Brandon was quieter than normal once they got back to his place. Not that Quinn knew what was normal for him. He headed straight for the shower then slumped on his bed and didn't move for two days. Quinn went on with his days, not caring to bother him after he got ordered to leave him alone the one time he tried to wake him for something to eat.  

"Can you not slam things?" Brandon groaned when he finally emerged from his room, shielding his eyes from the bright light; that was coming in from the living room window of his apartment.

"Sorry. I was just . . ." Quinn stood up, tucking his long bangs behind his ear.

"Just rearranging my entire kitchen," Brandon stated, looking at what used to be in his cabinets now sitting on his countertop.  

"I got bored." Smirked Quinn. More like stir-crazy, "Nothing made sense how you had it set up." Quinn opened the cabinet next to the sink. "See cups next to the sink, silverware next to the stove."

Brandon waved his hand, "Just make sure all of it goes back," giving Quinn a confused look as he headed down the hall to the bathroom.

When he appeared an hour later, Quinn had put everything back and even made himself something to eat, looking up from his plate. "Hot date?"

"Ha." Huffed Brandon, pulling on his riding boots. "I'm heading out." He grabbed his keys out of the glass dish he tossed them in, pointing at Quinn. "No, you can't come. Members only tonight."

And like that, he was gone.

* * * * * *

Tonight was ceremonial. Tonight was the night he would be gifted. They waited till they were back home with their respective chapters before any new man or woman was marked. It was a night of honor. This time of year there was always a lot of partying for them.

Brandon was cheered as he walked into the club. Tonight was for him. He's the only member that has been gifted for the last three years for their chapter. Crash clapped him on the back hard as he walked up behind him.

"Excited?"

"More like fucking nervous," Brandon spoke honestly.

"Oh, it's not that bad." At least it wouldn't be for him anyway. Brandon knew what was going to happen to him in the upcoming month and there was a room full of brothers to back him the entire way.

"You nervous?" Asked Brandon, looking up at Crash, who quickly shook his head no. Though he had his reasons to be.

Crash wasn't a purebred, like most of them, which meant he had to use all of his strength to shift when it wasn't a full moon. Only purebreds could shift with ease, and not every hybrid could shift on command. It was something they had to work on over the years to be able to do.

After Brandon won his fight, he was allowed to pick who turned him. He chose Crash. It was a given and something they all expected it. They were good friends even with the black mark Crash had on him. Brandon didn't care. He wanted to be bonded with someone he could trust.

When a wolf turned a man a link was made, and the two of them would be connected, till they perished. They would be able to sense where the other one was and even how they felt at times if the emotions were powerful enough. Crash had a link to his marker. However, he was a weak one. And he was glad for that too.

The two of them waited on the sidelines till they were called forth by Tonka all eyes would be on them for now. Crash started to unbutton his shirt. It was his only good shirt, and he didn't want it ruined.

This part was relatively simple. Crash would shift and bite Brandon.

The placement was usually decided by the newly gifted. One normally chose a spot that was easily concealed because it would leave a nasty mark. Crash didn't have that luxury. The wolf that bit him took a nice chunk of his thigh. If you looked closely, you could see the slight limp it caused him.

The cheers grew as Crash pushed himself, forcing himself through the pain to stand there on all fours. The look of honor in his eyes as Brandon stood before him. This was a role that some would kill to have to be the maker of more brothers of the night. Brandon was his first. Some men had several blood brothers as they liked to call it. Some had none and were still waiting.

Shifting on his front paws as he walked up next to Brandon. Tonka spoke, "Tonight we honor. We honor our loved ones who have fallen and we honor the new ones who take their place. May the bite bond us all once more."

The room let out a single howl as they welcomed Brandon. Fists pounded on any hard surface within reach as Crash bit down. His sharp teeth pierced the soft flesh of Brandon, letting his mouth fill with blood before he let go.

Crash was one with his wolf shifting when it wasn't a full moon showing that he had the strength to proceed as someone's blood brother.

Brandon didn't let out a sound this was all too surreal for him. He was finally living up to his ancestors, and his best friend was the one making it all happen. Crash licked his mouth as he stepped back.

Tonka walked forward, resting his forehead against Brandon's, "Now your journey truly begins." He whispered, then shouted as he addressed the room. "We fucking celebrate!"

Another howl from the chapter before cheers took over. The room vibrated from all the joy and pride that now filled its walls.