Lobo didn't quite know what to make of their current situation. He was completely enamored with the Alpha laying in his bed, an Alpha whom was accepting to be hand-fed by someone else.

Part of Lobo wanted to fight against his own instincts that were running haywire. He hadn't been aware for long and was still getting used to actually living.

So to have his system flushed with pheromones and instincts screaming at him, was putting Lobo on edge. Some of his instincts were easier to accept than others.

Keep the family safe. Make sure that nobody with ill intentions got close, especially not to those who were weaker, like Sean or Noah.

This pack might be better than others but Lobo wasn't as foolish as to think that nobody in this pack might have ulterior motives. While he wouldn't deny his family the chance at friendship and normality, Lobo had taken it as his duty to keep them safe.

Which was why he had been present in the background, even without the others knowing. From the moment he had been aware, Lobo had been watching and observing everyone closely.

Not this closely though.

Lobo eyed the flush that spread over Brandon's cheeks when their eyes locked once more. His Lycan huffing with interest and amusement as the usually calm and collected Alpha now seemed shy.

Shy enough to avoid Lobo's gaze, even though the man was still offering him bites of food. The formerly tense mood in the room as Lobo had stressed and waited for Brandon to wake up was now being replaced with a calm, soothing air.

His lycan finally relaxing, making Lobo realize that he was about to shift back without even noticing. Which would leave him naked in front of Brandon...

"I need a moment." Lobo stated, snatching some of his clothes before abruptly heading for the bathroom. He hadn't been able to relax after coming back from the introduction.

Beast on alert and wary, opting to stay out to give everyone a visual warning the second they were to walk in the room.

Back off or face the consequences.

What was this emotion? Possessiveness? Neediness? Lobo didn't quite understand. But each time Brandon had looked at him, something had stirred in his gut. When Brandon had laid in his bed, impaired and feverish, there had been a simmering rage within Lobo's gut; a frustration aimed at himself for not knowing better, at the pack Alpha for not explaining everything before Lobo had even suggested marking Brandon.

Whatever the emotion was, it made his mouth salivate as he remembered vividly the moment he marked Brandon. The young Alpha's skin underneath his tongue, feeling him shiver underneath his body...

"Is this how Brandon felt when bathing Sean?" Lobo thought to himself. He had been present then too. Had stayed quiet and never intervened except to encourage Sean when the Omega had been doubting about giving into his instincts.

Nearly paralyzed by fear at what the young Alpha would think seeing their scars. About the reaction of Brandon, an Alpha they all valued very much. And most of all, remembering all the encounters with the Corrupted where Sean had needed someone to fulfill his needs, only to get punished for even considering it.

Lobo had reacted instinctively, nudging the Omega mentally to let him know he'd be there to intervene if Brandon ever lost control. That Sean wasn't alone, would never be alone.

Surprisingly, even with a near naked Omega in a tub, washing said Omega... Brandon had always been in perfect control. Seeing how warm and kind he had been to Sean had lured Lobo closer to the surface, drawing the lycan in.

It had been one of the reasons why Lobo had come out afterwards, wanting to make sure that the Alpha wasn't simply playing the nice guy role to try things later.

During his time in their shared headspace, Lobo had investigated and inspected the memories that lingered in the back of his head, his but not his. Memories of the Corrupted and their treatment of the community, of how they switched up their tactics and tried to butter Sean up only to backhand him when he didn't act as they wanted.

Naturally with his limited interactions with anyone else but Corrupted, Lobo had assumed Brandon would be the same.

How wrong for him to assume that. Brandon wasn't like that at all. Everything he had done, everything he did, was genuine and heartfelt. The young Alpha always made sure that those around him were relaxed and comfortable. Ignored his own desires over someone's needs and made sure those were met before he even considered himself.

So to be able to provide for such a being was thrilling. He eyed himself in the small bathroom mirror, noticing a slight tremble in his hands and his muscles tensing and relaxing. It was a new sensation, not entirely unpleasant but unknown.

Lobo couldn't help but smirk to himself as he returned to Brandons side and finished feeding him, clearing away the dishes and returning them to the table. He felt pleased with himself for giving into his instincts because he could smell the Alpha's contentment. How the sandalwood was soft and soothing, slowly spreading through the room like a warm, comforting hug.

It was an addictive feeling, a thrill chasing over his spine knowing he made Brandon feel like that. Each time the young Alpha's gaze crossed with his own, his Lycan grumbled lowly like a big cat announcing its contentment.

Both of them eager to learn more about what it entailed to be bonded, what this new bond between them was. None of them had ever been bonded, hadn't even thought of the possibility.

And now we're technically engaged...

Just thinking of the moment he had marked Brandon made Lobo's eyes flit to the mark on the man's flesh. It still looked raw, an angry red compared to Brandon's skin. The bite itself raised up against the otherwise natural tan, standing out and drawing attention from everyone who glanced at Brandon.

