A lot of things had changed yet at the same time, everything had stayed the same. It was amazing how a change of perspective and a moment of acceptance could do to one's mind. Every little touch between Brandon and the community now seemed to have an added spark, a charge of simmering emotions and cravings.

Every time they bumped together, even if it was so much as a simple brush of their fingers, had all the hairs on Brandon's body prickle with awareness. And it wasn't like Lobo was of any help.

The young Alpha eyed the humming lycan as the man seemed completely oblivious where he was seated on the couch, eyes focused purely on the book he was reading. Ever since their marking, Lobo had spent every waking moment at Brandon's side, which Brandon had come to expect.

However, recently Lobo had changed how he treated Brandon. It was barely perceptible but over the past few days, there had been small interactions. A simple hot breath in Brandon's ears when Lobo leaned over his shoulder to check what Brandon was reading, a teasing finger that traced his nape...

Just the memory of those subtle touches made Brandon flustered, shivers darting over his spine as if he was being touched right that moment. And it wasn't just Lobo that had been pushing his buttons.

Even Sean, pure and innocent Sean, had been tempting Brandon with every moment they spent together. The Omega might not know just what a temptation he created whenever he wanted a cuddle and snuggled right into Brandon's scent glands.

While the sensation of having earned Sean's trust, to have Sean be comfortable with seeking Brandon out for hugs and cuddles was extremely satisfying, it didn't quite help the young Alpha's predicament. He didn't want to accidentally set off anyone from the community or do something undesired but...

"What has you so lost in thought, I wonder?" Lobo's voice murmured a hair away from Brandon's ear, which instantly turned bright red as the Alpha jolted to the side and would've more than likely ended up on the floor if not for the Lycan's quick reflexes.

The deep, raspy chuckle that Lobo released was enough to make Brandon weak in his knees as the young Alpha was pulled backwards until he was firmly within Lobo's arms. His eyes flitted towards the book the Lycan had been reading moments before, now discarded and forgotten as it slid down and fell on the floor with a dull thud.

And then Brandon realized that Lobo wasn't a slow reader. The man devoured every book he laid his eyes upon yet Brandon distinctly recalled that it took ages for the Lycan to turn the next page. Turning to look over his shoulder, there was not an ounce of guilt or shame within the cheeky smile that Lobo sent his way.

"Can't get anything past you, huh?" Lobo grinned before nuzzling against Brandon's shoulder, breath fanning over the slightly fading mark. The damp heat of his breath was enough to make Brandon shiver and slightly angle his shoulder away from Lobo with a pointed look.

The young Alpha couldn't help but huff as Lobo raised his hands in surrender but not even a minute passed before Lobo draped his arm over the back of the couch, leaving his fingers just within reach of Brandon's nape.

"You guys have been awfully touchy lately." Brandon remarked, receiving a low hum in reply from Lobo before he felt the slightest rasp of nails scraping over his scalp. The gentle massage was more than welcome, releasing tension in locked up muscles before Brandon even realized he had them tensed up.

One muscle in particular twinged sharply, a short grunt slipping from Brandon's lips before he was physically turned around so Lobo could use both hands to work on his neck. Soon enough the Alpha was putty in Lobo's hands, making the Lycan chuckle while massaging any remaining tension away.

"It didn't seem like you disliked it." Lobo remarked before amending, "It's rather... exhilarating to realize you can touch someone without feeling sick at the very sensation." Brandon stilled at that, understanding filling his being as he saw their interactions from a different perspective.

He could only imagine how the Community felt. To be able to reach out and touch someone with their consent, with everyone's consent and know that if they didn't like the sensation, Brandon would heed their demands.

Sean could finally trust an Alpha to offer the warmth and comfort he needed, to be able to cuddle and nuzzle up to Brandon for as long as his Omegan heart desired. It made Brandon's own heart jump in excitement, especially when a certain Lycan pulled him a tad closer to inspect his mark from up close.

"Basically... We're pushing our limits here. Trying to figure out what we all like and dislike. So is Jamie."

That made Brandon pause before sighing, shaking his head. Sending another thought of warmth and reassurance to the Beta, who had just recently confessed he felt guilty.

Why?

