Hybrid

Gary's Negotiation

   Xander clings to Sean's thigh, looking around the room at the smiling faces of his new family. Each person has the same soft look on their face and the boy realizes, he hadn't seen that look until the first time Sean held him in his arms. He takes Sean's hand, smiling up at him and it hits him like a gentle breeze. That look, it's acceptance and something even more precious. Love.

"I hope I can grow up and be as kind and accepting as, my new brothers and sisters." Xander says softly, moving slightly behind Sean's leg.

"You will." Bobby says, ruffling the boys hair and kneeling down beside him. He glances over his shoulder and sees Bonnie standing just behind him, smiling proudly. "You know, Sissy and I were adopted by Dad and Papa too?" He grins, Xander's eyes widening as Sissy nods and waves. "We, we didn't have a good Daddy either and Sissy heard that the Luna here was kind." He looks back as sister, knowing that she could have escaped sooner without him. "So, we came here for help and we found, so much more. We were given a family and now it's gotten even bigger and better." He jolts in surprise, Xander wrapping his little arms around his neck. "Welcome home little brother." He whispers into the boys ear.

"Brother, your mate, she's special isn't she?" Xander asks, looking at Bonnie. He grins, Bobby lifting him up onto his hip and turning to Bonnie.

"She's very special, one of a kind." Bobby says, reaching out to caress Bonnie's cheek. "How did you know?"

"Well, I saw her in her wolf form. But, she smells like clan." Xander tilts his head, thinking. "That means, my new sister is kinda like me. Can you shift and climb with me in bear form? I'm a good climber, even with my bad leg."

"I'd like that, but you might need to teach me." Bonnie says, pinching his cheek and remembering how she found him in a tree. "I'm not a very good climber. I shift into my wolf form more often because it's faster." She wink and he nods.

"I'll take you tree climbing whenever you want, little brother. As long as I can stay in my human form." Eddie says, stepping forward with a smile. "Wolves don't make the best climbers. I'm Eddie, thanks to you, I'm not the youngest anymore." He winks at the boy and they both giggle.

I'm Jack and this is my twin, Maggie." Jack says, pulling Maggie forward. "She gets a little shy sometimes, but if you ever want to learn how to fight... our three sisters are the best fighters in the pack." He winks and Sean scoffs, shaking his head.

"Jack, he's just a boy. You just want someone to train, don't you son?" Sean teases, Jack shrugging and blushing.

"Papa, I was roughly his age when I talked you into letting me join the youth sparring sessions." Jack grins and pats Xander's head.

"I, don't think I'd be a good fighter." Xander says sadly. "I'm small and weak."

"Says who?" Jack says, straightening and crossing his arms. "I'm an omega, like Papa. Everyone says omega's are weak, but do you know... I'm one of the top warriors in our pack. Don't ever let anyone tell you, you can't do something. You're a Shaw now, we can do anything we put our minds to." He winks at his Fathers and nods at the boy. He'd heard whispers about Sissy and Bobby's arrival and Angel's too. He's heard the story of how Hailey and Teddy came to the pack. But, they all seemed like just that, stories. He's never faced hardship or watched others struggle and he realizes he's led a sheltered life. "You're safe here. We'll protect you." He mumbles and Xander leans forward to hug him.

"Thank you, brother." Xander whispers into Jacks ear. "That's all I ever wanted, to feel safe." He leans back in Bobby arms and turns to look at Sean and Bo smiling at him. "I got so much more than I ever dreamed of, a real family. One that accepts a broken cub like me with open arms."