Part 6

"Is she asleep?" whispered Evan as he padded out of the bathroom.

"Finally," replied Randy keeping his voice as low as possible, "I told her John wouldn't give her any more wolf back rides if she didn't go straight to sleep."

Evan chuckled – the entire pack knew Alanna could be bribed into behaving with the promise of riding on John's back when he was in wolf form. Randy shared a grin with Evan before turning back and smiling at his sleeping daughter. She was curled up in the travel cot he'd set up beside their bed. Smoothing the blanket over her, he bent down and brushed a kiss over her forehead, whispering lovingly, "Sleep tight baby."

Evan watched as his mate fussed over the little girl, a soft smile lighting his face as did. It never ceased to amaze him how such a powerful wolf and dominant man could be so tender and gentle with the little girl who was the centre of his world. Realising Randy was watching him, he asked playfully, "What?"

"You were amazing tonight," rumbled Randy getting to his feet gracefully. Stretching so his t-shirt rode up enough to reveal a slither of flesh he added, "When you tried to protect Alanna from the big bad kitty."

"Hey," protested Evan, "I didn't know it was only A-Ry. I thought she might be..."

"Easy," soothed Randy, catching hold of Evan's hand and pulling him closer, "I was being serious." He stared down into the deep chocolate eyes and sighed, "You were amazing." He ran a finger along Evan's jaw line, a rumble of approval echoing in his throat as his wolf basked in the contact with its mate.

Looking up at Randy, Evan's grin melted into the most brilliant smile as he leant into the embrace. He butted his head against Randy's face, his wolf yapping happily as it felt its mate's happiness. Almost instantly Randy stroked Evan's hair, his wolf chuffing happily as Evan responded to the gentle touch. Locking eyes Randy smiled at him then bending his head down, he breathed, "Thank you," before pressing a soft kiss to Evan's willing mouth.

It was only the little snuffle beside them that broke them apart and left them both grinning like teenagers who had been caught making out on the sofa. Randy pulled away to check on Alanna while Evan moved to the bed flicking off the main lights and turning down the bed before whispering, "Guess we need to wait until she's safety back in her own room."

"I'm afraid so," agreed Randy, giving Alanna a final glance before joining Evan at the large king size bed.

As they settled down in bed, spooning together Randy curled his arm around Evan's waist and asked, "By the way what did Hunter whisper to you before we left the pack room?"

"Nosey," chided Evan, with no heat in his voice whatsoever.

"Not nosey, just inquisitive," responded Randy, pressing a kiss to Evan's bare shoulder, "You know as my mate you shouldn't have secrets."

"And in my role as Pack Enforcer," countered Evan rolling over so he could look at Randy properly, "There are times when I have to keep the confidence of my Alpha."

"Not from his beta."

"Yes," corrected Evan firmly, "Even from his beta."

Randy went up onto one elbow and stared down at Evan, a little pout forming as he glared daggers at his mate.

Shaking his head Evan chuckle, "That is so cute,"

"You did not just call me cute," snarled Randy, his wolf snarling at the very idea of being called cute.

"Yes I did," grinned Evan showing no fear whatsoever even as Randy's wolf came closer to the surface. He held the cool blue eyes for several moments then giving a huff of annoyance he snapped, "Randy I..."

"Tell me," ordered Randy his power flaring just enough to raise the hairs on the back of Evan's neck.

Evan's wolf gave a little whimper. While he might be the pack enforcer and Randy's mate, Randy's wolf still outranked him and when the beta needed to he could easy overpower Evan anytime he wanted. Licking his lips nervously Evan stammered, "I can't. I...I actually don't want to I..."

"Tell me."

The single snarled order was enough to make Evan shiver. Closing his eyes he took a deep breath then murmured, "Hunter wants a pack run at the next full moon."

Randy frowned and sat back titling his head as he digested what Evan had just confessed.

"Why would you be reluctant to tell me that?" he asked after a few moments

"He wants a full pack run," clarified Evan starting up at him, "As in the entire pack." He waited a moment then flinched as Randy swore violently. He watched as Randy shot of the bed, the older wolf literally shaking with barely contained rage, "No!" growled Randy, "No. No - I won't. I won't run with that bastard. I will not even acknowledge that he..."

"He's still pack," murmured Evan wincing at the string of expletive that met his comment.

"Not to me!" hissed Randy staring daggers at Evan, his anger needing an outlet and his compact mate providing the perfect focus, "No to Alanna."

