Part 33

Justin groaned as finally opened his eyes. His head was killing him, it felt as if someone was trying to hammer their way out from the inside. He was also aware of a dull throbbing pain radiating from his left leg. He blinked a few time then frowned as he realised he wasn't alone. Turning to the right he groaned instantly regretting the sudden movement as a fresh wave of nausea rolled over him. But before he could even think about speaking Josh was smiling nervously down at him, the little omega's eyes searching his face, murmuring, "How you feeling?"

"Whelpie?" Justin flinched at the sound, his voice sounded rough and rasping even to his own ears.

Josh disappeared from view with a sharp, "Stay there," and before Justin could object Josh reappeared holding a glass. Placing the straw at Justin's mouth he ordered "drink, it'll help your throat."

Justin obeyed, his wolf moping for too much to even raise a snarl at the fact he was being ordered around by the lowest ranking member of the pack. He sucked in mouthful after mouthful of the water, smiling slightly when he realised Josh had added a slice of lemon, the little omega obviously remembering Justin never drank plain water.

"Better?" asked Josh, his voice thick with worry.

Justin nodded, groaning as he remembered too late that moving his head wasn't a good idea.

"Easy," cautioned Josh helping Justin lie back down.

Justin smiled weakly then noticing the look on Josh's face he lifted an arm and rasped, "Come on - snuggle."

Josh launched himself onto the bed, snuggling into Justin as commanded. Justin laughed and coughed at the same time as Josh nuzzled against him. Wrapping his arm around the smaller wolf, Justin closed his eyes drawing comfort from the embrace. Suddenly frowning Justin forced his eyes open and took another deep breath. With a little gasp he exclaimed, "You smell like John and…" he took another deep breath then chuckled, "...and cat. Oh my god, you…Josh, you minx!"

Josh was beaming and blushing at the same time. Burrowing his face into Justin's shoulder, he giggled a little, sighing happily, "Yeah they both kissed me and then we hugged and then I got to watch them kiss and…"

"So the three of you are together now?" asked Justin, the delight bubbling in his voice.

"I think so," shrugged Josh, his smile widening a little, "There's a lot we need to sort out but for now. Yeah, the three of us are together."

"I'm so happy," grinned Justin pulling Josh closer and brushing a brotherly kiss against the spiked hair.

"What the ...I thought I told you to stay out of here?"

They both jumped a mile at Hunter's roar. Practically falling off the bed in shock, Josh staggered to his feet, his eyes widening as he look at the alpha filing the doorway.

"I...I just...I...I..."

"Get out," ordered Hunter gruffly.

"Now Josh!" he added when it seemed the little omega was rooted to spot.

That second roar got Josh scurrying for the door. He had to duck under Hunter's arm but as he did, the alpha gave him a wink, huffing fondly, "Disobedient little omega." He landed a playful thumb on Josh's hip barking, "Shoo! Go find Shawn and tell him you're volunteering to help with preparation for tonight's pack meeting."

Josh nodded relived that Hunter wasn't really angry with him. He gave Justin a quick wave then yelped as Hunter landed another harder slap on his behind. Scurrying off he didn't bother looking back and so didn't catch the massive grin lighting up Hunter's face.

The grin though faded when Hunter turned and looked at shifter currently filling his bed. Justin looked awful. The normally well-groomed hair was flat and lifeless, the normally ever-present smile was missing and there was a dullness to the dark eyes that ripped at Hunter's heart. With a soft sigh he closed the bedroom door before asking, "How are you feeling, Angel?"

There was an uncomfortable silence then after a few minute Justin replied thickly, "Embarrassed, humiliated and…

"What?" asked Hunter, frowning as Justin carried on.

"I'm embarrassed," repeated Justin, flicking Hunter a look before turning away, unable to look at his Alpha, "I never meant to cause all this trouble. I just needed a run to clear my head." he took a deep breath then, as Hunter settled on the edge of the bed resting a large hand on Justin's leg, he continued, "I wasn't running away. I just..." he sighed and closing his eyes so he didn't have to face the disappointment he knew would be visible in Hunter's eyes he confessed, "I acted like a spoilt pup."

"Angel," the soft growl of the pet name did nothing to soothe Justin's wolf. If anything it curled into a tighter ball, the black tail covering the wolf's eyes as it tried to hide from its alpha's supposed annoyance.

"Justin, look at me."

For a few moments Justin disobeyed but then when Hunter repeated the order with a soft growl, the younger wolf opened his eyes and turned to look at his alpha properly. He frowned as he did. There was no visible anger or even disappointment, there was just a look that could almost be called sadness.

Hunter smiled faintly and running the knuckle of his finger along the edge of Justin's face, taking care to avoid the vivid bruises marring the skin. With a soft sigh he growled, "What happened? Why didn't you call for help?"

Justin leant into Hunter's touch. He felt tears prick his eyes but he had no idea why. Blinking rapidly he replied brokenly, "I was running, sprinting to be accurate, I was so deep in thought I wasn't watching where I was going. There was a bird or something it spooked me and I just lost my footing. I was falling before I knew it and I couldn't get a hold. I tried shifting but it just made things worse I hit my head so many times and then I landed with such an impact I couldn't' breathe. I shifted back to my wolf but I...I couldn't even raise howl to call for help I just…I was so scared…and all I could think of was the fact I never got a chance to tell Wade that I…" finally the barriers broke and the tears he had been holding back ever since the rescue started to trickle down his bruised and battered face.

Hunter didn't reply. Instead he simply leant in and, wrapping his arms around the traumatised shifter, he held him tightly. He made no comment about the tears that were slowly soaking into the shoulder of his dress shirt, or the fact that Justin was shaking like a frightened new-born. He simply held him offering him as much comfort and support as he could. He reached out with his wolf, the big blond wolf curling around the spiky black spirit nuzzling and gently head butting the shaking lupine. He knew that once Justin had a chance to recover they needed to have a talk. And if he was honest it was a talk he really wasn't looking forward to having.

TBC