Part 32
Lex gave a little grunt wriggling slightly as he started to wake up. For a moment his wolf lay quietly, basking in the warmth flooding his system then, as if someone had flipped a switch, his wolf was on high alert. Growling as he woke up he was about to speak when a soft, lazy chuckle broke the silence. Glancing to the left he realised Chris was propped up on an elbow, gazing down at him, a soppy smile lighting up his mate's face.
"Thought you were gonna sleep the entire day away," teased Chris, his hand tracing lazy patterns on Lex's bare chest.
"Huh? How long have I…fuck!" hissed Lex as he caught sight of the clock. It was well past midday. He blinked a few times then glaring at Chris he snapped, "Why didn't you wake me up?"
"Because you needed your sleep, dumbass," replied Chris chuckling at the glare his mate was throwing him, "And besides," he continued, smirking at Lex's expression, "You know I love watching you sleep. It's the only time you're not a dickhead."
Lex flipped him the finger but there was no heat to the look he gave him. Instead there was only worry and concern and Chris hated that. He hated the fact that his normally self-obsessed mate had been so rattled by what had happened it was still showing in his eyes hours later. Brushing the white streak in Lex's hair, he soothed, "I'm fine, Lex, relax."
Lex stared back at him, a thousand questions burning the back of this throat but the only sound that escaped his tight lips was a soft barely-there, "I was so..."
"I know," interrupted Chris, not wanting to put Lex through the strain of having to admit his feelings. He leant down and brushed his lips over his mate's, their wolves basking in the mating moment. Pulling back with the sleepiest, most contented smile on his face, Chris asked, "So did I miss anything exciting while I was recovering from Shawn's misguided intervention?"
Lex's face clouded over and a low growl of annoyance vibrated out of him. It was a growl dark enough to make Chris shudder in response. He had never heard Lex sound so angry before and he could only imagine what his mate's wolf was like if the human side was this worked up. Absently stroking Lex's hair as he would a worried pup, Chris brushed butterfly kisses against the streaked strands and soothed, "It's okay. I'm okay, Lex, he didn't…"
"He could have killed you!" exclaimed Lex, his voice thick with anger and other heartfelt emotions, "He could have damaged your wolf, he could…."
"Lex shut the fuck up!" ordered Chris, his wolf snapping angrily at his mate. For all that he loved and adored Lex there were times when he drove him crazy. Pressing his hand down hard over Lex's open mouth, he added firmly, "I mean it. Stop talking."
He held Lex's angry gaze, his wolf flashing a challenge to his more submissive mate. For a moment Lex fought him but then subtly, almost so subtle it was invisible, he tilted his head just enough to expose his neck, a silent acknowledgment of Chris's dominance. Chris didn't react for a few seconds but when a needy pup-like mew vibrated against his hand he slowly relented. Leaning down, he licked a strip kiss along the side of Lex's neck before whispering, "I'm ok, I mean it. Please, stop worrying."
He pressed a biting kiss to Lex's neck, just below his ear, his teeth worrying the skin, leaving a visible mating mark on Lex's neck. As Lex arched in pained delight Chris released the bite and nuzzled his face against the now vivid bruise. As he felt Lex's hands slide around his body and pull him deeper into the embrace, Chris let out a contented sigh, knowing nothing in the world felt better than laying in the arms of his mate.
X x x x x x x x x
"You okay, Al?" asked Randy frowning as he felt Alanna tense in his arms.
They were still a few feet away from the stairs that Cody was sitting on but as they got closer he felt his little girl getting more and more tense. Suddenly she gave a little yelp and pointing at Cody she exclaimed loudly, "You meanted you killed my mommy!"
"What the fu…" began Randy only just stopping himself from swearing in time.
He was distracted from ripping Cody apart by Alanna who turned his arms and flung herself around his neck. The little girl all but burrowing into her father's embrace, seeking the comfort and protection he always gave her. With his attention taken up by the now sniffing little girl it was left to Evan to deal with finding out what had happened.