"Yes he is," countered Evan sitting up slowly, "Randy look – I know how you feel about him. Believe me I understand why you don't want to be anywhere near him but…" his voice caught in his throat and for a moment he seemed to fight to get the words out and when he did his voice was breaking with emotion, "but sooner or later you're going to have to face him."

Randy balled his fists, fighting to keep his wolf under control. He could feel his wolf thrashing around, demanding to be released, demanding to unleash its vengeance again the pack mate who had destroyed his family.

Evan got out of bed and coming around the end of the bed he looked at Randy and murmured, "You have to face Cody at some point."

The mere mention of the younger wolf's name was enough to break Randy's fragile control. In seconds a large snarling black wolf was staring at Evan, the jaws snapping in unbridled anger. Evan stood his ground his own wolf howling at the pain and despair it could feel rolling off its mate. Forcing himself to stay human, Evan sank to his knees and reaching out he ran a hand along one jet black flank, soothing, "It been over a year Randy. You have to face him at some point. Hunter had been so accommodating but the pack need to run together and unless Cody is expelled that means him as well."

He gasped as Randy turned on him. The powerful jaws snapped dangerously close to Evan's human features. Flinching away, Evan fought his instinct to change, knowing one of them needed to keep a human head in this situation. Forcing himself to stare into the blue pools of anger burning deep within the black fur, he soothed, "Randy please I know you can never forgive him for causing Sam's death but think of it this way. If he hadn't acted so recklessly - you and I would never have been mated. "

"Don't!"

Evan closed his eyes shaking as Randy's' plea echoed in his head. It was so full of pain and hurt it was almost painful to hear.

He felt hot breath on his face and opening his eyes he realised Randy had closed the gap between them. Staring into the wolf eyes before him Evan reached up and cupped the black muzzle in front of him, whispering, "Do you think it's easy for me? Know that if Sam was still alive I would be alone. I hate him as much as you do but I can't forget that without him I wouldn't…"

Evan didn't finish his sentence. Randy's wolf attacked. The sheer power knocked the small man over. Pure instinct took over and within second Evan's own wolf was exchanging blows with Randy. The large black wolf snarled angrily, grabbing Evan by the scruff of the neck flipping the smaller wolf over and pinning him underneath him.

"Take it back" ordered Randy his teeth dangerously close to breaking the skin on Evan's ruff

"I can't take back the truth" protested Evan, fighting to get free, his wolf yapping and snarling as it twisted underneath the larger more powerful wolf.

A loud howl caused them both to freeze. Before they could react Randy found himself grabbed by the scruff of the neck and hauled backwards. He ended up practically dangling from Hunter's all too human grasp. The alpha stared at him in something akin to pained understanding before he flung the snarling wolf on the bed, ordering, "Stay there, Pup."

He watched Randy a moment before turning his attention to the smaller brown wolf who was cowering at his feet. Sinking to a crouch Hunter ran a hand down Evan's side soothing, "Easy easy."

He sighed as his fingers came away streaked with pink. Glaring at the bed, he snapped, "You've hurt your mate, Pup. Bad Wolf."

He was rewarded with a soft whine and the sight of Randy sinking down onto the bed baring his neck a silent but definite sign of submission and apology. Hunter glared at him before looking down at Evan and ordering gently, "Evan change back it'll stop the bleeding."

Within seconds a rather blood streaked Evan lay at his feet. Helping the shaken man to his feet, Hunter growled, "Are you okay?"

Evan nodded absently, not paying Hunter any really attention, his whole focus was on the wolf taking up the middle of the bed - a whimpering wolf that was the picture of misery. Pulling away from Hunter, Evan crawled onto the bed and wrapping his arms around Randy he whispered into the thick fur, "Don't be angry with me."

Randy stayed still then a second later he gave a sad little yap. Nuzzling his face against Evan's chest, he moved round, curling up into Evan's lap. The large body overflowed Evan's lap in all direction but the sentiment wasn't lost on Evan. Smiling wearily Evan stroked his mate's coat, soothing, "I've got you, shhh, I've got you."

As Randy relaxed into the gentle touches hunter glanced at the cot and smiled. None of them had noticed Justin soothing and comforting Alanna. She was curled up on his lap her head resting on his shoulder as she sucked her thumb, her eyes glued to the wolf form of her father. Looking up at his alpha Justin gave a half smile before looking back at the bed and sighing. If this was how Randy reacted to the news that Cody was coming back, he dreaded to think what would happen the two finally came face to face. After all it had only been a year since the tragic accident that robbed Randy of his wife and Alanna of her mother. Only a year since Cody had managed to rip Randy's life apart and nearly caused the implosion of the entire pack.

TBC