Sean watched Mark storm off back toward his friends, before turning his eyes to the Pack Leader. Shaking his head, Mark's dad bowed his head and exhaled deeply with disappointment. While a short distance away from him, an adult Beta stepped in to tell the Pack Leader empathetically. "Well, Cliff. You'd knew he'd be a handful." Cliff grunted, then asked with concern. "I guess, I was hoping that he'd grow out of it. I just... I don't know what to do. If he fucks this up..." The Beta stepped closer, patting Cliff on the back as he said comfortingly. "Give him some time. You remember how you rebelled when dad forced you to find your mate. You felt caged and hated him for taking away your 'freedom' after Alpha School. He'll calm down." Cliff looked at his brother, grumbling back in a grim tone. "Oh great. So, if he's anything like me, he's going to be hell to deal with until he's claimed a mate and had a few pups." His brother chuckled, giving Cliff a playful shove, when he stated innocently. "You said it. Not me."

Cliff uttered a wolfish whine of distress, prompting his brother to sooth him by saying in a hopeful voice. "I wouldn't worry. He's a lot like you... but he's also a lot like your mate. Her good will cancel out your bad." Cliff scowled at his brother, resulting in a chuckle from him. Shrugging, Cliff told him in a hushed tone. "I'm worried about him, Peter. More than ever, I need to be able to rely on him. And yet... I feel him pulling away from me." Peter draped an arm on Cliff's shoulder, reassuring him with a smile. "He's an Alpha. He's stubborn and independent. Doesn't take orders for shit... but he'll do the right thing. You trained him well." Patting his brother's chest, Peter told Cliff excitedly. "Come on. Let's snag a beer before these young Alphas drink it all." Cliff nodded, begrudgingly letting his younger brother drag him away toward the coolers. Nibbling his lower lip, Sean discreetly slipped into the shadows of the woods and walked along the outskirts of the open clearing.

With the inside of his jeans soaked, he wasn't comfortable rejoining the party. So, he decided to just enjoy it at a distance. Mostly allowing himself to spy on Mark without shame as he'd always done. He knew it was wrong and creepy, but he couldn't help it. There was just something about Mark. He was more than just attractive on the outside. He'd seen him when he thought no one was watching, and it showed him how hard-working Mark was. How dedicated and determined he was. Almost to a fault. He admired him. It made him smirk to see Mark going out of his way to hide from the Omegas that sought him out. Giving his alpha friends something to laugh about and tease him about. Until Mark finally had enough and made his escape from the party. Feeling like the party was over if Mark wasn't going to stay, he decided to head out too. Along the way, Sean tried to think of what to do to confess his love for him. As heavy and hopeless as it felt, he just wanted to try. He couldn't bare the thought of not trying something.

Stepping out onto the path he'd come in from, he stuffed his hands into his pockets and tried to draft a nice letter in his head. It would be easy to write one and slip it to him. He'd be free from having to say the words face to face and could make a quick escape after its delivery. Just in case, he rejected him. That way he wouldn't have to see his face or face an awkward rejection. The crushing thoughts of other Omegas having tried the same thing with him cut deep. Would Mark even read it? He avoided Omegas that drooled all over him. What made him any different from them? Letting out a soft puppy whine of distress, he pulled his hood up and kept his head down. He tried to pick up his pace, when he accidentally walked right into someone. Raising his head, he started to apologize, when a hand quickly covered his mouth while another yanked him behind a wide tree. Grasping at the strong hand over his mouth, he began to whine, until a familiar voice growled into his ear. "Hush! They'll find me."

Swallowing, Sean froze in Mark's arms. His heart wildly ran laps in his ribcage as he took in everything. His scent. His touch. The sweat glistening on his exposed skin. Then eventually to see what held Mark's undivided attention. Mark was staring out at the parking lot with a sour look. A group of Omegas were stating out his motorcycle and giggling loud enough to be heard from where they hid. A female Omega that paced the parking lot, playfully called out into the woods. "Mark?! Where are you?! We know you're out here! Come out!" The Omegas around her giggled, before another Omega male added a little playfully drunk. "We'll find you!" There was another burst of laughter, before an Omega female yelled to the others. "First one to find him gets him all to themselves!" Sean rolled his eyes. Omegas were so childish sometimes. Beside his ear, Mark cursed and muttered out. "Fucking Omegas. What do I have to do to make them go away." Sean felt a sharp pain from his words. Did he realize he was holding onto an Omega? Was Mark that oblivious to his existence? That almost hurt worse.

