Sean scanned the woods with nervous eyes. Even if he was a werewolf, a grizzly bear was bad news. Bill touched his arm, causing Sean to flinch as he looked back. Bill stashed his phone in his back pocket, while showing him his erase board that read. 'I told your Zeta Alpha that you are safe." Sniffling, Sean mumbled out a little pained. "Thank you." Bill wiped the board, then wrote out for him. "It's ok to be nervous. The Omegas were just intimated by you." Sean scoffed, leaning back against the tree as he told him in a heartbroken voice. "I don't see why they would be. I'm nothing special." Bill reached out to lift his chin with a finger. When Sean looked up at him with distant eyes, Bill shook his other finger at him before quickly writing out for him. "You're wrong. You dominated those games. You are a free spirit." Sean brushed his hand over the words, telling him numbly. "A free spirit wouldn't fall apart as I do." Bill cleaned the board better, then wrote out. "Why do you care what they think?" Sean shrugged, answering meekly. "I don't know. I've just... always felt like I'm on the sidelines. I don't have anything in common with them. So... there must be something wrong with me."

Bill cleaned his board, writing out for him. "Having different interests doesn't mean something is wrong with you." Sean shifted to look at him better, stating out dryly. "You saw the games. You saw what I did. The other Omegas didn't do that. I acted like... " Sean looked away unable to get the words out. Bill turned his chin to look at his board with the lightest touch. Sighing, Sean read it aloud like it was a question. "Like a parent?" Narrowing his eyes on Bill with confusion, he watched Bill write out why he thought that. After he finished, Sean read the board carefully. "The challenges were about helping to protect family. And you did that. YOUR way." Bill cleaned the board then quickly wrote out to add in. "You showed that you took the challenge seriously. It wasn't a game to you. You sacrificed yourself twice to protect what you believed was your puppy." Sean bit his lip, thinking it over. Had he done that? Bill quickly wrote more, sitting up straighter as he showed him the board again that read. "Your parental instincts are stronger than theirs. You made that doll family. They didn't. You are an Omega that fights for family. THAT is what I saw."

Bill cleaned his board, writing out for him with a hint at a warm smile beneath his hood. "You are different because you matured past being a puppy. They still act like puppies. YOU act like an adult." Sean smirked as his heart warmed up to the idea. Was that why he felt so different? It didn't seem so bad to think that he'd just matured faster. A stray tear fell down his cheek and Bill's warm thumb brushed it off. Giving him a smile, Sean took a deep breath and said cheerfully. "Thank you." Bill nodded, writing out to him. "Wanna go get cleaned up?" Sean looked down at himself, realizing he was still covered in colored paint. It had dried to him and would no doubt leave his skin tinted those colors for a few days. Rolling his eyes, he mumbled out to himself. "No wonder Mark could sniff me out... I probably smelled the most like paint." Bill chuckled and it was contagious enough to get Sean to chuckle with him. Bill got to his feet, extending out a hand to help him up, but Sean hesitated to take it. Looking him over, Sean asked a little worried. "I have to ask something first..." Tilting his head back against the tree, he watched him closely as he asked. "Why did you decline fighting Mark?"

Bill scribbled something on his board before turning it around slowly for him to read out. "I have no interest in being a lead Alpha. I came here to meet new people." Sean crossed his arms, asking suspiciously. "How did you learn about me? And that... gift..." Bill's blushing smile was visible beneath his hood as he quickly wrote down his answer. Sean blushed a little for even bringing up the toy but tried to hide it as he waited. When Bill turned the board around, his answer was not what Sean had expected. He'd expected him to say that he was a strong Omega or that he'd heard things about him. Instead, it read; "I saw you racing and loved your spirit. Everyone said you couldn't... you clearly could. And YOU knew that." Bill erased the board again, to write out for him. "You seem to follow your heart. And I like that. I wanna be your friend." Sean gave him a doubtful look and opened his mouth to talk about the toy, but Bill raised a finger to stop him. Quickly jotting something down, he turned it and chuckled. Sean read the words aloud with a chuckle in his own voice. "I didn't know what you'd like. So, I went with something that you might use." Sean dropped his face into his hands to laugh as he blushed harder.

