Part 23

Justin lean his head back and took a deep breath. As much as he loved being surrounded by the pack his wolf yearned for the freedom of the outdoors. Closing his eyes he let the cool breeze wash over him, taking solace from the slight chill that hung in the night air. Biting his lower lip he sighed again fumbling in his pocket as his phone vibrated against his hip. Glancing down at the screen he saw another message from Wade. Dragging his finger alone the screen he quickly read the message a faint smile appearing as he did.

"Good news?"

He jumped as Hunter wandered closer, the alpha sinking down onto the steps beside him, his long legs stretching out in front of him.

"It's from Wade," replied Justin softly, his accent thickening slightly as he tried not to stumble of the name.

"And?" prompted Hunter after a few moments when Justin didn't elaborate.

"He...he messaged me to say that he was out for a few beers with Heath and ...and that he wished I was there as well."

Hunter didn't say anything, he simply waited for Justin to continue.

"He...he said it was missing having someone sensible to talk to."

"Meaning you?" chuckled Hunter, trying to bite back his laugher when Justin flicked him an annoyed look.

"Yeah meaning me," huffed Justin although his sulk was pushed aside when Hunter started to caresses the back of his neck. His alpha touch soothed Justin quicker than anything else in the world.

"Do you wish you were there as well?" asked Hunter softly his fingers undulating against the base of Justin neck tickling the dark hair line.

"No…yes…I...I don't know," stammered Justin miserably, "I mean I love being with the pack, I really do. And I love nothing more than being here on the pack lands and running under the stars but...but when I'm with Wade, I…" his dropped his head blushing furiously at how pathetic he sounded.

"Angel, when we get back on the road," soothed Hunter brushing a kiss against the spiked dark hair, "Go out with him. Just for drink," he added silencing Justin's protest before it could begin, "It's obvious your human side likes him and he sure as hell likes you. Maybe it's time to let your wolf get used to being around him for something more than just work. Try letting your wolf relax around him and see what happens."

Justin gazed up at his alpha and, without meaning to, he murmured, "But what about us?"

"Angel," growled Hunter, his wolf sighing sadly at the waves of need rolling off the lower ranking wolf, "There is no us. You know that. Yes we have sex but that's all Justin. It's just sex. You know that..."

"I know!" exclaimed Justin pulling away from Hunter, "I know that's all it's but I...I love what we have. I love...when you…" his voice cracked and glancing back over his shoulder, he confessed, "No one breaks apart the way you do and..."

"Maybe Wade will…"

"He won't make me howl the way you do!" yelled Justin angrily. Almost instantly he tensed up, realising with horror who he had just yelled out. Giving a frightened little whimper, and before Hunter could say anything, Justin shifted into his lupine form. Shaking off his clothes the spiky black wolf gazed up at his alpha, gave one long low howl before turning tail and bolting for the wood, pointedly ignoring Hunter's calls to come back.

Cursing loudly Hunter kicked the banister let rip a loud angry howl of annoyance at the moon.

"You okay, darlin'?" came a soft southern drawl that went someway to soothing Hunter's angry, snarling wolf.

"No," growled Hunter smashing his fist into the railing, "I upset Justin and I didn't mean to. I was trying to..."

"Shhh," soothed Shawn closing the gap between him and his mate. Wrapping his arms around Hunter, Shawn spooned against the bigger man's back and kissed his neck, adding, "He knows that, Darlin'. He's just scared that all."

"I don't want him to be scared," huffed Hunter trying to ignore the way Shawn 's breath was caressing the side of his neck, "I want him to be happy. He deserves to be happy, to have his own mate. He shouldn't be content to settle for being my...I just wish he..."

"He's only a pup," replied Shawn. He tightened his grip around Hunter's waist and hugged him closer, soothing, "He'll work it out. He's a smart boy. He just needs time…"

He was interrupted by a loud howl echoing from one of open bedroom windows. He gave a very knowing chuckle and huffed, "Sounds like Chris's leg isn't stopping him from having some fun."

"I just hope they're careful," huffed Hunter turning to look at Shawn properly. "Chris is in a bad way and I get the feeling that this is first time they've…" he was interrupted by another mating howl, this time with two very distinct voices combining and echoing through the night.

"Damn Lex is getting loud," murmured Hunter, smirking to himself as he glanced up at the open window. He had half a mind to go up there and tell the mates to be quiet but before he could move Shawn tightened his grip around him and kissed his neck taking his mind off the noisy trouble makers.

"Leave them be, Darlin'" soothed Shawn.

Pulling away slightly he slid around Hunter's frame so he ended up standing in front of his mate, their bodies pressed together. Smiling up at Hunter he rubbed his head against his mate's shoulder, his wolf chuffing in delight as he felt the mating bonds tighten and strength around them. Lifting his head from Hunter's shoulder he gazed at him. Then with his smile morphing into a very wicked grin, he teased seductively, "Think we can show the pups how it's done?"

"You want me to make you howl?" growled Hunter his voice vibrating with the longing howl his wolf was giving.