Prying Mark's hand away from his mouth, he stepped out of Mark's arms and away from behind the tree. Mark tried to call him back but fell silent as an Omega jumped out at Sean, yelling out. "FOUND YA! Oh... Sorry, Sean. You seen Mark around? We're looking for him. Wanna play and help us find him?!" Her eyes practically glowed from her statement, but Sean shook his head with a saddened expression. He just wanted to go home now. His heart was broken. Mark's words had shattered it and made him feel worthless. Seeing he was on the verge of tears, her excitement drained away as she asked with concern. "Sean...? Something wrong? Did someone hurt you? Should I fetch a Beta?" Shaking his head, he tried to play off his pain by telling her with a forced smile. "I'm fine, Kristy. Just tired. I think I drank too much." Kristy placed a hand on his arm, asking nicely. "Ya sure? Do you need a ride home?" Shaking his head, he lied to her convincingly. "Ya. I'm sure. My parents are coming to pick me up."

Kristy searched his face for any trace of doubt and Sean panicked. Omegas were good at reading emotions. If she lingered, she'd see right through him. Clearing his throat, he turned and pointed into the other section of the forest as he whispered to her. "I did overhear Mark's friends say that Mark went off that way with a Beta. Seemed pretty serious. If you hurry you can catch him with his pants down, I'm sure." Her eyes glinted a wolfish gold, before she let out a shriek of excitement and called out to the others by Mark's bike. "Hurry! Some tramp is gonna try sleeping with Mark!" The Omegas let out playfully snarls before dashing off into the woods. The last one yelling out with such conviction that it made Sean chuckle as he heard him yell. "SAVE OUR BOY! KEEP HIM PURE!" Rolling his eyes, Sean began to walk out to the parking lot. He doubted the Omegas would do anything. Maybe snarl and dash off at best. They weren't fighters and rarely engaged in conflicts beyond some choice words.

Mark could hate them all he wanted. He should feel honored that so many Omegas admired him and wanted to play with him. They didn't do that with Betas and Alphas normally. Upon reaching the parking lot, Mark jogged up behind him and said a bit surprised. "Thank you for that. Um... What was your name again?" Slowing to a brief stop, Sean looked at him and answered in a pained tone of voice. "Sean. Sean McLoughlin. One of the 'fucking omegas." Refusing to linger, Sean continued his way as Mark uttered guiltily. "Oops... I... I'm sorry about that." Sean didn't turn around, he just shrugged and kept walking away. He wanted to call his mom to come pick him up, but he didn't feel like explaining why he was coming home already. Besides, it was a nice night. He needed the walk to clear his head. Behind him, Mark called out with concern. "Where are you going? The party is back that way."

Still carrying on, Sean shot back over his shoulder. "I could ask you the same thing. But I'm not going to." Sean made it a few more feet, before a motorcycle puttered up beside him and Mark asked over the engine. "Why not? Don't you Omegas enjoy juicy gossip?" A low submissive growl escaped him, but it was overpowered by the engine, before he shot back at him without so much as looking at him. "Oh great... This day just keeps getting worse. You're one of those alphas." Mark revved the engine to pass him just a tad before letting him catch up as he asked. "Omegas have bad days? What could possibly ruin your day? Past your bedtime? And what do you mean. 'One of those' alphas?" Taking a deep breath to collect himself, he stated flatly. "All this time I thought you were above demeaning Omegas. Boy, when you disappoint someone, you really dig in deep. My day was going so well too... Serves me right, I guess. I knew this was a bad idea." Mark suddenly stopped his bike, asking a little hurt. "I disappointed you?"

