Watching Jamie run, allowing his wolf to follow his instincts, made Brandon's heart race in his chest.

Gabriel and Jamie were having a playful competition with each other, running through the trees while chasing one another.

Brandon followed close behind, watching carefully for any sign that Jamie was showing any unease. So far so good and Brandon was glad to see Jamie run without restraint.

To see the Beta charge through the woods, hopping over fallen branches, tree roots and shrubbery alike. Jamie was a different form of freedom compared to Sean.

Sean had been in awe of the world, in complete enjoyment of the tiniest fragment. A pup like curiosity that had spilled over in his every move.

Jamie's freedom was like a stallion unleashed. Darting through the woods as he both challenged Gabriel and himself. Forcing his paws to go faster, push off harder, to stop running and just fly.

Barking out a laugh as he stayed ahead of Gabriel, who eventually had to slow down, shaking out his fur before dropping to the floor to pant.

This was a Jamie Brandon hadn't encountered before. For a moment, the young Beta was carefree, oblivious to the burdens of his past.

Instead, he was enjoying life. The here and now instead of being shackled to memories of the past.

Brandon followed at a more leisure pace but snickered when Gabriel flopped down with a groan. His brother was fit, but clearly Jamie had a lot of pent up energy, allowing him to overtake and outrace the trained Beta with cheeky ease.

Plus, it didn't help Gabriel by being overconfident and boastful before their run. It seemed that his actions and words had lit a fire underneath Jamie's paws and had sent the other Beta hurtling down the forest path with a stunned Gabriel lagging behind.

Where Sean had been panting and staggering on his legs, Jamie still had energy to spare. Something that wasn't unheard of, according to Brandon's research to DID.

As far as Brandon had found out, people with DID could have a completely different and separate body chemistry compared to their host.

Alters that had diabetes, that required prescription glasses to see, alters who were stronger than their host... it was all completely possible and had multiple examples.

There were however limitations to an Alters abilities. None could suddenly acquire superhuman powers beyond the limits of their host.

Some Alters identified as another gender than their host, yet that didn't mean that whenever said alter fronted, their physical gender miraculously changed along with them.

When Jamie had first revealed their DID, Brandon had unthinkingly prompted "Like that Split movie?" making Jamie scoff and sneer in disgust, much to his surprise.

"Split is exactly what DID is NOT. Sure it portrays having alters, having different personalities and health issues with said alters. But it's a very damaging perspective of the DID community."

Brandon had blinked, utterly confused before Jamie pointed out "The entire premise of that movie rests on the DID character being a kidnapper, murderer and a monster. They could've easily chosen to use a sociopath or psychopath for the villain role."

Jamie's frustration was clear as he had raked his fingers through his hair, clearly upset with the very mention of the movie.

"DID doesn't create monsters; it's created by monsters. We've developed this as a means to cope with and avoid the real monsters out there. If anyone is at risk of being hurt by someone with DID, it's the host themselves."

Observing Sean and Jamie closely, Brandon had come to understand exactly why they were so against the movie. Against so many Hollywood tropes.

It portrayed people with DID as emotionally unstable and dysfunctional, potentially violent individuals. It was a very stigmatizing and damaging view.

Someone who had DID, or someone who never experienced it and who only had that movie as a reference, would clearly think people with DID were monsters.

Because that's exactly how the movie stigmatized DID. Anyone who suffered from it, would be hesitant to out themselves after the damage that movie had created.

And Brandon could only anticipate the reaction from the pack, when they found out about Sean and Jamie's true identity.

Even if they were werewolves, they were only human, figuratively speaking. There were bound to be some individuals who felt uneasy, who'd think of movies and depictions like Split, or "Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde", all of which weren't accurate depictions.

It was also why Brandon's love and appreciation for his father deepened. The man must've understood how people who didn't know Jamie or Sean, would react to the news.

They'd subconsciously hold back, like watching a predator stalk through the forest and hope it wouldn't look their way.

But if they were able to connect with Jamie, saw the innocent sweetness that embodied Sean... They'd see different.

They'd realize that DID was just a part of Sean and Jamie, that they were simply individuals who were dealt a shitty hand by the Fates.

By letting the pack acclimate to Sean and Jamie, they'd develop stronger bonds. Would come to know the individuals of the community before being told who they were.

Because at the bottom line, why did it matter that they had DID? That Sean and Jamie were alters? They were still individuals, still their own person that deserved love and affection and respect.

A paw swiped at his nose, making Brandon snort and shake his head before fixing his glare to Gabriel, who huffed.

"Dude, you were growling for no reason." His brother shook out his fur before the Beta stretched his limbs.

