Brandon wasn't sure how to breech the sensitive topic that was churning around inside his head. The realization that he and his beast had stumbled upon yesterday.

Of course, Brandon knew logically that he couldn't just walk up to Sean and simply ask him. There were some things in the world that should never, ever be asked.

But he had his suspicions now. Even more reason to assume why exactly Sean and Jamie's files had been left out of the paperwork.

The pack would come to terms with their DID, undoubtedly. It would be extremely hypocritical of the pack if they chose to look down on Sean, Jamie and any other alter, simply because the personalities shared the same body.

To look down on someone with DID while everyone in the pack, besides the humans, shared their body and soul with their Beast, was downright moronic.

So the only logical reason as to why the normally public documents were kept under lock, hidden away from prying eyes... was that it detailed Sean and Jamie's past. Of what happened to them.

The only one who would know for sure, was the Pack Alpha. And Brandon knew his father well enough to realize the Alpha would take that secret with him to the grave.

No matter if his own pup came over to ask him, Alpha Ryker would never ever betray the trust of those under his care.

It did put Brandon in a tough spot though. This wasn't a matter of trying to satisfy his curiosity. No, this was a matter of being able to provide Sean and Jamie with the care they deserved, the care they needed.

But how could he be a decent Alpha if he didn't even know how to care for his-

"I've told you before. Sean and Jamie are not ours! Stop pushing it!" Brandon hissed in frustration at his Beast, who didn't even show a glimmer of remorse at trying to once again sneak in some manner of claim.

The mutt huffed happily, ignoring Brandon's upset, ignoring the Alpha completely as it focused on how to properly care for the Omega and Beta under his care.

Brandon huffed before doing his best to ignore the growing excitement of his wolf. He knew his beast would be impossible to stop trying to care for someone that were placed in his protection.

So instead, he opted to guide his beast. To nudge it into the right direction instead of fighting it every step of the way. Because Brandon couldn't lie ; he had announced to Jamie that he felt attracted to their community.

He didn't want to overstep, but by sitting on his hands and doing nothing, he wasn't going to be able to help Sean or Jamie.

It was with that knowledge that Brandon slowly made his way to Sean and Jamie's room.

Knocking on the door, he anticipated the sudden spike in Sean's heartbeat, followed by the shuffling of his feet approaching the door.

"It's me. I was hoping we could have a talk. Or if you're not feeling up to it, if Jamie and I can have a talk."

That didn't settle well. The second the words slipped from Brandon's lips and the door was cracking open, he had to bite his tongue on a conscious effort to not give into his Beast.

What Brandon had anticipated was a nervousness to seep into sweet Jasmine. For it to turn slightly bitter, slightly acidic with nerves and anxiety.

Instead, he was confronted with thick, pungent and instinctual slick. Not the slick that an Omega would release upon arousal or in heat.

But the sharp, bitter, acrid Jasmine that assaulted his senses now, almost had that damp, moldy scent to it. Showcasing just how distressed Sean was.

And when the door further opened to show tears briming over his luminescent eyes, Brandon felt a lump form in his throat. Beast snarling on the inside, because how dare Brandon cause this much distress in an Omega?

"Sean? It's okay sweetie." Brandon murmured, slowly lowering on his haunches so he wasn't towering over the shivering Omega. "I need you to take a few deep breaths for me. Can you do that?"

The Omega whimpered but nodded, a vague hint of surprise darting over his expression, as if he had anticipated Brandon to shove his way inside.

As Sean inhaled, Brandon focused to keep his own pheromones soothing and calm. "Normally, an Alpha would soothe an Omega by hugging them. However," Brandon interjected, anticipating the rise in nervous pheromones that nearly knocked him off his feet. "There is an easier way."

Tapping the edge of his hoodie and silently thanking the gods above for making him wear a hoodie today, he took a soft breath

"If I were to remove my hoodie and put it on you, your Omegan instincts will be calmer, soothed by the pheromones I naturally produce." Brandon explained slowly, keeping his eyes on Sean at all times, analyzing every fragment of an expression.

Slowly, he slid his leg underneath him before flopping down on his ass with crossed legs. Making himself more comfortable and offering Sean all the time in the world to make his decision.

"If you would prefer, I can wait here while you and Jamie do whatever you need to do to calm down." Brandon smiled apologetically, "And I'm hoping you'll forgive me, but this is going to be a sensitive topic. One that I'm not certain of that you know everything about."

At that, Brandon's suspicion was confirmed as there was a sudden hint of Petrichor, a flash of understanding in their eyes.

Sean was created to placate the Corrupted. And Jamie took the brunt of the abuse to protect the Omega.

Still, Sean must know something. Because why else was he so fearful around Alphas? If not from past experiences, perhaps on a deep, instinctual level, he knew exactly what happened.

After all, they might not share the same consciousness, they did share the same body.

"I...i..." Delicate fingers peeked out from underneath the shirt Sean wore, clutching at the fabric. Preventing the fearful Omega from latching his nails into his own palms. "I...please.Please-" Sean nodded, tears brimming over on a stifled whine.

Carefully, Brandon removed the soft, thick fabric from his body, stretching open the hoodie to allow Sean to guide his arms through.

There was a spike of disgusting sweetness that made Brandon's stomach churn of the pure fear in Sean's scent. But the second the Omega smelled his pheromones, felt the residual warmth of Brandon's body against his skin, his wolf was placated.

"Now... unless you want my help, I'll wait outside until you have...freshened yourself up." Brandon said softly, knowing that Sean would easily pick up on the hint.

