Part 3

"Do you think he'll be okay?" asked Josh softly as the lift pinged.

"Of course he'll be okay," chuckled John as he brushed past the smaller wolf and stepped out of the lift. Without slowing his pace he headed towards the suit Hunter had booked himself. While the pack all had separate rooms they still used the lounge area of Hunter's suite as the pack room. Swiping the key he pushed the door open then realising Josh wasn't with him he glanced back calling, "I mean it, Hunter will be fine. It's not like a ti..."

"Not Hunter!" snapped Josh, "I meant Alex. Do you think he'll be okay with Hunter?"

It was only the slight tilt of John's head that made Josh realise how he had just addressed the much higher ranking wolf. Without hesitating he bowed his head bearing his neck, showing all due deference to the bigger, more powerful wolf. John watched him a moment before reaching over and ruffling his hair, soothing, "Relax, Josh, I know you weren't challenging me."

The smile that flooded Josh's face was breath taking and it took John all of his limited self control not to trace his thumb along the curve of Josh's lips. Stepping back he gave a huff, ordering sharply, "Come on, inside. I'm not standing out here all night."

Josh hurried past him flicking him an apologetic look as he did. Shaking his head fondly John followed him into the room and as he let the door shut behind him he called, "Anyone home?"

There was no answer.

Josh glanced at him in surprise before padding over towards the sofas that dominated the centre of the lounge. Without hesitating he grabbed one of the scatter cushion flung it down in the space between the two sofas, then sank down on it, sitting beside the over stuffed arm of one of the sofas.

"There's no one else here, Josh, you can take a seat on the sofa you know," chuckled John watching as the pack's omega made himself comfortable on the floor.

"I'm fine," grinned Josh, leaning against the arm, "Besides it's easier for me to sit down here. At least that way I won't get thrown off when the others get back."

John nodded absently as he headed towards the mini-bar then paused. Frowning slightly he glanced back and repeated softly, "Thrown off? Has someone thrown you off the sofa before?"

The way Josh's cheeks coloured up was enough to have John change course and make a bee line for the now blushing omega. Sinking down into a crouch in front of the smaller wolf John ran a knuckle along Josh's jaw line, asking gently, "Tell me what happened."

"It...it was just Cody," murmured John, not looking John in the faced despite the gentle pressure John's was putting on his chin, "He…he said I...I shouldn't take up space on the sofa that...that omegas don't get to sit with the others that...he's right you know, I should've moved as soon.."

"Hey!" interrupted John firmly, "Just because you're the omega that doesn't mean he gets to treat you like shit. He's barely more than an omega himself!" snapped John a little growl deepening his voice at the thought of the lowest ranking gamma treating Josh so meanly. Without meaning to, John leant forward and brushing a kiss against Josh's temple he soothed, "Don't let the little sod boss you around. You're just as good as him, remember that, okay?"

Josh stared up at him in surprise then finally remembering how to move he gave a little nod pulling back as he did, suddenly very aware of how close he was leaning to John. He let his eyes flicker shut a moment revelling in the sheer power he could feel rolling over the other wolf. Resisting the urge to roll over and show John his tummy, Josh settled for a needy little whimper, a noise he hadn't even realised he was able of making.

"Am I interrupting something?" drawled a soft accented voice behind them.

Glancing back John grinned and called, "Nope." Getting to his feet he gave Josh's hair a final absent ruffle before padding over towards the mini-bar and grabbing himself a beer.

"Where are the others?" asked Justin sinking down onto the furthest sofa smiling fondly at Josh as he did.

"Randy's putting Alanna to bed," explained John between mouthfuls of beer, "Evan's with him, and as for Hunter," he gave a chuckle smirking, "Lets just say Hunter's got his hands full right now."

Justin blinked at him a moment before asking, "Hands full? You...you mean he's…" he paled slightly and his voice caught in his throat, "He's with someone?"

"Sort of," explained Josh. Without thinking he shifted position resting his head against Justin's thigh offering a little comfort. He could see the worry in the other wolf's eyes. They all knew Justin was Hunter's preferred bed fellow when he was on the road. But only Josh knew how much Justin cared for the alpha above and beyond his position as bed mate. Curling a hand around Justin's exposed calf Josh added, "We ran into a shifter, a were tiger in fact..."

"A tiger? I didn't know they existed."

"Yep they do," explain John, "and damn he was big."

"He was beautiful," added Josh before even realising what he was saying. He lowered his head blushing intensely at the giggle from Justin.

