Part 5

As Hunter drove to his climax, his wolf let out an almighty howl shaking the room and reducing Justin to a whimpering mess beneath him.

When he finally managed to regain a little composure Hunter glanced down and frowned. Justin didn't look his normally relaxed near-spaced out self he always did after a coupling, if anything he looked more tense and unhappy than Hunter had ever seen him. Lapping at the back of Justin's neck, he growled tenderly, "What's wrong, Angel?"

"Nothing," lied Justin, his own voice hoarse from cries of pleasure Hunter had coerced from him during their frantic coupling.

"Angel," growled Hunter warningly, nuzzling the back of Justin's neck as he tried to get the smaller wolf to look at him properly.

Justin was splayed out over the bed, a tangle of shapely arms and legs. Licking at the darkening bruise on the back of Justin's neck where he had bitten him during their mating Hunter's wolf gave a little snarl of annoyance. As fond as he was of Justin, mating with the small wolf was never as soul pleasing as intercourse with his true mate.

"It's nothing," insisted Justin, his accent thickening as exhaustion over took him.

He went to move into a more comfortable position but froze as his muscles protested at the sudden movement. Hissing as he arched his back, he gave a sad little sigh his inner wolf mopping slightly at what had just occurred. While being mated by the alpha was a rigorous but enjoyable experience, he knew his wolf longed for another's touch. He longed for that special touch only a mate could give. Closing his eyes he tensed as an image flashed through his mind – an image that had his wolf snapping and demanding control – an image of a face with dark slicked back curls and a haughty arrogant expression.

Sensing the younger wolf's discomfort, Hunter pushed himself up giving Justin room to turn over onto his back. As Justin settled onto his back, happily displaying his willing submission to his alpha, Hunter's wolf gave a little contented huff, pleased with the junior wolf's submission.

"Don't lie to me, Angel," growled Hunter fondly. He frowned then ducked his head lower, his wolf sniffing at the younger man's neck, "I can smell there something wrong, that something's worrying you," He gave a little nuzzle to Justin's face adding, kindly, "You know you can tell me – no matter what it is, you can talk to me."

Justin stared up at him, then giving a beaten sigh and offering his alpha a weary smile, he finally confessed, "Its Wade."

"What happened?" asked Hunter settling down beside the smaller wolf. Almost instinctively Justin curled into him, his own wolf giving happy yaps at the undivided attention it was receiving from its alpha.

"He asked me out," murmured Justin not daring to look at Hunter, "He wanted to take me to dinner and then to go for a walk and…"

"And you said no?" finished Hunter when the smaller wolf's voice faded into a sad sigh. "But why? I thought you liked Wade?"

"I do!" exclaimed Justin, "It's just, I…" he squirmed slightly having to fight to stop the snarl building in his throat, his wolf snapping slightly at the confession his alpha was drawing out of him, "It's just…I…he's…he's not a wolf. And I want a mate who I can share things with, who I can run under the moon with, I…" he slumped back slightly and whimpered softly, "I want a wolf."

Hunter closed his eyes. He knew Justin was too young to understand that not all mates came from within the wolf pack. Absently he nuzzled his face against the soft spiky hair and wrapping an arm around Justin's shoulders he pulled him closer. His own wolf gave a snarl of discontent – it disliked being too familiar with anyone that wasn't his true mate but since his true mate was hundreds of miles away and Hunter hated sleeping alone, he simply ignored the sulking snarls and concentrated on the junior wolf nuzzling his chest.

"Why don't you go on a date with him? A human date," he offered after a few minutes consideration, "It might do you some good."

Justin twisted in his arm and staring up at his alpha, Hunter could see the fear in the younger wolf's eyes, "What if I like him?" asked Justin softly sounding all the world like a pup in need of reassurance.

"Then we deal with that when it happens," soothed Hunter, "Have you felt any sort of stirring towards him?"

The way Justin eyes flicked away before looking up made Hunter smile and nuzzling Justin's hair he teased fondly, "You've had stirrings, haven't you?"

"No!" protested Justin although the blush on his cheeks gave him away.

Pressing a soft kiss to Justin's forehead, Hunter slid out of the bed and padded towards the master bathroom. Pausing at the door he looked back and called, "You know sometimes what your wolf wants and what is actually right for you aren't always the same thing."

