A yawn escaped Brandon before he could muffle it fully behind his hand, eyes tearing up for a brief moment before he blinked the haze away. Only a single day had passed after he had snapped and momentarily lost control but surprisingly, none of the community had walked on eggshells around him.

In fact, as soon as Brandon had returned to their room, he had been tackled to the floor by Sean, who instantly scent-marked the Alpha as if to prove he was worthy to be trusted. Even with his injury clearly on display, Sean showed no hesitation and had clung to Brandon until the Alpha returned the hug and relaxed with a deep sigh.

"Looks to be healing properly." Brandon mused mentally after a quick check of his wound. The injury wasn't that deep, despite having bled so much. Most of the ache was due to Brandon's pheromones stuck underneath his skin and needing to be reabsorbed.

It made the Alpha flinch at the reminder of the pain Sean would've been in, if he hadn't been able to redirect his target for the mark. The amount of pheromones resulting in that deep-seated ache would be pure agony for anyone with a frailer constitution. Pushing himself up in the bed, he was met with the sight of his Intended seated on the sofa, laptop balancing on their thighs whilst their gaze was absorbed by the screen.

For a moment Brandon observed them, watching how azure eyes gleamed across the screen with an intense focus, devouring whatever he was reading. A sniff of the air confirmed the reassuring ozone as Lobo's, letting Brandon know that the Lycan once again remained in the spotlight.

Perhaps it was because they had only just remarked the Alpha or merely because both Sean and Jamie enjoyed having a breather of constantly being in charge. The young Alpha did find it rather obvious that ever since their relationship had blossomed further, Lobo was very protective of Brandon.

It was a new sensation, to be protected as an Alpha. Despite his dominant Beast, the young Alpha couldn't find a hint of complaint for the gentler treatment though. The slow ache in his body reminded him of his prolonged sleep, forcing Brandon to try and get out of bed.

However, the moment Brandon sat upright and slightly cleared his throat, the soft ozone scent sparked for a brief moment before Lobo slapped the laptop shut with a wide-eyed look towards Brandon.

Who paused, slightly tilting his head at the sudden gesture before offering a teasing smile. Sandalwood soft and warm as it flooded the room along with his joking tone, "You know, if you're intending to hide what you're doing, slamming it shut is the most obvious sign you were researching something naughty." Brandon stated with a pointed look at the laptop within Lobo's lap.

It was the first time Brandon saw such an intense flush on any of the Community's faces, let alone Lobo's. There was a smug sense of glee that made Brandon bounce on his toes when he hopped out of bed, especially when the Lycan was making flustered, unintelligible sounds before the man sighed.

"I wasn't looking up anything like that. I was- I mean." The man let out another deep sigh before motioning Brandon over, pushing the laptop to the side to make room for the Alpha. Brandon didn't even have a moment to think before he was pulled on Lobo's lap and the laptop was planted on his own thighs.

Brandon blinked and blinked again when the bright screen showed him exactly what his Intended was researching. Being on Lobo's lap and having the Lycan's breath fan over the nape of his neck, even brushing slightly over his mark, wasn't helpful.

"Do Alphas marked by Lycans get pregnant upon mating?"
"What to be aware of between Alpha and Lycan relationships."
"How to prepare Intended for marking and mating?"
"When and how often do Lycans go into Rut?"

Each new question just increased Brandon's blush until he felt he could fry an egg on his face! Even worse was the sensation of being gently cradled by Lobo as the Lycan hooked his chin over Brandon's shoulder with a low, curious hum.

"You'd rather I ask your parents about all this instead of looking it up?" Lobo's voice rasped teasingly, making Brandon's flush even worse at the very thought. Naturally his parents would give plenty of advice and tips, would be more than happy to aid Lobo.

But he also knew the pair would be gleeful to know that they were close to winning their bet. Not to mention that some subjects should never be addressed to ones' parents. Just imagining that Lobo would definitely have no qualms asking Brandon's mother or father on how to actually mate their son was making Brandon's ears burn!

Not to mention the fact that Faye would more than likely send Lobo to his room with half a library worth of books on marking, mating and relationships.

When Lobo purred out another questioning "Hmm?", all Brandon could do was slowly shake his head. Unable to divert his gaze from the laptop until Lobo's hand came into view, slowly closing the device.

Shivers darted over Brandon's spine as Lobo pressed his cheek against the Alphas and Brandon could feel him smirk ever so slightly. His heart was stuttering at random, hyperaware of his position in Lobo's lap and being gently touched by the Lycan.

And more importantly, the meaning behind why Lobo was looking things up. His mind short-circuited the second he realized that maybe, just maybe, the man behind him was ready to test his boundaries.

"But, we didn't even kiss yet..." Brandon's mind fizzled out when Lobo chuckled, cluing the Alpha in on the fact that his thoughts were wide-open to the community. A community that was more than happy with his thoughts.

"True, so far only Sean has truly kissed you. Jamie only kissed your forehead. As for me..." Lobo paused for a moment when Brandon swallowed thickly, slowly turning to lock eyes with his soon-to-be mate. "The reason why I haven't kissed you yet, was simply because I feared I wouldn't be able to hold back."

The lycan leaned in closer until his breath fanned over Brandon's face, sending spark after spark over the Alpha's spine in response. "And I wanted to make sure I wouldn't hurt you if I were to have a bad reaction to your presence." A dangerous smirk slid over Lobo's features, making Brandon's blood burn under his skin, trapped by the darkening eyes flitting over his face. "Now, there's nothing to hold me back anymore."

Brandon didn't know which one of them leaned closer first. He just had a split second to realize they were sharing the same breath before their lips connected. Softly. Hesitantly, as if making sure the other wasn't going to get startled and flee.

