More and more of the pack had personally met Sean or Jamie. And with each introduction, Brandon felt himself let out a sigh of relief whenever it went over smoothly.

Of course, the introductions with Sean were extremely rare. The poor Omega was too nervous, too afraid to be introduced to any of the higher ranking wolves.

None of the Alphas dared to approach on their own, especially not after word had spread of Sean's first public encounter.

The humans, Omegas and Deltas had made sure to remind every single Beta and Alpha that Sean wasn't being disrespectful.

Sean was afraid. Stressed to the point of working himself up into sickness. And those that had been present during the small gathering, those who had seen Sean shake apart at the sight of a single Alpha, had known there was no way the poor Omega could deal with Alphas and Betas walking up to him.

Even if it was for a mere introduction.

So far, the select few that Sean had been introduced to, were a few humans, a few Omegas and a single Delta. Brandon had been stunned when Sean had been incredibly nervous around the Delta male, whom had only replied with kindness and shyness.

But he was also quick to understand the reason behind Sean's hesitation. With all the introductions, Brandon had been present on Sean's request and he still remembered the blood leave Sean's face when Rick had gently shook Sean's hand...

While his Alpha mate kept to herself in the back of the room. Only offering Sean a gentle smile and a wave of her fingers, as to not terrify the Omega further.

He must've smelt the Alpha on Rick's skin. Brandon kept a close eye on Sean and walked closer when the boy started to visibly shake.

Instantly his nostrils were flooded with the acrid scent of fear, of stress. Even Rick had clasped his hands over his nose, momentarily deprived from air that wasn't polluted by an Omega's distress.

Even across the room, Megan had been holding her breath, keeping her smile gentle as to not distress Sean any further. But Brandon could see the veins at her temple bulging, as Megan was fighting against her own instincts.

Their Alphas were called out in response to the Omega's distress, wanting to soothe and comfort. Even if Sean wasn't their mate, any Omega's distress would have Alphas crawling over one another in an attempt to remove the source of that Omega's fear, protect them from the world.

Yet both Alphas knew that their approach would only instill further distress, even more fear.

Well, for one of them at least.

Without any prompting, Brandon had removed his sweatshirt before gently tugging it over Sean's head. Hearing the muffled, panicked gasp as his sight was momentarily blocked.

But he also heard the soft whiffs Sean took. How the Omega's breathing slowed to acceptable levels as he properly wore the hoodie and bathed in Brandon's pheromones.

Of course, it would be much more effective if Brandon were able to physically scent mark Sean.

But he also knew that the second he leaned in to even do so, he'd not only make Sean even more distressed. No, he'd irrevocably damage any built trust between them.

Which led them to the present, with Jamie interacting with several other Betas and a single Alpha. Malcolm was supporting his heavily pregnant mate but gushing over her like a lovesick pup.

Something that Brandon appreciated, as it gave Jamie a new perspective on other Alphas. No matter how good Brandon treated the community, that wouldn't be enough to convince them the pack was safe.

Not unless the other Alphas made a natural show of their own proper actions and instincts.

Sean, Jamie and any of the other Alters needed to witness with their own eyes that Alphas were not like the Corrupted.

That they weren't vicious, murderous beasts. They could be kind. Gentle. Tender.

A safe haven in a vicious world, that would offer guidance and support to whomever needed it.

Not whatever the Corrupted had wrought.

Yet Brandon couldn't help but shake his head and laugh quietly. The minute there was a new face within the pack, everyone seemed to regress to their playful, energetic pup stages.

People who had already introduced themselves to Sean, now spoke to Jamie. Their curiosity about the Beta was clear and some even questioned their striking resemblance.

It wasn't a surprise to either Brandon or Jamie that some people pondered about why Jamie and Sean looked identical.

And that was exactly what they hoped for. That some of the pack would slowly grow curious enough to gently inquire about the truth.

But for now, everyone seemed to think it was simply due to Jamie and Sean being fraternal twins. The only difficulty for Jamie was to pretend he never met the people he had encountered through Sean.

So far, Jamie was pulling it off. Reaffirming connections with those that knew Sean and making his own connections as well.

A smile played on Brandon's lips as he listened to a few Deltas ask about Sean. Even Jamie seemed momentarily touched as Rick looked around before questioning "Is Sean okay? I... when we were introduced, he was rather distressed and I-I wanted to make sure he was okay."

Jamie's stance softened, posture relaxing as he sighed. "Sean is doing good but he was stressing himself out over the idea of having to present himself to the pack. I told him I'd make an appearance in his stead."

Rick nodded, glancing over his shoulder towards Megan before being reassured when he spotted his Alpha mate. Megan approached, her own expression one of compassion and guilt.

"You must be Jamie. Pleasure to meet you." She smiled warmly, ruffling her hand through Rick's curls and tucking a few behind his ear. "I may have accidentally stressed out your brother with my presence."

