Fear was something instinctual.

One couldn't just summon it at will, nor could they push the sensation aside. Their body would force the reaction upon them, pushing all their senses into overdrive in order to protect the body.

It sent shivers down your spine while your heart went into overdrive. Cold sweat coating your skin while small tremors made their way through your limbs, eyes flitting around to find an exit or some semblance of safety.

He hated it. Sean hated every single bit of the sensation, yet he could do nothing to stop it. Even now, knowing he was in a safe environment, that Jamie could take over when things got too much or Alpha Brandon stepped in the line of danger.

I hate it.

The young Omega buried deeper into his fluffy hoodie, pulling the fabric closer to him. It was baggy, far larger than what his size actually was in order to hide his form.

Even now, each gaze that temporarily flitted over Sean's body, felt like someone was burning a path over his body.

His breathing staggered, painfully catching in his throat as he suppressed the instinctual desire, no, need to whine and whimper.

To prove his submissiveness to the present Alphas, merely so they wouldn't attack him.

"You are beneath us. You will always be beneath us. So lay down, spread your legs and learn your place, like a good little Omega."

Sean whined at the voice, the memory that hissed in his mind. He felt disgusted, shivering in the thick fabric of the hoodie before inhaling deeply.

His nostrils flared at the thick puff of pheromones that wafted towards him from the fabric. Soothing his Omegan instincts at least to some degree and allowing his heart to calm down.

Somewhat.

Brandon's scent was still strongly present in the shirt, even though the Alpha had handed him the hoody several hours ago.

As Sean took a shaky inhale, his eyes flitted towards the group slightly to his right. Brandon was in a conversation with his mom and dad, yet his eyes constantly flitted back to Sean.

When he noticed the Omega looking at him, Brandon offered a reassuring smile, allowing Sean to offer a shaky one in return.

It's not so bad... it's not so bad... I can do this.

Fingers clinging to the sleeves of his...Brandon's hoodie, Sean focused back on the small group of humans, Delta's and a single Omega.

And the Alpha that was supporting the heavily pregnant Delta, only giving Sean a quick smile and respectful nod. Sean didn't quite know what to do with the lack of reaction but smiled as the Delta sighed with relief as her Alpha mate gently cradled her extended stomach in his hands.

"I told you we could've stayed at home." Malcolm murmured, hooking his chin over Caitlyn's shoulder, smiling as she leaned into him. "Nobody would've been upset that you stayed off your feet and rested, darling."

Caitlyn sighed with slight frustration as she replied, "I'm going to be bedbound after delivery and then be busy with the pups for a couple of months. I wanted to come out and breathe before being confined to the house."

Sean's eyes flitted to her extended belly, feeling a hint of curiosity. Wondering how it would feel if he ever bore pups of his own.

He had never been around pups or pregnant wolves. At least not to his knowledge.

"Not to mine either."

Jamie's thoughts were a welcome reassurance during such a stressful moment. Even if Sean was momentarily in charge, it was still comforting to think that Jamie was there underneath the surface.

"Do you wanna feel them move?"

Sean blinked, humming in confusion as Caitlyn looked at him with a kind smile. She motioned towards her extended belly as she added, "The pups. Do you want to feel them move? They're rather active at the moment."

As his eyes followed her hand rubbing over her belly, Sean could see the slight nudges from the multiple pups. "It's alright." Caitlyn encouraged when Sean hesitated, palm raising before drawing back.

At her encouragement, Sean took a small step forward, still heavily conscious of Malcolm's presence but when the Alpha didn't do anything except smile, he reached out.

Even through the fabric of Caitlyn's dress, he could feel the ripples and nudges from the pups kicking and squirming. It drew a smile on Sean's face, scent turning a hint sweeter.

"It's all very cute in the beginning but I can assure you, when they're treating your bladder as a boxing ball at three in the morning, all the cuteness disappears." Caitlyn grimaced.

That made Sean grimace as well before chuckle, as he could only imagine the discomfort. He was quick to pull his hand away, taking a few deep breaths as the nerves flared up once more.

Realizing he was standing within touching distance of an unknown Alpha.

The realization made the hairs in his nape stand on end, nerves flaring up even though the Alpha wasn't doing anything except supporting his own mate.

He wasn't doing anything, yet the memories in Sean's mind, even the vague ones as Jamie had swapped places to protect him, were enough to put the young Omega on edge.

There were contradicting signals being sent to his mind, breath hitching in his throat as he stumbled back, away from the Alpha, away from their mate.

"Don't touch something that's worth more than your pitiful existence."

Sean instinctively bowed his head, trying to be more submissive, trying to please the Alphas. If he didn't, the punishment would only be worse.

"Know your place. Far beneath anyone that outranks you."

A lightheadedness filled Sean, chest heaving as his pheromones exploded out of his body. A combination of fear, dread and distress flooded the area and he winced when several other scents flared in response.

"Sean? Breathe darling."

