge, platform style sofa and Ari started the video game they played occasionally. After fare welling Kate, Ari knew Tim wasn't up to working out or sparring at the gym as they sometimes did. Instead, they hurled insults at each other as they played, the distraction quickly beginning to lighten Tim's melancholy.

They paused their game, both their heads rising, cocked to hear better. Tony's car had pulled up outside, the sound of his engine familiar. They saved and shut the system down, putting the controllers away wordlessly. Ari went and unlocked the door, opening it just as Tony stopped up to the threshold. Ari turned away and went back to sit beside Tim, folding his legs up, leaning against his mate's side, and Tim put his arm around his shoulders.

"What is it, Tony? You seem worried; scared," Tim said. He could smell Tony's emotional state clearly. The senior field agent started pacing, not meeting Tim's eyes.

"So...Look, Tim, you know I've been seeing Kylie. You know she's a solo wolf," Tony finally started. Tim nodded and waited patiently. He'd suspected that this day was coming. "Um, well, so - it's like this: she thinks... She wants..."

"Just say it, Tony."

"I owe you so much. I was a mess, insecure, scattered, probably on my way to self-destructing... Tim, you gave me security. A place where I belong. The pack... It's better than family, and... I, uh, I feel..."

"Anthony!" Ari barked. Tim squeezed Ari's shoulder in both thanks and warning.

Tony froze. "Kylie wants us to start our own pack. She thinks I-can-be-an-Alpha," DiNozzo ran the words together at the end, unsure of how they would take it. He finally snuck a peek at the pair's expressions.

"Is that what you want?" Tim asked calmly.

"I-I owe you everything -"

"No, you don't. Your life is your own. I know that you would give it for me or anyone in the pack, but you have the choice. Is this what you want?"

"To be a-an Alpha, I don't even know if I can..."

Tim smiled. "Of course you can. Everyone I've turned could easily lead their own pack, or this one, if necessary."

With that statement, Tony's shoulders straightened and he looked directly at Tim. His Alpha's vote of confidence boosted his to soaring, and he smiled.

"Good luck, Tony. I hope you'll stay with NCIS."

"I intend to. Tim...thank you," DiNozzo had tears shining in his eyes and Tim rose to embrace him.

"I'll miss you, man. Everything in the pack has been better with you and your unending optimism and humor."

As he let go of the older man, Tim released the pack bond from him as well. As the faint awareness of Tony vanished from his mind, Tim reinforced his own confidence from his wolf power to be sure that his distress remained hidden. He could feel Ari lending strength from his vast reserve and he silently acknowledged his mate with a look. The loss resonated through Tim, spreading out among the pack, along with his assurance that all was well.

Tim remained strong, calm, and self-assured until Tony left, his stride different, a little tentative, as if he was used to the pull of his Alpha and needed to find his balance without it. He'd learn. After the door closed, though, Tim dropped the façade and turned in desolation to his mate only to find Ari already there, reaching to embrace him. The comfort of his arms was only part of the solace Ari gave Tim. That his mate understood him, supported him, and loved him was the succor he always needed. All the years ago when Ari had learned computers while he was in medical school and begun hacking, he'd found Tim's tentative searches online. When a blood transfusion after his car accident had activated his wolf gene, Tim had been desperate for answers to the changes that were happening to him. Ari had arranged for Tim to spend a semester abroad at Edinburgh Medical College, and he'd become Tim's teacher in all things werewolf, and his student in loving unconditionally. As Tim's refuge through every stressful event in his life, Ari surrendering to Tim had allowed him to become the Alpha he was: powerful as well as compassionate. Ari would do anything to let Tim keep his belief in the inherent good of all beings. It was far from the hatred and paranoia with which he'd been raised, so in his entire existence, that was most precious.

When Tim let go of the bolstering Alpha power, the emotions crashed over him and Ari was there. The pain of loss was physical, and sharp, and it would last for several hours, but endorphins functioned in wolves just as they did in humans, so Ari knew just what to do. His strong fingers massaged Tim's neck and back, and slowly peeled off all of his clothing while murmuring to him in other languages. The liquid sounds of Hebrew and Arabic mixed with French and a bit of German helped to distract Tim from his anguish. Shivering in reaction to the physical pain he felt, the raw hypersensitivity, he sagged gratefully against Ari's warm, naked body and rested there, standing quietly in his embrace.

When his shaking had eased, Ari drew Tim down onto their bed and carefully began placing light kisses on his face and neck. Beginning to rouse from the shock caused by breaking Tony's bond, Tim turned his head toward his mate, and Ari finally kissed him on the mouth. His long, deft fingers started trailing feather-soft over Tim's chest and arms. The gradual progression toward intimacy acclimated the Alpha's traumatized system to the pleasure that was coming. Ari had seen other Alphas who, at the loss of a pack member, immediately turned to fuck any remaining pack member present, but Tim was a sensitive sort and needed the special handling that Ari was happy to provide.

When Tim finally returned his kisses, Ari relaxed and moved on toward a more normal sexual encounter, eventually rolling on top of him and slowly grinding his hips down against Tim's.

"Oh god," Tim gasped. He pulled Ari closer, wrapping his arms around him and kissing him fiercely. It wasn't long before Tim took control, rolling over on top, and Ari smiled as he sensed his mate regaining his confidence.

Biting and laving Ari's neck while holding his arms pinned to either side of his head, Tim humped powerfully against him. They were both gasping and aching with pent up need before Tim reached for the lube and rolled Ari over, pulling his hips up and pushing his head and shoulders down against the bed. He applied the slick, cool substance to his throbbing erection and then slid home with one smooth thrust.

"Aaaee!" Ari yelped, his back arching, toes curling at the intense feeling. Tim dropped forward, drawing Ari up so he was on all fours and Tim could lean his chest against Ari's back. He could feel the muscles moving like cords under the smooth, tan skin, and he licked up his spine and breathed deep the scent of arousal coming from both of them. He withdrew slightly, then rammed back inside, relishing the grunt he elicited. Sliding one hand onto Ari's flat stomach and down to grip his cock, Tim started fucking in earnest.

The pain he'd felt earlier was a faint memory as the heat and friction made Tim bare his teeth and growl at how good it felt. His control relaxed and his canines elongated, his body hair thickened and lengthened, and his fingernails hardened into claws. Ari slapped his now part wolf hand away from his sensitive flesh and took over stroking himself as Tim panted toward his climax.

Vague awareness of the existence of neighbors made Tim muffle his howl as he slammed hard into his mate and came in blinding spurts. Ari cried out, feeling his gut fill with Tim's seed, and he fell over the edge as well, shuddering and shaking.

Flopping over on his side, Tim kept Ari tight against his chest, staying inside him as long as he could as their breathing calmed. Ari held Tim's arms as they encircled him, burrowing back to keep as much skin contact as he could. He knew his mate's mind was running over how Tony's loss would affect the pack, but he was pleased knowing he'd soothed the pain of the loss as only he could.

"Is James ready?" Ari asked quietly. Jimmy Palmer was now the lowest pack member, the Omega, and strangely, the position had more responsibilities than he'd ever had as next to lowest.

"He'll find his way. I think his style will be much like Tony's, so the transition should be smooth," Tim murmured. Ari stopped asking questions and let him fall to sleep, staying awake for a while himself, but finally succumbing to the draw, content in the shelter of his mate's embrace.

~~~NCIS~~~