Knocking on the door, Brandon waited for a response to be let in. His mind was still processing the fragments of information that Jamie had provided earlier.

As soon as Jamie had mentioned Royal's name, the Beta had shut down and refused to answer anything more. Seemingly already have been told too much, Brandon had merely accepted the refusal, was grateful to learn anything in the first place.

Curiosity did bite at his heels though; if both Jamie and Sean were alters even though Brandon had been convinced that Sean had been the core, then why had he never met or even smelled Royal?

Who was Royal? What was he? There were so many more questions created with every answer Jamie had given him, which wasn't a lot to begin with.

If Brandon wanted to make any progress with Sean, with Jamie, with anyone from the community, he needed to know more. Needed to know them, understand all of them in order to properly court them.

But he wouldn't know unless he pried into their private business and that was a whole different matter. Trying to cut through the enigma around them was as if trying to dismantle a bomb.

One false move, a simple question out of place or a rash action could blow up in his face and ruin any chances at a relationship.

A small part of his brain had thought of a logical solution. Why go through all the effort for a potential mate who might be impossible to seduce into the idea of matehood? Why not go for an easier option?

As soon as the idea had presented itself, both Brandon and his wolf had squashed it into oblivion. They didn't want easy. If either of them had wanted an easy option, they could've had been mated several times already.

A few Deltas hell, even several of the local humans had all dropped hints varying in subtleness. Hinting that they wouldn't be opposed to a relationship with the young Alpha.

For an Alpha, it made sense to mate with someone who was technically lower-ranking, simply to avoid conflict. Nobody wanted to be mated to a man or woman who failed to be understanding because their Beasts was too powerful, too headstrong.

Deltas, Omegas and humans were safe options for any unmated Alpha. Most would prefer a human simply for the lack of wolf within them. Others dreamed of the rare opportunity of bedding and mating an Omega.

The rarest wolf to exist. Many Omegas were developed, sure but not many survived the transitioning to becoming an Omega to begin with.

It was one of the reasons why Brandon held such a strong hold over his wolf. He still felt guilty for his own part as being born an Alpha.

Born in a small litter of three pups; An Alpha, a Beta...and a stillborn Omega sibling. The poor thing had no chance, seeing how his brother had managed to completely resist the surge of pheromones through his bloodstream.

Leading all of pheromones to pile up on their sister. She hadn't even fully transitioned into an Omega before she had perished.

Nobody but Brandon blamed him. It was nature after all and they couldn't prevent it.

All they could do was help guide Brandon and teach him how to control his powerful beast.

But Brandon didn't want to mate with someone simply because they liked the power of his beast. The young Alpha wanted to be mated with someone who he could grow happy with.

Grow old with.

If he was completely honest, he wanted a relationship that could touch that of his parents. Ryker and Faye had been polar opposites initially, as far as he had been told.

His mother had been extremely shy as an Omega, almost painfully so as she and her parents had moved from her former pack.

Moved to Ryker's pack, where the young Alpha had been cocky, arrogant even, up until he latched his eyes onto the pretty and shy Omega.

From that moment on, he became hers. Whoever Ryker had been before their meeting was gone, changed because of her, for her.

If Ryker had remained the arrogant, cocky Alpha he was, he would lose the one destined for him. There was not a second thought, a sliver of hesitation to the now Pack Alpha's determination.

His father changed, adapted to his mother's needs and allowed her to flourish and blossom into the powerful pack Omega she was today.

And through her, thanks to her, he became a better man. A better Alpha than he had ever hoped to be.

Brandon had asked his dad once how he knew that Faye was it for him. How he decided that she was the one who would be his mate, who would fall asleep beside him, carry his pups and guide the pack.

The man had merely shrugged and looked across the room to Brandon's mother, who had been busy cooking their meal. "How could I not have chosen her? When I looked in her eyes, saw the fear and curiosity mingle, I just..." He touched his chest, indicating the wolf inside.

Brandon didn't need another explanation, at least not now. Back then he had still been confused, too new to the concept of mating, of sensing that instinctive bond, the One, that sensation.

It was the very same reason why Brandon was making such an effort, why he was going out of his way to make Sean and in extinction, Jamie and the rest of their community happy.

Because it makes me happy.

But it was more than that. It wasn't just a desire to make them happy, to see the pretty Omega flush pink, to smell that delicate jasmine sweeten as it sank in his bones.

To see the cocky smirk on Jamie's face soften into that soft, heartachingly tender smile that he had only seen once...

