Sean followed his dad out to the car, then as he got settled into the passenger side, he asked his dad softly. "Da? Can I ask you something?" His dad started to pull out of the parking lot, answering in a warm voice. "Of course." Shifting a little in the seat, Sean asked him gently. "Back in the barn. Mark transformed... Everyone thought that was... weird. But you and mom weren't phased by it when you saw them do it in the backyard that day. I've had so much going on that I keep forgetting to ask." His dad's grip tightened on the steering wheel a bit, before he told him in a low voice. "We've known about Mark for a while. Your mother and I. He started changing like that during his training. His father told your mother, but we tried to keep it hidden from the Pack. And Nathan being able to do it... Well, it just confirmed what we've been looking into." Sean shrugged, asking uneasily when his dad didn't continue. "Which is?" His dad glanced at him briefly, informing him gently. "Evolution." Sean wanted to scoff but stayed quiet. His dad exhaled heavily, then informed him clearly. "It was bound to happen. Back in the beginning the moon had a stronger hold on us. It seemed brighter and bigger. We were exposed to it more. But today... we are exposed to it a lot less. The bright lights of the Valley at night... Our homes being better built and designed to block out rays from the sun to keep things cool. These all affect us."

Sean took a moment to think on that, while his dad told him. "As a kid, I always wondered if the moon ever really had a sway on us. Or if it was just the wolf in us that picked those days because it was just... a nice night for a stroll. Our inner selves desiring something simple. Reminding us of what is really important. Family and fun." Sean smirked, lifting his feet to brace them on the dash as he asked curiously. "Why hide that from the Pack? It sounds fun." His dad bit his lip, before telling him casually. "Because a lot of the werewolves in our Pack can't transform like that. Mark is... or he was the only one that we knew of. His transformations are driven by emotion. Now there is Nathan... Which has us thinking that the next generations of werewolves might be more in control of their transformations. It's a bit frightening to think about... but until we know more. There was no need to have others worry." Sean chuckled, blushing out. "Well, you'll have to tell that to the Elders. Now that they know..." His dad nodded, chuckling out in reply. "I'll let Mark's dad explain it to them. It's not my place and it wasn't my son that did it." Sean rolled his eyes. It was weird not being the one blamed for it. Crossing his arms over his stomach, his smile faded a bit when he asked very softly. "You think my puppies will be like him?"

His dad shrugged, answering honestly. "I don't know. But they might... if our theory is right." His dad did a double take, asking him sweetly. "Sean? Does that worry you?" Sean rubbed his stomach, shaking his head, before smirking out. "No. I... Think it would be cute." His dad laughed, informing him playfully. "Oh ya... cute. Until they chew on your stuff and sneak around the house." Sean chuckled to himself, recalling some memories as a puppy in the house. Chewing and tearing things up had been a lot of fun... but he'd gotten grounded a lot when they changed back. He learned quick to chew on his own toys. Parking in front of the gym, his dad turned off the car before asking him with a deep fatherly love for him. "You are happy with him... right? You didn't just let him Claim you because of what's going on?" A smile pulled at his lips, when he told his dad honestly. "I'll admit that Mark and I are... still finding our feet. But I do love him, Dad. And he's sweet. He's always looked out for me, and he makes me happy. I like who I am when I'm with him." His dad nodded, then cupped Sean's neck to pull him close. Kissing the top of his head, he told him in a warm comforted voice. "That's what I want to hear. You let me know if that changes. Grown up or not... Remember that I will always protect you."

Sean dropped his legs from the dash and wrapped his arms around his dad's neck. Hugging him close, Sean snuggled against him like a puppy that needed a hug. He wondered if seeing Isabelle with her mom had made his dad emotional and had him worried for his own puppy's wellbeing. Kissing his dad's cheek, he told him honestly. "If something happens. You'll be the first person I run too, Daddy. I promise." His dad hugged him tighter, then pulled from him with a light sniffle. Snatching a tissue from his arm rest, he told him with a smile. "Good. Go ahead. I'm right behind you." Sean patted his dad's leg, slowly climbing out of the car and walking slowly to the door. He wasn't going to leave his dad alone, but he wanted to give him a minute to collect himself. He only waited at the door for a minute a two, when his dad stepped out and told him in a confident tone. "Why are waiting? Go in." Sean rolled his eyes, shrugging out. "I'm taking in the fresh air for a bit. I wasn't waiting." His dad narrowed his eyes on him like he knew it was a lie but ruffled his hair and opened the door for him. Making their way inside, Sean smiled and enjoyed how his dad rubbed his back as they walked. It was something his dad had always done. A way of keeping him close whenever he tried to wonder off as a puppy. Yet, unlike when he was little, when he pulled from him... his dad didn't pull him back to his side.