Stopping just ahead of him, Sean finally looked back at him to blurt out honestly. "Yes. I understand that you're having a bad day. But to say something so tactless in front of me. Then follow that up with calling me a 'gossip.' How do you suppose I should feel?" Mark furrowed his eyebrows, mumbling out almost to himself. "I guess, I forgot how fragile Omegas are. In Alpha school-" Groaning loudly, Sean started walking away from him. Behind him, Mark called out. "Hey! I wasn't finished!" Walking a bit faster, Sean shot back over his shoulder. "You just called me 'emotionally fragile,' you arrogant twat!" Riding up beside him, Mark exhaled before stating abruptly. "What did you just call me? And how would you know what my day has been like? You couldn't possibly-" Groaning loudly again, Sean mocked him by interjecting. "Oh, you can't possibly know what my life is like! All workouts and learning to shit in the woods!" Before Sean could add something condescending or throw back at him what he overheard, he stepped into a hole along the side of the road and stumbled to the pavement with a startled high-pitched yelp.

Sitting up slowly on the pavement, Sean let out low whines of pain. His knees were scuffed and bleeding now, and his ankle was throbbing like crazy. Shutting off his bike, Mark flipped the kickstand down and rushed to his side. Kneeling beside him, Mark noticed him favoring his hurt ankle and gently took hold of it. Yelping in pain, Sean lightly kicked out at Mark's hip with his good leg, whining in distress. "Ow! Let go!" Mark refused, ordering him sternly. "Stop whining and let me see it." Pouting, Sean meekly retorted. "I'm not whining. It hurts! Let go before you make it worse!" Holding his leg still, Mark inspected his ankle as he told him seriously. "For your information, Omega. I didn't learn to shit in the woods. It was survival training, and first aid was part of it. Now heel!" Mark's Alpha command made him stop whining and moving. Whether Mark had intended that to happen, he wasn't sure. After touching different parts of his ankle, Mark finally told him. "Looks like you twisted your ankle. You won't be walking home like this."

Swatting Mark's hands off, he blurted out with weak defiance. "Says you. I'll be fine. What does an Alpha like you care anyway?" Mark glared at him, replying in a firm but gentle tone of voice. "I'm not just going to leave you on the side of the road." Digging into his pocket, Sean told him smugly. "I'll just call my parents, and they'll pick me up. That way you can be... on your way..." Sean's smug voice faded as he saw the condition of his phone. The screen was cracked and glitching. Mark tried hard not to smirk, but it was hinted at in his voice when he said softly. "Want that ride now?" Stuffing his phone into his jacket, he sighed out in defeat. "Yes... Please, help me up." Rising to his feet, Mark extended out his hands for his. Taking them, Sean blushed as Mark pulled him up to his feet without the need for Sean's help. Letting him lean on him, Mark told him with a beautiful smile. "Good thing I was here." Huffing, Sean flatly replied. "If you had just left me alone. I wouldn't have stepped in the hole in the first place."

Shaking his head, Mark helped him to the bike, countering with confidence. "You don't know that. I could have gone racing by and you could have stepped in it while watching me. Then who would you turn to?" Using the bike for support now, Sean lightly glared at him, asking suspiciously. "What makes you think that I'd watch you?" Swinging a leg over the bike, Mark flashed a devilish grin over his shoulder as he recalled to him. "You seemed pretty captivated by me when your friend pushed you to me. Then you couldn't take your eyes off me when I danced. And..." Mark's eyes dropped down to Sean's legs, prompting Sean to look down. Seeing his soaked pants, he nearly swallowed his tongue, when Mark finished softly. "I'm assuming you're going to blame me for that too?" Sean looked away feeling so much shame that he could barely stand it. He wanted to run away but couldn't. Instead, he just felt like crying.

Kicking the kickstand up, Mark tapped his shoulder and coaxed him sweetly. "Hop on. I'll take ya home." Sean remained where he was. Shaking his head stubbornly as tears leaked down his cheeks. He felt so pathetic. Mark's words hurt so bad. He was teasing him for no reason. With a long exhale, Mark uttered under his breath. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to draw attention to it." Easing away from the bike, Sean forced himself to limp away as he struggled to inform him. "Just go. I'll just get your bike all sticky. Or is that how you plan to justify helping an Omega? By claiming you got me all hot and bothered." Wincing through the pain, Sean added a little louder. "Poor, little Omega. We just can't help but lust after you Alphas! Craving only to breed the finest pups and- ow! Ow!" Stepping down too hard on his ankle, Sean bent over to quickly lift his hurt foot up. Slowly rolling up beside him, Mark leaned on his handlebars as he told him quite charmingly. "Insult me on the bike, please? You're going to make your ankle swell up. Then I'm gonna feel bad and have to visit you until it's better."