"Does it still hurt?" Lobo questioned, thumb curiously caressing over the mark. Inspecting the mark to make sure it was free from any infection settling in. He paused curiously when Brandon jolted under his touch, skin heating up even more.

It didn't look like the wound was open or bleeding. Nor could Lobo detect any blood in the air as Brandon flinched under his inquisitive touch.

Brandon's hissed intake made Lobo's nape bristle, hair partially shifting as he panicked for a moment, thinking he had unwittingly hurt his marked. Instead, Brandon gently grasped Lobo's wrist, lifting his fingers from his mark.

"It doesn't hurt but it..." He sighed out a stuttered breath, eyes averting to his lap as the young Alpha swallowed thickly. "It's extremely sensitive."

Lobo stilled, fingers hovering a mere breath away from the mark as his mind processed what Brandon just said. Hyperaware of Brandon's touch, fingers still holding his wrist and the faint panted breath that slipped past the Alpha's lips.

"I didn't know." Lobo replied slowly, not sure how to respond to this awkward moment. Nor was he sure how to respond to the instant disgust he felt at himself. Laying his hands on Brandon without consent, provoking those unwanted sensations in the Alpha's body.

Does that make me any better than those Corrupted?

The touch around his wrist tightened for a moment, drawing Lobo's attention to Brandon, who offered him a kind and warm smile. "You didn't know and stopped instantly when I explained. It's okay." Brandon affirmed, making Lobo take a slow and deep breath before sighing it out.

"I'm sorry." The lycan couldn't find any other words but apologize for the moment. Brandon simply shook his head, smiling softly before he groaned. His fingers avoided touching the mark but gently rubbed the muscles around the area.

Observing the young Alpha for a moment, Lobo soon nudged Brandon's fingers away and copied the movement. Brandon seemed momentarily surprised but soon relaxed as Lobo managed to chase off any remaining aches and calmed the protesting muscles.

The young Alpha turned to putty in his hands, trusting him completely even in his weakened state. It made Lobo pause momentarily, honored with the trust Brandon placed in him.

Even though Brandon is an Alpha, Lobo would be considerably stronger than him and given their current situation, could easily overpower Brandon. His brain didn't need to provide him with an example; he had taken over from Jamie and faced the Corrupted on his awakening after all.

Brandon was vulnerable yet trusted Lobo with his life and body. Trusted the Lycan not to take advantage from him and instead depended on him.

Lobo's beast purred at the idea of being trusted and respected, of gaining the entire community's trust and having their backs. The Lycan was still learning but some things were engraved into his soul, taught by instincts.

Protect and nurture your mate.

Currently he might not be able to fulfill all of the duties a Mate should provide with, but he was learning. Besides, he had a feeling that Brandon would prefer getting to know one another fully instead of diving in bed and rutting like animals.

"How are you actually?" Brandon inquired curiously, making Lobo's brows shoot up in surprise and confusion. He wasn't the one who had been marked and currently feverish in bed, aching with each motion he made. Yet the Lycan mulled over the question for a moment, deciding to answer honestly.

Pursing his lips thoughtfully before sighing. "Confused. Frustrated. I don't know how to feel. Everything is new." The lycan grumbled to himself for a moment before pointing out "I'm still learning how everything works and I don't want to make mistakes."

The young Alpha in front of him turned to look over his shoulder and offered Lobo a warm and understanding smile. "Most of us are still learning about new things as well. You'll catch up." Brandon choked, making Lobo huff with amusement before his eyes dropped back down to the mark left on Brandon's shoulder.

"How long does it take to heal?" He questioned, motioning with his chin towards the reddened mark. Instinctively, his beast wanted to reach out and touch it, as if wanting to reassure himself and Brandon it was there. That Brandon was theirs.

Brandon hummed thoughtfully as Lobo made to move away before he was guided down to sit on the bed alongside the young Alpha. Who didn't seem to register Lobo's surprise as he replied, "Depends on how hard the pheromones clash. Anyone who is marked for the first time will have some form of response to it. Alphas being marked by another Alpha, or Lycan in this case, have the second worst response."

"What's the worst one?" Lobo questioned out loud, considering the information Brandon had given him. There was a slight pause from Brandon before the young Alpha sighed.

"An Omega being marked by an Alpha. An Alpha's pheromones is the cause of an Omega being created in the first place, their lack of ability to fight against the absorption of said pheromone has already changed their very being. Being exposed to it for a second time, even in a consensual marking, is difficult for them."

Brandon slowly stretched his limbs and yawned, attempting to get out of the bed. Lobo followed him like a shadow, making sure the young Alpha could stand properly without aid. Even if he was still lost in thought, the lycan wanted to make sure Brandon was safe.

