Part 21

Evan spat out the mouthwash. He could still taste blood in his mouth and while his wolf might have no problems with that taste his all too human side had a big problem with it. Barely managing to resist the urge to throw up again he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and sniffed. He hated losing control of his wolf like that. It didn't happen very often. Normally his human half was in control but seeing Alanna kicked had sent his wolf into a rage and it was a lupine rage he had barely managed to pull back from in time. Closing his eyes he drew in a deep breath then hissed when the coppery tang of Cody's blood hit the back of his throat. Fumbling blindly he reached of the mouthwash again only to come up short. Swearing under his breath he forced his eyes open squeaking when he realised he was no loner alone.

"Here," growled Hunter handing him a fresh shot of mouthwash.

Evan took it without replying. Swilling the sharp tasting liquid around his mouth he looked at the alpha waiting for the anger he expected to be unleashed on him for biting a chuck out of a pack mate. It was an anger that didn't materialise. Instead Hunter simply took back the glass rinsed it out and set it on the side.

Swallowing audibly Evan rasped, "I'm not sorry I bit him. He attacked my family, he ..."

"I know," interrupted Hunter wearily, "Trust me I would have done the same in your position." He paused then sighing again he asked, "How is she?"

"Acting as if nothing happened," huffed Evan, "A few minutes being cuddled by Randy and having her father all to herself and she's fine." He flicked a look at Hunter that said more than words ever cold.

"She loves you just as much," assured the Alpha sensing the little wolf's distress.

"Maybe," shrugged Evan looking so sad it was all Hunter could do not to reach out and pull the small man into his embrace.

Running his eyes over Evan Hunter frowned when he noticed something different abut the other man, "You look thin," he mused, "Are you eating properly?"

"I'm fine," offered Evan but for once the smile didn't reach his eyes, they remained almost dead and that worried Hunter. It worried him a lot. But before he could enquire anymore Randy appeared into the door, frowning as he saw Hunter standing there with his naked mate.

"What's going on?" he asked obviously to the fact that his mate had been suffering.

Hunter turned and fixing his beta with a levelling stare he growled, "You didn't sense Evan's pain?"

"Pain?" repeated Randy slowly.

His brow creased in confusion and looking between the two men he finally settled on Hunter asking, "What do you mean pain? I'd know if Evan was in pain, I..." his voice faded to a low huffed expletive as he realised he hadn't been paying attention to anything except his daughter. Flicking Evan a look he asked gruffly, "What happened?"

"Nothing," repaid Evan far too brightly and quickly for Hunter's liking, "Hunter is just being over protective worrying about …."

"Don't hide from me," snapped Randy his hand balling into a tight fist, "Evan please." He searched his mate's face, his wolf howling in annoyance when he realised Evan had put up a mental wall between them, "Don't you dare shield from me!" growled Randy his temper flaring quickly as he realised the little wolf was actually hiding from him.

"Tell me what's wrong!" he demanded stepping closer

"Nothing, nothing is wrong," protested Evan, his wolf giving a little snarl at the anxiety rolling off his mate, "I..."

"He was being sick," interrupted Hunter ignoring the hissed "Don't" from Evan. "Your mate was being sick and you didn't realise," he stepped closer crowding Randy growling, "What sort of mate does that make you?"

Randy 's wolf gave a low growl and glaring at his alpha, Randy snarled, "Don't you dare judge me. I was taking care of my daughter. I was being a good father and..."

"And what about being a good mate?" interrupted Hunter not intimidated in the least by the look Randy was throwing him, "For the second time in a few days you have hurt your mate," he held his hand up silencing Randy's protests, "I don't want to hear it. Save your breath for more important things like taking care of your mate." He raked them both with a vicious glare before adding gruffly, "I suggest you get cleaned up then come down for dinner – you know what Shawn gets like if anyone misses a meal. I'll make sure your plates are kept hot."

He turned on his heel and stormed away but as he got to the door he paused and looking back over his shoulder he called, "And before you ask I spoke with Cody - he never meant to hurt her. He didn't realise it..."

"He never means to hurt anyone," snarled Randy his eyes narrowing as he fought to keep hold of his temper, "And yet he always does. He always destroys everything he touches."

Hunter held his gaze neither wolf backing down from the challenge. It was only as Hunter turned to go that that the look was broken and Randy and Evan were left alone.

After a few moments of awkward silence Evan murmured, "I didn't say anything."

"I know," huffed Randy not looking at him.

He was mentally kicking himself and trying to hold his wolf back. The black beast was howling loudly, anger at the presence of Cody warring with concern for his subdued and near silent mate. In the end it was only when Evan turned back to the sink and started to brush his teeth that Randy managed to look over at him. He frowned as he drank in the sight of the compact body he knew so well. For a brief moment under the harsh fluorescent light he could have sworn Evan looked thinner than he had a few days ago. Without speaking he stepped closer and ghosting a hand over Evan's spine he closed the gap between them, letting his wolf reach out to comfort the smaller wolf.