Because for some reason, Jamie believed he was holding the community back from finding happiness. After everything that happened to them all, of being the gatekeeper to their misery and keeping everyone safe, Jamie now felt as if he was keeping the others from exploring their newfound bond with Brandon.

"I already told him that I respect him. Every single one of you." Brandon murmured regretfully as he turned to look at Lobo. "I didn't confess my feelings just to sway you all to have sex with me. That is the last thing on my mind."

Lobo nodded, blonde hair hiding his eyes for a brief moment whilst a sudden spark of emotions surged over the link. "He knows. We've been telling him the same. He just needs time." Both of them remained in silence, simply letting their emotions speak for themselves.

Letting Jaimie feel the truth in what they all thought and felt. The young Beta might think he was holding him back but everyone in their relationship knew or at the very least understood the sacrifices Jamie had made to safeguard them all.

It was a choice Jamie never had to make yet nobody could undo the past. All they could do, was reassure Jamie and give him the time and space he needed to feel comfortable. Though Brandon couldn't help a small smile from curling on his lips as, perhaps unintentionally, a sweet memory escaped from Jamie.

The moment he and Brandon had slept in the same bed. Not in a physical or sexual matter. Just sharing the same warmth and comfort, to be wrapped in each other's arms and be lulled to sleep by a steady heartbeat.

Brandon's eyes closed in bliss, feeling that comfort and joy that Jamie relived from when he woke up cradling Brandon in his arms. And later that day, when they had been laying on the porch, nothing between them except the clothes on their bodies and the silence to enjoy their moment of bonding.

The young Alpha could feel a hint of an inquiry in Jamie's mind and smiled. "Anytime." He replied over the bond, feeling a joyful response coloured with a hint of surprise. Perhaps Jamie couldn't instantly believe that Brandon was genuine when he wanted to give him time to process things. That the young Alpha wasn't going to push Jamie to leap into the relationship.

And he already made sure to let Jamie know it was not because Brandon wasn't attracted or interested in the man. On the contrary. But just the thought of demanding Jamie to ignore his own emotions and needs in order to fulfil Brandon's, was enough to dampen his mood and make him feel sick.

Over my dead body before I let anyone try to force the Community to do something against their will.

Suddenly the arms around his waist tightened and Brandon stilled when teeth scraped over his mark. He shivered in awareness, feeling Lobo's hot breath dampen his skin whilst the Lycan's jaw trembled at the willpower it took to restrain himself. "Unless you want to be remarked today, I suggest containing your thoughts for a moment."

As if to mock him, Brandon's body instantly became hyperaware of Lobo's teeth digging into his skin, the heat from his mouth and the single stray swipe of the Lycan's tongue as if to test both his and Brandon's restraints.

Then there was also the memories of his first marking, the pain and bliss blending together in a mind-blowing cocktail that still sent shivers over Brandon's mind. Yet trying to avoid thinking about being marked and potentially being remarked again was doing the exact opposite for Brandon.

A low growl rumbled through Lobo's chest whenever Brandon reflexively flinched as the Lycan's canines scraped against the sensitive skin of his mark. Brandon's fingers latched onto the arm wrapped around his chest, breath hitching in his throat when Lobo reacted by pulling him a tad closer. Teeth digging a hint further before the Lycan growled lowly.

Ozone intensified, filling the room with the scent of a thunderstorm overhead before Brandon's breath expelled in a sharp gasp as Lobo lost control. Fangs dug into the young Alpha's flesh, pheromones swarming through his system as Brandon choked on a groan, shivering in Lobo's hold.

"Sorry."

Clearly it hadn't been Lobo's intention to remark Brandon but by testing their comfort zone with one another, it seemed both had found exactly where the Lycan's self-control lied. Luckily the pain was minimal and the remarking itself took less time that the first attempt, leaving the pair to sigh in unison as their pheromones combined and stabilized once more.

"Do you feel like passing out again?" Lobo questioned over their bond as he slowly unhooked his fangs and lapped at the mark on reflex. He was quick to curse and offer a soft but sincere apology as Brandon twitched and whined from the overstimulation.

