Part 8

Evan came awake slowly. Despite the healing power of the shift his body still ached from the fight with Randy. Groaning slightly as he stretched and sat up he frowned as he realised he was alone in bed. Looking around the room he felt his wolf's panic subside as he spied his missing mate on the sofa at the other end of the room. He couldn't help chuckling slightly at the sight of the feared viper cradling his little girl. Stretching his sore back Evan called, "You okay?"

Randy looked up slowly his eyes locking with Evan's as he rumbled, "Shouldn't I be asking you that question?"

"Don't!" ordered Evan sharply.

"I attacked you," snarled Randy his wolf howling at the fact it had hurt its mate.

"No, you lashed out, There's a big difference," corrected Evan firmly.

Getting out of bed he crossed over to where Randy was sitting. Pausing only to move Alanna's doll that was sprawled on the sofa, he sank down beside Randy adding, "Better you took it out on me than someone else."

Randy didn't reply. His eyes were searching Evan's face, his pain and anger from last night still far too visible.

"Randy please," breathed Evan, "There's been enough pain where he is concerned. Don't add guilt over something so small." He leant forward and brushing a kiss over Randy's cheek he added, "Besides getting my arse kicked from time to time is good for my wolf, even if he doesn't think so. It means I have to work harder to keep you in line."

Randy gave a bitter little chuckle and growled fondly, "Always looking to be the perfect enforcer."

"Not perfect," ginned Evan, "Just the best I can be."

Randy's reply was stopped short as Alanna shifted in his arms her eyes blinking wake. Seeing her father she gave a loud gurgle the reaching up clutched at his neck mumbling, "Pancake..."

Randy laughed and setting Alanna on his knee, he shook his head, asking fondly, "Is that your way of saying good morning, Sweetheart?"

She smiled at him the seeing Evan she starched out her arms calling, "Hug me!"

Evan complied pulling the little girl onto his lap. She slung his arms around his neck hugging him tightly before turning large puppy eyes on her father and pleading, "Pancakes?"

"You've picked up bad habits, Al," chided Randy as he stood up. He stretched out his neck and was just turning away when a strange yap made him stop dead in his tracks. Glancing back over his shoulder he stared at Evan who in turn was staring at the little girl on his lap in something akin to wondered surprise.

"Did she...did..." stammered Randy his voice not working properly. His wolf though was howling with delight and demanding to be let free. Stunned into surprise Randy didn't have the strongest control and so within seconds a large black wolf padded back to the sofa. Nudging Evan's arm with his muzzle he stared at the little girl and gave a low firm bark.

Alanna gurgled in delight then gave the tiniest little obedient yap, the yap truing to a little yelp of shook she gave a longer deep replying bark. Evan licked his lips nervously before asking absently, "Randy is she...I mean...she..."

The black wolf nodded, giving a happy growl as it nuzzled its face against Evan's bare thigh, the thick fur seductively tickling the bare skin. Sighing happily Evan reached over stroking the black fur his other hand supporting the little girl as she wriggled around trying to get closer to the black wolf. As she finally managed to reach her father she gave a long little high pitched howl and then to the total surprise of both Evan and Randy where the little girl had been sitting a small slightly startled pup started up at them.

X x x x x x x x x x x

"I made some coffee," called Justin as Hunter wandered into the lounge area of the suit.

Pausing to ruffle Justin's bed rumbled hair, Hunter continued over to pour himself a cup. Taking his mug back to the sofa he sank down beside Justin asking with a sleepy filled voice, "Did you manage to get back to sleep?"

"Eventually," replied Justin instinctively curling up against his alpha, his wolf all ready to show his willing submission to the more powerful wolf.

Hunter smiled at him fondly as they slipped into a comfortable silence, both men letting the rich coffee works its magic on them. After a few minutes Hunter shifted slightly his wolf snapping at him as he turned to regard the younger man beside. Justin still looked tense, there were lines around his eyes that, in Hunter's opinion, shouldn't have been there. Taking another deep breath, he offered fondly, "I do think you should give Barrett a chance." He felt Justin tense beside him but pressed on regardless, explaining, "I think it would be good for you, Angel." He brushed a knuckle along Justin's bearded cheek and sighed, "It will never be more than this between us."