Jamie's lips quirked into a slight grin before he shook his head. "There is no need to apologize. Brandon had already informed me of what happened."

"Still... I feel bad stressing out one of the pack, not to mention an Omega. I had heard Alpha Ryker's warning but I hadn't anticipated Sean to become that stressed..." Megan murmured, subconsciously bringing her fingers to her mouth before she nibbled on one of her nails.

Rick pulled gently on her hand with a slight frown on his face, tucking Megan's hand in his own before pressing a kiss on the back of her hand.

"Thank you darling." Megan grinned, returning the affection by pressing a gentle kiss on Rick's forehead, causing the Delta to sigh contently.

The Alpha's smile softened as she looked at Jamie. "If there is anything I can do to help, let me know. I feel awful knowing that my mere presence during Rick's introduction caused Sean such distress."

Jamie's lips pursed in thought for a moment before a heavy sigh left him. "The situation is... complicated. Sean and I have had some bad experiences and we're still adapting to the best of our abilities."

Megan nodded with understanding and Brandon caught her glancing at the thin scars visible on Jamie's bared wrists.

Jamie had already informed Brandon that he had no issue with revealing those simple scars. It was enough of a clue to any attentive pack member to pick up on.

A slight distress shot over Megan's face, a subtle stiffening in her muscles before she relaxed herself. Not only for Rick's sake, but out of respect for Jamie as well.

Yet Brandon could almost hear the multitude of questions bouncing in Megan's head. Eyes flitting over Jamie's form, looking down at her mate before they widened with realization.

She made the connection. Why Sean is so stressed out around Alphas. Perhaps she doesn't know it's due to Corrupted, but she knows it has everything to do with Alphas.

The outrage that simmered barely underneath Megan's skin was easily picked up. Even Jamie's brows rose in mild surprise, as the Beta hadn't anticipated an Alpha to come to his aid.

Which was precisely what Brandon wanted. He wanted Jamie and Sean to experience other Alphas coming to their aid. To genuinely care about either of them, experience that sense of protection from an Alpha instead of suppression.

Instead of giving into her own selfish desires and hug Jamie, which was clearly what Megan's Alpha was demanding, she offered him a genuine smile.

"I keep repeating myself but...If there ever is anything I can help with... let me know." She proffered before nuzzling against Rick when he nuzzled into her throat. "Mated or not, Alphas have a duty to their pack, to those who are under their care."

Jamie hummed and while it sounded dismissive, it seemed that the Beta at the very least appreciated the offer.

Not that he or Sean would be able to just take any Alpha on their word. After everything they've been through, Brandon could only imagine the amount of effort and restraint it took just to be here.

Jamie watched the group slowly disperse, eying the few Alphas thoughtfully. Brandon followed his gaze, smiling as Malcolm pulled his mate from her feet and whisked her back to their shared house.

"Your pack is... weird." The Beta muttered, words belying the smile on his face as Steve darted past their group, pausing halfway to wiggle his fuzzy bum in the air to entice the children that were chasing him.

Brandon hummed curiously, watching the children laugh and run after Steve. The Alpha pup seemed to glow with pride each time the kids crowed with laughter while trying to catch Steve.

"How so?" Brandon inquired, glancing at Jamie when he didn't respond right away. The young Beta was following Steve and the kids with his gaze, motioning towards the playful group with his chin.

"You guys genuinely care about those that other packs consider to be weaker than them." Jamie pointed towards Steve, who hurried over towards one of the fallen pups and licked at their face, turning tears into laughter. "Like that. Do you know how many packs, how many Alphas specifically would've slapped the shit out of that child for showing weakness?"

Frustration and confusion warred within Jamie as he added "Fucking hell, Steve is a fresh Alpha to boot. His other side should be foaming at the mouth at the mere sight of youngsters running."

A soft sigh slipped from Brandon, but not in dismissal. He know exactly what Jamie was saying because he had heard and seen it happen in other packs.

Where survival of the fittest ruled hand in hand with the strong ruling over the weak.

In those packs, mothers wouldn't leave their pups running around, nor would Alphas play with them. To those kind of packs, strength and power overruled all.

And from what little that Brandon had learned of Corrupted, is that no matter what origin the Corrupted had, they would always revert to that basic, animalistic concept.

Just from listening to Jamie's statement while knowing even a fragment of what happened, gave Brandon more information than Jamie had imagined.

"Do you know how many Alphas would've slapped the shit out of that child for showing weakness?"

Anger burned through his veins, as Brandon understood what Jamie subconsciously was thinking.

How many times had young Royal be beaten to a pulp, punished by Corrupted for showing weakness? How many times was the young pup beaten down and forced into submission just to please the Corrupted's volatile moods?

Brandon vowed he would find out the truth and then find out where those bastards were. Every last one of those sick, twisted bastards.

They would pay for every second that Royal,Jamie and Sean had to spend under their tyrannical thumb.