He ghosted his hand down Randy's spine, his wolf reaching out to comfort both his mate and his mate's pup. It seemed to do the trick. After a few moments, Alanna stopped sniffing and seemed content to lie with her head on Randy's shoulder, her thumb getting dangerously near her mouth. Randy though look ready to kill and, knowing a scene was the last thing any of them needed, Evan stepped closer. Going up on tip toe he brushed a kiss against Randy's cheek and suggested, "Why don't you take Alanna inside? It's almost time for her nap."
Randy flicked him a withering look, knowing it was nowhere near naptime but he understood what Evan was doing. Reaching out through their link, his wolf rubbed along against the small chocolate spirit earning a happy yap and playful head-butt from the little wolf in reply. Nodding stiffly Randy changed his grip on Alanna and without sparing Cody a second glace he strode up the stairs and into the pack house.
For a moment neither Cody or Evan moved, but then before Cody could blink, Evan was standing in front of him. Glaring down at Cody and with the anger barely contained he demanded, "What the hell did you say to Alanna?"
Cody stared back up at him, his wolf snapping and snarling at Evan's tone. Fighting his natural instinct to be sarcastic in response, he sniffed loudly replying , "I told her the truth. Told her I was sorry. That I didn't mean to hit Sam. That I…"
"You what?" hissed Evan the normally laughing face going deadly serious.
"I told her I was sorry," replied Cody, his wolf's hackle going up at the anger rolling off Evan. Getting to his feet, he held onto the banister staring at the smaller man not understanding the sudden, deep anger burning in Evan's eyes.
"Why are you getting pissy at me?" asked Cody, cracking his neck out and sniffing even more. He really didn't like the way Evan was glaring at him and unable to strop himself, he sniped, "Look I was trying to make things right. I..."
"You've made things worse!" exclaimed Evan, "Alanna didn't know it was you driving. Randy never told her what actually happened to Sam. He..."
"What?" breathed Cody, his face paling as he realised what Evan was trying to say, "But why? I mean Randy hates me why would he try and protect …"
"It had nothing to do with you, believe me," spat Evan, his face crumpling in contempt, "He was trying to protect his baby from having to deal with the death of her mother and the betrayal of a man she adored. He was protecting Alanna."
He took a step closer and getting into Cody's space, he stared up into his face, hissing, "Not everything in this world is about you, Cody." He gave Cody a hard shove to the chest, watching as the younger wolf stumbled backwards, "Maybe it time you got that through your thick, self-obsessed skull," he added glaring at the other man.
It took Cody less than a second to steady himself and come straight back at Evan, sniffing loudly as he shoved Evan backwards. A low growl erupted from Evan as his wolf demanded to be let free. It was a growl Cody echoed his lip pulled back to reveal sharp canines as he curled his fists and looked ready to throw a punch.
"Just try it, princess!" growled Evan, squaring up to Cody without a hint of fear.
"Is there a problem here, boys?"
Cody whirled around, staring up at the deck to where Hunter and Shawn had appeared, the alphas watching them with interest. But it was the figure a few feet behind them that took all of his attention. Ted was staring at him, looking paler and more drawn than Cody could ever remember.
"Teddy?" he breathed his voice sounding pathetic even to his own ears.
But once again there was no comforting touch from his mate. If anything Cody felt more alone and cut off than ever and as his eyes locked with Ted's he felt his wolf howl in distress because for the first time in his entire life Ted didn't smile back at him.
X x x x x x x x x
Josh blinked in surprise his tongue poking out to lick his lips. He could still taste John's kiss and he could feel the ghost of John's hands on his neck when the lead gamma had finally kissed him. He blinked again and trying very hard to ignore his wolf, who was running around in circles and yapping with sheer and utter delight, he croaked, "You...you kissed me."