Straightening up, Sean let out a shaky breath as he looked at Mark. Reaching out, Mark pushed his wool hood back, before adding with a genuine smile. "What kind of future pack leader would I be if I let a stray lamb wonder off on its own? Come on. I'll stop talking." As if to prove it, Mark patted the seat behind him, causing Sean to smile despite himself. Reluctantly taking his arm, Sean eased onto the bike, asking curiously. "What is this motorcycle anyway? I've always wondered." While waiting for Sean to settle in, Mark answered with pride. "A 2005 Big Dog Pitbull Chopper. In hot rod red with chrome detailing. Was my sweet sixteen present." Sean tried to put his heels on the foot peds, but yelped in pain and let his hurt foot hang out over the puttering heat of the muffler. Reaching back, Mark scooped up his leg to drape it across his lap and the gas tank. Glancing over his shoulder to tell him protectively. "Scoot closer to me and hang on."

Sean obeyed, nervously asking over his shoulder. "Don't you have a helmet? You know for safety!" Chuckling, Mark revved the engine and yelled back. "Safety from what? If a car hits us, I'm pretty sure we're dead anyway!" Sean's face paled as he yelped out. "WHAT?! Let me off!" Mark flashed him a wolfish grin, before lifting his feet and surging the bike forward down the road. Yelping in distress, Sean clung to him tightly. Burying his head against his back and praying to Luna that he didn't fall off or get hit by a car. After a few minutes, Sean felt Mark take a sudden deep breath and he realized that he was gripping him too tightly for him to breathe normally. So, he loosened his hold on his ribs only slightly. It wasn't long before Sean relaxed his body enough to stare off into the distance. Taking in the vast farmlands and mountains with lush forests. The bright moon looked magical among the twinkling stars of the dark night sky.

He barely felt like he was on a motorcycle, until Mark revved the engine to shift up to the next gear. Causing the bike to vibrate hard between his legs, sending ripples of pleasure through his legs and groin. Hugging him close to lean hard into the turns with him, Sean smiled against Mark's shoulder. He could see why Mark liked his motorcycle. The rush of air and the sense of freedom. It was a rush. Sean was about to tell him where he lived, when Mark took the turn down on his own. In fact, he successfully drove right up to the curb of his house and cut the engine. Staying seated, Sean asked a little worried. "How is it that you don't know my name... but you know where I live?" flipping his kickstand down, Mark answered with a warm smile. "You think I didn't know you were my neighbor? Give me a little credit. I have seen you around." Blushing a deep red, Sean carefully slid off the bike first and Mark followed suit. Taking one of his arms to help him walk up to his door.

Helping him up the stairs of his porch was tricky, but Mark was patient. Once he got up, Mark released him and began to walk away as he told him casually. "Take care, Sean." Sean's heart leapt into his throat. Mark had NEVER said his name before. Yet, with one word, his heart went from a shattered mess to completely healed and thriving. Hopping over to the railing of the porch, Sean called after him. "Mark, wait!" Slowing to a stop, Mark turned to face him. Gripping the railing tight enough that his nails chipped the paint, he told him in a voice overflowing with gratitude. "Thank you. I... I..." Sean tried to force the words out, but something choked them in his throat. Smiling, Mark replied calmly. "You're welcome. Thanks for your help with the Omegas." Mark started to walk away again, but Sean whined out desperately. "Mark, wait!" Chuckling to himself, Mark turned back again. The sound of his laugh filling the otherwise quiet neighborhood.

Licking his dry lips, he trembled, and his voice shook when he choked out. "I... You... You didn't disappointment me. You couldn't because... because..." Sean stopped himself when he saw Mark's expression falter from happy to sad. Even knowing that rejection awaited him, he found it was suddenly easier as he finished off. "I really like you, Mark. I know you hear it all the time. I don't expect you to return the feelings. I just... I really needed you to know that." Without waiting for an answer, he turned and hopped over to the door. Upon turning the handle, he heard Mark tell him in a cool tone of voice. "I really wish that I could tell if you were mine or not." Pausing, Sean turned to ask what he'd meant, but Mark was already pushing his bike to the garage next door. Watching him vanish into the garage, Sean exhaled his frustration. His Heat wasn't coming fast enough, and it was his only chance.  To Be Continued...