He didn't have the strength to admit that he had. Bill tapped his shoulder after a little bit and Sean looked up to read the board. "Do you wanna get out of here for a while?" Sean hugged himself, anxiously replying. "But... everyone will be here. And my parents..." Bill crouched as he wrote out on his board for him. "We'll be back for the fireworks." Sean exhaled heavily. Getting away did sound like a breath of fresh air. Taking his hand, Bill pulled him carefully to his feet and walked him out through the woods. Sean stared at how Bill held his hand and took him well away from the festival before circling back to the parking lot. Bill's grip was so nice. It wasn't too strong but wasn't too loose either. Sneaking through the parking lot, Bill approached a gorgeous red motorcycle. While Bill put on his full helmet, Sean ran a hand over the leather seats. His heart was starting to race again as he said anxiously. "I forgot that you drove this. I... I've never..." Bill handed him a small helmet and Sean stepped back from the bike. Swallowing, he told him shakily. "I'll fall off." Bill shook his head. Without thinking about it, Sean relented to accept the helmet.

Bill helped him put it on, then wrote on his board for him. "Lean with me on turns and keep your arms around me. I won't let you fall. I'll go slow." Sean nodded but couldn't speak. His fear was building again. Bill swung onto the bike, kicking the kickstand up as he balanced it upright. Bill then patted the small seat behind him, and Sean dragged his feet as he moved up. Putting his hands on Bill's shoulders, he swung his leg over. Bill tapped Sean's leg, then lifted it to brace Sean's foot on the metal peg footrest. Sean braced his feet, then wrapped his arms around Bill so tightly that Bill's breath hitched. Bill made him loosen his grip more to let him breathe, then chuckled as he turned the engine on. The engine roared to life, causing the whole bike to vibrate. Sean yelped and leaned against Bill's back. Bill's hand stroked Sean's arms to calm him, then slowly started pushing with his feet to back it up. Sean shut his eyes, his body shaking. When Bill turned it to face the road, he lifted his feet and let the bike start driving. The drive out was slow, and the wind blew over his exposed skin like a soft fluffy cloud. Sean liked it but couldn't open his eyes and was terrified to move.

Over the wind and roar of the engine, he faintly heard Bill laugh. Curiosity getting the better of him, he opened his eyes and saw the road blurring beneath them. Sean tensed more, until Bill pet his arm and pointed out at something. Sean looked up from the road and relaxed a little. The festival lights that decorated the woods by the road were so pretty as night fell. Taking in more of the sky and things around them, Sean couldn't help feeling like he'd left his fears and worries behind. The rush of wind was filled with smells and a strong sense of freedom. It was so different from being in an enclosed car with blind spots. It was a rush like a roller coaster. Tilting his head back, he shivered as the chilly air got to him... but he loved it. Bill rode over a small hill in the road, giving him a brief weightless feeling that prompted giggles from Sean. Squeezing his legs on the bike, Sean slowly slid his arms around to just hold onto Bill's hips. The more he relaxed, the more he became addicted to it. It just made him feel lighter than air. Bill never stopped. He just kept driving around long empty roads around the Valley. The silence was peaceful, and his mind just cleared as the wind rushed over him like a cleanser.

He wanted to keep riding like this forever. Although, he wished that he'd worn a jacket. He was starting to lose feeling in his arms, but he didn't have the heart to tell Bill to stop. The more he snuggled against Bill's back, the more he seemed to catch on though. After stroking Sean's cold arm around his waist, Bill pulled into a gas station. The place was empty, but still well lit enough for people to pump the gas themselves. Turning off the bike, Bill coaxed Sean to get off first. Reluctantly, Sean did. Hopping in place as his adrenaline kept flowing through his veins. Hugging himself to fight the cold, Sean blurted out. "That was so much fun! I want one now!" Bill propped the bike on the kickstand, chuckling as he moved to start pumping gas. Sean bounced around, chipperly rushing out with excitement. "I haven't felt a rush like that since my first transformation! Running through the woods and smelling all the smells. Man, the people in the Valley don't know what they are missing!" Sean stopped bouncing and blushed as Bill chuckled more. Rubbing his arms, Sean mumbled out. "Sorry... You must think I'm crazy." Bill shook his head, then beckoned him closer.

