He was finally able to move about without attempting to randomly kiss the floor. Brandon felt frustrated with the past few hours, where Jamie had actively prevented several nosedives of the young Alpha.

The soreness in Brandon's muscles indicated that Lobo's pheromones were very active in his system. Technically that might be due to the fact that someone else was touching Brandon, even though Lobo was a part of the community.

However the easiest way to stop this issue besides having Lobo out for the next few weeks, was one Brandon didn't even dare consider. He was struggling with the Lycan's pheromones in his body, so the mere thought of letting the rest of the community mark him at the same time was beyond reason.

And Brandon had to admit, a very admittedly large part of him wanted to have meaning behind the marks. To have them given to him because the other party wanted to mark him and not out of ease or necessity.

Just the thought of having Sean and Jamie mark him made his Beast puff out its fur and wag its tail. Much to Brandon's surprise and amusement, the Beast had been flitting from the Alpha's own mind to the Community's shared mindscape, eagerly reaching out to them.

The Beast's enthusiasm as it greeted everyone resembled more that of a golden retriever instead of a headstrong Alpha wolf, especially when it greeted Noah. Yet Brandon couldn't scold it, considering that each time his wolf had reached Noah, the Little had crowed with laughter and happiness that made the link flare with joy and contentment.

Plus as Lobo had indicated, if the Beast ever so much as considered to become a problem, the Lycan was more than capable and willing to put it in its place. And in his Beast's defense, the wolf hadn't stepped a single claw out of line.

It only approached the Alters who were open to his contact and respected those who weren't feeling his attention for that moment. While there was some roughhousing between Brandon's wolf and Royal's own Alpha wolf, there wasn't so much a scratch left on either pups, making Brandon relax whenever his Beast left for a visit.

"I never thought I would say this about an Alpha's Beast but... he's very well behaved." Jamie murmured in response to Brandon's thoughts, making the Alpha smile whilst inwardly rolling his eyes as a sense of pride flooded his awareness.

Both of them released an audible snort when his wolf literally pranced about in contentment, strutting around the headspace as if it had won the biggest price of its lifetime. The proud strutting was quickly replaced with a puppylike eagerness when Noah ran up to the beast and got invited to play with a few quick licks to the face.

Observing their play for a moment, Brandon sighed as he relaxed on the couch, gratefully accepting the soft throw blanket Jamie handed over. He smiled happily when the Beta joined him on the porch, blanket happily shared between them.

However as Brandon mentally observed the playtime, a question burned on his tongue before he glanced at Jamie. "I've thought about it before but... how is this whole marking situation going to work out with Noah?"

Jamie's lips pursed in thought as the Beta dug deeper within the blankets when a chill breeze bit at their exposed faces and hands. "We've all pondered about that as well, but then again, it shouldn't be an issue. I mean, marking is only done intending marriage or at the very least a physical relationship, right?"

Brandon's nose instantly curled in disgust, quick to defend himself as he rushed "I didn't mean it like that, I would never mark the pup. I meant when this-" He loosely motioned with his shoulder to indicate his mark, "were to become permanent, if I were to mark you, Lobo or Sean...you would have a physical mark on your bodies."

Jamie smiled, gently nudging Brandon's ribs as he reassured "Trust me, if any of us so much had an inkling that you thought of Noah in that light, none of us would've stopped Lobo from doing whatever he wanted with you. And you shouldn't worry about any future marks on our bodies either."

When Brandon curiously raised his brow, a slight flush spread over Jamie's face as the Beta amended, "We already had a long conversation with Noah while you were out cold. While Noah doesn't fully understands, he knows that we might bear a mark in the future. A good scar, as he called it."

Jamie chuckled, shaking his head whilst petrichor turned sweet and soft. "He was hesitant, thinking you were going to bite him but we explained that wasn't going to happen. However, we then had to assure him that he was very much loved with or without a mark, that marking just happens between grown-ups who like one another."

Brandon hummed in response, too tired to keep thinking about it. Yet when Jamie's curious question settled in his mind, the Alpha struggled to get his thoughts together. "So how does the mark work? I know you explained a bit to Lobo but we couldn't answer most of Noah's questions based of the little bit we knew."

Clearing his throat, Brandon thought back on all his classes, the books he had read and the countless times his Mom had dutifully taught him everything she knew. "It all depends on the mating dynamics really." The young Alpha started, digging a bit deeper in the blanket to enjoy its cozy warmth. "Usually same rank matings have it easiest."

