Gabriel's smirk couldn't be anymore smug even if the Beta had tried. The playful twitch at the corner of his lips made Brandon sigh but he rather swallow his pride and ask his sibling for help than to stumble and make painful, potentially damaging mistakes.

First, Brandon was going to formally introduce Gabriel and Sean or Jamie, whoever was currently in control. Despite their little sibling rivalry, Gabriel was one of the most level headed and caring Beta's that Brandon had the pleasure of encountering.

It was one of the main reasons why he wanted Gabriel and Jamie to meet. Brandon had a feeling that with a bit of luck, the two Beta's could be close friends with one another.

At the very least, Jamie could come and go wherever he felt like if Gabriel had accompanied him a few times. Both the Beta's scents would then be ingrained to the border patrol, or anyone who came across the scent.

Plus, while Brandon would gladly offer his own time, he didn't want to monopolize Sean or Jamie's time. If they wanted to truly felt comfortable in this pack, they needed to be able to build lasting friendships and bonds.

Without Brandon panting down their neck at every available moment of the day.

Add that to the fact that, while Brandon wasn't Pack Alpha, he still had plenty of duties to fulfill. Each and every Alpha within their pack had a certain set of responsibilities and tasks, all to make sure that their Beasts were soothed and placated.

Any Alpha who didn't feel like their needs were met properly could always volunteer to help wherever they could. As such, their pack was a well-oiled, balanced working machine.

None of their Alphas, be it male or female, looked down on any of the available jobs. From a simple groceries run, helping the kitchen staff out with mundane tasks to more complex security details, planning of pack hunts, border patrols and sniffing out any lingering Rogues.

Every single one of them worked on a voluntary basis, pitching in wherever needed when their jobs were finished. Because all the Alphas knew that aiding the pack also meant aiding themselves.

A happy pack resulted in a happy Alpha, and vice versa.

"I'm willing to help." Gabriel snickered, interrupting Brandon's thoughts as his brother looked back at the files on the desk. "However, they need to agree first. I'm not interested in forcing them, any of them, to go out on a run or a job against their will."

Brandon snorted at that, "Of course not. I was merely suggesting it with the possibility of if they agreed. I never said they would."

Gabriel hummed in agreement, signing off on several papers before looking back up. "Still find it curious that they don't just, present themselves with their most confident alter first." He made a gesture with his hand as Gabriel continued, "You know, you said Jamie had no issue in standing up for himself...themselves."

A low growl vibrated through Brandon's throat, his beast already on edge for the potential reasons. Brandon cleared his throat before giving his brother a pointed look.

"You know as well as I do that we don't know their past. Introducing them to an entire pack without any idea what their trigger points may be, is an insane idea bordering being moronic."

Gabriel makes a face at that, silently agreeing with Brandon. Both of them knew it was customary to receive documentation on any newcomer to the pack in order to have a general idea with whom they were dealing with.

Nothing too intrusive, simply data that was required when transferring into a pack. Former pack, family connections, occupation, mating status, ranking, next of kin, ...

Both of them had seen the papers, or rather lack thereof. They had nothing to base judgement on except what they knew of Sean and Jamie.

Which was very little.

"I want to introduce them to normality." Brandon murmured softly, drawing Gabriel's gaze to him. "They need to acclimate on their own accord, feel safe before they can be introduced to large amounts of wolves."

Silence clung heavily to the air and Brandon knew Gabriel would instantly pick up on the words left unspoken. He could smell it as Gabriel's coffee like scent bittered instantly.

"They didn't have a normal life. How will they know how to act, how to react, if our normal is their abnormal?"

Swallowing, Brandon looked from his interwoven hands to where his brother was clenching a pen in his fingers. Nostrils flaring before the Beta sighed.

"Figured as much, you know, with the whole..." He trailed off with a gesture and Brandon nodded. They both sighed before Gabriel cleared his throat. "Well then... Shall we go and bless them with my presence?"

Brandon rolled his eyes playfully as he pushed himself from the seat. "On second thought, I should keep you away from them both. You're a menace."

"ME?!" Gabriel gasped with indignation before chuckling as Brandon bumped their shoulders together. "Have some respect, pup!"

A slow smirk curled on Brandon's lips as he inclined his head. "Oh right, I forgot you're an old man. Time to make a walk and stretch your legs, old timer." He grinned teasingly, "Or is it too close to your afternoon nap?"

