4
They got to the restaurant and Jack slid out to stand by the door and offer his hand, Gwen seizing it and pulling him towards the restaurant as Ianto sat with one leg out of the limo with a look of shock. Rhys looked at Jack's retreating back and then at Ianto who was pulling his leg back into the car.
"Take me back home" Ianto said softly to the driver, then looked up at Rhys, "Nobody likes to be the third wheel here. Let him know if and when he notices me gone that I was looking forward to his arm around me, not her."
Rhys slammed the door and glowered, then nodded to the driver who shrugged and turned the car for home. Rhys then stormed up the path and pushed past the bouncers who knew this one well enough to step aside.
Ifan stood inside the doors with Jack and Gwen politely greeting the woman, turning as the door opened with the expectation of seeing Ianto.
"He's gone home" Rhys said shortly, "You left him there in the car. Walked away when he is feeling so vulnerable. You left me there to protect him and apparently I am not Ted enough for the dark walk to the door. He wanted me to tell you he expected that arm she is clinging to around him. Not her. You are my boss and my friend but right now you are not my Alpha."
Rhys stalked off as Jack gaped as him and then turned to look down at the red talons clinging to his arm.
"Gwen?" he asked slowly, "Have you been teasing Ianto?"
"No" she snorted, "Just having fun. If he can't take a joke then he needs to remember who is paying his salary, doesn't he!"
Jack blinked, then reared back as Ifan took a sharp intake of breath and let out a low rattling growl that had several others in the foyer stopping and moving with speed in the other direction.
"Did you just call my grandchild a rent boy?" he snarled, his teeth elongating as he spoke and Gwen saw the strength and power of an old Alpha.
She blinked and looked at Jack who was face palming as he mentally kicked himself for not being clearer with her and putting his mate in a position of being treated as a lower rank.
"Gwen. Ianto is my mate. My Teddykin Mate. He is pregnant with our first cub, that's why he is so self-conscious and sleeping a lot. He's hibernating as many do while in cub. This was his first night out since we were attacked and he was almost killed by his clan who disapprove of us. Tell me you did not belittle or harm his fragile bear right now" Jack pleaded, desperate to be told Ianto was just tired, "Please Gwen. You've not been slapping him down like you used to with Ifan. Please. You were respectful of him in our den right?"
She blinked.
"Ah Christ!" Jack took off outside, finding Rhys climbing into a cab and he got in as well, knowing he deserved the glare from Rhys as he gave the address and they raced home.
Ianto's clothing was dumped on the floor of the bedroom and there was just a lump in the bed as Ianto had rolled himself in the bedding like a slug and Jack could not tell where his head was, actually…he was unsure if he could breathe. Jack looked around and the bags of clothing had been thrown into a corner unopened, more clothing that had been on the bed thrown in top.
"What's going on" Francine demanded as Jack closed the door and retreated, "He came in here with a face like thunder and started growling and slamming things about in there. I tried to go in and he told me he wanted to be alone, his tummy hurt."
"Gwen" Jack said shortly, "I didn't realise. She has been needling and digging all day. I thought they would get along, be friends. It never occurred to me that she would challenge him or try to stake some sort of predatory claim to me behind my back. We've been friends for years, I bloody love her like a sister."
"And I love you too" Gwen said in the doorway, "I was only having fun. I thought…I mean he looks so much like him. I thought he was one of those designer pets, ya know?"
Jack's hand around her throat was unexpected and chillingly cold as he slammed her back against the wall, "I have killed for him. Would die for him. He is mine. I am his. Don't you get it? He is not a fucking pet, he is my heartbeat! That is why I loved Ifan, I know that now. Because of their similarities. We are destined. We have always been together, in each lifetime. Always and forever. Ianto is my equal!"
Ianto moved in the bedding as he heard the thump followed by the loud growl as Jack roared into her face and he hoped there was spittle. Sticking in her fucking hair. Bitch.
He knew he was being a child, knew he shouldn't blame Jack but his hormones were raging, the cub was growing and he was so bloody tired. Teddykin hibernate while in cub, they don't go swanking about to lunches, dinners and parties.
Ianto felt shame for being annoyed, his hands rubbing his cub as he assure her he was not angry at her, only the stupid arsehat out there.
Jack slumped on the sofa as he caught it, the anger and sorrow.
They had come so far an in one evening he had hurt him all over again.
Jack kicked the coffee table and it flew across the room missing Gwen by inches to lodge in the wall like a modern art instillation.
She realised a little too late that she had gone too far.