One

Chapter 1

News spread like wildfire these days. The boy hadn't even been introduced to the pack but already wolves were sniffing around, curious to meet the new addition. It was only after Brandon's Father forbade them from cornering Sean in his quarters, that the pack relented.

Brandon could understand their confusion and curiosity; it was only natural to want to know the new face, especially someone you'd consider as family. To be able to identify their scent so no mistakes in the future can be made.

The higher ranking the wolf, the easier it was to slip up. Protective instincts would surge at the slightest scent that someone new, unknown, was roaming around the pack.

Usually, that was dealt with quickly by presenting the new member to the pack, allowing the pack to take in their scent, mix it with their own.

Still, the young Alpha understood perfectly why his Father forbade the wolves from meeting Sean on their own whim. The poor boy would quickly be considered prey instead of pack, especially with his skittish behavior and fear that permeated the room at the slightest, unexpected sound.

His mind went back to the first time Brandon laid eyes on Sean and even his wolf let out a little growl of anticipation.

If Father hadn't been there, if I hadn't been trained to keep the Beast on a tight leash...

Brandon would've pinned Sean to the floor minutes after their first encounter, without a doubt. And the terrifying part of it was that he had no idea what the Beast would've done to Sean before anyone came to his rescue.

Most likely it would've tackled and pinned Sean to the floor, demanding submission. If Sean had acted anything like he did on their first encounter, his wolf would've shown its dominance relentlessly.

It would've alternated between treating Sean like prey that fought back, or an unruly pack member that needed to be shown their place...

I would've broken Sean beyond repair...

Reaching up, Brandon knocked softly but clearly on the door, hearing Sean gasp and whimper under his breath. As slowly and gently as possible, he opened the door and braced himself, offering Sean a soothing smile while pushing his wolf down.

The motion of the door opening created a wave of air, instantly wafting the rich scent of Sean's bitter fear in Brandon's face. He gritted his teeth against the beast lurching forwards and focused his attention on Sean and his room.

A quick glance showed Brandon that Sean had barely decorated his personal room; there were no family pictures decorating the drawers, nor any personal and prized possessions that stood out.

All he saw where his shoes placed neatly next to the closet, a loose sweater hanging of the back of his chair and a small notebook Sean had securely in his lap.

Clean. Strict. Cold and lonely.

He closed the book as soon as Brandon's attention was drawn to it, fingers trembling as he clicked the pen once before putting both in the drawer of his bedside table. The young Alpha smiled, nodding his head in greeting. "May I come in?"

Sean blinked, almost confused that Brandon, an Alpha, had even asked permission. As if being an Alpha gave Brandon the right to barge into the room, pry his way into Sean's right to privacy.

His toes curled into the bedding, before Sean nodded, pulling his knees against his chest. Hiding against them.

Brandon stepped inside but left the door open, anticipating the fact that if he shut the door behind him, if the young Alpha gave Sean any sense that he was trapped in the room with him, he'd panic.