Reaching one of the open doors to a large room with floor mats, Sean slowed to peek inside. There were a few Alphas and Betas around his age and some that were older. They all stood by the walls, while Nathan told them about what attacks to expect. Things like how to handle the unexpected and uncoordinated attacks from random City Wolves, verses a group of them. He showed them but flipping Mark around. Every time he saw Mark get slammed to the mat, Sean flinched and whined a little. It didn't look like it hurt him, but the sound put his teeth on edge and the image of some City Wolf hurting Mark like that had him feeling anxious. He started to walk in, but his dad pulled him back out without drawing attention. Sean was going to protest, but his dad coaxed him down the hallway, whispering to him. "I don't think it will be good for you to be flipped around in your condition. And watching them play rough is only going to make you want to play too." Sean shook his head, but his dad gave him a look that made him blush. He knew him too well. Crossing his arms, he asked his dad bluntly. "So... What are we going to do?" His dad bit his lip a little, before steering him into another room.

Eyeing the room, Sean huffed and tried to leave. His dad coaxed him in though and told him playfully. "Oh, just try it. Trust me." Sean groaned, mumbling out. "This is so stupid... They get to have fun and we... do this." Sean's dad chuckled, telling him excitedly. "They are working. We are going to have fun." His dad moved to the low shelves and removed a thick yoga mat with a towel that he laid over it with the yoga markings on where to put one's feet and at what angles. The mats and towels smelled like lavender and fresh rainwater. Taking a seat on the mat, his dad coaxed him to do the same as he told him. "If it makes you feel better. Think about it like this. We are going to work on your balance and flexibility." Sean rolled his eyes, but his dad continued coolly. "Stop it. It can help more than you think in a fight. Knowing your bodies limits and learning to strengthen them is beneficial. Plus..." His dad glanced around to make sure no one was around, before whispering to him. "In your condition, doing a little yoga will strengthen the muscles you use for childbirth, it will decrease back pain and help you control your breathing. While also helping you reduce stress and allow you to sleep better."

Sean straightened himself up to sit like his dad, asking curiously. "Did you do this?" His dad nodded, breathing slow and deep before answering. "Yes. And it helped. So, just try to do a little with me." Sean sighed, deciding that he had nothing better to do. Plus, it had been a while since he'd done something with his dad and if it relieved stress... They both needed that. Taking their time, they moved slowly from one position to another. While they stretched, Sean asked him something just to fill the silence. "Dad? What will Mark be called if we're both... boys?" His dad chuckled, changing position to face him better when he told him. "I'm not sure I follow..." Sean licked his dry lips, saying under his breath. "Well, I call you dad... but I remember puppies at school having the males of their family called mom. I... just... I never thought about it before but... Why? How does that happen?" His dad laid down on the mat to rest, then told him sweetly. "Well... We don't decide that title. The Puppies do." Sean laid down to rest, blinking as he said. "We do? I don't remember that..." His dad booped his nose, telling him playfully. "I'd be surprised if you did. You were so young. It was your first word. You called Laura... Mom. And from that moment that is how you identified her. Shortly after you called me dad. Same thing."

His dad crossed his arms, telling him warmly as he recalled. "The words mean nothing. The title doesn't mean anything to us. It's just how the puppy identifies you as a parent. It's a kind of... pet name. In families with more than one puppy, the oldest puppy tends to give the title and their siblings grow up hearing it and adapt to it as they hear it from the older pup." His dad propped his head up, chuckling out. "There are even some cases where puppies give the same title to their parents but in different variants. For instance, Mr. Atlen's parents. He calls one Mom and the other Mother. So, don't worry about that. Whatever title your puppy gives you... you'll wear it with pride." Sean did feel a little relieved that he wouldn't have to fight Mark to be called something. It was one less thing he needed to worry about trying to teach his pup. They continued to do poses and chatted about puppy care. It was nice to hear his dad talk to him about his experiences and what to do in different situations. Instead of blocking it out like he had at school, he actually paid attention this time and took it all in for the future. His dad showed him the best way to breathe and how to position his legs for labor.