"Sure did," grinned John, although the grin faltered slightly when it wasn't returned. Swallowing quickly John's smile faded into nothing and he was left frowning at the little shifter in front of him. With his nerves all too audible in his voice, he asked wearily, "It was okay, wasn't it? I mean the fact I kissed you. I…"
"Oh it was amazing!" exclaimed Josh, his mouth reacting before his brain had a chance to think of a slightly less gushing answer.
Blushing furiously and pointedly refusing to acknowledge the massive grin that had broken out over Alex's face; he forced himself to look at John. The big wolf had never looked more unsure or uncertain of anything and suddenly Josh knew. He knew he never wanted to be the cause of such a look on John's face again. Acting on pure instinct alone, he closed the gap between them. Going up on to tip toe he laced a hand through the short blond hair and pulled John's face down before he planted a very certain kiss on John's lips. Letting go after a few second he gave a blinding smile and replied firmly, "Does that answer your questions?"
"Hell yeah," grinned John, his infectious chuckle surrounding the three of them with its warmth.
Alex bit his lower lip and, shaking his head, he murmured, "Wow, you guys are hot when you kiss."
"Damn right we are," preened John sliding an arm around Josh's shoulder.
He caught Alex's eye then nodded. Pausing to stroke Josh's spiky hair, he let his wolf reach out to the little omega, his own spirit seeking assurance that Josh's wolf was as happy of the situation as Josh's human half. The reaction he got from the little black wolf was enough to make John roar with laughter. Josh's wolf had rolled over onto its back and was offering John's own blond wolf it's total and utter submission.
"What's going on?" asked Alex, his tiger huffing slightly at the fact he had no pack bond through which to connect with either of the other shifters.
"Josh's wolf just offered me his complete submission," replied John, his eyes not leaving Josh's face.
Alex felt his tiger hiss with annoyance, the big cat demanding that he too should be allowed to claim Josh's submission. He took a step forward, his tiger dangerously close to the surface as he growled, "I kissed him first. I should have his submission I…"
"You will," interrupt Josh.
He nibbled at the bottom of his lip then taking a deep breath he stepped between the two more dominated shifters and, with his back pressed against John's chest, he looked up at Alex and explained, "I'm already linked to John through our pack bond, that's why our wolves can interact but I would willingly give my submission to you as well," As he finished speaking his hand came up to rest on Alex's chest. As he touched the bare skin, he gasped as another powerful mating spark shot through the three of them.
Closing his eyes, John swore under his breath and instinctively reached out, his hand curling around Alex's forearm. As his fingers bit into the firm muscle, he heard Alex gasp again and then for the briefest moment he felt a strange presence brush against his wolf. Reaching out he caught hold of the presence. As he gripped Alex's arm tighter, the presence became clearer and clearer until John could see the image the big beautiful white tiger. With a howl of delight John's blond wolf pounced the tiger, knocking the surprised feline over before gently head butting the thick white fur with his muzzle. John gave a little chuckle that sounded just like his wolf laughing. It was sound that had Josh smiling with delight and leaning back he closed his eyes and through his pack link with John, he watched as John's wolf played with the big white cat.
"Jesus..." Alex stumbled backwards hitting the wall as he stared at the two smiling wolves. He was breathing heavily, his whole body shaking as, for the first time in his life, he experienced the sheer intensity of a bonding moment. Glancing between the two wolves he shook his head then rasped, "What the...I…fuck that was amazing."
"And that was only through our pack link," explained John gently pushing away from Josh to come and stand beside the shaken Alex. Without thinking he leant in and brushing his lips over Alex's open mouth, he breathed, "Just imagine what it would feel like if we had a full mating bond."
Alex stared at him, his eyes growing wide with surprised delight as John saw through on his promise of minutes before and finally got around to kissing him properly.
Seeing John kiss Alex was like a wet dream come true and, as Josh watched them, he suddenly knew there was nothing more he loved in the world than watching his mates kiss.
TBC