"I know," breathed Justin. And he did know. Hunter had made it very clear at the beginning No matter what happened it was little more than mutual relief. Hunter had his true mate waiting for him back at the pack home, his wolf was settled he didn't need Justin. But knowing that fact and accepting it were two very different things. Without meaning to Justin's wolf gave a low painful howl a sound that echoed through Justin human lips emerging as a pitiful whimper.

The look Hunter gave him was one that made Justin's wolf cower in submission and his human side blush at the neediness he was displaying but unable to stop himself he replied, "I'm scared."

"I know," soothed Hunter. He slid an arm around Justin's shoulders and pulled him into a half embrace. Butting his head against Justin's messed up hair, Hunter sighed sadly. His wolf gave a little snarl at the contact but then it shifted and he felt it reaching out towards Justin's wolf and for a moment he saw the younger man relax as their wolves shared a moment. "Just give it a go," murmured Hunter ruffling Justin's hair again as he broke the embrace, "You never know, maybe a non-wolf is just what you need."

Justin stared at him scandalised by the thought of a non-lupine lover but then as an image filled his head - a vision of dark curls and haughty expression. He felt his wolf give a little needy yap and he wondered for the first time if maybe Hunter was right – maybe a non wolf was what he needed. "Maybe you're right. Maybe I should..." his voice faded into a slight huff

Hunter grinned at him about to make a very inappropriate comment when the door to the temporary pack room was opened and Evan rushed in calling, "Hunter! You need to see this!" he stepped out of the way allowing an all too familiar black wolf to enter the room.

"What the hell is wro..." began Hunter his voice catching in his throat as he saw the little pup Randy was carrying in his mouth.

Within seconds Hunter was on his knees in front of Randy, one hand waiting and ready to catch the little pup when the wolf choose to release her. Randy stared up at him, the ice blue eyes boring into Hunter's soul a little warning snarl escaping the occupied muzzle. Knowing how strong the parent's urge to protect a pup was, Hunter was in no hurry to retrieve the little puppy dangling from Randy's mouth.

"Let me see her," ordered Hunter gently.

When the black wolf moved away slightly, pulling the dangling pup away from Hunter. Hunter's wolf gave a loud snarl, a little of its power flaring up making Evan and Justin but flinch and the little pup dangling from Randy's mouth give a loud whimper, the little paws scrabbling in air at the suddenly burst of power.

"Randy," growled Hunter, "Let me see her."

Randy glared at him, the black wolf radiating tension and uncertainly. Hunter caught a movement out of the corner of his eye and couldn't help the grin when he realised Evan had moved closer to his mate, so close he could stroke the jet black fur, his hand ending up buried in the thick pelt. Almost instantly Randy calmed down, his hackles slowly lowering and his eyes clearing of the anger that had been brewing within them.

"Let her alpha greet into the pack," growled Hunter, his voice reverberating with powerful fondness.

Stepping closer Randy carefully released his hold on Alanna's scruff, allowing the little pup to land in Hunter's waiting hands. He gave her a little head butt before retreating a few paces to sit beside Evan, looking like a large obedient dog.

Sinking back onto his heels Hunter cradled the little pup in his arm, settling her against the crook of his arm, one finger slipping under her chin, gently enticing it to look up at him. Gazing down at the little pup he couldn't get over how much she resembled her father's wolf, black fur with just the hint of brown off set by brilliant blue eyes that stared back at him. Running a hand over the little form, his wolf instantly began searching for any problems or complication caused by such an unexpected transformation. Hunter smiled as his wolf gave a loud howl of delight when he found the little pup in his arms was in perfect health and suffering no ill effects from such an early shift.

"Welcome to the pack, Alanna Orton," intoned Hunter bending his face down to nuzzle his cheek against the little pup. Alanna gave a series of joyful yaps and going up onto her hind legs she pressed her little paws against Hunter's chin and tried to lap at his face.

Chuckling with the sheer delight of the moment, Hunter looked over at Randy and teased, "Trust you to have such a precocious daughter," he pulled back from the little pup's over enthusiast licks and shaking his head with amusement he let his head fall back and sent up a low howl, one that had the wolves present all offering their own little howls of delight. As the pack howl subsided, Hunter glanced over his shoulder and ordered, "Angel, go wake the others up. Tell them get in here now, we have a new addition for them to welcome into the pack."

TBC