The stern look Brandon got from his father after the Alpha closed the door behind him, told the boy more than he needed to know.

"I fucked up, didn't I?" Brandon asked, averting his gaze to placate the older, stronger Alpha. His father rolled his eyes, ruffling through Brandon's hair as he pushed his son further away from Sean's room.

"There's a fine line between observing someone and staring them down, Brandon." The young Alpha cringed at that, licking his drying lips while scratching the back of his head.

Brandon knew he had been watching. But it had started off as a mere, curious observation. Wanting to learn more about their new pack member, to spot their reactions.

But he knew that innocent observations could quickly snap to a hunting leer. Wolves generally didn't stare too long at something, unless they were intending to hunt.

Or dominate.

"It wasn't that bad, right?" Brandon glanced up at his father but he didn't need to. The man's usual pine scent was bitter, showing his agitation.

And then he smirked.

Oh, no.

"The only time I've seen you looking at someone like that, Brandon," His dad started, eyes sparking with amusement as he motioned his head towards where Sean was undoubtedly changing his outfit, "was when one of the Omegas went into heat."

Brandon groaned as he could feel his face and ears heat up in embarrassment. His father only chuckled teasingly but the man had fully understood what happened.

Quite similar to what happened a few years ago.

The young Alpha had been feeling feverish all week, one of many signs of Presenting. The moment where their wolf would awaken and would claim their rank among the pack.

Usually the Presenting was several days of showing symptoms leading up to the actual moment where the wolf awakened, prying through that initial mental barrier to reveal itself.

Days with sudden mood swings, fevers caused by bodily changes as scent glands grew or dissipated depending on their future nature.

Hormones going rampant as their body was being prepared to host a new entity alongside their own soul And the overall aching that sank deep within the individual's bones.

It was pure coincidence and bad luck that Brandon had stumbled into one of the pack's Omegas. The poor Omega in question had his heat sneak up on him without preparation and the whimpering pup had been trying to get back to his room unnoticed.

The breeding pheromones released in the air as Brandon had locked eyes with the Omega pup, had been enough to speed up his presenting.

And his Alpha Beast had instantly worked itself up into a Rut, desperate to prove to the Omega that it was virile and strong enough to be considered a potential mate.

With their eyes locked, Brandon's freshly awoken Alpha had dropped pheromone-bombs with varying potency but all more than enough to overwhelm the Omega in heat.

And when the Omega's own wolf replied, releasing its own pheromones by drenching the boy's thighs in pungent slick, Brandon had enough wherewithal to scream for his father, commanding the shivering Omega to lock the door and hide in his room before he lost full control.

But for that one horrifying split second, Brandon had been certain that he would lose control. That he would pin the Omega to the wall, ignore the growing fear in the boy's eyes and mount the pup where he stood.

Without caring if his desire was wanted or not.

"Honestly, I think I did pretty okay." Brandon remarked, shaking off the bitter aftertaste of the memory. His father grinned, clapping him on the shoulder and pulled his son into a reassuring hug.

"That you did, pup. You can't believe how stunned and proud I was." His father huffed, shaking his head before scratching through the slight stubble that started to grace his jaws.

Of course, his father had to bodily drag Brandon away from the door, the boy's wolf completely focused on the pheromones in the air, the pungent slick that clung to his nose and how to get to its source.

Having the Presenting combine with his first rut wasn't pleasant at all and had left Brandon feel completely out of control and utterly helpless.

It was already a brutal feat to awaken as an Alpha, to have such a powerful wolf that it was constantly fighting you for control over your own body. To have that combined with the insistent, burning need of the rut, to find a suitable partner, to knot them and breed-

Brandon had found himself bedridden, shivering with fever as a mixture of hormones and pheromones assaulted his brain. Wrecking absolute havoc on his senses, leaving only vague memories of his father staying beside his bed with worry sprawled over his face.

But afterwards, he had a better understanding than most how dangerous an Alpha could be. And he had went to apologize profusely against the male Omega, who had waved away his apologies with his own.

Brandon had no way of knowing he would Present that very moment. And according to the Omega, he should've kept better tabs on his cycle to prevent something like that from happening.

Even so, an Omega's heat cycle wasn't easy to track, especially since it could be influenced by stress or the mere presence of hormonal wolves.

While they usually had a general idea when their cycle would start, it wasn't uncommon for an Omega to be ambushed by their own instincts.

Neither were at fault but it could've been a very horrible mistake on both their ends if Brandon's wolf had fully taken over.

