A/N – Usual disclaimers apply I do not own NCIS etc etc. Also this is unbetaed so apologies for any mistakes.
Hope you enjoy this chapter and I am hoping to get another one written soon which should be longer and we should get to meet the nasty Jarvis and his cronies, any reviews are greatly appreciated although flaming will be ignored.
The Claiming.
Snorting Gibbs waited, he watched the Alpha who glared at him, staying in his wolf form he did not move from his laid down position.
"You're trespassing." Alpha Kurt Greene growled, he was surprised the wolf was essentially ignoring him, maybe this stranger belonged to one of the other packs who ran in this area. "Do you belong to a pack?"
"No." The wolf seemed to growl the answer; even though he had not changed to its human form all the police pack understood his answer.
Greene hid a worried gulp as the strange wolf stood and shook itself, he had never seen a wolf so big, he had to show no fear though as he had a pack and lands to protect.
Gibbs sighed he no longer felt the need to fight as it would not be fair to the man stood starring at him, he now recognised the man as a law enforcement officer and he realised that the others must also be members of Washington police force and or family members. He looked at the deer he had killed, that would have to do.
"I offer tribute." Gibbs could see the surprise on the surrounding packs faces, a couple had changed to their human forms, and he sat on his rump and waited for the Alpha to accept his offer.
"I accept your tribute." Greene saw the massive head nod, he watched as the silver wolf began to walk away, he wanted to ask the man's name, but decided against it as the stranger obviously wanted to conceal his identity.
Gibbs walked unconcerned through the pack; he just wanted to return home, to his basement and his bourbon. Stopping dead he could not believe the foolishness of the young wolf who stood barring his path growling aggressively at him.
"Don't hurt him." A female begged she made no effort the get in between Gibbs and the snarling male.
Gibbs studied the gangly wolf, he noted the size of the animal, and his head tilted his lip curled back as he growled low in his throat.
"He doesn't know what he's doing, please don't hurt him." The same female appealed she looked to her Alpha.
"Davis was bitten not long ago; he's still trying not to let his wolf control him." Alpha Greene hoped he would not be forced to fight to protect the young wolf.
The silver wolf's hackles rose, he seemed to increase in size, the growls where low and continuous, blue eyes glowed with fire. The younger wolf blinked he suddenly realised he was attempting to challenge a bigger stronger fully matured adult male wolf who made his own Alpha look small. Whining the smaller wolf lowered its head and eyes, shaking as the larger wolf approached.
Gibbs wanted to teach the whelp some manners, so that next time the new wolf would exercise some restraint, because other werewolves may not be so forgiving. He continued to growl even though the young wolf was now on its belly whimpering, he looked quickly at the pack's Alpha, who after a moment nodded slowly.
Greene did not understand why he was allowing the strange wolf to discipline one of his pack, but he would step in if it got out of hand.
Gibbs loomed over the whining and whimpering youngster, he nudged the wolf, who immediately rolled over showing its vulnerable underbelly, he stopped growling and waited; the young man had his eyes tightly shut and was shaking like a leaf.
Greene and the pack waited with baited breath to see what would happen next, they all wondered what the silver wolf was waiting for.
"Please." The trembling wolf stuttered out the plea.
"I won't hurt you." Gibbs gently sniffed the smaller animal's throat. "But you need to control yourself."
"Yes sir." Came the timid reply.
"Your Alpha could be hurt defending you." Gibbs hid a smile as the young wolf bounced onto his feet and rubbed its head against his muzzle, he had forgotten how quickly pups bounced back.
"I'm sorry." The smaller wolfs ears flattened against his head, he had not considered how his Alpha would have fought to protect him, and the huge silver wolf would probably have ripped the other man to buts considering his immense size.
Greene and the others had expected the stranger to punish the new wolf in some way but the large silver wolf had not, in fact the man had been completely reasonable, even though he had the right to respond to the challenge.
Gibbs sneezed as his muzzle was licked, he raised a paw and gently batted the youngster away, the contrite wolf immediately went down on his belly again, Gibbs sighed, and he gave the still watching pack a put upon look. He then swiped a broad tongue across the small black ear he was closest to, he then started walking away, he felt the Alpha move beside his shoulder turning his head he looked into the wolfs brown eyes.