"After all, both produce pheromones of equal strength so when marked for the first time, their bodies won't have to fight as much against these foreign pheromones, recognizing them as similar yet different." Brandon motioned towards his own mark hidden below his shirt as he added "The higher the disparity between the pair, the stronger the effects."

Jamie hummed thoughtfully, smiling as Brandon yawned noisily before the Beta pursed his lips. "So let's say hypothetically Lobo had marked another Lycan."

That made Brandon snort, giving Jamie an amused look while the young Alpha didn't even need to think over the question. "Lycans heal quicker than regular wolves, probably due to their bodies having changed after fighting off the Corruption. More than likely their marks would have to be refreshed every week or so."

"And if it were an Omega?" Jamie wondered out loud, making Brandon cringe with sympathy at the idea. He didn't think a Lycan had mated with any Omegas as far as he knew but...

"Considering that an Alpha's bite or rather their pheromones are already extremely volatile on an Omega's body-" Brandon licked his lips, trying to offer a genuine answer from what he knew. "My best guess is that an Omega marked by a Lycan would be in terrible pain for a while. Maybe even bedridden. I mean..." The young Alpha didn't need to say more as he waved at himself.

If he, as an Alpha in his prime was struggling with a Lycan's mark, how would an Omega handle it? They both shared the same grimace and Brandon could detect a hint of nervousness over their shared bond, making him look at Jamie curiously.

Ah. Sean.

Of course the Omega was curious and worried about the future, where they would possibly receive a mark. And hearing their discussion about Lycans and Omegas wasn't quite as reassuring as Sean had hoped.

"Sean shouldn't be too worried, I think Lobo will soften the blow." Brandon murmured tiredly, yawn muffled in the blanket before he fought to shake the sleep off.

There was a confused silence and a silent nudge to continue, making the young Alpha lick his lips. "In case of multiple mates, depending on the number of mates involved the bites either take place at the same time if it only involves an extra person. Or like in our case, the markings would happen on separate occasions."

Petrichor with an undertone of Jasmine sparked through the air as Jamie's confusion unified with Sean's. "How will that benefit Sean, or make Lobo help him?"

Brandon tapped his fresh mark, mentally cursing himself for doing so as it throbbed in response, making the Alpha flinch. "If our mark is completed, your shared body will already have my mark, my pheromones coursing through. Lobo will barely feel anything of it I imagine but those pheromones will stay present even in Sean's form. You all are your own individuals but you do share a body."

Jamie blinked at that, both Petrichor and Jasmine sweetening as they understood. "So by the time Sean is marked, your pheromones are already present and will weaken the blow of the mark." He turned to Brandon with a smile that the young Alpha knew was partially Sean's relief as well.

"It'll still be a bit unpleasant but nothing like what an Omega normally experiences." Brandon reassured. "At most, Sean will feel a bit like he has the flu. Sore muscles and achy joints in general."

Jamie made a low sound in his throat, looking out at the forest for a moment before he inquired "What about mark positions?" He motioned with his chin to a passing couple who were mated. "Neither of them seem to have a visible mark even though their pheromones indicate they've mated. I didn't see a mark on your mother either."

At that, Brandon couldn't help but blush slightly because as a pup, he had asked the same curious question to his father who had to awkwardly explain the situation. "While it's most common to mark one another at the flesh where the shoulder and neck meets, a mark will hold as long as the scent gland has been bitten. Some prefer to have a visible mark or a convenient one they can reach during their matings."

"Others, like my mother and like Astrid over there, have their marks on different places on their bodies." Brandon licked his lips as Jamie pursed his lips before eying the mark Lobo left on the young Alpha's skin. "The further involved they are on their bond, the more intimate the mark's location might be. Some couples even wait for the temporary mark to fade if they don't like the original placement."

That made Jamie's brows rise, surprise easy to detect in both expression and scent as he turned more towards Brandon. "People... change their marked spot? Even though they know it'll hurt?" The Beta seemed baffled and Brandon shrugged as he too had often wondered why some people were so finicky.

"I mean, it's the show of your bond, your mating with one another. It's only natural that some want the mark placement to be perfect. Others are just happy to be marked and don't really care, though I can imagine if the mark is put in an embarrassing spot in the heat of the moment, they might change it later on."

Petrichor soured in confusion as Jamie struggled to take that bit of information in. "How would a mark be embarrassing? I mean-"

"One of the pack's original mark placement was square on his ass cheek."

Silence filled the air as Jamie slowly turned towards Brandon, air escaping from his lunged in a wheezed "You're kidding."