"Beautiful?" teased Justin fondly nudging Josh with his knee, "Joshi are you telling me you found actually someone interesting?"

"Hey I find people interesting!" protested Josh, "I find loads of people interesting."

"Yeah but not enough to roll over for them," commented Justin flicking John a knowing look. He could see the look in John's eyes, the unrequited desire that the big wolf normally managed to hide whenever the smallest wolf was around. Smirking Justin drawled teasingly, "I mean wow Josh you finding something interesting, bet you're gonna have difficulty getting to sleep tonight. You'd better watch out John," chuckled Justin, "You may be kept awake by someone having little personal fun in the bed next to..."

"Justin!" protested Josh, forgetting their difference in ranks for a moment, "Stop it! That's horrid! I wouldn't! I..." Josh glanced at John and misreading his expression he added in near panic, "John I promise I wont keep you awake. I promise! I... I..."

"I know, I know" soothed John finally responding. He waved Josh's apology away glaring at Justin and snapping, "And as for you just because Josh isn't a willing bit of tail like some in this pack, that's no need to tease him. Besides I like sharing a room with Josh, he doesn't snore like some wolves I know."

Justin glared at him a moment – it was a standing joke in the pack just how loudly Justin snored in his sleep – before giving a blinding smile. Bending down he nuzzled his face against Josh's hair and murmured, "I'm sorry, welpie, you know I'm only teasing."

Josh nodded, enjoying the contact with Justin. As they pulled back Justin was about to speak when the main door opened and Hunter appeared. He raked the three of them with a warm glance then looking back over his shoulder and growling, "In you come."

They watched as Hunter ushered Alex into the pack room. Hesitating Alex ran his eyes over the room, his gaze lingering on Josh, noticing the way the little wolf stared at him with such open interest before dropping his gaze and murmuring, "Sorry."

"You're the tiger?" asked Justin, the excitement unmistakable in his voice.

"Yeah," nodded Alex, moving when Hunter nudged him towards the sofas. He made his way towards the sofas pausing to glance back. He saw Hunter murmured something to John, who grinned then nodded and quickly left the room. Uncertain where to sit Alex was debating what to do when Hunter solved his dilemma.

Without breaking stride Hunter brushed past him and sank down on the sofa beside Justin, a large hand coming to rest on Justin's thigh in a move that spoke volumes about their level of intimacy. It was a sign that had Alex sighing – he longed for those automatic touches, touches he had never really felt not even from Mike when they had been going out.

"How come you're naked?" asked Justin his eyes roaming far too freely over Alex's exposed legs for Josh's liking.

"I got thrown out of my room and I was upset and I...I shift when I get upset and I..."Alex's voice faded as he realise the wolves were all staring at him. He gulped then giving a shy little shrug he offered, "Sorry?"

"Don't worry about it," called John reappearing with an arm full of clothes, "We're more than used to being naked around each other. But even so you are kinda distracting standing there in Hunter's jacket, so here, do us all a favour and get dressed."

Not really confident about changing in the middle of the lounge in front of a group of semi strangers, Alex shot behind the sofa hoping the high back would afford him some privacy. It did in a way and as Hunter Justin and John resumed chatting he quickly pulled on the loaned jog bottoms and shirt. From the way they sat on his frame he figured they belonged to John. It was only as he turned back around he realised Josh was still staring at him, the smallest wolf seemingly entranced by him.

As if sensing he had been caught Josh bowed his head but not before shooting Alex an almost coy look.

"Josh go get Alex beer," ordered Hunter fondly watching with paternal pride as Josh scrambled to obey him. As he handed Alex a bottle Josh gave him a warm nervous smile before shooting away and heading back towards his cushion between the angled sofas.

"Alex come and sit down," growled Hunter, snapping Alex out of his sub conscious appreciation of Josh, "You're making the place look untidy standing there."

Alex started towards the other sofa but then stopped. The look John was giving him was less than welcoming and when he glanced down and saw Josh was still watching him he suddenly wondered if maybe there was a reason for John's glare. He bit the edge of his lip then deciding not to make a scene he sank onto the arm of the sofa and took a long sip of his beer. But not without noticing the way John's free hand trailed behind him to touch Josh's shoulders. John was all but pulling the smaller wolf against the arm of his sofa and out of Alex's direct eye line.

Alex didn't need to be a wolf to understand the unspoken message. With a sinking feeling he took another deep mouthful of beer. Forcing himself to swallow he fought past his pain at Mike's betrayal and the uncertainly caused by Josh's gazes and looking over at Hunter he took a deep breath and asked nervously, "So what happens now?"

TBC