It was a necessity, a need. The need to provide anything and everything to him, to them all.

The door opened, leaving Brandon momentarily confused, dazed from his thoughts as Malcom arched his brows curiously at the Alpha.

"Can I help you?" He inquired slowly, keeping the door and his body angled so Brandon couldn't pry, couldn't look beyond the bulk of the Alpha without making it obvious.

Brandon swallowed before nodding, scratching at the back of his neck. "I wanted to, er... apologize." Shuffling his weight from one foot to the other, he noticed how Malcom's expression relaxed for a fraction, shoulders dipping and door squeaking open another inch.

Malcom let out a sigh before pushing the door open completely, gesturing Brandon inside. "Caitlyn is baking cookies in the kitchen. She's been feeling sensitive about her size so don't say anything about her belly if you want to leave with your balls intact."

The solemn, cold glare that Malcom sported was more than enough to send his warning across. Brandon knew just how serious Malcom was, had seen enough of mated couples with pregnant mates to know that they'd do anything to make sure their pregnant lover was not scorned in any way.

His nose twitched at the sweet scent of hot cookies, melted chocolate and salted caramel that wafted from the kitchen. As he turned the corner, sensing Malcom hot on his tail, he smiled at the sight of the heavily pregnant Delta.

Malcom instantly darted around Brandon, nearly shoving the young Alpha into the wall at the sight of Caitlyn attempting to squat in order to reach in the oven.

"Babe, I can-" Caitlyn protested as the oven mits were plucked from her hands while she was gently ushered to the side.

"I know you can honey, but you are a much better host than I am. I figured that you can entertain our guest while I take out this tray for you." Malcom expertly soothed the irritation within his mate, offering her an outlet instead of denying her capability of doing anything while pregnant.

At that, Caitlyn turned towards Brandon, smiling as she wiped her hands clean on her apron. "Ah, hello Brandon, how good to see you!"

Brandon smiled, eyes soft as he watched the Delta waddle around the counter, unaware of the smear of cookie batter on her jaw or the hint of chocolate on her lip.

"If I had known you were coming over for a visit, I would've prepared a snack, some drinks..." Caitlyn removed the apron, fingers reaching back to pull at the string that kept her black curls out of her face. "Why didn't you tell me, Malcom?!"

The Alpha nearly dropped the tray from his hands, wide-eyed and slightly nervous as he stammered, "But, I- I didn't-"

Brandon quickly came to the man's rescue, smiling warmly at Caitlyn as he responded "I wanted to apologize to Malcom and forgot to inquire if you both had any plans. My apologies."

"Oh, no worries Brandon, I mean, besides some baking and relaxing we didn't have anything planned." Caitlyn waved away the issue before sighing, hand tracing her belly. "Though I probably shouldn't be baking anything, considering I resemble more a bloated whale than a wolf at this stage."

Brandon didn't need the venomous warning glare that Malcom shot his way in order to be reminded of their earlier conversation

"You're looking like a healthy, doting Delta with several pups on the way" Brandon replied smoothly, grinning when Caitlyn's soft vanilla strengthened. "Remember what Mom told you; the larger and healthier the pup grows-"

Caitlyn sighed, nodding to herself as she finished, "The bigger the belly will get in order to give the pups room. I know." Her fingers gently cradled her extended belly before smiling when Malcom stepped up behind her to do the same.

"Which means you are doing an excellent job, sweetheart." Malcom murmured against her ear before pressing a tender kiss to her jaw. His hands gently cupped the swell of her stomach, carrying some of the load for her and giving her a brief moment of reprieve.

The image of the happy pair made Brandon feel even guiltier than before; it was painfully obvious that Malcom was absolutely smitten with Caitlyn.

Hell, the look in his eyes when Malcom had given Sean a cursory glance had been purely platonic, mere curiosity at the sight of a new, unknown Omega.

That look was nothing compared to the pure love and adoration directed at Caitlyn. Malcom didn't want an Omega, didn't need one.

Why would he, if he already found the one destined for him? If Brandon had been in Malcom's shoes, he would've thoroughly and physically reminded anyone of their place for insinuating otherwise.

Pack Alpha's son or not.

His remorse was clear in his gaze and as Malcom locked eyes with Brandon, he inclined his head. Neither of them wanted to touch the subject in front of Caitlyn and risk causing the highly pregnant woman emotional distress.

The mere insinuation that Malcom might have shown a spark of interest to an Omega could cause a heap of stress, stress that a heavily pregnant woman didn't need.

