One

Chapter 12

The pack was abuzz with chatter for the remainder of the day. Everyone was on high alert, unnerved by the fact that one of their own, an Alpha born and raised within the pack, had started to feed into their Beast's instincts.

Even though the meeting was over, multiple people were still hanging around. Seeking reassurance from their pack.

Unconsciously, the pack wanted, needed to reaffirm the bonds between one another. Alphas mingled with the rest of the pack, showing they weren't a threat, that they would never lash out.

The humans, Omegas and Deltas in return soothed the anxiety of the Alpha simply by engaging in an open conversation. Subtle actions like a gentle smile, a nudge of the hip or a brief touch. Reassuring both person and wolf that they were loved and accepted.

Meanwhile, the Betas were doing their best to provide damage control. They needed to feel useful and also felt personally driven to make sure none of the current Alphas would fall victim to their own instincts again.

Brandon sighed, feeling both torn and proud of the situation. Of course he never wanted to have the pack suffer any emotional turmoil like they were experiencing now. But he also felt extremely proud how everyone in the pack rushed to mend the wounds.

How every single individual banded together to strengthen the pack, mend any bonds that were slowly breaking. Unify as one.

The pack was only going to come out stronger out of this ordeal. And for a while, the reminder of how fragile one's control could be, would be on the forefront of their memories.

A noise from the forest to his left drew Brandon's attention before he choked on thin air. His heart, which had been relatively calm before, went into full overdrive.

Several of the pack were already starting to look in his direction with slight worry before Brandon's legs rapidly devoured the distance between him, his brother and a trembling Sean.

"What happened?" Brandon fought back a snarl, wanting to pull the quivering Omega in his arms, sooth the fear that was barely held back.

Gabriel sighed, brushing some loose twigs and leaves from his hair. "Dad briefed us on what happened with Marisha. Jamie and Sean made the combined decision that it would be better to mingle with the pack now than be ambushed somewhere later."

Brandon didn't need to hear the unspoken message. With the pack on such a high state of alert, Sean would be instantly protected by the rest of the pack, even more so than with a normal introduction.

Even if he had remained in his room, an unknown scent would trigger a lot of instincts if it was encountered by the pack.

Leaving his introduction for a later date was not an option. The chances that someone would be triggered against an unknown scent, especially that of a Beta, were mounting.

Settling his eyes on the fearful Omega and softening his voice, Brandon crouched slightly so he was closer to Sean. "Are you sure? You don't have to force yourself, you know?"

The poor boy couldn't respond verbally, eyes flitting around to the crowd, to the eyes already on their small group, bottom lip quivering as if he was seconds away from sobbing.

The young Alpha already know how the pack would react to the fearful Omega that was shaking apart and looking around with wet eyelashes, desperately holding back tears that threatened to spill at a moment's notice.

Luckily, so did his brother and father.

The mind link was instantly triggered, where the entire pack could hear their Alpha directly.