He felt Evan tense then relaxed, the smaller wolf leaning backwards, resting against Randy's as he spat and rinsed his mouth. Finally finished he turned and looking up at Randy he breathed, "I'm sorry I didn't mean to bite him I…"

"Its okay," assured Randy smiling fondly at the man he had come to rely on, "I don't care if you ripped his arm off. I'm worried about you. You look tired, are you feeling okay?"

Evan nodded nuzzling his face against Randy's hand, his wolf given a long low howl of delight as he felt all his mate's attention turn to him. Stepping into Randy's embrace Evan looped his arms around Randy's waist and resting his head on his shoulder, he murmured, "Don't laugh at me but...just hold me?"

Randy obeyed, wrapping his arms around Evan and holding the smaller wolf as tight as he could. He could feel Evan shaking and it took him a moment to realise his lover was actually crying. Bending his head he brushed soft kisses over Evan's forehead and hair murmuring soft nothing soothing the upset man.

It took Evan a few moments to get control and when he finally managed to stop sniffing, he started wriggling, trying to break free only Randy didn't let him. If anything he tightened his grip snapping, "Stop it! You're allowed to be upset, you..."

"No, I'm not!" growled Evan fighting hard to get free, "Its pathetic being so upset over a pack fight. I..."

"But it wasn't a pack fight," reasoned Randy. He pulled back enough that he could look down into Evan's eyes without actually breaking the embrace, "You bit him while he was human without it being a pack fight, its no wonder you're upset. Your wolf, despite its strength is a gentle creature, it hates arguments and for you to lose so much control…" Randy's voice faded into nothing, then without thinking he simply lowered his mouth and kissed Evan's lips.

He felt Evan struggling against him and that annoyed his wolf. Exerting just a little power he soon had Evan backed up against the vanity unit and without waiting he reached down and lifted the smaller man up and set him on the worktop. Standing between Evan's spread legs Randy caught his chin and forced him to look up rumbling, "Don't you dare hide from me. Why won't you kiss me back? Or let me kiss you?"

Evan stared at him then looked away before murmuring, "Because I can still taste his blood and I...I don't want you to…"

"Evan don't," breathed Randy. He sighed and running his thumb over Evan's lips he chuckled bitterly murmuring, "I don't care. I want to kiss you, I want to kiss my mate and have him kiss me back. I want…"

Evan silenced him with a devastating kiss. It was full of need and longing and desperation that Randy hadn't felt in the little wolf since they had first met. Since that time when Randy had walked away from him after their first kiss, point blank refusing to accept that his true mate was male. Suddenly realising what was going on in Evan's head Randy pulled back and barked, "Don't you dare think I don't love you!"

Evan started up at him for a second before trying to get away.

"I mean it!" yelled Randy catching Evan and forcing him to look at him. He felt Evan's wolf fighting to get free and he could feel his won. Realising their human sides were complicating matter Randy simply growled, "Shift."

Evan hesitated then he obeyed shifting into his lupine form. As Randy shook his clothes off, the large black wolf gave a commanding bark and led the way back out into the master bedroom they shared. Jumping up onto the bed he turned a tight circle then gave another bark watching as the smaller chocolate wolf approached the bed. Settling down he gave a little yip of delight when Evan jumped up to join him, the smaller wolf curling up between his front paws, the smaller wolf fitting between them perfectly.

Resting his muzzle on Evan's back, Randy's wolf gave a long low sigh before tilting his head and nuzzling his cheek against Evan's soft brown fur. The smaller wolf gave a little yap, relaxation and contentment finally pouring off him as he took some much needed comfort from his mate. For a moment they lay curled up together lost in the sheer perfection of the moment.

"Daddy?"

The large black wolf looked up and gave a single bark of recognition. Almost instantly Alanna shifted and bounding over she tried to jump up onto the bed, trying to join them but her back legs were too little and soon she was left sitting on the floor, staring up at them little howls of disappointment escaping from her muzzle.

Sharing a knowing look the two adult wolves both chuffed in wolfish laughter. Jumping down the large black wolf the top of her head before catching her by the scruff of the neck and leaping back up to join his waiting mate. Depositing the wriggling pup between Evan's front paws, Randy resumed his position, curling tight around his mate as he did, his muzzle resting on the smaller wolf's shoulders. Staring down at his pup he gave a little huff of wolfish contentment and nuzzled his face into the soft brown fur, the three of them finding a moment's contentment in the midst of a manic day.

TBC