Part 9
"Justin, calm down," chuckled John shaking his head as the younger man bounded ahead of them urging them to hurry up as they wandered down the corridor heading towards Hunter's suite.
"Aww man," purred Justin, his accent thickening as he grinned, "When you see why you've been summoned you'll understand the hurry. Now come on, get those old legs moving and hurry up!"
John laughed out loud, not minding in the bit the cheek he was receiving from the lower ranking wolf.
"What's going on?"
The soft question had him glancing down and finding Josh plastered to his side he couldn't help the slight smirk curling his mouth or stop his wolf growling with need. Draping an apparently platonic arm around Josh's slim shoulders, he pulled the smaller wolf against him, soothing, "No idea but I'm guessing from the way Angel is bouncing around, I'm guessing it's something good."
Josh seemed to relax and for a moment he settled against John his cheek brushing the larger man's shoulders. It was a move that had John's wolf panting with delight but then all too quickly Josh was pulling away, his pace slowing slightly as he paused to check that Alex was still with them. It was a fact that didn't escape John's notice. With a sight pursing of his lips he asked a little too loudly, "By the way, how's the wrist feeling, Josh?"
He was rewarded by a slight faltering in Alex's step and a panicked look flashing over the other were's face.
"Its okay," replied Josh offering John a faint smile before turning the full warmth of the grin on Alex adding, "No real damage done."
"Are you sure?" asked Alex his eyes searching Josh's face for any sign of residual pain.
"I'm sure," promised Josh pulling away from John to fall into step with Alex. He stared up at Alex and without realising what he was doing he reached out his hand curling around Alex's forearm. Again the two of them felt a jolt of electricity but this time Josh didn't pull back. Instead his fingers dug in a little more, tightening the grip on Alex's arm as he said, "Come on, we're keeping Hunter waiting and that won't do."
Alex's tiger gave a loud happy purr – a sound Alex had rarely heard his cat make – but he liked it. Without sparing a second glance at John he followed Josh letting the smaller man pull him down the corridor heading towards the door Justin was waiting outside. Watching them go John had to ball his fist to stop the howl of annoyance from breaking his lips. Internally his wolf was making its annoyance well and truly known. Running a hand over his forehead John winced – he had the feeling it was going to be a very long day.
X x x x x x x x x
As the door opened Evan looked up and smiled. Justin grinned back at him calling, "I got them – had to drag them out of bed but they're here."
He stepped back to let the other come in but as he did there was a loud growl and suddenly a black wolf was lunging towards them. Yelping in surprise Justin stumbled and fell back against Josh knocking him into Alex. As they three of them tried to regain their feet, Evan yelled, "The door! John shut the door!"
Frowning at the yelled comment, it was only as he managed to extricate himself from the tangle of arms that John noticed a dark little shape was heading straight for the open door and apparent freedom. Acting on pure instinct he slammed the door shut, bent down and scooped the little pup up all in one go. He was staring at the little thing and so didn't see the larger wolf bearing down on him. It was only the shove in the side that sent him flying followed by an alarmed cry that alerted him to what had happened. Josh had saved him from being pounced by a snarling Randy. But in doing so the smaller wolf had put himself in danger.
Careful not to drop the now squirming cub John looked back and gasped. Randy had Josh pinned to the floor, large claw-tipped paws pressing down on Josh's shoulders as the black wolf snapped his annoyance at the smaller man. Josh though was sensible and didn't try to fight back. For once being the most submissive of the pack worked in his favour. Lying very still he simply bared his neck and closed his eyes.
"Ortz!" called John firmly, taking care not to drop the yapping cub, "Leave him alone, come on, be a good wolf and let him get up."
An angry later and a few seconds later and Randy finally gave a disgruntled huff and relaxed slightly. Nudging Josh's chin with his snout the black wolf glared at him before backing off. But instead of returning to where his mate and alpha were waiting for him, he turned his attention to John. Giving a low, almost menacing, growl the black wolf climbed off Josh and headed straight for John.
Not that John was really intimidated. As fearsome as the grumbling black wolf seemed, John knew Randy and he knew the look in the ice blue eyes staring up at him. His own wolf gave a howl of recognition and it took all of John's willpower not to change himself. He had spent too many moonlit nights running beside Randy, their wolves enjoying the freedom of the pack lands, not to feel the usual desire to join his pack mate in wolf form. Taking a deep breath he ignored the angry snaps and growls his wolf was giving him and instead concentrated on the little bundle of energy wriggling around in his arms.
Kneeling down, he lifted the little cub up and smiling warmly, he drawled fondly, "Trust you to have such an amazing daughter." He gave a low sigh then shaking his head he admitted, "Damn it, Ortz, she makes a pretty wolf."