The Omega flinched, not anticipating the kindness in the Alpha's voice. His eyes were swimming, throat burning as his lungs struggled to get a decent mouthful of air in his system.

"Breathe. Slowly. Take deep breaths in and out." The soft voice encouraged, fingers delicately grasping Sean's wrist before his hand was gently pressed against a chest. "Focus on my breathing. In. And out again."

The Omega whimpered pitifully but did as told, feeling the chest under his fingers move along with the calm, steady breathing. Sean's own breathing was choppy and ragged, explaining the dizziness he experienced.

A panic attack.

Slowly his mind released Sean from the pure fear still pouring through his scent. Allowing him to recognize Brandon's soothing scent, the sandalwood fragrant and warm, just like Brandon's touch and voice.

"There you go." The young Alpha encouraged, smiling warmly as he crouched down to Sean's level. Breathing calmly, in an almost exaggerated way in order for the Omega to follow the pattern.

Sean's tears overflowed, spilling down his cheeks as he shivered and whimpered pitifully. He could see the struggle in the Alphas eyes, eyes flickering back and forth between his own and that of his wolf.

The flicker of the Alpha wolf made Sean's Omega call out, whining and whimpering as it wanted and needed.

!Alpha! Scared! Cuddle! Cuddle!

"Hush!" Sean thought to his Omega, trying to push back the instinctual need to seek comfort, to feel treasured. To snuggle into an Alpha, his Alpha and breathe in their scent.

!Alpha! Scared! Cuddle! Cuddle!

!Need! Need! Scared! Cuddle!

!ALPHA! ALPHA!

Another whine escaped Sean as he shivered from head to toe, struggling against his instincts. He could hear the low growl rumble through Brandon's chest, causing his own to hitch in fear and disgust.

He shouldn't be so needy. He shouldn't be mentally pleading and begging for a fraction of attention, should be happy with whatever emotion an Alpha bestowed to him.

"Sean. I can smell the turmoil in your head. What do you want, sweetie?" Brandon spoke softly, kindly. Not at all the snap and snarl that Sean was expecting, should be receiving.

Instead of replying he whined again, shaking his head as he forced his eyes shut. Fingers digging into his palms while his Omega was relentless.

!Alpha! Scared! Cuddle! Cuddle!

!Need! Need! Scared! Cuddle!

"It's perfectly fine if you want affection, Sean. A lot of Omegas will seek out their mated Alpha, or an Alpha they trust, in order to seek comfort when they're distressed." Brandon's words slowly filtered through the fog, through the fear and stress.

I can...cuddle? It's allowed?

Sean hesitantly opened his eyes, flinching as if prepared to take a slap to his face. Instead, Brandon was seated on the floor, cross-legged with a lap that looked oh so inviting.

"I cannot and will not force you to do anything Sean. While I have an idea what your Omega wants, I need your words, your approval before I can act. What do you want Sean?"

Brandon's gaze was soft, kind. Not a spark of hidden intentions or contempt could be spotted, and even Jamie nudged Sean to open his mouth and whine a hesitant, "C...cuddle?"

The young Alpha didn't speak, nor did he reach out to snag Sean to his body. Instead he smiled, offering Sean nothing but kindness as he held out his arms.

It was an invitation Sean couldn't resist.

He nearly tackled Brandon to the floor, nuzzling underneath the Alphas throat and whined as his Omega cried out in joy.

!Alpha! Alpha!

!Safe! Safe! Safe!

He shivered and whined as Brandon gently wrapped his arms around Sean. Not restraining him or forcing him down, simply cradling Sean against his body.

Sandalwood wafted around Sean and his Omega basked in the scent. Inhaling it deeply, feeling his eyelids shiver as the potent Alpha pheromones had an instant soothing effect.

His fingers latched onto the Alpha's shirt when Brandon moved, making him chuckle and tighten his hold. The warmth and sensation of solid muscles protecting Sean, made the Omega absolutely melt.

"Alpha..." the audible whine escaped him before Sean realized it, but instead of a volatile reaction, he got the opposite.

Brandon's scent turned sweeter, pleased with himself as he gently patted Sean's back. Avoiding going near his neck, just as Jamie had advised a while ago.

It made Sean nuzzle closer, eyes drooping tiredly as he snuffled against Brandon's skin. The tension slowly trickled from his body, making it extremely heavy as he yawned and closed his eyes completely.

He hummed affirmatively when Brandon softly inquired if he could pick the Omega up and that was the last thing Sean remembered before he succumbed to sleep.

Drifting in a cloud of soothing sandalwood, feeling warm, soothed and protected. He didn't care where he was being carried to, could distantly feel the rumble of Brandon's voice as it vibrated through his body.

Safe.

Sean sighed and tiredly agreed with his Omega. Safe. Finally, they were safe.

His Omega purred with delight, greedily soaking up the attention while Sean passed out, cradled by Alpha Brandon.

My Alpha.