"Thank you for not hurting him." Alpha Green was curious about the stranger, he wondered if the man had just moved into the area. He would have to speak to the other Alpha's and see if any of them where aware of the new comer.
"Enjoy the tribute." The silver wolf sprang away and loped off in ground eating bounds.
Gibbs muscles bunched as he jumped his fence, he had returned to his house undetected, he needed to shower and change, because no doubt his team would arrive at his house sooner or later.
Standing under the hot spray, Gibbs washed the accumulated dirt from his weary body, the water drummed on his broad shoulders; he leant against the wall allowing his tense body to relax. Cocking his head the blue eyed man heard his front door open, he smiled as he heard Abby and Tony arguing over what take out they wanted to order. Gibbs listened intently; he could tell that not only where all his team present but Ducky and his assistant had joined them, he could hear the ME corralling the youngsters into his front room. Gibbs turned the water off, drying himself; he got dressed and walked slowly down the stairs.
"Gibbs we didn't think you'd mind us coming over." Abby pig tails swung as she bounced in place.
"It's fine Abs." Gibbs found himself wrapped in an exuberant hug.
"Boss do you want me to order pizza or Chinese?" Tony grinned at the older man.
"Order both." Gibbs suggested so as to avoid any arguments, he returned Ducky's smile with one of his own.
Getting himself a cup of coffee he listened to his team mates and friends banter, he felt the overwhelming grief slowly easing slightly, he settled on the comfortable couch, Tim, Abby, Tony and Ziva where all settled on the floor, they all looked towards him, each one silently asking for permission.
"Make yourselves at home." Gibbs words were barely out of his mouth before the four began stripping off their clothes, he looked over at the shy Palmer. "It's alright if you want to join them son."
Jimmy Palmer quickly stripped he joined the four wolves on the floor, he felt a gentle hand rub his head, looking up into his mentor's kind blue eyes he licked the hand. He felt a bigger body press against him looking into the playful eyes off his friend he felt a warm tongue lick his ear, snorting he shook his head.
"Outside if you're gonna play DiNozzo." Gibbs warned the big leggy wolf.
"Pups." Ducky sniggered as Ziva tripped Tony when he went passed her.
Gibbs and Ducky watched as the five wolves curled up together gaining comfort from each other, Ducky so wanted to change and join the pile, but he did not want to leave his human friend alone.
"Change Ducky I'll be ok and the food will be here soon so I won't be without human company for long." Gibbs calmly spoke, he had seen the need in the compassionate werewolf's eyes the desire to bond with the younger members of their diverse group.
Ducky had no hang ups with changing in front of his long time friend, he curled himself around the nearest wolf, getting a lick from the panting Forensic Scientist. He looked at Gibbs who was looking at them all with a half smile on his face, Ducky was once again saddened that his friend was not and could never be a werewolf, as he had been bitten in the past but had never changed, he was one of the rare people who were immune to bite a wolf.
Gibbs could see the look in Ducky's eyes he knew the ME was thinking about how he was supposedly immune to werewolf bite, Gibbs hated to deceive his friend, but his secret was his own.
Gibbs settled on his couch he could tell that all the wolves were sleeping curled into a pile, he could hardly tell where one started and the next began. Closing his eyes Gibbs allowed himself to finally relax.
The hazel eyes opened the large wolf stood and approached the sleeping man; climbing up onto the couch he rested his head on the jean clad knee. He felt a callused palm stroke his head, sighing he snuggled closer.
"You're not a lap dog Tony." Gibbs could see the were's long tongue and he glared down at the large wolf. "Don't even think about it DiNozzo."
Tony could not help himself and gave his boss and friend a lick, slobbering over his stubbled jaw and ear; he now wore a grin on his wolf face.
Gibbs wiped his face with his sleeve, he continued to stroke the soft fur on the broad head, his senior field agent rested his furry head back on his knee and soon Gibbs could hear the deep snores coming from the animal. Shaking his head fondly he allowed himself to relax once again.
The following morning Gibbs sat at his desk, he and his team where going over cold cases, his phone rang picking it up he heard the voice of Cynthia, Director Vance's personal assistant.
"The Director would like to see you."