One

Chapter 18

Watching Jamie run, allowing his wolf to follow his instincts, made Brandon's heart race in his chest.

Gabriel and Jamie were having a playful competition with each other, running through the trees while chasing one another.

Brandon followed close behind, watching carefully for any sign that Jamie was showing any unease. So far so good and Brandon was glad to see Jamie run without restraint.

To see the Beta charge through the woods, hopping over fallen branches, tree roots and shrubbery alike. Jamie was a different form of freedom compared to Sean.

Sean had been in awe of the world, in complete enjoyment of the tiniest fragment. A pup like curiosity that had spilled over in his every move.

Jamie's freedom was like a stallion unleashed. Darting through the woods as he both challenged Gabriel and himself. Forcing his paws to go faster, push off harder, to stop running and just fly.

Barking out a laugh as he stayed ahead of Gabriel, who eventually had to slow down, shaking out his fur before dropping to the floor to pant.

This was a Jamie Brandon hadn't encountered before. For a moment, the young Beta was carefree, oblivious to the burdens of his past.

Instead, he was enjoying life. The here and now instead of being shackled to memories of the past.

Brandon followed at a more leisure pace but snickered when Gabriel flopped down with a groan. His brother was fit, but clearly Jamie had a lot of pent up energy, allowing him to overtake and outrace the trained Beta with cheeky ease.

Plus, it didn't help Gabriel by being overconfident and boastful before their run. It seemed that his actions and words had lit a fire underneath Jamie's paws and had sent the other Beta hurtling down the forest path with a stunned Gabriel lagging behind.

Where Sean had been panting and staggering on his legs, Jamie still had energy to spare. Something that wasn't unheard of, according to Brandon's research to DID.

As far as Brandon had found out, people with DID could have a completely different and separate body chemistry compared to their host.

Alters that had diabetes, that required prescription glasses to see, alters who were stronger than their host... it was all completely possible and had multiple examples.

There were however limitations to an Alters abilities. None could suddenly acquire superhuman powers beyond the limits of their host.

Some Alters identified as another gender than their host, yet that didn't mean that whenever said alter fronted, their physical gender miraculously changed along with them.

When Jamie had first revealed their DID, Brandon had unthinkingly prompted "Like that Split movie?" making Jamie scoff and sneer in disgust, much to his surprise.

"Split is exactly what DID is NOT. Sure it portrays having alters, having different personalities and health issues with said alters. But it's a very damaging perspective of the DID community."

Brandon had blinked, utterly confused before Jamie pointed out "The entire premise of that movie rests on the DID character being a kidnapper, murderer and a monster. They could've easily chosen to use a sociopath or psychopath for the villain role."

Jamie's frustration was clear as he had raked his fingers through his hair, clearly upset with the very mention of the movie.

"DID doesn't create monsters; it's created by monsters. We've developed this as a means to cope with and avoid the real monsters out there. If anyone is at risk of being hurt by someone with DID, it's the host themselves."