He anticipated the shove and moved out of the way, barking out a laugh when Gabriel lunged for his back. Brandon struggled against the instant headlock and squirmed as knuckles grated over his scalp.

"Never mind, you're way too immature to be anything but a pup yourself." He growled, managing to shove Gabriel away from him as his brother huffed out an annoyed sound.

"I'm responsible. I do all my tasks provided to me and I help out the pack." Gabriel grumbled , making Brandon snicker as he nudged his sibling once more.

He grinned as he pointed out, "Being responsible and being immature are not mutually exclusive, Gabe." The beta at his side huffed but couldn't quite fight back against that retort.

As they started towards Sean's room, Brandon couldn't help but feel a slight hint of guilt and worry bite at his heart. After their last interaction yesterday, Brandon hadn't quite seen them, as his mother had already taken Sean and Jamie to have breakfast with one another.

He had felt dejected that the opportunity to make things right with Sean and Jamie had been delayed. Responsibilities had dragged Brandon away, along with Ryker's reminder that Sean and Jamie needed some time on their own.

So Brandon had focused on his work to distract himself and had aimed all his wolf's frustration on coming up with an idea that would benefit Sean and Jamie's situation.

Even though he would love nothing more than to be the sole contact for Sean, he couldn't deny the Omega a sense of normality. A sense of friendship.

While Brandon would love nothing more than to be the only one to bask in Sean's attention, he knew that it would benefit both Sean and Jamie if they had a steady group of friends.

To be able to make connections within the pack, friends that didn't necessarily have any ulterior motives. Now that he had announced his interest in Sean and Jamie, in anyone from the community, Brandon knew he was going to be observed keenly.

He knew Jamie was going to be observing, even if he wasn't the one in charge. He would still be present underneath the surface, watching and taking in every fragment of information presented to their community.

Being too forceful, too insistent on spending every waking moment in their presence, wouldn't endear Jamie to Brandon at all.

He sighed tiredly, rubbing a hand over his face as they approached Sean's room.

After letting his knuckles rap on the door, Brandon wasn't surprised when it was Jamie who opened the doorway. It was stunning how Brandon could instantly recognize the Beta through his mannerisms, the slightest narrowing of his eyes instead of relying on the Beta's scent.

"Can I help you?" Jamie asked slowly when none of us spoke, making Gabriel roll his eyes and playfully shoved Brandon's shoulder.

Snapping the young Alpha out of his stupor of contemplating exactly what to say, only to realize that he was now put on the spot... and still didn't have anything prepared!

Brandon sighed, arching his neck to relieve some tension in the sore muscles there. "I was hoping I could introduce you to my brother, Gabriel." Brandon started with a small motion to his sibling.

Gabriel smiled warmly as Brandon continued, "I wanted to... provide someone you could trust in case I'm indisposed. While I'd love nothing more than to...provide aid wherever needed, I do have tasks to complete as well."

Jamie's eyes flitted from Brandon to Gabriel just as the later smirked. "I don't need to mention that this lovesick pup is afraid you'll get sick of him if he smothers you."

"You lil-" Brandon didn't get to finish his words as Gabriel's arm wrapped around his neck, followed by knuckles rasping over his skull once more.

"That's why he came up with the brilliant idea to offer my time and presence, if you want." Gabriel grinned at Jamie, who leaned in the doorway with an amused tilt to his lips.

Gabriel released Brandon, who huffed and rubbed over his tender skull with a frown. "You get to leave your room whenever you want as either your Omega or Beta self, plus people will learn your scent. I'd say it's a win-win situation."

Brandon scoffed, glaring at Gabriel as he shook his head. "I'm starting to think it's a mistake to even bring you anywhere near Sean and Jamie."

However Brandon was relieved when there was an amused glint in Jamie's eyes as the Beta crossed his arms, still leaning in the doorway. Observing the bickering brothers before Gabriel turned to him, holding out his hand to shake.

"In all seriousness, I wouldn't mind hanging out whenever you want. While patrol runs do give you plenty of exercise, it isn't the same as being able to go out for a run and just...run." Gabriel lamented before adding "Plus even though I'm just a Beta, most if not all of the pack will listen to me due my being the son of the Pack Alpha."

Jamie slowly reached out, shaking Gabriel's hand and letting it go almost instantaneously. Gabriel took it in stride as Jamie questioned "So none of the pack will harass me if I were to go on a run with you?"

Gabriel's smile softened somewhat, understanding the hesitation, the caution that was barely perceptible in Jamie's voice. "Correct. While they might be curious as to who I'm running with and investigate our scent trails, they'd know better than to pry."