"I will if you don't stop licking the damn thing." Brandon's gruff gasp sounded more pitiful than stern, making both men chuckle as the Alpha gingerly moved his shoulder with a low hum. The pain was far lesser compared to before yet somehow the mark had only become even more sensitive.

"Makes sense, considering Lobo's pheromones are outnumbering my own." Brandon thought to himself before slowly pushing off of Lobo's lap to test the strength in his legs. They wobbled slightly but held, making the young Alpha feel relieved as he tried to get rid of the pins and needles sensation in his entire body.

Meanwhile Lobo was watching him like a hawk, muscles tensed as if the Lycan was prepared to leap over the furniture of Brandon gave so much as a hint to collapsing. Brandon waved away his worries with a soft smile, "I'm fine. Honestly! Better than with the first mark." He confessed, stretching his limbs before grinning, "I feel like I can go on a run actually."

Lobo's face made Brandon snort as the Lycan slowly drawled "A run? Freshly marked?" The question was followed by a deep smirk that made Brandon shiver before a deep flush heated his face as his intended remarked "I'm surprised you wanted to announce your remarking to the entire pack but sure. Let's go on a run."

The Lycan was out from his seat and at Brandon's side before the Alpha could blink, flush intensifying as Brandon realized what his statement entailed. To run around pack territory whilst freshly marked would be the same as screaming from the top of the roof that his and Lobo's relationship was getting more intimate with every passing day.

And what's so wrong with that?

"Brandon? What's going on in that mind of yours that you're getting redder by the second?"

As if to underline Lobo's question, Brandon's entire face and ears heated before he marched out the door, soon to be followed by an extremely smug and pleased Lycan on his heels. Soon enough the pair was greeted by grins and knowing looks whilst Brandon couldn't help but blush whenever that moment of recognition appeared in his pack mates' eyes.

They way everyone nodded and made way while Lobo was humming happily as he followed Brandon, was embarrassing and at the same time...

"Why do I feel so happy about this?"

A hot breath fanned over his ear as Lobo leaned in, tone smug as he pitched his voice low so only Brandon could hear when he replied "Because someone seems to like being pampered and claimed."

The Alpha's clothes shredded as he shifted on the spot, finding no other way to hide his increasing blush than shifting. Lobo chuckled, gathering the scraps of fabric before carrying them along to the changing room before returning in his Lycan form.

Letting his Beast take the reins, Brandon couldn't help but chuckle as its behaviour did a complete 180, prancing around Lobo and instantly flopping over to expose his belly when the Lycan looked down.

And then it melted like putty in very capable paws as Lobo gently brushed over the Beast's stomach, chuckling as he did. Whichever way he was turned and twisted, the Beast didn't release so much a huff of protest and instead wiggled all over the floor, happy to receive some attention from their intended.

"So much for being a big, bad Alpha." Lobo teased but the Beast simply panted happily, legs kicking at the belly rub it received. "Come on, let's get on that run." The Lycan murmured after a good pat, making the Beast whine in protest before rolling on its paws and shaking out its fur vigorously.

And then the beast was off, pausing only momentarily to dip down into a playful bow and disappearing with a swish of his tail into the surrounding woods. Demanding from its partner to be chased and bond over some playtime.

It was one of the very few times that the pack members saw one of their own being chased by a Lycanthrope, where the sight caused them to smile and shake their heads affectionately. Perhaps it was the way ozone softened in the air, feeling more like the announcement of a refreshing rainstorm after a hot summer.

Or perhaps it was in the way Lobo was incredibly careful not to harm the squirmy, excited Alpha wolf that flopped around like a submissive pup whenever the Lycan's ears so much as displayed a hint of annoyance.

Whatever it was, the pack's shared link was soon flooding with a sense of contentment and joy, knowing that their future Alpha had met his match. The fact that Brandon had been remarked so soon after his first marking yet was running around, only meant one thing.

One didn't remark their intended so soon unless their instincts told them that this person was their one and only. Nor would someone remarked be capable of running around with a fresh mark, unless they were a perfect match.

Grins and knowing looks were shared alike, forthey had all seen this before when their current Alpha Ryker had marked hisbeloved Faye. All of them had flourished under their guidance and the packcouldn't wait to see what the future held for them all.