Brandon could tell the moment Sean fell asleep. The way his posture slowly relaxed, fingers barely latched onto his own clothes and the faint breaths that slipped past Sean's lips.

He felt an immense surge of satisfaction and pride. Knowing that Sean, hell, their entire community, trusted him enough to nest....

Honestly, it was an incredibly humbling experience for Brandon. While it might've been an average daily event for most Omegas, where they asked for reassurance and soothed their instincts, Brandon understood how vulnerable Sean and the others had been when the Omega had announced his own desires.

Part of the pride he felt was aimed at Sean. Despite never having Nested before, he did it so well. Allowed himself to relax in the hands of an Alpha, accepted all the comfort that Brandon could offer.

The trust that the community had placed in Brandon, made him feel extremely small. Humbled. Honored. The gentle smile on his lips was unmovable as he observed Sean for a moment longer before sighing to himself.

While the young Omega was relaxed, Brandon knew better than to get up and vacate the bed. The slightest adjustment from him had the Omega following suit.

Even a simple readjustment or stretching his legs made Sean twist and squirm along. Unwilling to release his Alpha.

Heat burned in Brandon's cheeks and ears at the mere thought, the beast purring at finally being acknowledged by their Intended.

Sean might not have noticed or intended it, but he had tested the young Alpha's restraint multiple times throughout his Nesting.

Audibly calling him Alpha, his Alpha while Brandon had been washing him... A shiver ran down the young Alpha's spine as he remembered the moment.

Surprisingly, neither he or his beast had felt any drive to nudge their situation towards intimacy. Not even when Sean had been all but naked in front of Brandon, not when the Omega had bared his throat at the Alpha as he was being washed.

It had been a show of complete vulnerability and trust. Neither man or beast had wanted to break that fragile moment with unwanted affection.

If they had been a mated pair, Nesting was usually accompanied with physical reassurance and affection as well. Be it hugs, tender touches and kisses to slow and sensual mating.

Whilst Brandon was confident that the Alphas of his pack would've respected Sean and considered him a person, he knew the opposite was also true. Many Alphas outside of his pack wouldn't have hesitated.

They would've marked the Omega as theirs the second Sean had bared his throat.

Brandon had kept everything platonic even though the mere sight of the Omega had been a dream come true. To have an unrelated Omega trust him to the point where they desired to nest with him...

"Not just any Omega." His wolf huffed, tail flicking eagerly as it added "Our Omega."

Brandon almost wanted to correct the wolf but, they had made their intentions clear to Jamie... Perhaps it was time to also clear those intentions with Sean and see what the Omega thought about it.

Because no matter how badly the young Alpha and his Beast wanted to bond with Sean and the others... he couldn't do it without their consent.

And just because Jamie didn't protest, didn't mean that the others agreed. Plus Brandon wanted to meet all the others first before claiming the Community as his.

Not to mention that certain members were automatically excluded from being romantic partners. Brandon shivered in disgust at the mere thought of looking at Noah that way.

No, he felt a more paternal bond with the Little, as if the pup was his own or a younger brother. Even his own Beast scoffed at the idea, felt not a hint of sexual interest for Noah.

"Disgusting. That's a pup." It snarled, growling lowly at Brandon, as if he was entertaining the idea to begin with. It took the young Alpha a few minutes to calm his Beast, to point out that he simply wanted to make sure they were on the same page.

Brandon sighed, nuzzling against Sean's hair and grinned as the Omega returned the gesture sleepily. Taking in a deep breath, the young Alpha relaxed as his nostrils flared, taking in soft jasmine.

And a hint of ozone.

"To what do I owe the pleasure?" He asked kindly, relaxing his hold on Sean the slightest bit. Still wanting to provide warmth and comfort to the Omega but not wanting to antagonize the rousing Lycan.

After all, their last interaction had ended with the Lycan's teeth sinking in his throat. While it had not been a deep enough wound to deal permanent damage, it had certainly left an impression on Brandon.

The scent of ozone completely overtook the jasmine as the Lycan fully emerged, warily looking at Brandon from his position partially in the young Alpha's lap.

"Keeping an eye out." The wolf grumbled, pushing out of Brandon's lap before stretching his limbs.

It was intriguing how differently each Alter acted, how differently they moved. Even their expressions, no matter how small, could betray who was in control.

With the way this person prowled like a confident predator, not at all stressed or ashamed that there was an Alpha seated on their bed, Brandon had no doubt in his mind that this was the Lycan.

"I promise you, I mean no harm to anyone in the community." Brandon stated, feeling his own hackles rise slightly at the veiled accusation.

After all, the young Alpha had done his very best to protect everyone in the community. Had made sure that he was as understanding and gentle as could be, without any pretenses or fake understanding.

While it was understandable that any new Alters were on edge, Brandon didn't necessarily like being treated as if he was untrustworthy.

The lycan simply huffed before nodding once. "I know that now. Just needed to see how you'd respond to a barely dressed Omega in a vulnerable position." He pointed out, jabbing a finger at the bathroom.

Surprise lightened Brandon's sandalwood scent before he rubbed his hands over his face. Understanding why the Lycan had been lingering in the background.

No matter the intentions of an Alpha, if they didn't have perfect control over their beast near a submissive Omega...