When Sean inched closer, Bill turned him around and pulled him back into his warm embrace. Despite wearing a leather vest, Bill was still so warm. It was an Alpha and Beta trait that he recalled from class. They were always warmer than Omegas. Another primal thing to encourage Omegas into snuggling with them. Bill draped his arms over Sean's but didn't really hold onto him. His hands just moved along Sean's wrists in a comforting gesture. Leaning back against him, Sean tried to control his breathing. No matter how much he tried not to think about mating... he couldn't help it. He was standing in the position that usually led to it. Glancing over his shoulder, he wondered what Bill was thinking. Bill's attention seemed to be on the gas pump, watching the numbers rise. It was comforting to know his mind wasn't where his was that he could tell. Feeling a bit warmer, Sean inched away from him and asked with a nervous reluctance. "You didn't drag me out here just to... get me alone and away from your rivals. Did you?" Bill removed his board and jotted down his answer to show him. Sean shifted on his feet uneasily but read it aloud under his breath. "No. You just looked like you needed some down time. Do you want me to take you back?" Sean shook his head, stepping back in to hug him. He had an overwhelming need for a warm hug.

Bill returned the hug, until he had to stop the pump. Sean let him pay and tried to peel the paint off himself. When Bill finished paying, he pointed to a little open garage and walked his motorcycle over. Moving inside it, Sean shrugged and mumbled out. "You plan on washing your bike? You realize that the power hose has been broken for months, right? You'll have to use their flimsy piece of SHITE!" Sean squealed, jumping back as Bill sprayed him with the hose. Bill lowered the hose with a laugh, prompting Sean to retort in shock. "Oh... you think that was funny, do you?" Running over to the other side, Sean picked up the other hose and tried to turn it on quickly. Bill soaked him good, before he whirled around to spray him. Sean watched Bill hit the button to switch the hose from water to soap and Sean screamed. The thick soapy bubbles went everywhere! Sean dropped his hose, running at Bill to stop him. Which only ended up with them both getting covered in bubbles. Sean tried to twist the hose from him, causing Bill to slip on the slippery concrete. Sean froze, afraid that he'd gotten hurt, until Bill grabbed him and pulled him down with him. Sean tried to crawl away, but Bill pulled him back and started scrubbing him like a puppy.

Sean laughed and thrashed, throwing soap at him as he tried to flee. Bill laughed and when he stopped, he braced over him on all fours. Sean looked up at his helmet, before playfully drawing on the tinted visor. "Loser." Bill chuckled, then slowly sat back off him. Hosing each other off, Sean liked that the majority of the paint did come off. Shivering from the cold after being soaked, he asked Bill through chattering teeth. "Now what?" Bill beckoned him over, then opened his saddle bags to toss him a beach towel. Catching it, Sean asked him suspiciously. "You planned to get wet?" Bill dried his erase board, before writing out. "I went for a swim in the lake." Sean blushed, inching closer to ask curiously. "Skinny dipping?" Bill booped his nose in response, making Sean giggle. As Sean's smile faded, he asked him more seriously. "What do you want in life, Bill?" Bill turned to look at his board, writing a bit slowly but showed him his answer. "I wanna have a happy life. I want a home full of warmth and laughter." Sean moved closer, asking a bit softer. "You want a family and need an Omega to do that?" Bill erased his board, writing out for him to see. "Someday. Right now, I just want to make mistakes and discover who I am as a person. Not just fall into who I'm supposed to be."

Sean smiled warmly, handing the towel off to Bill as he said sweetly. "I like that." Bill erased his board, then wrote out for him. "What about you, Sean? What do you want in life?" Sean leaned back against the cement wall in front of the bike, before saying very softly. "I guess... I'm looking for something similar. I've spent so much of my life hating myself for being what I am... It would be nice to learn how to love myself again. To be loved not because of what I am... but who I am." Bill took a long pause, before erasing the board to write out to him. "Who are you, Sean?" Sean shrugged, mumbling out without looking at Bill. "I don't know... I'm scattered pieces that I'm trying to make something with." Looking back at Bill, Sean boldly asked. "Who are you, Bill?" Bill carefully cleaned his board, then took a bit to finish writing stuff down. When he raised his board, Sean smiled brightly as he read aloud. "I am a B+ student. I respect my parents. I don't smoke. I try to be a good person. And I'm working to calm my inner wolf. Ruts are harder to reel in then I was told..." Sean blushed, scoffing his shoe a little as he teased out. "Wanna trade?" Bill chuckled. Climbing back onto the bike, Bill wrote out for him. "We should get back. The fireworks will start soon."

Sean's expression fell a bit. He wanted to stay away from there. He didn't want Mark or Nate to track him down for answers. He didn't want to get wrapped up in more Omega games. Bill must have smelled his fear or seen his concern, because he wrote out. "You can hide out in my tent? I'm sure you are hungry. And the adults will be mating any minute now... So, they'll be too distracted to look for you." Sean exhaled but nodded to him. To Be Continued...