Part 20

The big tiger gave a sad huff and stretched. He'd found a secluded little area in the large backyard that was thankfully hidden from the sprawling pack house. With his tail lashing around lazily behind him he stretched out, the massive paws digging into the warm earth slightly as he arched his back before settling down. He gave a low little purr loving the way the late afternoon sun was warming his pale fur.

Setting his head on his paws he gave another huff. He hated being confused and right now he was so confused it was hard to remember his own name. With everything that had happened with Mike, the encounter with the pack and the startling developments with John and Josh Alex really felt as if his world was turning itself inside out.

He was so lost in his thoughts he didn't realise he had company. It wasn't until a slight cough and a decidedly nervous, "Umm Riley," that broke the silence that he even realised he'd be found. Lifting his head off his paws he looked towards the voice and gave a low chuff of acknowledgement.

John gave him a weary smile and rubbing the back of his neck the big man coughed, "Umm just came to see if you wanted to come back into the house for some dinner and..." his voice faded a moment before he breathed, "...Damn it but you're one beautiful cat."

The tiger shot him a sceptical look and flexed his tail a low rumbling growl echoing in his throat.

"Yeah sorry not really the right thing to say, is it?" grinned John, laughing at himself.

The tiger cocked his head and gave another chuff of agreement. But then to John's delight the tiger actually stood up and stretched, arching just like a very over grown house cat, before padding closer. Sinking onto its haunches the tiger stared up at John, the blue eyes searching his face for something. John held his ground even though his wolf was pacing nervously. Despite the connection he'd felt with Alex, the fact a very large feline was so close to him was making his wolf nervous. And John's wolf didn't do nervous.

Ignoring the way his wolf was demanding to be released, he sank down into a crouch that bought him level with the tiger's eye line. Pulling his baseball cap off his head, he held it tightly as he ran his hand over the short blond hair before he murmured, "Look I've no idea what's going on between you, me and Josh but I do know you're a good guy. And..." his voice caught in his throat and it took several attempted before he could get the words out, "...if you're willing I...I'd like to see where this going. But I've got one condition," he paused and took a deep breath. He waited for the tiger to give him some sign that he understood what John was saying.

As the seconds dragged on John started to frown wondering if maybe when Alex shifted form he changed totally, that maybe he really was trying to have a heart to heart with an honest to god tiger but then just as he was loosing faith, Alex leant close and head butted his cheek with the side of his massive head. The soft white fur rubbed against John's cheek as the tiger chuffed in agreement in his ear. Without thinking John reached out his hand resting on the tiger's shoulder. Instantly they both felt the same shock as before. It wasn't as strong as it had been when they'd had Josh between them. But it was strong enough that it couldn't be ignored. Pulling back John stared into the soft blue eyes and gathering his fleeting courage he finished, "We take this as slow and as steady as Josh wants." He searched Alex's eyes before adding, "I meant what I said before. Josh is the baby of the pack. He's our omega, he's innocent and sweet and ..."

John's voice faded as he felt a large paw land on his thigh. Staring down at the massive paw he glanced up and joked, "Keep those claws sheathed when they're so close to the goody package okay, kitty?"

The tiger rolled its eyes and gave a very telling snort which made John laugh even more. Without thinking John bought his hand up and stroking the side of Alex's muzzle he stared into the blue eyes and smiled his wolf finally pausing long enough to realise it actually liked have the big cat standing so close to him. He liked it even more when there was a low shudder and suddenly John was kneeling very close to a butt naked Alex who was staring up at him with a look that left both John and his wolf panting like a wolf in heat.

X x x x x x x x

"Welpie?"

Justin waited a moment before knocking again. When there was no answer he shrugged his shoulders and gently opened the door. Poking his head around the corner he couldn't help the smile curling his lips. Josh was curled up on his bed clutching a pillow to his chest. Sighing as he shut the door Justin called, "Welpie, you okay?"

There was a slight sniff then Josh sat up staring at Justin, the large brown eyes shimmering slightly.

"Are they angry with me?" sniffed the little wolf.

"Angry?" asked Justin frowning as he padded closer to the bed, "Who d'you is angry with you?"

"John, Alex, all of them?" stammered Josh sniffing again.

"Welpie why in heaven name would anyone be angry with you?"

"Because I got the way!" exclaimed Josh miserably, "You saw the... you saw the connection between John and Alex and I...I got in that way and I...I don't want them to be angry with me and..."

"Josh!" called Justin sharply, silencing the babbling little omega, "Josh sweetheart you didn't get in the way. You are a part of what ever the hell is going on between the three of you."

He climbed up onto the bed and after a few moments he had rearranged them so Josh was laying against him, the smaller man curled into his embrace. Stroking the spiky brown hair Justin brushed a kiss against Josh's forehead and soothed, "Welpie seriously, do you honestly think they are angry with you?"

Josh nodded but didn't say anything. He just tightened his grip around Justin's waist. His wolf gave a low howl of contentment. He loved being held and he loved that Justin never pushed him away the way some of the more dominant wolves did. Although as he thought about it, John never pushed him away. John always went out of his way to touch him, to allow some sort of contact between them. He suddenly sat up and exclaimed, "He likes me!"

"No shit Sherlock," teased Justin shaking his head as half the penny dropped in the little omega's brain.

"But...but there was never any shock between us before not until Alex and then..."

"Yeah I don't understand that bit," chuckled Justin pulling Josh back down for more snuggles, "I think the Alphas understand but Josh you've got two guys who are kinda carzy about you and it's about time you realised it."

Josh looked up at the knowledgeable gamma before looking away and murmuring, "Why would they want me? I'm just an omega. I'm nothing. I can't."

"Don't you ever say that again!" exclaimed Justin tightening his grip around Josh's shoulders, "Don't you ever say you're just an omega again. You're our omega and the pack loves you. Who the hell told you you're nothing?" There was a low growl in Justin's voice, his wolf suddenly enraged at the idea that anyone would say such a thing to Josh.

Josh didn't answer he just snuggled closer into Justin's embrace his wolf basking in the comfort rolling off the older wolf.

Realise Josh wasn't going to tell him Justin made a mental note to let John know someone was feeding Josh a load of bullshit about his place within the pack. Giving a low sigh Justin stroked Josh's dark hair and murmured, "You know I was told to bring you down for dinner, you ready to go face the pack?"

Josh groaned and sitting up he asked slowly, "Are they going to make comments about what happened?"

"Yeah probably," grinned Justin sitting up. Running his knuckle along the edge of Josh's jaw he added, "But since the Guns love making John squirm I'm guessing he'll be getting most of the jokes and not you." He swung his legs over the edge of the bed and standing up he stretched before holding a hand out towards Josh and asking," Come on lets go get some food. Besides you never know we may run out of chairs and you may end up sitting on John's lap."

Josh gave him an embarrassed chuckle and smacked his arm. Still giggling as he brushed past Justin and headed out into the corridor Josh paused then looking back over his shoulder he asked softly, "Did you answer Wade's text?"

Justin gave a sharp little intake of breath and looking back over his shoulder he held Josh's eye before looking away and murmuring, "No. Not yet."

"Are you going to?" asked Josh as they started down the stairs.

Justin didn't answer. He simply bit his lower lip and tried to ignore the howl of desire his wolf sent up, a howl that echoed through his entire soul and left him feeling so desperate it was almost painful.

TBC