** Part two of chapter 7 ***

A quiet anticipation settled over Zack as he eagerly reached out again, capturing Brandon's hand in his own. His fingers gently closed around Brandon's, the contrast of their skin tones accentuated by the soft morning light filtering through the window. 

"So," Zack began, his voice soft. "Tell me about yourself, where you are from, your family... everything." His eyes glinting in honest curiosity.

Brandon's body tensed at the inquiry, a reflex to the wave of anxiety that crashed over him. To others, Zack's question might have seemed innocuous, but to Brandon, it was a potential key to a Pandora's box of memories he had desperately tried to forget or a past he couldn't remember.

Images of Mike, his voice laced with the weight of expectation, flashed unbidden in Brandon's mind. He remembered their walk towards the Harrison house, Mike's words a relentless echo: "Remember, you're a 'good' Omega from Regent. Charming, well-mannered, and above all, discreet about your past." The directive was clear, and Brandon had clung to it like a lifeline, using it to construct a facade that concealed the raw and vulnerable truth of his history.

"Uh..." Brandon hesitated, anxiously twisting his fingers in Zack's hold. "My family... they... well, they expect a lot from me." The lie rolled off his tongue effortlessly, leaving a bitter taste behind.

Zack watched him carefully, noting the hesitation in his voice and the way his eyes darted away from Zack's gaze.

"They've always wanted me to be prepared for my future mate," Brandon continued, his voice barely above a whisper. He avoided Zack's gaze, focusing instead on their entwined hands. "I come from a long line of male Omegas and they sent me to Regent to learn how to be a good Omega." Half-truths from stories of  Oliver's  talk of his family spilled out. 

His heart pounded in his chest, it felt wrong to deceive Zack, but what choice did he have? He was told not to couldn't risk exposing his true past and potentially jeopardizing everything.

Zack was silent for a moment before giving Brandon's hand a gentle squeeze. His blue eyes were warm and understanding as he met Brandon's gaze.

"I see," he murmured softly. "Has your family promised you to an Alpha?" Knowing that some families still do pre-arranged bonding. 

"No!" Brandon answered quickly, the word bursting from him before he could stop it. He bit his lip, immediately embarrassed by the outburst. His eyes darted to Zack's, gauging his reaction.

Zack's blue eyes narrowed slightly, catching the haste in Brandon's response. He could sense there was more to the story, an underlying current of tension and fear that Brandon was not ready to share. Zack's heart ached with the desire to probe deeper, to understand and protect the Omega beside him. But worried pushing too hard could cause Brandon to retreat further into himself.

Instead, Zack offered a gentle smile and gave Brandon's hand another reassuring squeeze. "Alright," he said softly, his tone soothing. "You don't have to talk about it if you're not ready." He released Brandon's hand slowly, allowing the Omega to take a breath and regain his composure.

Brandon visibly relaxed at Zack's words, relief washing over him. He nodded gratefully, appreciating Zack's patience and understanding. The tension in his shoulders eased slightly as he settled back onto the bed beside Zack, their proximity still offering a comforting sense of security.

The urge to climb into Zack's lap and confess everything overwhelmed Brandon, yet his primary desire was to express that the alpha before him was his only one.

A comfortable silence settled between them, punctuated only by the soft rhythm of their breathing. Brandon's gaze drifted to Zack's lips, full and slightly parted.  An inexplicable urge to close the distance between them, to feel the warmth of Zack's breath against his skin, washed over him. He leaned in almost involuntarily, drawn by an invisible force he couldn't quite comprehend.

Zack's eyes widened slightly as he registered Brandon's movement. A flicker of surprise, quickly replaced by a smoldering intensity, danced in their depths.  He, too, leaned closer, the space between them shrinking with each passing second.  The air crackled with anticipation, charged with an unspoken promise.

