The gathered crowd was wary about the still transformed Lycan standing beside their pack Alpha. Lobo had insisted to remain shifted, simply to get a message across the pack.

He and Alpha Ryker had an in depth discussion, realizing that some of the pack would insist that Lobo could not be the same as the tender and frail looking Sean.

The only way they would, was if he were to remain a Lycan and shift before them.

Lobo had agreed easily, especially so when Alpha Ryker had brought a divider to offer his some privacy. It only made Lobo respect the Alpha even more.

"As many of you know, we've had a few newcomers to our pack." Alpha Ryker stated, instantly silencing the crowd as his powerful voice swept over the clearing. "Several have been introduced to Sean and Jamie. However, there is more to them than meets the eye."

Lobo's ear twitched, tilting towards the murmuring of the people. He could hear their impression of him, or whispered confirmations that they had met Jamie, Sean or both. One hand raised in the crowd, gaining the attention of both Lobo and Ryker.

When Alpha Ryker nodded once, the teenage girl hesitated only for a brief moment. "Does this have anything to do with that unknown cinnamon scent I smelt in the storage room a few days ago?"

A soft sigh of frustration slipped from Lobo before he could prevent it. He knew that Noah has slipped out in the presence of Brandon, whom he knew was safe.

But it had still been a risk to let the pup wander about with people who weren't safe.

"Yes." Lobo took it upon himself to reply, startling the girl for a moment as she glanced between the Lycan and Alpha Ryker.

Alpha Ryker didn't show a moment of hesitation and merely smiled. "I know this all seems very confusing but after careful deliberation with Sean, Jamie and Lobo here," he indicated the Lycan with a small gesture, "We decided to present them to the pack."

Curious eyes wandered over the otherwise empty stage, as if wondering where Sean and Jamie were. Lobo gritted his teeth, knowing that normally people who had DID, kept their nature hidden from others.

For some it was shame that pushed them. Others felt the need to hide who they were simply because it was too much of a risk.

After all, they had all suffered under the hands of a monster before. Why would they volunteer themselves to suffer again?

Sighing, Lobo made sure to let his eyes wander over the crowd before he stated loudly, "We have DID. Hence the different smells you've all detected."

Lobo didn't wait to hear people starting to bicker and argue. He simply stepped to the side and shifted behind the divider, accepting the clothes from Alpha Ryker before stepping out in full view of the pack.

Part of him had wanted to shift back so nobody could deny it was him. But he knew about their scars, their past. And if there was something to be kept a secret from others, it would be that.

Naturally the whispers followed. Pointing out his similarities with Sean and Jamie, that they all looked identical besides their scents and behavior.

"Don't people with DID keep it hidden?" A familiar voice questioned, making Lobo's eyes find Steve in the crowd. The young Alpha didn't look surprised or disgusted, merely confused. Head tilted slightly as they patiently waited for an answer from the lycan.

Who smiled to himself, understanding why Jamie and Sean had so much respect for another Alpha. Despite the pup-like scent still clinging to the man, announcing them as newly Presented, his whole demeanor was exactly like that of Brandon and Alpha Ryker.

An Alpha who genuinely, truly wanted to serve their pack and aid them in any way possible.

"True. Normally we'd keep it hidden from people, only disclosing it to those we trust, if we do even that." Lobo stated before pointing out the obvious. "If we were human that is."

The lycan simply tapped the side of his nose as he revealed, "All the pack needs to do, is catch a whiff of us to realize who's out and they know something is off. Sure we can try and keep it secret, but I'll be damned if I let my family force themselves into hiding who they are, simply because some people might have issues with who they are."

The threat was barely veiled and noticed by all. Several individuals gulped slightly as the overwhelming authority of a Lycan swept over them.

Even their most experienced Alphas wisely lowered their heads the slightest bit. Showing deference to a being that outclassed and outmatched them.

Lobo's gaze flitted over the crowd, lingering on those few who had hints of betrayal on their faces. Making sure that those select few wouldn't dare retaliate against a perceived slight.

Plus Lobo didn't care that he threatened anyone in this pack. He was his family's protector, their line of defense against anyone who thought to use and abuse them.

He was going to make his point and make it damned sure to everyone present, what the consequences would be if they decided to target what Lobo deemed family.

And he would react. Mercilessly.

"Since there's no reason for us to hide, mostly because it'll be confusing and useless in the long run, I'm here to present to the Pack." Lobo ended his statement with a little gesture, having been informed of what a normal introduction would entail.

Pack members would investigate his and his family's scent before blending it with their own. Unifying all of their scents to the collective Pack scent.

It was apparently why every pack had their own, unique scent; it was a medley of the scents from their pack members.

Several others raised their hands curiously, making Lobo turn their attention to them. "Can we still introduce ourselves to the others individually on a later time?" One of the Betas asked, gaining several curious nods and hums of intrigue.

Lobo crossed his arms but didn't try to appear threatening as he responded, "You may. Doesn't mean I won't be there when you do."

The lycan might be trusting Alpha Ryker and a select few from the pack, but he wasn't a fool. He was going to keep a sharp eye on anyone who wanted to approach them.

Especially those who had taken a keen interest in Sean and Jamie.

"So the cinnamon scent-"

"Noah." Lobo stated, not revealing anything more beside the pup's name. The teenager from earlier nodded, averting her gaze at his response. It was clear the girl was curious to find out more about Noah, but smart enough not to press on.

The twat beside her, not so much.

"So what is he then? I didn't smell any rank when we found the scent but-" the young Alpha's eyes flitted to the girl beside him before glancing back at Lobo, freezing instantly.

