Part 7

"What was that?" asked Josh, jumping as more howls and thumps echoed through from the adjoining room.

"No idea," frowned John, torn between investigating the noise from Randy's room or tending to Josh. In the end his concern for Josh won over and lifting the ice pack Alex had applied to Josh's injured wrist, he started to take care of the little wolf currently shivering in front of him. His frown deepened as he saw for himself the heavy dark bruising marring Josh's flesh. A low snarl escaped his lips and it was only Josh's soft "Please don't," that stopped him launching himself at Alex and giving the knocked-out cat a piece of his mind.

"Don't?" asked John, staring incredulously at Josh, "Are you kidding? Josh, he could have broken your wrist. He could have..."

"But he didn't," replied Josh firmly. He gulped nervously as he realised what he had actually said but for once he didn't back down. Instead he simply lowered his gaze a moment before looking up at John from under his lashes and explain softly, "I startled him. I made him jump so really it...it was my fault...I..."

"I don't care if you made him have a heart attack," snarled John, rolling the ice pack around trying to make sure it touched as much of the injury as possible, "It doesn't give him the right to hurt you. Ever."

Josh smiled slightly and murmured, "I know and before you knocked he was really sorry."

"Good," huffed John, his wolf snapping at the thought of Alex even touching Josh let alone hurting him.

They fell into an uneasy silence. John was fighting internally with his wolf, fighting the instinct to let the wolf have its vengeance on the unconscious Alex. Josh too was fighting his instincts but the need radiating out from his wolf was far more enjoyable that the fight John was facing. Josh's wolf was yapping happily, revelling in the undivided attention John was giving him. Staring at the larger, more powerful wolf Josh found himself enjoying the view more and more.

He had never quite realised how intense John's eyes were. He was so used to seeing the mega watt grin and nothing else it surprised him how serious John's eyes really were. Tilting his head up he didn't realise he was leaning forward until his cheek brushed against John's bare chest, resulting in John taking a sharp breath and asking hoarsely, "You okay? Are you feeling faint or something?"

"I'm fine!" exclaimed Josh, jerking backwards, his face burning slightly and his wolf yapping in annoyance at the loss of contact with John. Frowning at the way his wolf was becoming restless, Josh turned his head away adding, "I...I just..."

"Hey," soothed John absently running a finger along Josh's jaw line turning the little wolf's face back towards him. It took all his will power not to lower his lips and press a kiss to Josh's open mouth. Instead he licked his own lips, ignoring his wolf's growling howl as once again he failed to act on the growing need to possess and dominate the little wolf in front of him.

Josh frowned, his forehead creasing as he stared up at John. He could almost hear the wheels going around in John's head and for some reason the idea he may have upset or disappointed the stronger wolf upset both himself and his wolf. Without even realising what he was doing he leant forward and rubbed his face against John's chest, murmuring softly, "I'm sorry."

John froze at the touch, his wolf howling with delight at the unexpected and subconscious sign of submission from Josh but before he could response a low groan from the floor tore his attention away from Josh's touch and towards the sluggish shifter slowly coming around.

"What the..." Alex groaned rubbing his jaw. Wincing as he cracked it back into place, he glanced up and froze. John was staring at him with so much raw anger Alex couldn't help the audible gulp or the soft mew that broke the silence.

Giving a nervous sigh Josh pressed his good hand against John's bare chest and murmured, "Please don't hurt him."

John flicked him a look before turning his attention back to Alex growling, "You're lucky Josh isn't badly hurt or else you and I..."

"I'd never hurt him on purpose," interrupted Alex ignoring the sarcastic snort John gave him. Fixing his attention on Josh, Alex continued, "I'm so sorry I hurt your arm. I...it's just... my tiger..." he winced as one of Mike's last screamed insults echoed in his head. Drawing in a ragged breath he breathed, "Sometimes I forget how powerful I am."

"We all do," offered Josh after a moment's pause.

He held Alex's gaze for a second before his naturally submissive wolf forced him to break the intense eye contact. With his eyes flickering all over the room and his eyes focusing on anything other than Alex, he added nervously, "It's okay, it not really that bad."

John gave another dismissive snort his face showing all too clearly what he through of the situation. Without giving Alex a chance to reply he draped an arm around Josh's shoulders and giving the little wolf a comforting squeeze, he ordered firmly, "Alright enough talking. Everyone back to bed. We've all got heavy work days tomorrow and I for one need more damn sleep."

He ushered Josh towards their shared bed, watching in concern as the smaller wolf winced as he settled down, his injured arm obviously hurting more than Josh was letting on. Waiting for Josh to settle and close his eyes, John turned closed the gap between him and Alex. Holding the other shifter's gaze, he pulled himself up to his full height and snarled, "Hurt him again and I will whip your tiger arse from here until kingdom come. Do you understand me?"

Alex's tiger gave a slight growl, not really prepared to back down from the blatant challenge but even it could sense the power rolling off John's wolf. Holding John's gaze Alex keep the challenge up as long as he could before he looked away. Not a natural submissive he knew better than to risk angering the wolf opposite him. Flicking John a look, he gave a silent nod before turning away and getting back into his own bed. Rolling onto his side he screwed his eyes closed, trying to shut out the sounds of John climbing into the other bed. His feline hearing meant he could hear the near silent whispered conversation between the two wolves as they both settled back into bed, the soft all too intimate murmurings between the pack mates ripping at his already battered heart. As the room fell silent and his memories started to play in his mind again, Alex griped the sheets, trying very hard to stop the fresh tears from falling. Maybe Mike was right, he thought bitterly as sleep finally reclaimed him, maybe he wasn't safe to be around anyone. Maybe he did deserve to be alone, unloved and unwanted.

TBC