The squeaking of a door made both Alphas turn to the source of the sound, a smile slipping on Brandon's face at the sight of Sean.

"Is...is this...appropriate?" Sean hesitated, hand on the door handle, as if anticipating a sign to slip inside and hide.

Brandon smiled warmly, focusing to keep his own scent calm and soothing. Sean had changed into a set of loose fitting dress pants, though Brandon assumed they were actually sweats that looked like dress pants.

And the hoodie made Brandon swallow, as it was almost identical to one he owned as well. The thick yet warm black fabric that clung to his own body, now sagged around Sean's.

He averted his gaze with some difficulty, swallowing the excess saliva that had pooled in his mouth. The view had tantalized his wolf, made it form an image of how Sean would look in Brandon's clothing...

To approach Sean, stretch out his own black hoodie and draw it over the both of them. Trapping Sean against his body, drowning the pup in his scent and warmth, to stake his claim...

As if the pup was their Omega.

"Mine? Omega?" Brandon nearly choked on the thought, feeling flustered with his wolf. Sean was not a possession, nor a pup and he definitely wasn't Brandon's.

And especially not an Omega.

But as Brandon looked back at Sean with a reassuring smile when he could smell the flowery Jasmine scent wilt and bitter with hesitation, he couldn't quite shake the idea.

Besides actual genetics, that was exactly what Sean was. How he behaved. An Omega. Taking a slower, delicate whiff of Sean's scent, properly analyzing it, allowing his mouth to open a fraction so he could taste it... Brandon slowly realized that the papers had lied.

That his father, the Pack Alpha, had lied.

Sean wasn't human. But an Omega. An unmated, terrified and potentially traumatized Omega. For his father, Ryker, to lie on those papers, papers that were shared with other packs...

Either father doesn't want the other packs to find out we adopted a new Omega...or announcing Sean's presence in any shape or form will put him in danger...

Fighting back the urge to release his own unique pheromones, to alert Sean that Brandon's wolf was aware of Sean's true nature and very much so interested, Brandon smiled and extended his hand.

"You're looking good Sean, most of the pack just wear something comfy. The only ones with strict attire are the adults heading out to work." Brandon reassured, hoping that Sean would willingly reach out, trust him.

Sean's eyes flitted over the pair and while Brandon's father was dressed in slacks, the top of his shirt was unbuttoned, sleeves rolled up to his elbows.

Meanwhile Brandon himself was in a sleeveless shirt and some soft sweatpants. Simple, casual, easy to change in or out of. The Young Alpha knew the rest of the pack was dressed in a similar way, especially the younger wolves.

The younger the wolf, the least likely they would risk wearing more expensive clothing, only to have them end up in tatters because of their inner beast throwing a temper tantrum.

Much to Brandon's disappointment, Sean didn't reach to grab for his hand, instead wrapping his arms around himself in a tight hug. As if needing to reassure himself that everything will be okay.

"Do you have any favorite dishes?" Brandon asked, careful not to let his scent show his disappointment as he waved Sean to follow them.

The poor kid didn't seem reassured, being flanked by two Alphas, chewing on his bottom lip. For a second, Sean's blue eyes flitted towards Brandon, as if wondering why the Alpha was interested in what Sean's favorite food was.

Sean blinked up at Brandon, eyes wide with surprise before he instantly averted his gaze. Fingers picking and fiddling with his sleeves before dropping them when he felt Brandon's gaze on him.

"I'm fine with whatever is provided." The soft whisper was barely audible, forcing Brandon to strain to actually hear it. "I'm not picky..."

The young Alpha smiled warmly and shook his head. "If you're worrying about giving someone extra work, don't bother." He chuckled before pointing out, "Due to the size of the pack, there is always someone either hungry or cooking something for someone out here."

"I don't-" Sean started, shaking his head before blurting in a bland tone, "Lasagna." He slapped his hands in front of his mouth, eyes wide and bitter jasmine filling the hallway, quivering as he lowered his head.

"Sorry. I...I didn't- sorry." He apologized quietly, shoulders tightening, fingers digging into his sleeves-

"Why?" Brandon grinned, "Lasagna is fucking amazing- Ow!" He scowled, rubbing over his head where his dad has slapped him. "Daaaad!"

"Language, pup. Don't think that just because we have someone new in our family, that you have to start acting cool by cussing like a twelve year old." His father said with an arched brow, daring Brandon to deny his behavior.