He had expected a hunger and ferocity within the kiss, not this gentle warmth and hesitation. Yet the young Alpha instantly scolded himself, as Lobo had been nothing but warm and hesitant ever since marking him.

Their kiss was soft, languid. Exploring the other's boundaries, gently testing what was and wasn't okay. Their breaths turned heavier, both running low on air but refusing to let go whilst struggling to get enough air through their noses.

When they separated for a brief moment, Brandon felt dazed as he licked his lips to snap the string of saliva connecting them both, tongue unintentionally flicking over Lobo's lips as well. The next moment, the young Alpha was spun around as his gesture seemed to have snapped Lobo's self-control.

Yet when he was now face to face with Lobo, the Lycan was perfectly in control. A slight smirk softening to a tender smile, fingers slowly rasping over Brandon's cheek before settling on the man's nape. "Are you sure about this?"

Brandon swallowed thickly, feeling his eyes dampen by the sudden rush of emotions that swelled through his chest. "I think I should be the one asking that. After everything-" Brandon didn't dare say it but he knew Lobo understood. "Would you really want someone like me?"

"Someone like you?"

Lobo leaned closer, fingers tightening ever so slightly as they were now forehead to forehead, the Lycan's gaze blazing as he stared straight into Brandon's soul. "I would be an utter fool if I let you slip out of our hands."

Lips pressed against his own. Softly, tenderly. So gentle as if Brandon was made of glass, savouring the moment whilst Brandon's chest burned with emotion. He could feel Lobo over their connection, could feel the entire Community pose a single question.

"May we call you ours?"

Brandon couldn't respond, throat clogged as he was swept away in the bliss of the moment. He didn't even need to respond, Lobo's nostrils flaring as the scent of Brandon's pheromone laden slick exploded in the air.

It was an undeniable answer to their question.

I'm yours.

Shivers of awareness jolted through Brandon's every muscle, alerting the Alpha of every miniscule touch. Every brush of Lobo's skin seemed to burn, awakening tingles under his skin that chased all over his body.

Even though Brandon had been the one to guide the Community through everything related to the pack, this was something where he was just as inexperienced as they were. He had some knowledge but all of it was from books and titbits from friends.

Nothing personal.

Dating hadn't been on Brandon's mind as the Alpha was, just like his father, a hopeless romantic at heart. The idea of having random flings until you found the One wasn't appealing at all to the young Alpha; something he could feel was something the Community enjoyed.

Fingers gently touched his lower back, creeping under his shirt whilst Lobo gave him that lobsided smirk Brandon had grown to love. A smirk that told him that Lobo knew exactly what he was doing and was enjoying every second.

Yet still testing his own restraints, making sure that whatever reaction the Lycan had to their current situation, it wouldn't negatively influence Brandon. "Did you decide on where you want to mark me?" The young Alpha's voice was low, yet not as low as the gravely rumble that rumbled through Lobo's throat.

"I've been... considering a few places." Lobo rasped, slowly pulling at Brandon's shirt until it was dropped on the floor, forgotten in an instant. Instead Lobo's attention was completely on Brandon, who flushed under the intensity of Lobo's gaze.

The Lycan made a low sound in the back of his throat, eyes tracking the flush that rushed over Brandon's face, throat and even reached his chest. "The area between your shoulders and neck is a good spot but... I have been drawn to someplace else, with your permission of course."

Lobo's temporary mark burned on Brandon's neck before he realized exactly what Lobo meant. For days, ever since Brandon had been marked, Lobo had been subconsciously reaching for a single spot on Brandon's body.

As if to confirm his musings, Lobo's nails gently scraped over Brandon's nape, making the young Alpha shiver in delight. Nape markings were usually done between an Alpha and their Omega, as it was a duality of meanings; the ultimate submission from an Omega and at the same time depending on how it was done, the ultimate sign of protection from an Alpha as he showed restraint on the most sensitive spot one could offer.

Just imagining Lobo's fangs sinking into his nape in the middle of their very first mating session made Brandon experience a full body shiver. Lobo smirked, eyes growing darker at the reaction, providing his own as ozone swept through the room. "I see you agree with my proposal."

Their lips met again in another brief kiss, separating only for a breath before they melted together. Fingers caressed over Brandon's heating skin, making his own grab a firmer hold of Lobo's shirt before sending a slight tinge of jealousy towards the Lycan.

He could feel the smirk against his own lips before Lobo leaned back, breaking their kiss in order to quickly remove his own shirt. Now that Brandon actually had permission to look and touch, he didn't quite know what to do with himself.

Brandon hesitated putting his hands on Lobo, who quickly noticed before grabbing a hold of Brandon's hand and placing it over the Lycan's chest. Holding it firmly against his skin.

"You are not like them." Lobo reaffirmed, broadening their link so Brandon could feel exactly how his touch made Lobo's heart skip a beat in a positive way. There was no disgust, no hatred or repulsion. Yet the young Alpha couldn't supress the low grumble of his own wolf, realizing that Brandon's own desire was outmatched by Lobo's.

"And I never will be." Brandon vowed solemnly before squeaking in surprise when he was suddenly lifted into Lobo's arms and returned to the bed he only just vacated. Only, sleep was the last thing on either of their minds.

It was oddly reassuring that both of them flushed the second Brandon's back hit the bed and Lobo hovered over him. Pausing, hesitating for a brief moment, as if testing the waters to make absolutely sure that they were okay with it all.

Both their pheromones mingled in the air, an odd feeling between them akin to the charge of a thunderstrike waiting to happen. Brandon's mind unwittingly blocked out everyone of the pack except for his Intended, as if knowing that this moment was extremely private, not to be shared by anyone mindlessly reaching out.

If they were needed, it could wait. Because now, Lobo had his full and undivided attention.