Sean giggled and laughed as his dad explained and joked with him about things, he learned the hard way. Or things he discovered by accident. When they took a long break, Sean's body felt strangely loose and relaxed. He hadn't felt like he'd done anything, but it was working. Taking the mat up to the padded wall, his dad got him to lay back and told him to keep he legs flush with the wall. Wiggling his toes, Sean giggled and burst into laughter as his dad tickled his feet. Putting his legs back, his dad told him that he'd get them some water and check on Mark. Sean stretched his legs and stared up at the ceiling as he laid his arms over his head. He felt so comfortable like this. Closing his eyes, he focused on his breathing until he felt utterly calm and chill. He didn't even realize that he'd fallen asleep, until Mark's warm voice stated with calm amusement. "Working hard, I see." Sean opened his eyes, tilting his head back to see Mark by the door with a bottle of water in his hand and a towel around his neck. Mark chuckled, walking over slowly. Sean blushed, chuckling out a little embarrassed. "I am working... I was... meditating." Mark took a seat beside him, smugly stating out in a playful manner. "Meditating pretty loudly."

Sean swatted Mark's leg, mumbling out sleepily. "Where is my dad?" Mark pointed out of the room, answering coolly. "Helping Nathan pop his shoulder. We got a little rough with him... but he started it." Sean propped himself up on his arms, blurting out. "Is he alright? Mark, you-" Mark shushed him nicely, cutting in with a smile. "Relax. He's fine. He was bragging and he we ganged up on him. It was all in good fun. We just got a little too excited and popped his shoulder. He's laughing about it, and everyone had a good time." Sean eased back down, prompting Mark to ask gently. "Isabelle? She ok?" Sean nodded, telling him how she woke up and Mark breathed a sigh of relief. Rubbing his arm, Mark told him sweetly. "You made the right call. Informing her parents..." Sean took ahold of his arm, rubbing his thumb along Mark's warm arm as he told him comforting. "Thank you for listening to my concerns on it." Mark shifted to lean over Sean, expressing in a deep loving voice. "Always. We're a team. Just promise me that when I voice my concerns that you'll listen to me." Sean pulled Mark's head down to rest his forehead on him. Mark was wet but not from sweat. He'd showered and the fresh scent of soap clung to his skin.

Smiling, Sean whispered to him. "I will try. It might take me a few tries..." Mark chuckled, giving him a passionate kiss. Sean ran his fingers through Mark's hair, holding him in the kiss a bit longer before he let him pull away. Stroking his cheeks with the backs of his fingers, he asked him in a worried voice. "Mark... I have to ask... Did you mean what you said to the Elders? Do you... not want puppies?" Mark kissed one of Sean's wrists, before telling him honestly. "It's not that I don't want them. I just... I can't think about making puppies right now. I have so much to worry about. So many people to keep safe. If we have puppies... I want to enjoy it. I want to be there when you need me. Right now... I can't. You understand?" Sean nodded, holding Mark's hand close to his neck. Taking a deep breath, he asked him softly. "But... What if I got pregnant from us... mating recently? What would you do?" Mark brought his lips back down to his, before whispering so beautifully. "I would be so happy... and so terrified. But I'd make sure to cuddle you every day and remind you how lucky I am to have you in my life." Sean smiled, brushing his lips over Mark's as he breathlessly told him. "Mark... I have to tell you something..."

Mark hummed over his lips, giving him a little kiss. Touching Mark's cheek to ease him back a little from the kiss, he tugged up his shirt and guided Mark's hand to his chest. Mark never looked away from his eyes, even as Sean guided his hand down along his abs to his belly button. Inhaling deeply with worry as Mark's hand touched the place where his belly was expanded a bit, he whined a little. Mark's expression changed as he noticed and asked a little startled. "Sean...? Are you...?" Licking his lips, Sean breathlessly finished for him. "I'm pregnant." Mark's hand was still a moment, before he slowly and gently rubbed his belly, asking in a shaking voice. "But we just... How long?" When their eyes met, Sean told him with teary eyes. "Mark... I have to be honest. I... am not sure if the puppy or puppies are yours, because I was with you and Nate around the same time... I'm so sorry... Please, don't be mad at me... Please, don't kick me out. I love you..." Mark's face was unreadable as he looked at Sean's belly for a long time. Sean started to get worried that he was mad. Until Mark looked at him and whispered out in disbelief. "They could be mine...? On our first time?"

Sean nodded nervously. Mark's reaction confused him. Had he not heard? Was he not mad? Mark grinned, laying over him to snuggle as he happily whispered into his ear. "Even if they aren't mine... I'll love them like my own. Oh, Sean... you should have told me sooner. Don't cry." Sean couldn't stop the tears from falling, but he hugged Mark tightly. It was such a relief to get the weight off his chest. As much as he felt that he shouldn't tell him... he needed him to know that he had so much more to fight for. To Be Continued...