Brandon sighed, giving Jamie a glance before lowering his ears as the Beta gave him a curious look. "Sorry, just...something on my mind."

A sound ahead made them all turn before relaxing as they realized it was the rest of the group who had wanted to go on a run.

After all, Gabriel had suggested to do so and surprisingly, Jamie had agreed.

Through the shrubbery, a young Alpha, barely old enough to have shifted and several young Deltas emerged. Tails swinging with excitement, even more so in greeting as they spotted all three of them.

They hadn't met Jamie before, but Brandon's heart melted when he saw the young pups approach the unknown Beta with caution and respect.

Keeping their bodies and tails lower than Jamie's, combined with demure licks to his muzzle as they approached.

Brandon could only assume it was not the approach Jamie had been anticipating. The wolf's entire posture was stiffened but not aggressively so.

But it was the barely withheld caution and tension within his posture, that clued the young pups in to the fact that Jamie was wary.

Even the young Alpha, legally still a pup, fresh out of presenting, treated Jamie with respect. Given that he was still new to his instincts, it wasn't wrong to assume the pup would try to dominate those less powerful than it, simply because it could.

Yet here he was, showing remarkable restraint and respect. Keeping his posture demure and relaxed, tail wagging playfully before inviting Jamie to play.

And the young pup understood completely when Jamie snorted and shook his head. Undoubtedly any interaction with an Alpha, even one so young as the pup, would spark unwanted memories to life.

And while these young pups didn't know what happened to Jamie, just as much as Brandon and Gabriel didn't know the details, none of them wanted to turn a playful game into a lethal fight.

"Brandon, Gabriel." The young Alpha greeted after shaking out his fur before prancing over to greet the other two wolves. "I shifted!"

Recognizing the young pup, Brandon chuckled before gently using his paw to push him back a little. "Hello Steve, and yes, I see." He replied with amusement as the younger Alpha took a few steps back and plopped down awkwardly.

The other wolves quietly introduced themselves as well, eagerly sniffing at the air and imprinting Jamie's scent to their brain. Jamie's introduction went without a hitch and the younger pups seemed to be awed at the sight of a new, strong Beta in their pack.

Luckily they didn't bombard Jamie with questions, nor did Brandon or Gabriel let them. If the topic got anywhere near too sensitive, or the pups overeager questions became too much, the brothers worked in unison to avoid overwhelming Jamie.

Before too long, they were running along the forest to blow off some steam. Watching as the youngsters chased after any hare or rabbit too foolish to hide at the ruckus these pups were making.

Yet the hares proved to be worthy adversaries, as they gave the pups a good work-out and nothing but dust to eat.

Looking to the side, Brandon felt his heart jolt. Jamie was watching and interacting with the pups. Still wary, would probably always be wary.

But the kindness and gentle manner in which he acted with them, made Brandon's heart soar. A shimmer of hope that Jamie and Sean could heal from their past.

Because each positive interaction with an Alpha, hell, with any of the pack, was something that the community needed.

To be shown gently that not all wolves were the same. That their pack was a blooming, flourishing band of individuals, working together as one.

Jamie could now experience what he should have experienced all along. A pack, a bond formed through unison and mutual respect.

Watching Steve, instincts roaring and his Alpha still settling, carefully play with the Deltas, was doing wonders.

Because technically, Steve or any newly presented Alpha, was the closest being to a Corrupted. Until their wolf settled, they ran on instincts. On a want-need-take basis that guided their moral compass unless shown otherwise.

Yet here was a freshly presented wolf, still getting used to his paws and how to run on all fours. Showing care and affection as he played with the Deltas, adapting his strength so when he bumped into them, they didn't topple over.

Freshly presented, yet a prime example of what an Alpha should strive and aspire to be.

A source of comfort. A beacon of security and protection. But most of all, an affectionate, kind and empathetic individual.

It was these kind of Alphas that made packs thrive. That gained the respect and trust of the Lycans and were thought to be an example of everything their species should be.

High praise, especially for a young pup like Steve. But it was praise deserved nonetheless.

As Brandon kept a careful eye on the group, he could see Jamie relax around the lanky, playful young pup. Steve proved to have a high emotional awareness as well.

The second any of his playful movements was too sudden, too fast for Jamie, the pup was quick to drop down. Even if the submission was playful, it drew the tension out of Jamie just as quick as it had appeared.

It made Brandon feel proud, each time he saw Steve respond this way. Proud of his pack for taking care of their own.

And extremely happy to see that Jamie and Sean would be accepted by the pack with little to no effort.