He shivered at the mere idea, his own wolf snarling in disgust at the mere idea. Snapping its jaw, teeth clicking audibly as it snarled "I'd NEVER do that."

"But they don't know that. They've experienced the very opposite." Brandon murmured to his beast, gaining a low growl in return before it whined.

"I understand." Brandon amended, lowering his head towards the Lycan, who hummed thoughtfully.

"Indeed. Surprising, really." He agreed with a grumbled huff, a low rumble vibrating through his throat. "Then again, you've been surprising all of us with every action you take."

Brandon blinked before blushing slightly at the unexpected compliment. Scratching at his nape while the Lycan turned, resting their back against the wall while crossing their arms.

Ozone slowly filled the room, the scent potent enough to make Brandon feel slightly uneasy, as if he was standing out in a field seconds before a massive thunderstorm was expected to hit.

The hairs in his nape prickled under the watchful gaze of the Lycan. Swallowing nervously, Brandon took a moment to settle the growing nerves in his stomach before licking his lips with slight hesitation.

"We've briefly met before." The young Alpha stated, gaining a single nod from the Lycan. "As I stated back then, I'm Brandon and am a friend to Sean, Jamie and now Noah. If it's not too much to ask, can I know your name? At least so I can address you properly..."

The lycan glanced at him before awkwardly scratching his nape, letting out a deep sigh. Grumbling something under his breath before noticing that Brandon hadn't heard him and repeated reluctantly. "Lobo. Pup thought it was a fitting name."

Brandon couldn't help the slight grin that spread over his face. Realizing that little Noah had looked at the cartoon figure and found it a very fitting name for their Lycan protector.

And remembering Sean and Jamie's silvery white coloration, it wasn't a surprise that little Noah thought it a very fitting name.

Just imagining the Lycan to transform into their beast was intimidating, to say the least. Some would think a pitch black or darkly colored lycan would be more intimidating.

But Brandon could quite easily imagine why a ghostly white Lycan would be equally terrifying.

No wonder the pup had been so eager to leave. Undoubtedly he wanted to share the news with the Lycan, wanted to give him a name personally.

"It's a good name." Brandon agreed easily, allowing the Lycan to relax somewhat. "And Lobo is a badass, he was by far my favorite character of that series." The Alpha confessed with a grin that made the new Alter snort.

"I needed a name and couldn't say no to the pup." Lobo shrugged his shoulder. "Besides, it'll be easier to have a name instead of being called lycan."

Ozone sharpened slightly, making Brandon hesitate for a moment before frowning. After all, this was his first time meeting Lobo and he was quite sure the Alter hadn't encountered anyone before...

Then he blinked, his mind settling on the answer. "One of the Lycans called you out?"

Lobo nodded, a sneer pulling at his face, curling his nose as he bared his teeth in disgust. "Drop the wolf, lycan." He mimicked a deeper male voice before huffing. Brandon could visualize the man's fur bristling in disgust as he shuffled his weight from one leg to the other.

"Bastard doesn't even know me, yet that objectifying sneer-" Lobo snarled, voice much deeper than it should be for a relatively small body. It was weird, knowing that the features and expression Brandon had come to known, could be so different under the control of a Lycan.

Brandon swallowed thickly, his own scent showing his nerves as sandalwood turned slightly bitter, slightly damp. The placating whine he released was heartily joined by his own beast, who felt on edge being alone with an agitated Lycan.

Lobo startled, glancing at Brandon before his features softened. Surprise and respect showing in both his expression and scent, as the ozone softened, turned sweeter. Kinder. Gentler.

"And once again, you surprise me." Lobo sighed, bowing his head in apology. "It wasn't my intention to frighten you. Well..-" The Lycan paused, tilting his head as he observed the young Alpha before him.

It was clear the man contemplated what he should say that wouldn't offend Brandon before he eventually sighed. "I've been keeping an eye out on the others ever since I've awakened. Making sure that you or anyone else don't cross the line."

Lobo gave him a look when the young Alpha wanted to protest, taking a step closer to where Brandon was seated. "I wanted to make sure that you wouldn't do anything when one of my family is at their most vulnerable. Alphas can say one thing but intend to do the opposite."

Brandon nodded understandingly. "And I'm not upset that you did. If you feel better keeping an eye out, then I'd encourage you to do so, especially when the others are considered vulnerable."

"Actually, I'd prefer it if you keep doing that. Knowing that there's someone like you, someone stronger, making sure that the others are safe, is a reassurance." Brandon grinned, sandalwood flooding the room as both beast and man agreed.

They wanted to keep everyone safe. Knowing that if he ever lost control, Lobo could handle him with cheeky ease, was more than reassuring.

It was a blessing.

For a long while, Lobo just stared at Brandon. Letting his gaze slowly wander over the young Alpha seated on their bed to the point where Brandon felt flustered and mumbled and awkward, "What?"

"I want to mark you."

The blunt statement made Brandon choke on his spit, coughing as he felt his face heat up even more. "Wh-What do you mean?" The young Alpha stammered, even though he knew exactly what Lobo meant.

The lycan simply tilted his head with a slow smirk, approaching Brandon as he spoke. "I wish to cradle your face between my hands. Bare your neck to my gaze. And then sink my fangs into your flesh."

Lobo grinned down at a flustered Brandon as he continued, "To allow my pheromones to seep through your body and lay my claim onto you. I want to mark you."