Brandon nodded, remembering his own run with Sean. While he let his Alpha run unchecked and they did encounter a border patrol, Gabriel was right. If Sean had been awake, had given so much as a squeak to show his unease, the wolves would've scattered before the stressed omega could even blink.

Clearing his throat, Brandon got the attention of his brother and Jamie as he slowly added "While I was thinking about our previous run, I realized the pack might... overreact if they suddenly smelled an unknown Beta within the territory, especially if they know that there is an unmated Omega waiting to be introduced to the pack."

Jamie's lips pressed together into a thin line, mind instantly going over the implications. "If I were to go on an unsupervised run now, they'll be more aggressive for wanting to protect Sean...even if they haven't met him before?"

Both siblings nodded, letting Jamie process that information. It was clear that the Beta struggled with the very idea that someone from the pack, anyone really, would be protective of a total stranger.

"Is it because Sean is Omega?"

Brandon shared a look with Gabriel, swallowing as he searched for the correct words. "It's complicated." He started, licking his dry lips and blinking with surprise when Jamie sighed before stepping out of the doorway, motioning them both inside.

Neither Gabriel or Brandon failed to spot the tension within Jamie as the young Beta closed the door of the room. Trapping himself inside with an Alpha and Beta.

Both Gabriel and Brandon stiffened as petrichor stung their nostrils, a clear indication that Jamie was distressed.

"Explain." Jamie ordered, eying Gabriel and then Brandon, focusing his gaze on the Alpha. Brandon sighed softly before motioning to the room around them.

"Our pack are very sensitive to the few Omegas present. Now that they know at least one of the new arrivals is an Omega themselves, they will bend over backwards to make sure Sean's safety is ensured."

Gabriel hummed his agreement, flopping down on a chair as he added "Meaning that any intruder, any unknown and unauthorized scent will put the pack on high alert. With your permission, we can at least let the pack know that you and Sean are...related to one another."

Jamie hummed, tongue flicking over his lips and unintentionally drawing Brandon's attention to the small gesture. "If the pack were to know Sean and I are related..."

Gabriel smirked, leaning back in his seat. "They will naturally make sure no harm comes to Sean's brother, knowing it would upset the Omega they are trying to protect."

Jamie blinked at that, surprise making the petrichor soften in the room. "Why? They don't know me, us." He motioned towards himself, blue eyes frosting over with distrust.

"Frankly, the pack doesn't give a shit that they haven't met you, either of you, yet." Gabriel stated bluntly, making Brandon sigh as he cleared his throat.

Brandon took the other available chair, not wanting to overstep and offend Jamie or Sean by sitting on their bed without invitation.

"Our pack are very respectful towards Omegas. Even though we aren't as... elitist? Rank focused as some packs out there, we instinctively act more respectful towards Omegas." The young Alpha explained before sighing when Jamie just looked even more confused.

Gabriel cleared his throat, leaning forwards in his seat with a kind smile. "Omegas, or anyone in the pack, are welcome to choose a job to their preference." He slowly explained, motioning to include all three of them.

"Alphas are held to stricter standards given how their Beasts are stronger than most. Betas like you and I are given more... freedom so to speak, as we tend to be more level headed and capable of working independently."

Jamie's confusion slowly disappeared, making way for understanding as Brandon picked up on the example, "Deltas and Omegas are usually grouped together, mostly with someone of a higher ranking. Not because we don't trust them, but to provide them with a physical and mental reassurance."

"Imagine how Sean would feel, how he would act if you or the rest of the community wasn't there." Gabriel's soft voice created a silence in the room as petrichor rose to uncomfortable heights. "While Sean has you, has your community to fall back to, we as a pack want to offer the same to the Deltas and Omegas within our care."

Brandon snorted, "Plus, the Deltas and Omegas in return give us Alphas and Betas a goal, something to strive towards." The young man chuckled wryly, shaking his head slightly. "A pack is nothing if it contains just Alphas or Betas. Nor will it ever be secure with only Deltas and Omegas."

The young Alpha's nostrils flared when the petrichor scent sweetened, not to a degree where Sean took over, but in a surprising display of barely suppressed joy from Jamie.

It made Brandon silently vow that he would do everything in his power to be the cause of that scent. To make sure that Jamie and Sean were always content, always protected and happy.

Just so they could bask in this sweet yet addictive scent for the rest of their lives.