One

Chapter 6

Brandon was oddly giddy, keeping his excited pace slow enough for Sean to keep up with. Before, when he had planned to take a run with Jamie, he was more than welcoming to the idea.

After all, running together formed a bond of trust and friendship. A bond that could be developed into something more, if both parties were willing.

It was one of the reasons why the border patrols were constantly switched around, blending the members together on a daily basis.

To further strengthen the bonds of the pack, build a soul-deep layer of trust, acceptance and understanding between one another.

Which was also why it was so hard for Ryker and Brandon to keep Sean and Jamie's secret. In doing so, they were technically betraying the pack's trust by lying to them.

However, it wasn't a malicious lie done to harm and once the truth would inevitably come out, the pack would understand it with ease.

They were united. A family, thanks to the years of bonding spent with one another.

So when he had made the offer to Jamie, Brandon had been prepared for a rejection, as it did leave them open for inspection from the rest of the pack.

Taking Jamie out on a run opened up a slew of opportunities, risks waiting to happen. So he had been more than surprised when Jamie accepted.

But the possibility to bond with the omega was more than what the young Alpha had hoped for!

He was as excited as when he went on his very first run, sticking his nose in every rabbit hole along the way. Newly shifted and allowing his instincts to guide him, resulting in a run where Brandon chased every moving object, sniffed every tree and probably scent-marked more than he wished to remember.

Brandon knew that if he were shifted at that very moment, his wolf would be wagging non-stop. Potentially even whimpering, as if it had been offered its favorite toy.

Nevertheless, Brandon was more than eager to shift or more so, to see Sean's wolf. The switch between personalities had initially been a surprise but Brandon had to admit it was a smart move from Jamie.

If border patrol saw an unknown Beta in the presence of Brandon, they would certainly come over to investigate. Their wolves would turn the greeting into an instinctual friendly competition, to see which one of them was the strongest, the fastest, had more stamina.

A competition that could unintentionally bring up unwanted memories of past trauma.

However, they wouldn't dare treat an Omega that way. And if Sean gave them any signs that he was uncomfortable, Brandon could bet his left paw that anyone on that border patrol would find a way to suddenly disappear into the forest.

It was one of the things he loved about his pack. Their utmost respect for the omegas, their wellbeing and needs.

Not all packs were like that but Brandon felt blessed to call this pack home. Even more so with the delicate situation Sean now found himself in.

And Brandon quickly realized there was a second reason why Jamie agreed to the run. The unknown scent of them, be it Omega or Beta whilst in the presence of Brandon's Scent, would allow the border patrol to take in Sean or Jamie's scent without a confrontation.

The young Alpha made a quick note to invite either Sean or Jamie on more runs. The more runs they did on different times, the more individuals of the pack could take in their scent without a need of being formally introduced.

It would lower the confusion within the pack and ease the undoubtedly frightened Omega's worries.

Brandon made to leave the packhouse before blinking and returning on his steps in realization. Sean followed him with a hint of confusion before his scent turned infinitely sweeter when Brandon gestured to the changing room.