"Damn right," grinned Shawn stealing a kiss from an unresisting Hunter. Pulling back he pressed tiny nipping kisses along Hunter's jawline adding needily, "I want you to make me howl so loudly we wake every damn wolf in this house."

"I'm sure I can do that," smirked Hunter, tightening his grip around Shawn's waist and pressing their bodies together. Nuzzling his face against his mate's hair he added with a vicious chuckle, "But you can deal with all the grumpy complaints in the morning though."

X x x x x x x x

As another howl ripped through the house Alex gave up trying to sleep. Huffing to himself he felt his cat pacing inside. If there was one thing the tiger hated it was not sleeping. Rubbing his eyes he glanced at the little clock on the bedside table and groaned. It was only 2am. Stifling a yawn he sat up and glared at the door leading out into the corridor. Figuring hw may as well go use the facilities while he was awake he stumbled out of bed and, without bothering with a robe, padded out into the corridor and start to head towards the bathroom.

He paused briefly as he passed Josh's room, grinning to himself as he looked at the carved name plaque on the door. Shawn had made the letters of Josh's name intertwine and for a moment Alex was tempted to run his fingers over the carving. He didn't but as he veered closer to the door he noticed there was light spilling out from beneath the crack at the base. With a sudden surge of excitement and with his tiger purring in anticipation he found himself knocking on the door.

For a moment there was no reply and just as he was about to continue his journey towards the shared bathroom the door opened and a very sleepy looking Josh blinked at him asking with a yawn, "A-Ry? What's up?"

"Nothing," repaid Alex trying very hard not to stare at the smaller shifter in front of him. With his tiger roaring its approval in is head; Alex licked his lips his eyes running hungrily over the exposed body in front of him. Josh was only wearing sleep shorts, his entire torso was naked, as were his legs and if Alex was honest no one had ever looked better in a pair of black sleep shorts than the man before him.

Josh rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand and yawned again before asking, "So...why'd you knock?"

"I saw the light," explained Alex fighting to make himself answer the questions and not simply pounce the small man.

"Oh." Josh jumped as another mating howl ripped through the house. He flicked a look at Alex, bushing adorably as he did, and murmured, "They always tend to be loud on the first night home. They all have to be so careful when we're on the road. I mean they can't exactly howl like that in any of the hotels we stay in."

"I guess not," chuckled Alex then before he realised what he was saying, he asked, "So do you howl like that when you have sex?" He clamped his lips shut the moment the words were out of his mouth and as much as he wanted to he couldn't take the question back.

Josh stared up at him then giving him a very strange look Josh shrugged and murmured, " I don't know. I've never…" he looked away, his face burning red as he looked everywhere but at Alex.

"You've never what?" prompted Alex hating himself for starting the conversation but now he was fascinated to find out the answers.

"Never been in a position to find out if I howl," stammered Josh his arms folding around himself subconsciously trying to hide behind his own embrace.

Alex was silent a moment then with his voice shaking he asked hesitantly, "You've never ...you're…you're a virgin?"

Josh didn't answer but the way the small frame curled into on itself told Alex all he needed to know. His tiger was purring at the mere thought of Josh being a virgin. Far from being horrified or amused, both he and his tiger found it one of the most thrilling thing he'd ever heard.

"I'm not like a total virgin," stammered Josh his blush deepening, "I mean I've fooled around with people outside the pack. With people at clubs and stuff but... but I've never...I've never with a…never with someone who…I've never mated with anyone." He closed his eyes obviously waiting for the mocking to begin.

It didn't.

After a terrifyingly long silence Josh slowly opened his eyes and blinked at Alex before asking in disbelief, "You're not going to say anything?"

"What do you want me to say?" asked Alex leaning against the wall and smiling at the smaller man.

"Umm I don't know," frowned Josh, "But if you were any member of the pack and I told you that they'd be killing themselves laughing right now…"

"Good job I'm not one of them, then isn't?" chuckled Alex leaning closer. Without thinking he bought his hand up and stroking the side of Josh's face he murmured, "I'd never laugh you. Ever."

Josh stare up at him the brown eye burning with a trust that had Alex's tiger purring louder than anything ever before.

"Really?" breathed Josh his voice shaking slightly as electric shocks tingled along his jaw lien from where Alex had touched.

"Really," promised Alex and without thinking he leant forward and pressing his lips against Josh's, he added, "I'd never hurt you like that."

And before either of them knew what was happening they were kissing. As the kiss deepened Alex felt his tiger brush against the nervous little black wolf that appeared in his mind's eyes. Purring with delight he suddenly felt his tiger shift uneasily and without warning he heard himself give off a low rumbling call. It was a call he heard echoed in the soft yapping howl that escaped from Josh at the same time. Breaking apart they stared at each other, both slightly confused as to who their respective spirits were calling to.

A floor below John woke up with a jolt. His wolf was howling in desire and longing but he hadn't got a clue as to what was causing the need in him. The only thing he knew was that his mates needed him. And the thought of his mates both thrilled and terrified him.

TBC x