Brandon’s breath hitched as he felt Zack’s warm breath ghosting over his lips. His Omega instincts surged forward, urging him to bare his neck, to submit to the Alpha before him. The air grew thick with their combined pheromones, Brandon's sweet scent becoming richer with arousal as Zack's grew more potent, more demanding. Brandon felt himself producing slick, his body's natural response to his Alpha's proximity. Zack's nostrils flared, catching the change in Brandon's scent, and a low growl rumbled in his chest. His hands tightened slightly where they held Brandon, fighting against the urge to claim, to mark, to possess.

Just as their lips were about to brush, a loud knock echoed through the room, shattering the fragile moment.  Brandon flinched, his eyes snapping open.  The spell was broken, the magnetic pull between them abruptly severed.  He pulled back, a blush creeping up his neck as the reality of their almost-kiss crashed over him.

"Zack? Brandon? Are you guys awake?" It was Benny.

Zack, too, straightened up, a rueful smile playing on his lips.  He ran a hand through his hair, the movement betraying a hint of frustration.  "I guess that's our cue," he murmured, his voice tinged with amusement.

Another knock, more insistent this time, echoed through the room.  A muffled voice called out from the hallway.

Zack sighed, the sound laced with playful resignation.  "Duty calls," he said, glancing at Brandon with a mischievous glint in his eyes.  "But don't worry," he added, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "we'll finish this later."

Brandon’s heart skipped a beat at the promise in Zack's words.  He offered a shy smile in return, the warmth of the almost-kiss still lingering on his lips.

Three more sharp knocks echoed through the room. Then the door burst open, revealing Benny's grinning face.

"Cuddle time's over!"

Benny's voice rang out, his hand resting on his swollen belly as he leaned against the door frame. His yellow eyes sparkled with mischief as he took in the scene before him.

Brandon and Zack sat close on the rumpled bed, their thighs touching. The morning light painted patterns across their faces as Brandon leaned into Zack's warmth. Their fingers remained intertwined, neither willing to break the connection. Zack's thumb traced lazy circles on Brandon's palm, sending shivers up his arm.

A bundle of fabric sailed through the air, hitting Brandon square in the chest. He fumbled to catch the clothes before they fell to the floor.

"Time for morning yoga!" Benny announced, practically bouncing despite his pregnant state. He gestured toward the hallway with a tilt of his head, instructing, "Only omegas; change and meet me downstairs."

"But-" Brandon started to protest.

"No buts!" Benny cut him off, his tone brooking no argument despite the playful smile on his face. "These are sacred Omega bonding hours. Zack can have you back later."

Zack reluctantly untangled himself from Brandon, his movements slow and deliberate. "I should hit the showers." He stretched, his muscles rippling beneath his shirt. "Pete will probably want to talk about the reunion preparations anyway."

Brandon watched as Zack walked toward the door, pausing briefly to look back. Their eyes met, and that familiar electricity crackled between them. Brandon's body ached at the loss of contact, his Omega whining internally at the Alpha's departure. The room still held their mixed scents, a tangible reminder of their almost-kiss, of the way their bodies had responded to each other. Brandon pressed his thighs together, trying to ignore the lingering wetness there, the physical evidence of how strongly his body reacted to Zack's presence. With a small smile, Zack disappeared into the hallway, leaving Brandon alone with the bundle of clothes in his lap.

The yoga outfit was simple -  gray leggings and a tank top with a picture of some sort of house plant on it. The writing said 'Monstera Mama.' Brandon's fingers traced the soft fabric before reaching up to the collar around his neck. The leather was supple, worn smooth from its previous owner. He unclasped it carefully, setting it on the nightstand beside the bed. His neck felt strangely bare without it, vulnerable in a way that made him shiver.

Standing, Brandon stripped off his borrowed clothes. The morning air kissed his skin as he pulled on the yoga pants, the material settling comfortably around his hips. The tank top followed, its fabric draping perfectly across his shoulders. He caught his reflection in the window - the outfit emphasized his lean frame, the cut accentuating the graceful lines of his body.

Brandon gathered his borrowed clothes, folding them neatly and placing them at the foot of the bed. His hand brushed against the collar one last time before he turned toward the door, ready to join Benny for whatever morning ritual awaited him.