Chris didn't explode. He didn't snarl, yell or growl. He didn't even twitch a single finger.

It was a lot worse. A lot more frightening. And very much unnerving.

He simply grew very still.

All of him.

Completely, utterly still. Not a muscle twitch, barely even a breath. The very air around him seemed to change, thickening, condensing into an explosion of epic proportions. It was a storm brewing in the distance, the air charging quickly, hairs standing on end. The lightning within the hazel eyes was there, a flash so brief and gone again, it could have been an illusion.

But it hadn't been.

It was a look that had Ezra want to pray for Maude Emmet's soul.

The Fenris was about to go hunting and he wouldn't stop until he had brought down his prey.

Ezra doubted his alpha had the political connections someone of Maude's experience had, but he didn't need them. If he wanted, if he really set his mind to it, he would find the woman and he would end this once and for all.

The crossbreed stepped forward, fingers curling into the black shirt, as much for his own steadiness as for Chris', anchoring himself on the powerful man, providing the same in turn. He took in the rigid line of the other man's shoulders, the tension that seemed to be an almost physical force.

Hazel eyes, purely human and because of it so very terrifying at the moment, met his.

::Chris::

It was one word and it carried power as he used the silent connection they had, trying to catch this before things spiraled utterly out of control. He didn't want Maude's death. He would never want that, simply for her to leave him and his pack alone.

There was no reaction for a long time. Hazel eyes met green, staring at him, assessing the other man like Ezra was the last obstacle to his hunt, but then Larabee's fingers curled into Ezra's vest, pulling him close, and he dropped his head against the crossbreed's neck.

::The woman has a death wish::

The words were barely human, the voice not Chris' own, low and feral. It should be disturbing, but somehow Ezra couldn't care less.

::Maude isn't someone to give up easily. I'm her investment::

::You're not an investment, nor a business transaction anymore!:: Chris snarled, raisin his head again. He sounded like he was swallowing gravel. ::You're a human being! You made a decision and nothing she can do will change that::

::Nothing:: Ezra agreed softly. ::It won't stop her, Chris::

There was a surge again and the burning eyes were terrifying. The other man's jaw clenched, muscles ticking. Chris' eyes held sheen of gold, almost an illusion, and the deep growl was far beyond human now.

::Don't:: he whispered.

Lips drew back from blunt, human teeth.

::She's not worth it::

A shudder went through the lean frame and finally Chris let his head drop toward Ezra's shoulder again. Ezra simply let the powerful presence anchor itself completely on him.

They stood silently together.

For a long time.

Ezra let his fingers scratch lightly over the scalp, then slide down to caress the hard tendons of Chris' neck. The alpha's whole being seemed to relax, the tension flowing away, and Ezra let him wrap an arm around his waist, hold him tight.

Finally Chris exhaled, warmth gusting over Ezra's skin, and pressed a kiss against the damp area. If it had a little more teeth to it, Ezra wouldn't mention it.

The kiss was tame in comparison to the heated mood he felt emanating from the other man. Larabee had been in countless confrontations, in fights of life and death, but Ezra had never felt him so… tightly coiled, so close to losing himself, and still looking absolutely human. There wasn't a single shift in his eyes once again, there was nothing that showed what prowled around inside his very soul.

::She has made new enemies:: Chris whispered, emotions clear now.

::She's used to it:: Ezra answered softly, sounding almost resigned. He ran one calming hand along Chris' side and back. It was an unconscious gesture, keeping the powerful alpha grounded on him by touch alone.

His mother had left wounded hearts and broken hope in her wake before. For decades. This shouldn't be new, but since it now concerned Ezra himself, it was all the more painful.

::She won't be back:: he murmured. ::She burned herself here. She burned this town."

He knew she wouldn't. It would be too dangerous and Maude wasn't that stupid.

::Not in person, she won't:: came the low rumble.

Chris had to say what had been on Ezra's mind. Of course she wouldn't be back in person. But she had connections and she had money. She could always send a hired gun.

The crossbreed felt something shiver through him. Would she really? Well, not someone with a real gun, he amended. But she would try to destroy him, one way or another. He had defied her, had gone against the woman who considered herself his mother and entitled to his obedience; even now.

::She's trying to spook me, make me run. Turning the town against me would have done the trick not too long ago::

Ezra had never known her to be a singularly vindictive person, but apparently losing him to Chris, to a pack, and the fact he was now mated to the pack alpha, had changed something in her. Maude was on a warpath. Had Ezra been running a con, using Chris' affection and love to his advantage, she would have been all for it. But this was real and she didn't understand real.

He just wondered how far she was willing to go.

Coming here, trying to convince him to break off his so-called con in Four Corners, was one thing. Confronting an alpha wolf was another. And now, using anonymous letters, slanderous articles, and clearly outing him as a crossbreed to the town newspaper, was like a declaration of war.

::She still threatened your life:: was the harsh reply and murderous violence sparked in his eyes.. ::She dared to challenge me!::

::Chris…:: He curled his fingers into the black shirt more tightly, felt the sinewy strength, the hard muscles, and Ezra knew that he wouldn't stand a chance to hold this man back should he want to break free.

The alpha protected his pack. He took care of them. He trusted them and they could trust him in return.

Another kiss. It ended in a little nip. Ezra had to smile involuntarily at the easy affection.

::It's a nice enough day:: he said conversationally, not so accidentally switching the topic abruptly.

He needed to get his alpha out of whatever downward spiral this was leading to.

Chris' brows rose and his lips twitched, clearly aware where this blatant attempt at topic-switching was coming from. But Ezra sensed the darkness slowly receding.