Lobo sneered, shifted canines barely veiled behind his lips as he growled "I don't see how that's any of your fucking business."

He had scented the jealousy earlier on the young Alpha when the girl beside him asked about Noah. Whilst they didn't know Noah was a literal child, that didn't mean Lobo was going to entertain any hostility towards Noah.

Or any of his family.

If the twat wanted to posture against Noah simply because he had the hots for a girl, Lobo would give him a lesson he'd never forget.

Luckily the young Alpha realized his mistake and wisely shut up, lowering his head demurely. Lobo snorted but accepted the submission with a dismissive glance before motioning for Ryker to continue.

Even if the pack needed to introduce themselves to Sean, Jamie and Noah, Lobo wasn't going to shift to them. As he had stated to Alpha Ryker, he would much rather be out all the time than force his family to suffer any longer.

That included forcing Sean to meet everyone and pushing Jamie into a situation where he had to sacrifice himself to keep the others safe and happy.

So Lobo endured all the people coming up to him with smiles and hesitant touches. Let them lean in to sniff at his scent, let the unique scents of the others come through so theirs were known as well.

And during the whole ceremony, he observed. Watched everyone who scented him for any minute responses. Few dared to lean in to rub their glands together even though it was required, simply touching the glands at Lobo's wrists before shying away instantly.

Of course, the only exception was Steve. The young Alpha smiled warmly at Lobo and leaned in, pausing for a moment as if asking silent permission.

And when it was given, he simply leaned against Lobo, as if enveloping the man in a gentle and warm hug. Without touching him as much as possible, besides where their glands met.

"Looks like Brandon isn't the only highly observant Alpha in this pack." Lobo mused to himself as Steve leaned back with that same, disarming smile on his face.

Observing Lobo, as if hoping he hadn't triggered the lycan in any shape or form. Not out of wariness of what the man would do, but out of concern of what Steve's own actions would do.

I wonder how much he researched about DID... when he started to suspect something...

The pup simply smiled up at him and inclined his head before making room for the next in line. It took Lobo and the pack a few hours but he was grateful that Alpha Ryker rushed the entire event.

There was a distant hum in the back of Lobo's mind, a sparkle of awareness that he was growing fond of. It made him realize the others were reaching out to him with a simple message that had Lobo want to vault of the stage and leave.

Brandon's subconsciousness has returned.

A sudden eagerness filled Lobo, who simply turned at Alpha Ryker with a cocked brow. "Was that all?"

If the Alpha was shocked at the bluntness, he didn't react on it and instead smiled rather knowingly. "That's all. Unless you wish to address the pack before you head out?" He questioned with a motion towards the observing crowd.

Lobo shook his head and took two steps before pausing and retracing them. Letting his eyes wander over the now highly attentive and curious pack, waiting for his next words.

"Brandon is ours."

With that, he hopped off the stage and made way for the packhouse. Ignoring the others who gave way like sardines fleeing from the shark in their midst.

Ours. The statement made Lobo smirk slightly, pace picking up as he hurried to Brandon's room, knowing the young Alpha would still be there, slumbering.

"I'm guessing there's no need to call for you. Sensed him through the bond?" A teasing voice questioned, caramelized apple soothing the jitteriness of his muscles. Lobo nodded respectfully at Faye, because the Pack Omega had treated him and his family with nothing but respect.

Plus, she hadn't protested one bit when she saw Lobo's claim on her son. Instead she had smiled warmly at the Lycan and even in his shifted form, had gently patted his cheek before asking him to take care of her beloved son.

Entrusting Brandon to him.

"I did." Lobo answered her question, glancing beyond her, further into the room until he could see Brandon snoozing away in his bed. "How is he?"

Brandon's mother smiled, motioning him in as she walked over to her son. Brushing the young man's hair out of his face with a tender smile and an even sweeter apple scent.

"Recovering. The clash of two powerful pheromones takes a lot out of one's body. On that aspect, us Omegas have it easier, as our body doesn't fight against the mark at all." She explained, finger indicating her own mark.

It was similar to what Alpha Ryker had said before. Both of Brandon's parents had sat down with Lobo and explained their species and biology in detail.

How Alphas usually felt attracted to those with a softer beast or lack thereof, as it soothed their own beast. For those rare Alphas that had impeccable control and desired a stronger mate, their pheromones would still clash with their intended.

And that rush of pheromones within the perceived weaker individual would awaken glands that had been dormant since birth. A safety in their species to ensure that all consensual matings were filled with happiness and peace.

Lobo had only smelled slick once and he hoped to never encounter that stressful slick ever again. He had been disgusted to the bone at the very idea that Sean had been in such distress that his body forced the Omega to convey it in the strongest way possible.

I never want to push Brandon to that point.

A clearing of the throat pulled Lobo from his thoughts, smiling as Faye stood up with a grin. "Seeing how my son is in safe hands, I'll take my leave. Take care of yourselves, sweetheart." The Omega smiled before motioning to the small fridge in the corner of Brandon's room. "And if Sean wants some sweets, I put some fudge cake in there."

There was a conspiring glint in her eyes as she held a finger against her lips before she winked and walked out. Lobo couldn't help but chuckle and shake his head, knowing that Sean would be foaming at the mouth and Jamie would sigh with amused reluctance.

This family is the best.

Taking a hesitant seat on the bed, Lobo reached down and brushed his knuckles over Brandon's jaw. Fingers gliding over heated skin until they dipped down, settling against his fresh mark.

"He's ours." Lobo reaffirmed, smiling as he felt a burst of excitement from the other Alters. Someone to finally call theirs, someone they trusted.

Someone they'd definitely grow to love.