So instead they both silently accepted that things were in the past and instead entertained Caitlyn for a while until Brandon smiled and regretfully had to call it a day.

Plus, he didn't want to overstay his welcome. Even though Caitlyn glowed and smiled happily, Brandon wasn't blind to the slight darkness underneath her eyes.

Nor the fact that she had tried and failed to smother several yawns behind her hand. The young Alpha stood, waving away any concerns or protests from Caitlyn as he smiled with understanding.

"You need your rest. Both of you." Brandon soothed the Delta before letting his eyes dart to her extended stomach. "It's only natural that you're easily tired while nurturing several pups. How many were expected?"

Malcom grinned with pride, chest puffing up as Caitlyn laid against his side, fingers intertwining with his. "Four healthy pups. Which probably means there won't be an Alpha among them but-"

"Caitlyn, sweetheart, I've told you many times before. I don't care if you give me an Alpha pup or not. As long as you and the pups are healthy." Malcom sighed, pressing a kiss against her hair.

Brandon's smile softened before he let himself out their house, closing the front door behind him. As he heard it fall in the lock behind him, his wolf couldn't help but project an image to his mind.

An image of huddling close with Sean, to wrap him up in a soft blanket and keep him close. An image of easy banter and playful teasing between Brandon and Jamie.

The thought made Brandon ponder about the information he received from Jamie. Brandon had honestly anticipated that Sean had been the host and that he had been the one to create the alters in order to protect his fragile mind from whatever situation they were in.

"Wolves usually tend to be kinder to Omegas."

He shivered at the memory of Jamie's scowl and then shivered again for a whole different reason. Was Sean, pure, innocent and adorable Sean...created to protect their host?

Brandon didn't want to speculate because speculations only lead to a stressed out beast that didn't know the full truth but worked itself into a frenzy.

Still, the implications weren't positive and only created more questions. Why was Sean created? Who was he based on? And what happened to the community that they needed such steps to begin with.

More importantly, who was Royal? Brandon hadn't been introduced to them, nor did he know Royal's rank. Was he another Omega? A Delta, Beta? Perhaps even an Alpha?

The possibilities were endless yet there was no certainty until Jamie, or Sean, told Brandon more. The young Alpha sighed, rubbing a hand over his features before pushing himself to complete the remainder of his tasks.

He couldn't drop his duties simply because of an interest in a potential mate. On the contrary, if he ever wanted to become the next Pack Alpha, he had to prove to his father, to everyone that he was capable to think not only of himself and a future mate, but also the good of the pack.

"Alpha Brandon!" He turned at the shout, frown disappearing as Dante waved to gather his attention. The Beta's long legs devoured the distance between them quickly, a slight bounce to his step.

"Border patrol went without a hitch, no reports of rogues or Corrupted." Dante grinned, pushing his thick mane of red hair out of his face, glaring at the sun as it undoubtedly burned on his pale skin.

Brandon nodded, "Good, have the other teams reported anything?" He questioned, sighing in relief when Dante shook his head before raising his finger, as if remembering something.

"The hunting scouts did report that the deer are moving again. Two separate herds have been spotted, along with a few elk-"

The young alpha nodded along, listening intently and taking in all the information to the best of his ability. He latched onto the provided work in order to clear his mind and take it off the topic of the community.

However, he couldn't bite back a content smirk when Dante mentioned picking up both Brandon's scent and an unknown one, pondering if this was the new arrival.

It made the young Alpha glad to know that at least Sean's scent was being spread among the pack. Allowing their wolves to take in the scent, recognize it as kin as word spread it indeed belonged to Sean.

The more people recognized Sean's scent, the calmer the pack would be once they were introduced. Especially so if word was spread that Sean was an Omega.

Nobody wanted to be blamed for scaring an innocent Omega by being too aggressive or blunt in their presence. The more people knew about Sean's existence, the more they would tread carefully to avoid scaring him.

Which also meant that Jamie should come along on runs as well. After all, the pack would be on high alert if Jamie suddenly appeared out of nowhere, especially so with an unmated Omega yet to be introduced.

But if Jamie's scent was found within close vicinity of Brandon's, the pack would know Jamie was no threat.

The young Alpha sighed once more, ignoring the curious look from Dante as he motioned the Beta to follow him. Brandon would have to delegate some work to the others before he could try and come up with a plan to spread Jamie's scent, but he hoped his brother was more than willing to help.