::You offering company for patrol?:: he asked. ::Voluntarily?::

A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, easy and lightly teasing. The rush of emotions had run its course and Ezra was looking at the level-headed team leader he knew.

::Seems like it::

Another kiss.

::How can I decline such an offer?::

::I see no way you could:: Ezra grinned. ::Take it while it's still on the table::

::You have a due date on that?::

::I just might::

And this kiss was longer, deeper, relaying everything and still not enough. Ezra let himself be taken by the physical force that was Chris Larabee, not even trying to fight back. When they parted, the hazel eyes reflected less of a storm and more of a balanced human being.

He still didn't move, though.

"Patrol?" Ezra reminded him, voice soft, breaking the silence that had been between them.

"Patrol," Chris agreed reluctantly.

Ezra ran a calming caress over the slender back, drawing a soft sigh.

"I think we should get going," he finally said.

"Before…?" Ezra teased.

"Before I have to ask someone else to cover. We'd never hear the end of it."

Ezra laughed softly. "Can't have that."

xXxXxX

They were on horseback and on their way out of town twenty minutes later. Buck just gave them a sloppy salute and nod as they passed him by.

xXxXxX

By the time evening came around, two hours after coming back from their patrol and after a very long, hot shower, Ezra knew the rest of the pack had been told about Maude's latest attempt. Everyone had gathered for a shared dinner, occupying the back corner of the saloon where Chris could still keep an eye on matters, just in case.

"Geez," Buck muttered. "She's one mean…" He broke off and stuffed a sandwich into his mouth.

JD shot him an annoyed look. Everyone knew the older wolf had broken off his attempted curse word for JD's sake.

"Nothing I haven't heard before," Dunne grumbled. "The guys I throw in a jail cell use worse language than you."

Buck smirked, chewing on his food, but he refused to say any more.

"Ezra?" Josiah inquired calmly.

"I'll be okay. I should have expected it and it's not yet over. She hasn't played all her cards and I'm afraid what she might do now, up the ante…"

Josiah looked a little pained. He had truly like Maude when she had first come here, like many had. It was part of her charm.

"Think we should inform the Judge?"

Ezra's head came up at JD's words, eyes wide, and he made a wheezing sound. "No!" he blurted. "No, I do not think we should inform a Section Judge of what happened here!"

Chris placed a hand on his mate's arm, squeezing gently. He looked at their sheriff and simply shook his head. "We won't. This is a pack matter."

Ezra felt himself relax a little.

"Uh, sorry, sure, yeah," JD murmured.

Buck ruffled his hair and drew an exclamation of denial. "She's attacking us, not the town, kid. Let Chris handle it."

And the rest would follow whatever he did. Everyone knew it.

The rest of dinner passed amiably, the men exchanging stories about their week, about today's day, and Ezra found himself unwind more and more.

Chris's presence was helping, the Fenris exuding a calm, authoritative air. Even if there was the normal distance between them, the closeness was still felt. By the time Vin went to his wagon for some shut-eye before his early morning shift and Josiah headed for the sheriff station, Ezra was as at ease as he had ever been.

Pack helped.

Yeah, he would have laughed at that in his old life, but it was nothing but the truth now.

While Chris left, a last squeeze to Ezra's shoulder as reassurance, Ezra himself decided to amuse himself with a few friendly rounds of cards with some interested individuals. Not too high stakes, entertaining the men as much as he let himself be entertained. He even taught a young ranch hand his first card game. It was fun enough and the boy was eager to learn, even if his game was mostly atrocious. The other men at the table, all from the same ranch, cajoled and encouraged him, sometimes laughing at his and then at their own expense.

Yes, it was a friendly group and not much money was lost.

Ezra left them near midnight, walking along the quiet, empty street, catching some air. He felt relaxed now, the disquiet after hearing about Maude's ploy to get The Clarion's editor against him almost completely gone.

Everything was peaceful and silent, which didn't stop Ezra from briefly dropping in on Josiah, dropping off a large pot of coffee he had taken with him from the saloon. The other man gave a groan of delight.

"Life saver," he sighed.

"And it's the good one. Have a fun night." He tipped his head and left, smiling to himself.

xXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

Chris was in his room, reading a book, and he looked up from his perusal of whatever adventure it was about when the crossbreed entered. Hazel eyes assessed him, then Chris put the book on the night stand.

Ezra hung up his coat and jacket, then toed off his boots before he sat on the mattress. Larabee was equally still mostly dressed.

"Ready to get some sleep?" Chris asked.

"More than ready," was the soft reply.

And he was.

The day had been strenuous enough.

Chris raised an eyebrow when he made no move to undress.

"Would it be… weird to say I'd prefer a shift?" Ezra asked hesitantly.

Dear lord, it was as if it was their first time. Somehow it felt like it, too. They had never been their shifter selves within these four walls, unless they were about to go for a run or returned from one. Sleeping four-legged and furry in a bed was… new. And it was what Ezra felt he needed right now.

The alpha's eyes lit up, almost literally as the yellow crept into the light brown, and Ezra smiled a little at Chris' enthusiasm. For a while, back then when they had formed the first tentative pack bonds, Ezra hadn't understood everyone's ease with being their first form selves. For him the fox and all the other shapes had been working tools. He had never allowed himself to feel.

Chris and Vin had gently pushed him into accepting this side of him.

Now it was normal. It was an instinct he wasn't ashamed of.

"No, it wouldn't," Larabee answered. "Not at all."

The emotions carried in those few words were clear enough.

xXxX

So Ezra curled up next to a black wolf, on his bed, uncaring of how many hairs he might find there tomorrow. He buried his own muzzle in the thick fur, sighing with relief and happiness, and Chris playfully licked over the gray wings.

xXxX

It was the best sleep he had all week, actually.

tbc...