Brandon snickered, shaking his head. "They were fooling around and apparently was into getting bitten when he confessed he wouldn't mind being marked mid bite. As far as I know, their mate's wolf was more than a bit excited and well, left a mark on the man's ass." The young Alpha choked on his own laughter as he added "Couldn't sit for a whole week without keeping his left ass cheek elevated, not to mention that a fresh mark is highly sensitive. He opted to remain standing for meetings and laid down on his stomach instead of sitting until the mark healed."

A grin flashed over the young Alpha's face as Jamie snorted, cackling at the awkward hilarity of the situation. "I see why one would want to change their marking spot." The beta admitted, wiping away a tear before drawing Brandon closer against his chest, much to Brandon's surprise. "Are you happy where your mark is at?"

It made the young Alpha think for a moment before humming contently. "I'm fine with where it's at and I'm sure that future markings will be discussed more in depth. To be fair, I wasn't really thinking when Lobo suggested a mark and indicated the spot I wanted to be marked at anyways."

Jamie nodded happily at that, a few strands of blond hair snagging in the wind as he pulled Brandon even closer, face tucking away against the Beta's throat. For a moment he was shocked until a hint of ozone filtered through his nose and Jamie's voiced echoed over their link.

"Lobo smells another Lycan nearby, observing us."

Brandon relaxed into Jamie, humming softly as he expanded their connection so he could hear Lobo and the others as well. During their conversation the link had faded to the background but now that he focused, he could sense the Lycan's unease at this development.

"Where?" Brandon questioned over the link, feeling a zap of awareness reach his mind while Jamie's arm tightened slightly around the young Alpha. It was weird to be the one being protected but considering his current state, Brandon was more a liability than a threat to anyone wishing harm.

"Probably around the corner to our right." Lobo replied with a low growl before turning his attention towards Jamie. "I'll tap in if anything changes." He warned before emitting another low growl through their link.

Ozone and petrichor blended together, making Brandon's nose itch slightly at the potency before Jamie asked out loud, "How are you feeling?" While there was a slight tension to the man's muscles, Brandon could see the slight worry in Jamie's blue eyes and smiled warmly to soothe and relax that fear.

"Better than this morning. I should do a few more stretches so my body smoothly absorbs the last of the pheromones and I'm sure that everyone's presence also helps a lot." He grinned, keeping his senses on high alert.

Now that he knew the general location of the Lycan, he could hear the slightest breathing, a shuffle of footsteps when they moved their weight from one foot to the other. But it seemed that they didn't feel the need to make themselves known, simply observing.

"That's good." Jamie murmured, sighing happily as they relaxed, lapsing into silence as Jamie mentally added, "Your father let us know there are in fact, three Lycans present for a surprise inspection. One is keeping watch on us while the leader and her guard are with Ryker."

"Not surprised. I'm going to assume that guard is the reason Lobo is so on edge?" Brandon replied as ozone sparked vividly for a moment. The annoyed grumble from Lobo was answer enough, making the young Alpha close his eyes on a yawn.

It was a given that the Lycans would be wary of anyone showing interest in one of their own. Even though Lobo and the community hadn't joined the Lycan pack, it made sense that they'd keep an eye out on them.

Especially knowing that Lobo had actually managed to land a hit on the leader of their pack. It made Brandon wonder if perhaps that was why the other Lycan had been so blunt and aggressive towards Lobo.

Lobo huffed at the notion, shaking his head as he replied through the bond "That prick was agitated before his boss was present. In fact, he was the reason why she got injured in the first place; the blow she took was intended for him."

Brandon turned to Lobo in the shared mindscape with shock and awe, making the Lycan huff awkwardly. "What? The prick was acting high and mighty, as if we were underneath him for being a freshly born Lycan. He reminded me so much of the Corrupted it pissed me off and I didn't think of what I was doing."

Just seeing Lobo's awkward blush made Brandon snicker, squeaking as he was mentally pulled into Lobo's arms with a growl. "Trust me, he probably got majorly scolded after that. I'm guessing it was either a young Lycan themselves or they thought you were out of control and giving into the Corruption still."

"Let's just confront this brat spying on us and get it over with." Lobo responded after a moment of silence, making Brandon smile against Jamie's skin when the Beta chuckled along with him. Anyone with some common sense would realize Lobo simply didn't want anyone to intrude on the bonding moment between Jamie and Brandon, had been in the background enjoying everyone's bonds developing.

It made Brandon send a silent prayer to whateverLycan had been burdened with keeping an eye on them, for they too had nowgained the ire of Lobo. And the Lycan was more than willing to show just how frustratingthese interruptions were.