Justin blinked at him in surprise, then propping himself up on his elbows, he asked, "But what if my wolf likes him? What if I start to hear the mating howl?"

"Then you do what any wolf does with its desired prey," grinned Hunter wickedly, "You stalk your prey and when you've got it where you want it you pounce and have your way with it."

X x x x x x x

Alex couldn't sleep or rather he couldn't find a restful sleep. He kept tossing and turning images and visions running through his head. A few times he turned and caught a glimpse of the two wolves curled up together. He stared at the two of them, his tiger snarling and snapping, objecting to the fact that the little wolf was curled up with someone else. He was surprised at the force of his tiger's objections. Until that night he'd never noticed Josh but then as he thought bitterly he had been so caught up in his supposed relationship with Mike he hadn't noticed anything else around him.

Trying desperately not to growl out loud, he screwed his eyes shut and concentrated on keeping his breathing even. But closing his eyes bought to mind Mike and suddenly the pain that had been simmering away in his soul suddenly flared into a white hot pain slicing straight through his heart.

He had thought Mike might be the one. He'd never fallen for anyone as much as he had for the arrogant former champion but now deserted, abandoned and kicked out of his own home Alex was beginning to wonder if he hadn't been blind to Mike's faults, if he hadn't been a fool to believe the easy manipulative lies the other man had fed him. His tiger roared in annoyance snapping and scratching as memories played through Alex's mind, memories of times when Mike had been less than perfect. He didn't realise he was actually snarling until he felt a hand on his shoulder and snapping his eyes open he found himself staring into the concerned pools that made up Josh's eyes.

As soon as Josh realised Alex was awake, the little wolf scrambled away, backing away from the bed as if Alex was something to be feared. Without thinking and, only knowing that his tiger wanted the little wolf closer and not further away, Alex's hand lashed out. Curling around Josh's wrist he yanked the little wolf back towards the bed, his tiger ignoring the fact that the move sent Josh crashing into the side of the bed and left him panting on the floor.

Josh let out a little startled cry, his wolf howling in surprise at the strong touch from the strange were. He stared up at Alex, his eyes widening as Alex glared down at him. The tiger was almost visible in Alex's eyes as he tightened his grip around Josh's wrist, pulling the scared little wolf closer, Alex snarling, "Mine."

"Let go of me…" whimpered Josh, "Please. Let go…"

Alex's tiger roared in defiance. He didn't want to let go. He wanted to keep hold of the little wolf that was starting to struggle against. There was something about the way Josh whimpered that cut through all rational through and spoke to the very basest need within his beast.

"Alex!" demanded Josh his wolf finally finding enough courage to fight back. Getting to his knees he twisted his wrist wincing as pain shot through his arm, "Please. You're hurting me."

That soft whimper was enough to break his tiger's hold. Releasing Josh's wrist with a gasp Alex blinked several times before stammering, "Shit, Josh, I'm sorry I... fuck I...are you okay?"

Josh was cradling his bruised wrist staring at Alex the soft eyes roaming over the features before asking softly, "Are you okay?"

"Me?" spluttered Alex incredulously, "Josh, I nearly broke your wrist and you're asking me if I'm okay?"

"Yes."

The simple honest answer left Alex speechless. He stared at the slight figure watching in growing distress at the way Josh was massaging the obviously hurting wrist. Shaking his head he pushed himself up off the bed and without speaking he crossed to the small fridge and yanked it open. Grabbing a napkin he loaded it up with ice then kicked the door shut before turning back to Josh. Indicating for josh to sit down he took hold of the injured paw and cradling it gently he applied the ice to the already visible bruising.

Neither man spoke but as Alex rolled the make shift ice pack, shifting the blocks to get a better coverage, Josh gave a little chuckle and looking up he caught Alex's eyes and murmured, "Thank you."

Alex gave a half hearted smile although it faded into a very audible gulp as his eyes slid past Josh and he found himself staring into the very angry face of John. The older wolf was staring at him, his wolf all too visible as he growled menacingly, "What the hell's going on?"

Alex gulped again and for once his tiger didn't roar in defiance. If anything his tiger gave an almost pathetic mew and it was all Alex could do not to roll over and show John his belly. Staring deep into the burning blue eyes Alex heard himself murmur, "I hurt Josh..." before his jaw exploded into blinding pain and he found himself fading into an almost welcome pitch black nothingness.

TBC