"You're right... sorry dad." Brandon apologized before smiling at Sean, "I'm sorry Sean, I guess in some cases, I'm still an overeager pup."

Blue eyes widened comically before they hid behind a veil of hair as Sean tucked his face deeper within his hoodie, sniffing at the fabric.

The Omega's confusion was circling through the air, that underlining hint of jasmine sweet yet, not as powerful and pungent as it could be...

Brandon's father Ryker smirked slightly before he muttered, "But lasagna is fucking amazing though."

Ryker hummed to a song only he knew as he walked off to the kitchen, leaving Brandon and Sean staring stunned at his retreating back.

Brandon shook his head at his dad before commenting, "Come on Sean. If we leave father to it, he'll eat the whole dish before we can even take a look at it."

Fingers effortlessly circled around the Omega's wrist, tugging Sean along before Brandon realized what he was doing.

Soft, delicate skin hidden underneath long sleeves. Warmth that bloomed against Brandon's touch, where fingers pressed against the Omega's scent glands, scent building, intensifying-

And that urge was rearing his ugly head. The urge to let his thumb press on the scent gland he could feel pulsing underneath his sensitive skin. To spread his own scent, mix it with Sean's...

Yet as he realized his potential mistake that could end up hurling Sean into a fit of panic, his wolf huffed and shoved Brandon's consciousness aside, forcing him to keep going whilst giving the boy a playful smile.

Sean nearly tripped on his feet as the two sprinted after the disappearing Alpha, the Omega's heartbeat racing within his chest and thrumming delicately against Brandon's hold.

The young Alpha shouldered past his father with a playful huff, pushing Sean further in the room as his dad tripped. The Pack Alpha landed on the floor with a startled groan and Brandon's wolf smirked, darting past towards the dining room.

Eyes already on the table that was fully prepared, plates ready and waiting for the scents that came out of the adjoining kitchen.

Strong fingers wrapped around Brandon's ankle and he instantly released Sean, not wanting to harm the delicate wrist as he was yanked down, a low growl sounding behind him and his own wolf snarling playfully in response.

He landed with a solid thud, huffing and growling at Ryker, who smirked up at Brandon, eyes golden and glinting with pride before landing with a grunt as Brandon kicked Ryker's supporting arm out from underneath him.

His dad landed on top of Brandon with a muffled snarl, snickering as his son groaned and shoved him aside before trying to get up.

"Boys! What on earth are you two doing?" Brandon and Ryker stopped their roughhousing just as the pack Alpha had managed to pull his son to the ground and was attempting to drag him backwards whilst he got up.

Both Alphas had the good grace to feel flustered at the woman who was tapping her foot with an arched brow, silently demanding an explanation.

"Just some roughhousing with the pup, sweetheart." Ryker grinned apologetically as he got to his feet, dusting off his pants before giving the angered Omega a kiss on her cheek.

Sharp blue eyes darted between the two Alphas and even though they both towered over the ginger-haired female, they lowered their heads shamefully.

Brandon followed his example, but shot a worried, apologetic smile towards Sean. "It was all in good fun, mom. Sorry if we scared you, Sean, that wasn't our intention."

The familiar sour apple scent in the room turned sweeter as his mother shook her head. "Alphas running around like newly presented pups that haven't been raised properly. What will the boy think of me?"

It made both Alphas scratch their necks in unison, showing off their similarities as they shuffled under the disappointment of the pack Omega.

"Well, I wish it was under better circumstances but at least now I'll be able to greet our new family member." She turned to Sean with a warm smile, apple scent almost caramelized with sweetness.

Brandon recognized the scent, as his mother had used it countless of times to calm down tempers, sooth stressed out pups so they could relax.

And Brandon saw the soothing scent take effect on all of them, especially the worried Omega that was pressed against the wall on the opposite side of the room.

The young Alpha could kick himself as he gritted his teeth, inhaling the bitter stench of an Omega in distress. But now that nearly burnt, bitter jasmine gentled, sweetened as Sean instinctively responded to Brandon's mothers' own calming pheromones.

His shoulders sagged, teeth releasing his bitten lip as blue eyes blinked slowly. Sean blinked again before seeming to come to his senses, slowly pushing away from the wall.

Brandon's eyes flitted downwards at a slight motion and cursed himself. Sean quickly pulled his sleeve lower, grasping it firmly between his fingers.

But the young Alpha had seen the crescent marks left behind my Sean's nails digging into the palm of his hand. And it was enough to send a wave of guilt through his body.