As the Omega nodded and offered Brandon the tiniest, wobbliest smile before closing the door, Brandon's heart stuttered slightly before he huffed and shook his head.

Pushing himself up, he staggered backwards several steps until his back hit the opposing wall and slowly slid down.

"I'm proud of you Son. And I trust that you can control yourself once Jamie and you have had your conversation." Alpha Ryker's voice flowed over his family connection, making Brandon jump before he let out a tired laugh, rubbing his hands over his face.

Of course his Dad would know exactly what's going on. Would've anticipated Brandon's need to clear the air and keep an eye out on the location of his son.

There was a snort and a hint of amusement that waved over their shared bond. "Like I said kid. I am the Alpha. It's my job to know what's going on around the pack. Don't push yourself to your limits and I forbid you to push Sean or Jamie too far."

The command was...not really unexpected. Acceptable, given the circumstances and the topic of the oncoming conversation. For once, Brandon's wolf eagerly, willingly submitted to the order.

Brandon only had to wait in silence for a few minutes, listening to the rushing water of the shower before it turned off.

Ten minutes later, the door opened to a potent mixture of Jasmine and Petrichor, though the concentrated frown and tenseness betrayed Jamie's presence.

"I suppose I should say thanks for the warning." The Beta grumbled, waving Brandon in the room. The Alpha tilted his head apologetically, watching as Jamie carefully closed the bathroom door, locking any unwanted scents in there.

"The switch beneath the light is the bathroom's ventilation system. It neutralizes any pheromones in a short time." Brandon pointed, making Jamie frown curiously before flicking the switch.

Both of them heard the near inaudible hum that whirred to life in the bathroom, making the Beta turn around and give Brandon a more relaxed, hesitant smile.

"Appreciate it."

Brandon nodded before sighing, rubbing his hands together nervously. "I don't know how to...." He gestured helplessly as Jamie frowned, crossing his arms as he leaned against the far wall.

"You don't know...what, exactly?" The Beta asked questioningly before he hummed with understanding as Brandon sighed, brushing his hands through his hair in frustration.

The Beta kicked against the leg of the nearby chair, nudging it away from the table before sitting down. "Just ask. I'm not a mind reader, thank god. I'm guessing this is gonna piss me off?"

Brandon nodded instantly, knowing Jamie enough to realize that the Beta would be more than pissed off.

Jamie sighed, motioning with his hand. "Go on then."

The young Alpha groaned low in his throat, taking a seat on the floor, avoiding to look directly in Jamie's eyes.

"When...Sean was introduced yesterday..." Brandon licked his suddenly dry lips, struggling to formulate the proper words, tie them in a sentence that would either clear his thoughts or send his Beast on a vicious rage. "The wind...."

Jamie blinked, surprise and confusion warring in his gaze. "The... wind?"

Brandon swallowed thickly. "When the wind hit us...I. I saw...well. I saw." Brandon gestured to the back of his own nape, feeling a sudden bout of nervousness.

Jamie's expression froze, frigid petrichor reaching a near chemical strength to the point where Brandon swore that he could taste it.

He didn't need to explain any further. The young Beta knew exactly what Brandon saw. It was clear in his scent; the anger, resentment, self-deprecation that crept into his very being, swept through the room and coated the air in a thick pungency that made it hard to breathe.

"Ah."

Such a simple tone, not even a sentence or a word. But it portrayed every emotion, the internal struggle that Jamie went through.

"I... don't want to make you...relive anything that happened." Brandon spoke slowly, calculatingly. "But I wanted to confirm a suspicion and, if you're willing, I will always be a listening ear if you ever...need to...talk about it."

Jamie silently stared at him, the question in his gaze enough to make Brandon lower his gaze with a dreadful sigh.

"Was it a Corrupted?"

The following silence was deafening. He could hear his own heartbeat pulsing in his ears, could hear Jamie's pulse as it picked up and raced away.

The thick fear that spread from Jamie broke Brandon's heart. He didn't even need a verbal answer from the Beta, because the young man's scent spoke for him.

Yes.

Brandon struggled, barely succeeding to keep his Beast's rage at bay. To not let the soft, gentle fragrance of his personal sandalwood become burnt and oppressive.

"Do you wish to upset them even more? Calm yourself, contain your rage before it slips out and Sean or Jamie will think you are enraged at them!" Brandon snapped at the Beast as it struggled against the mental restraints.

Instantly it cowered, emotions a blurred mix of Anger. Upset. Sad. Protect. PROTECT. PROTECT. PROTECT. But Brandon's admonishment worked and the Beast kept its rage contained, doing all it could to keep their unified scent as gentle, calm and delicate as possible.

"I'm not here to judge, nor am I going to dictate your every move." Brandon spoke with some difficulty, the shaking in his voice the only thing that showed how much he struggled with that bit of information.

Locking eyes with Jamie, Brandon tried to show the honesty, not the desire but the need to help. "However, if you are willing, capable of...at least giving me some form of warning. Something that I should avoid, because I don't want my actions to cause you, Sean or any Alter to be reminded of whomever did that to you."

Jamie was quiet for the longest time, eyes flickering over Brandon's frame. Tongue flicking out to dampen his dry lips while his scent struggled back and forth, swirling in a mass of anxiety, anger and contemplation before it calmed.

"It's not my story to tell." Jamie whispered, making Brandon's muscles tense slightly before the Beta continued, "But Royal hasn't surfaced since the day he Presented, so..." He took a slow, steading breath through his nose. "I shall do what I must."