Alex gulped. He could sense the power rolling off Hunter. Although tigers were by nature solitary animals the urge to roll over and show submission to the impressive alpha was hard to ignore. Instead he settled for sinking back onto his heels and bowing his head.

Hunter raked the assembled members of his pack noticing the various reactions to the unannounced shifter. John look bemused, Randy looked concerned for his daughter and on edge, Evan looked ready for a fight but it was Josh's reaction to the new comer that caught his attention. The smallest member of his pack, his powerful but sweet natured omega, look intrigued. He had never seen the small wolf show interest in anyone before but now there was a look in the little wolf's eyes that gave Hunter a moment's pause. He stared at the little wolf so hard that Josh found himself instinctively shrinking back against the nearest higher ranking wolf.

Josh gave a little whimper then happy yap when he felt John's arm curl around his shoulders. The big gamma had always been very kind to him. From the moment they had met John had treated him with nothing but kindness, often stepping in when the others' playful teasing got slightly out of hand. That didn't mean the big lump took it easy on him but he knew if he was ever in trouble or afraid he could go to John without fear of too much mocking.

Glancing down at Josh before looking at Hunter John asked softly, "Boss?"

For a moment Hunter didn't respond then slowly he looked up and gave John a reassuring smile before ordering, "John take Evan and Josh back to hotel. Randy, I suggest you rescue Alex from your daughter's clutches and as for you..." he turned to fixed his gaze on Alex, "you and I need to talk."

The wolves hurried to obey their alpha, John kept his arm draped over Josh's shoulders. He gave Hunter a nod as he passed him, winking and grinning as they shared a moment's amusement at Josh's reaction. The smaller wolf had almost tripped over his own feet due to the fact that he was staring back over his shoulder, his eyes glued to Alex even as John ushered him towards the waiting car. Smiling to himself Hunter wondered if maybe just maybe the little wolf had finally found someone who interested him above and beyond everyone else.

It took a little longer for Randy and Evan to obey. Randy was struggling to convince Alanna to release her hold on the now very human Alex much to Hunter's amusement. In the end it was only Evan's intervention and an offer of a piggy back ride hat enticed the little girl to let go. But not before she pressed a sloppy kiss to Alex's cheek demanding, "I wanna see the kitty again. Okay. You be kitty for me?"

"Randy," growled Hunter a smile curling his lips.

"I know, I know!" snapped Randy without thinking, although he instantly winced and bared his neck showing there was no insult meant in the napped reply. Hunter gave a low little growl but let the matter pass. Finally with Alanna settled on Evan's back the other two took their leave, both bowing their heads as they walked passed their Alpha.

As they too disappeared Alex took a deep breath and waited. He didn't dare look at hunter. He knew all too well that alphas hated unannounced arrivals in their territories and he knew wolves and tigers as a rule rarely got on well. He had heard rumour there was a pack involved with the wrestling scene, he just never assumed it would involve some of the top guys in the company. He wondered absently if that had been one of the reasons Mike had been so angry with him. Was the fact Alex might have a way to get close to the top guys without needing Mike that had been the reasons for their sudden and violent break up.

"I asked you a question."

Alex jumped. He'd been so wrapped up in his thoughts he hadn't even realised the large alpha was talking to him.

"I'm sorry," he stammered forcing himself to keep his eyes low. It wasn't a natural way for him to act. Tigers were solitary creatures, the only time they came together was to mate and given how rare they were, that didn't happen very often. But it didn't mean he didn't long for a sense of belonging. He'd always been envious of the few packs he met, envious of the way they played and rested together, of the casual touches they shared between pack members, of the way they would curl up together without a care in the world. He couldn't help the sigh that escaped his lips although Hunter's cocked eyebrow soon bought reality crashing back.

"I asked why you're here?" repeated the large Alpha, his honey eyes staring straight at Alex.

"I want to be a wrestler," replied Alex honestly.

He held Hunter's gaze and when the alpha didn't make any comment he felt the need to add, "I didn't know there was a pack here. I sensed you but I figured it was just the local pack of whatever town we were in. I...I never mean to cause offence."

Hunter tilted his head as if weighing up what the younger man was saying. After a moment he gave a faint nod asking, "What are you"?

Alex frowned then remembering Hunter hadn't seen him in his animal form he replied, "A tiger, a Siberian tiger. I…"

"Show me."

Alex obeyed. Even though his tiger was unhappy at being ordered about, it too sensed and respected the sheer power in front of him. He shifted and within moments a large white tiger sat staring at Hunter.

Hunter's wolf growled in annoyance at the unfamiliar beast in front of him but there was no aggression in the growl, it was just the normal grumpy snapping his wolf often gave when thinking. He walked closer moving to stroke the tiger's head. He smiled faintly when Alex reacted the way any cat did to being petted, a soft low rumbling echoing through its chest. Completing a circle of the large cat, Hunter paused then folding his arms he asked gruffly, "What are your plans?"

The tiger gave an almost human shrugged and gave a low mew that had the echo of a roar in it. Within seconds he was human again answering, "I don't really have any. Mike threw me out when he found out what I was. I... I…"

"He threw you out for being a shifter?" asked Hunter his wolf growling at the very idea.

Alex nodded forlornly.

"In that case you can stay with the pack tonight. I won't have a lone shifter roaming around with no place to stay." He turned and started to walk away. It was only when he realised Alex wasn't following him that he stopped and growled, "Problem?"

"I don't have any clothes," blushed Alex glancing down at his very naked human form.

"Oh," grinned Hunter.

Within seconds Alex had Hunter's jacket on, the cut was slightly big for him but at lest it gave him a semblance of dignity. They walked quickly to Hunter's limo and as Alex slid into the luxurious interior he wondered if maybe finally something good was going to happen to him. Maybe this was what he had been waiting for his whole life. Maybe he was finally going to have a place to belong.

TBC