The black wolf chuffed in agreement then snapped his jaws. Brining the little cub up close John pressed a kiss to the side of her muzzle, murmuring, "I think your Daddy wants you back, Sweetheart," before carefully setting the yapping little pup down adding, "Here you go, grumpy pants."
The moment the little black paws touched the ground, Randy lunged forward. Clamping his jaws around the scruff on Alanna's neck, he lifted his would-be runaway up and carried her back towards the nest of sofas, pointedly ignoring the mews and disgruntled yaps that the little cub was giving.
Watching the entire episode with a knowing smirk Hunter quirked an eyebrow at Randy and teased, "Have fun keeping her under control, Pup."
Randy dropped Alanna into Evan's waiting lap and glared at his alpha before giving a very knowing chuff of wolfish laughter in reply. Laying down beside Evan, Randy rested his head on his mate's lap, watching as Alanna tried to climb up Evan's chest, the little cub demanding attention from her 2nd father.
Looking back at the figures by the door, Hunter asked, "Are you lot just gonna stand there all day?"
A chorus of various murmurs and apologies floated back and Hunter couldn't help but notice the way both John and Alex went to help Josh up, the two larger men almost bashing heads as they bent over to assist Josh back to his feet. Catching Evan's eye, Hunter shared a smirk with him as they watched the silent little scene unfold. Both of them silently pleased that John was finally starting to realise that he needed to do something about his obsession with Josh.
Padding over, Justin curled up beside Hunter, yawning as he did.
"Hard night?" asked John grinning as he sank down on the sofa opposite them. Justin flipped him a finger but didn't reply, instead he peered around Hunter watching Alanna as she tried to get comfy on Evan's lap, the little pup occasionally catching her father's muzzle with a paw, "She's so cute." He nudged Hunter and asked, "Will she be allowed to run at the next full moon?"
He felt the air changed then remembering the cause of the fight between Randy and Evan only hours before he swore under his breath. Instantly Evan's hand slid over Randy's thick pelt, his fingers sinking into the silky fur trying to sooth his mate. His wolf could feel Randy's anger and anguish and it hurt. Alanna too felt the change in his father, the little cub settling down and lapping at his muzzle seeking and offering reassurance in the only way the little wolf knew how.
"We'll see," murmured Hunter. He glanced at the other sofa and realising that they were unaware of what had transpired he explained slowly, "I'm calling a full pack run for the next moon."
There was a moment's silence then Josh asked, "Full as in..." he didn't finish the sentence he simply looked at Randy, then Evan, before looking back at Hunter and swearing under his breath. Josh frowned but before he could speak, John asked Hunter, "And you seriously expect him attend?"
Hunter fixed him with a hard gaze growling, "I expect him to obey his alpha's orders. I will issue a full pack notice. If he doesn't not attend, if he fails to show up I will take as insult and I will deal with that insult personally."
There was no mistaking the power or the threat behind his words.
Not sure what was going on or even who they were talking about Alex chose that moment to move. As he did he seemed to draw the gaze of the entire pack on himself and for once he really wasn't comfortable being in the spotlight. He offered a faint smile relaxing slightly when he felt a hand on his leg. Glancing down he saw Josh had shifted position. He was no longer curled up against just John's leg but seemingly content to be touching them both, the little wolf seeking silent reassurance from the nearest strongest weres.
"Do you have any plans for the full moon?"
Alex jumped at the question but shook his head replying, "I honestly have no idea what I'm gonna do. For the last few months my life has been ruled by Mike. We did what he wanted, went where he wanted, I..." he bit his lower lip as he realised how pathetic that made him sound. Looking away he gave a bitter laugh confessing, "I can't even remember the last time I observed a full moon."
His tiger gave a low melancholy grumble. He could feel the cat's distress but he had no idea how to sooth his inner beast. It seemed the more time he spent with Mike the more he lost touch with his true self and that was wrong. The only thing was that without Mike beside him, without Mike telling him what to do and where to be, he honestly didn't know who he really was anymore. He risked a glance up and gasped. Where he'd expected scorn he found only sympathy. Hunter was gazing at him with a strange look almost as if the Alpha wolf could feel his tiger's pain.
With a slightly nod of the head, Hunter offered, "I have no idea what tigers do for full moon but you're more than welcome to observer it with us." He paused then dropping his gaze to Josh - who was gazing up at Alex with almost doe-eyed admiration - he added with a hint of laughter echoing in his voice, "I'm sure we could find somewhere for you to stay in the pack house. Don't you agree, Josh?"
The looks that Hunter received from the three men opposite him were enough to have the alpha laughing out loud and for the first time that morning they all felt a little of the unspoken tensions seep away.
TBC