Part 4

Hunter regarded him a moment then with a soft snigger he replied, "I don't know about you but I need some sleep." He paused seemingly to think a moment before adding, "You're welcome to take a couch, regretfully the hotel doesn't have any spare room or I'd get you..."

"He can take my bed."

For a moment no one seemed to react, then as one, the wolves turned and looked at Josh, the small omega gulping slightly as the pack stared at him. He gave a nervous smile explaining, "He's too big for a sofa. I...I can turn furry and I'll curl up on the sofa. I don't mind," he added nervously as John scowled at him.

"You need your sleep," huffed John glaring first at Josh in concern and then up at Alex with slight annoyance.

Josh shrank back slightly but then gave a little yap of delight when John stroked his hair, the big hand sliding down to squeeze his neck reassuringly. John's touch soothed Josh's wolf, reassuring the little omega that the annoyance in John's eyes wasn't caused by him.

Alex flicked a look at Hunter and saw a strange almost amused look on the alpha's face. Frowning he took a gulp of beer then offered, "I don't mind sleeping on the couch. I..."

"No," interrupted Hunter, "Josh is right. You are too big in either of your forms. No instead I think you take Josh's bed and Josh..." Hunter pause a moment before grinning and ordering, "You can share with John. You don't mind, do you, John? Sharing your bed with Josh?"

Everyone heard John's gulp but no-one commented on it. Justin was smirking away, his eyes sparkling as he realised what his alpha was doing. Snuggling closer to his leader he whispered softly, "You're meddling."

"Of course," replied Hunter warmly nuzzling his face against Justin's cheek before looking over the other couch and chuckling. The mix of expression was adorable. Josh looked horrified and delighted, John looked stunned while Alex simply look confused. Smiling Hunter slowly pushed himself up off the sofa and stretched. Raking the three men with a fond glare he growled, "Now that we've got the sleeping arrangements sorted..."

He was interrupted by the door opening and Evan bouncing into the room. He was followed by Randy who cocked his head in surprise as soon as he saw Alex perched on the arm of the sofa.

"You bought him home?" asked Randy making sure to keep his voice neutral and unchallenging. Despite his years of friendship with his alpha he knew better than to actually question any of his leader's decision.

"Would you prefer I left him out in the cold?" growled Hunter grinning as Evan rolled his eyes elbowed his mate in the stomach and hissed, "Behave!"

"Of course not," snapped Randy with a smirk, "I just didn't expect to see a cat sitting on the arm of your sofa."

"Well he's not sitting there for much longer, he's about to go to bed."

"Really?" exclaimed Evan his eyes sparkling with mischief, "Who's the big kitty getting to sleep with?"

"No one!" replied John his voice cracking slightly at the mere thought of Alex sleeping with anyone, "He's not sleeping with anyone."

Randy gave a stifled chuckle ignoring the way his best friend glared at him. Walking over towards Hunter he butted his head against Hunter's shoulder and rumbled, "Guess that's our cue to leave."

Hunter nuzzled his face against Randy's shorn head murmuring fondly, "Sleep well, pup,"

Randy glared at him, the way he always did when Hunter called him pup but there was no heat in the look, only deep fond adoration. Patting Randy's hip, Hunter brushed past him to give Evan a warm hug, murmuring something in his small enforcer's ear before releasing the little wolf back to the waiting embrace of his mate. With barely a glance at Alex, Hunter waited for John to stand before giving him a gently tap on the side of the head and knowing smirk but it was Josh who got all of Hunter's attention.

The little wolf was still curled up at the side of the sofa, staring up at him with large nervous eyes. Holding a hand out Hunter helped him to his feet, pulling him into his arms. Giving the smallest of his pack a fond hug he bowed his head and murmured in his ear, "You're allowed to be happy, its not a crime." Pulling back he tucked a finger under Josh's chin and forcing the little wolf to look up he searched the soft eyes before adding, "You're allowed to attracted to people, Josh, understand?"

Josh gulped and nodded before dropping his gaze down. With a fond ruffle of the short hair Hunter turned away and looking at the sofa he growled seductively, "Sleepy, Angel?"

Justin shook his head and with a wicked grin illuminating his face the younger wolf uncurled himself off the sofa, gave Josh a quick hug and threw Evan a knowing wink before padding away towards the door that lead to the master bedroom.

As Hunter left as well Randy glanced over and seeing the look John's face he shook his head. Nudging Evan out of the way Randy crossed over and hissed in John's ear, "Don't scare him but don't let him get too attached to the cat. He's a wolf, John. He should be with a wolf."

"I know!" snarled john in response. They had been friends for far too long to worry about perceived challenges. They glared at each other before Randy gave a snuffling chuckle and kissed John on the cheek growling warmly, "Just grow a set and tell him how you feel."

But before John could respond Randy had moved away and was already heading towards the door. Evan followed but then pausing by the sofa Alex was still sitting on. He regarded the bigger man a moment before smiling warmly and offering, "Hope you sleep well. We'll see you in the morning for breakfast?"

Alex looked almost stunned but he managed to pull himself together enough to nod and murmured, "Yeah I'd like."

Evan nodded and with a final wave he padded away after Randy leaving the three roommate alone together for the first time.

X x x x x x x x

As Josh made use of the bathroom John got ready for bed. Alex was sitting on the far side of the other bed the broad back facing him. From the set of his shoulders John knew the other shifter was hurting.

"You okay?"

Alex seemed to jump at the soft call then glancing over his shoulder he gave a brave smile. It may have curled the corners of his mouth but it failed to reach his eyes.

"Mike's an idiot for throwing you out," offered John pulling his t-shirt off and throwing it into the corner of the room.

Alex turned away mumbling, "I thought...I thought he'd handle me being a shifter. If I'd known how he'd react I...I wouldn't have told him."

"He didn't know?" asked John, "How did he not realise?"

Alex shrugged. He honestly didn't know how Mike had never guessed his secret. But then when he thought back over their relationship maybe Mike had simply never looked that closely at him. It had always been about Mike and what Mike wanted, never about him.

"You want to go next?" offered John as Josh padded out of the bathroom.

Alex shook his head but didn't reply. He couldn't, he wasn't sure he could trust his voice at that moment in time. He bowed his head determine not to cry. His tiger gave a low rolling snarl and snapped at him wanting to be let loose. He pushed the instinct down. He didn't want to cause any trouble and he wasn't sure how the two wolves he was sharing with would cope having to share a room in full blown tiger.

He was so lost in thought he didn't realise he was being spoken to. It was only the "Alex? A-Ry?" that made him look up and realise Josh was standing beside him. Forcing himself to smile he leant back mumbling, "Sorry I wasn't listen. What did you say?"

"I said here," repeated Josh holding out a glass of water, "John always likes to have a fresh glass beside his bed I thought you might want one."

Alex took the glass, hissing when his fingers brushed against Josh's. The jolt of electricity that shot between them was enough to have the small wolf backing away, staring at his fingers as if expecting to see actual spark. Rising his eyes he stared at Alex before literally turning tail and all but running back towards the safety of John's bed. Alex watched him go trying very hard to hold back to roar that was building inside him. He didn't want Josh running from him. He watched torn as Josh climbed onto John's empty bed and curled up facing towards his, the soft eyes blinking with nerves as they both waited for John to finish up. Turning away Alex took a deep breath and tried to calm his tiger. His tiger who was currently roaring in anger that the little wolf who had send sparks through his soul was curled up in another man's bed. His tiger who was roaring with anger at the fact that his possible true-mate wasn't sleeping with him. It was roar that shook Alex to the core and left him feeling totally and utterly numb.

TBC