He didn't know Sean's background, but he could only assume what the young Omega was thinking at their rough play. For all the pup knew, Brandon and his father had been fighting for real.

"Hello sweetheart. I'm Faye, the Pack Omega and mated to this brute of an Alpha." Brandon's mother rolled her eyes as Ryker grinned sheepishly, walking over to nuzzle against her neck and sigh.

Sean gave her a wary look, a hint of a smile on his lips before his eyes darted to the door. "Oh, don't you worry about the rest of the pack." Faye smiled warmly at the younger Omega. "Ryker had already informed me that he was going to fetch you for lunch so the rest of the pack is barred from entering this corridor."

A soft sigh of relief slipped from Sean's lips and Brandon smiled before sniffing the air hopefully. "We were...kinda hoping you'd make us some lasagna? Please?"

Faye raised a brow but smiled, eyes flitting to Sean as the Omega blushed heavily. "I...I mean. I'll ... I'll have what-whatever..." The poor boy was tripping over his words, fingers plucking on the edge of his sleeves as his eyes darted around.

"Oh, it's more than okay sweetheart. These two pups have been picky eaters their entire lives and I always have something to their likings prepared." Faye smiled warmly, motherly. "But what they want isn't a priority. What do you want honey?"

Sean's fingers stopped, still holding onto the fabric as his surprise was easy to spot. Eyes watery, dazed and clouded before he blinked and looked down. "I...some...some lasagna...would be... really nice. If it, if it isn't too...too much to ask-"

Faye smiled warmly, "Of course not, sweetheart. I love cooking and spend most of the time in the kitchen to begin with. The bigger the pack, the more eating habits there are, so there are plenty of dishes prepared."

His mother quickly started to work in the kitchen, waving Sean over. The smaller Omega seemed hesitant, fiddling with his sleeves as his nostrils flared, scenting the air.

Brandon's heart bled, as he could see the curiosity in Sean's eyes, the desire to mess around with the endless jars of herbs. To open the lids and sniff the contents, learn the unique scents.

But there were times where Sean's fingers reached out before pulling back sharply. Almost as quick as if someone had whacked the poor pup on the knuckles with a wooden spoon.

His sharp eyes glanced at the Omega's hands with a brief, fleeting look before freezing as they picked up on the long, thin irregularities that crisscrossed over Sean's knuckles.

"Here, taste this sweetie." Brandon blinked before smiling, leaning against his father as Ryker grinned down at his pup and hugged him to his chest.

Because up to now, Brandon has been curious, wondering why on earth his father had brought Sean out of his room if he hadn't been introduced. Why he didn't just bring food to Sean's room to give the boy some breathing room.

But now the young Alpha suspected one of the reasons was his mother. After all, Faye had a way of dealing with cautious, scared pups. Stern Alphas, hesitant Betas or easily frightened Omegas, she took all under her wing and smothered them with love, kindness and encouragement.

Which sounded a lot better, compared to the alternative where Sean would be holed up in his room, jumping at any sound that approached it.

To wait until someone delivered his food at the door and sneak it in when they left. As if he were a prisoner...

"God, I love that woman." Ryker muttered as they both eyed Faye gently guiding Sean around the kitchen, letting the younger Omega taste several things, add more cheese to the rich sauce or sprinkle a dash of herbs over the meal.

And Brandon saw the keen interest bloom in Sean's eyes, the little happy twinkle in those blue eyes as the Omega discovered a new flavor. How sweet jasmine was circling through the air, mixing with the scents of the food...

Soft pale cheeks that warmed with a blush as a ghost of a smile whispered over the Omega's lips. Warm red lips that parted to sample the sauce, gasping slightly at the heat-

A finger pressed underneath his chin, just a small warning tap that clicked his mouth shut, but it was enough. Brandon swallowed the sudden flood of saliva, smiling gratefully at Ryker, who rolled his eyes and shook his head at his son.

"Control your wolf, before you openly drool at the mere sight of Sean, pup." Ryker's whisper was pitched low enough so the two Omegas in the kitchen couldn't hear them, but more than audible enough to send an awkward flush up Brandon's face.

And when Sean looked up to lock eyes with the young Alpha, Brandon wasn't the only one who was blushing. By the time that four dishes of lasagna were plated and set out on the table, Brandon and Sean both managed to calm down somewhat, with Ryker and Faye smiling warmly.

That somewhat easy going mood was instantly cut through after the Pack Alpha allowed them to eat in silence before he sighed deeply and looked around the table.

"We need to talk."