"Will it scar?"

At the question, Brandon glanced at Lobo and nodded. "More than likely. The clash of pheromones will cause a localized change in the cells, making them more sensitive to the invasive pheromones." Brandon air quoted before motioning towards the mark. "If the mark is made permanent by being remarked after I were to mark you, that change is permanent and will trigger with the slightest touch. Apparently so much as breathing on the mark can trigger the cells within."

Lobo made a sound of curiosity and understanding, folding his arms across his chest as he watched Brandon's cautious steps like a hawk. While he wasn't intending to baby the Alpha and smother his independency, he wasn't about to let his newly marked mate faceplant to save his feelings.

He was right behind Brandon when the young man wobbled and grasped his arm. Supporting him without preventing him from stretching the soreness out of his body. It was annoying he couldn't do more, be as knowledgeable as Brandon had been when Sean needed help. Even though Lobo was one of the strongest of the community, right now he felt as weak and useless as a newborn pup.

"It's okay." Brandon murmured, squeezing Lobo's hand gently where it still rested on his arm. "You're new to this. New to everything. It takes time to learn but you already show you're willing to do so."

"Some don't?" Lobo inquired, confused why people would refuse to learn. Especially if it would help those they loved and respected. If someone told Lobo they knew of a way that would aid his family, he would take it without a second thought.

For people to throw away the opportunity to better themselves, to improve the lives of their loved ones... "I don't understand." Lobo growled, shaking his head with another stressed growl. He needed some time to think, to process everything that had happened.

But he couldn't leave Brandon to fend for himself. Especially not in his weakened state, covered in a cold sweat and struggling to move. On the other hand, Lobo could tell that his Beast was getting annoyed, frustrated with their inability to help.

When Brandon's gentle request for a bath met his ears, Lobo was torn. He wanted to help Brandon, truly. But he didn't know if he would be able to control his beast and fight against the instincts warring in his body.

A soft nudge and the scent of Petrichor made Lobo take in a deep breath and sigh. "You may. However, I fear my self-control isn't up to par with yours quite yet. Jamie will take my place, if you don't mind." Lobo spoke before sighing, scratching at the back of his neck. "I... I need a moment."

The last thing the lycan wanted, was to harm the bond budding between them simply because he got too frustrated and lost control. But even though some considered it shameful to announce their own weakness, Lobo knew communication was key.

Hell, his entire existence, their community, was founded on the basis of communication. Without the system informing one another of events, there would be no whole, no unit that existed as one.

When Brandon simply replied with a nod and another smile, Lobo couldn't help but return the gesture. Reaching out to the young Alpha, he let his knuckles gently brush against Brandon's face, enjoying the flush that rushed up to color his cheeks.

And then easily let control flow to Jamie.

The beta blinked, hand still lingering against Brandon's cheek before he chuckled. "I think you flustered the poor lycan." He teased, making Brandon flush even more before they both chuckled. "So. A bath?"

"Please. Normally I'd do it myself but-" Brandon lifted his hand, visibly trembling as he reached for the nearby wall for support. Jamie smiled, shaking his head at Brandon before holding out his arm as support.

When the Alpha accepted the gesture, gratefully latching onto Jamie's arm, the blonde Beta grinned. "Besides, I doubt you want to call in your brother in here for assistance."

"Oh god no." Brandon protested with such a heartfelt groan, Jamie barked out a laugh. They both shuffled towards the bathroom as Brandon amended, "Don't get me wrong, I love Gabriel with all my heart but he's a pain in the ass when he wants to be. He'll annoy me to hell and back if I were to ask him to wash my back."

Jamie snickered, knowing that Brandon was speaking the truth. While Gabriel had been nothing but kind and understanding towards himself and Sean, he had seen how the two brothers often bickered and playfully fought with one another.

If one of them were to ask the other for assistance, they would take the chance with both hands to pester their sibling about it!

"To be fair, I didn't expect you to accept being marked by Lobo, or that you would be the first one to be marked." Jamie confessed, making Brandon look up curiously as he was guided to sit down on the toilet so Jamie could go about filling the tub.

"What did you expect then?" Brandon wondered curiously, sighing softly as the air started to fill with steam and the scent of herbal salts. Jamie hummed to himself, clapping his hands together to get rid of excess salt on them.

"That you'd fall for Sean's Omegan charm and couldn't resist taking a chunk out of him."

Brandon choked on thin air, coughing and wheezing as Jamie quickly wiped his hands clean before smacking Brandon on the back to prevent him from actually choking. Jamie apologized but then smirked as he helped Brandon get ready for his bath.

"Honestly, I'm curious to what drew you into Lobo and accepted his proposal." The Beta grinned at Brandon in such a way, the young Alpha sighed and shook his head.

It probably was too late to ask if Gabriel could help him get a bath...