Plaid shirt

Zack.

Brandon's breath caught in his throat as Zack approached through the crowd. His Alpha's black hair gleamed in the morning sun, the shaved side emphasizing the wave of longer strands on top. The glint of his black ear piercings caught the light with each purposeful step. His blue eyes, intense and unwavering, were locked onto Brandon, sending a shiver down his spine.

Though not as tall as the other Alphas, his gait was confident, his broad shoulders cutting a path through the crowd with an easy grace that Brandon found both intimidating and magnetic.

Stop staring. Stop staring. Stop- Brandon forced his gaze down to the craft supplies, but his body betrayed him, instinctively turning toward Zack like a flower seeking the sun. His fingers drifted up to touch the scent patches, his fingertips brushing over the rash, hyper-aware of each step that brought Zack closer.

Brandon's throat went dry as he took in Zack's outfit. The simple black tee hugged his chest, tucked neatly into army green shorts that rode low on his hips. A black belt cinched his waist, drawing Brandon's eyes to the exposed strip of skin where the shirt had pulled loose. In his hand he carried the flannel shirt he had on earlier.

He forced himself to look away, his heart racing. The simple tee shirt shouldn't affect him this way, but something about how the fabric clung to Zack's muscles made his omega instincts stir.

Get it together. He's just another Alpha. But the lie felt hollow even in his own mind. Every cell in his body screamed that Zack was different - special in a way that terrified and thrilled him, a sensation that made him want to bare his throat despite himself.

All others presence faded to background noise as Brandon's senses narrowed to Zack's approaching footsteps, the subtle shift of fabric against skin, the faint trace of his scent carried on the morning breeze.

Seth cleared his throat beside him trying to get Brandon's attention. "I can help you organize those." He gestured to the craft supplies.

But Brandon barely heard him, too focused on controlling his breathing as Zack's scent grew stronger with each step closer. He felt a flush creep up his neck as the Alpha's gaze never wavered. He could feel the weight of Zack's presence, a tangible force that seemed to pull him in, making it hard to breathe.

Benny's expression shifted, a knowing glint in his eyes.

"Seth, honey, why don't you go help your mom with the rest of those bags?" Benny's tone was sweet but firm, brooking no argument.

Seth's brow furrowed, his gaze darting between Brandon and Zack. "But I was just-"

"Now, Seth." Benny's smile widened, gentle but insistent. He made a shooing motion with his hands.

Seth's shoulders slumped, confusion evident on his face as he looked at Brandon one last time. The young Alpha opened his mouth as if to protest, then closed it again, trudging away with the awkward gait of someone who didn't quite understand what had just happened.

"Hey," Zack greeted, his voice a low rumble. He offered a small, almost shy smile, a stark contrast to the commanding aura that surrounded him.

"Hi," Brandon managed to reply, his voice barely above a whisper. He felt suddenly self-conscious, acutely aware of the way his heart was racing, the way his body seemed to lean towards Zack without his conscious command.

"How are you holding up?" Zack asked, his voice low enough that only Brandon could hear.

Brandon hesitated, unsure of how to answer. He was still reeling from the morning's events, the encounter with Alex, and the confusing mix of emotions that Zack stirred within him. But he didn't want to burden Zack with his worries, not when the Alpha was trying so hard to make him feel welcome.

"I'm okay," Brandon finally said, forcing a smile. "Just... trying to keep up with everything."

Zack nodded, his gaze never leaving Brandon's face. "I know the pack is a lot to take in," he said, his voice carrying an undertone of concern.

Brandon's chest tightened at the genuine concern in Zack's voice. No false sympathy or hidden agenda colored his words - just pure, honest care that made Brandon's carefully constructed walls tremble.

He lifted his gaze to meet Zack's, finding those blue eyes filled with an understanding that stripped away his defenses. The Alpha didn't push or demand, didn't try to force Brandon to share more than he was ready to give. Instead, he simply stood there, solid and steady, offering silent support that felt more real than any empty promises Brandon had heard before.

A warmth spread through Brandon's chest, unfamiliar yet oddly comforting.

Is this what it feels like? Brandon wondered. To be valued as more than just an omega? To be seen as... me?

The thought both thrilled and terrified him. He'd learned the hard way that safety was an illusion, that kindness always came with a price. But something about Zack made him want to believe differently.

"Thought you might get cold," Zack said, holding out the shirt. His eyes darted away, then back to Brandon's face, a slight flush coloring his cheeks.

Brandon glanced at the cloudless sky, feeling the warmth of the sun on his skin. The temperature had to be pushing seventy already, making the offer of a long-sleeved shirt almost laughable. But the gesture made his chest tighten with an unfamiliar warmth.

"Thank you," Brandon murmured, accepting the shirt. The fabric was soft from wear, and Zack's scent clung to every fiber. He slipped it on over his t-shirt, the sleeves falling past his fingertips. The collar brushed his nose, and he inhaled deeply, savoring the scent that he was so attracted to.

Zack's chest puffed out slightly, his eyes brightening at the sight of Brandon in his clothes. A low, pleased rumble escaped him before he could catch himself. The sound made Brandon's omega instincts purr with satisfaction.

Their eyes met, and Brandon couldn't help the genuine smile that spread across his face. For a moment, the chaos of the reunion preparations faded away, leaving just the two of them in their own little bubble of contentment.

Zack stepped closer, reaching for his wrist. His fingers brushed Brandon's skin as he began to fold back the first sleeve, the touch sending shivers up Brandon's arm.

"These are a bit long for you," Zack said, his voice low and intimate. He took his time with each fold, his thumbs occasionally grazing the sensitive inside of Brandon's wrist.

Brandon felt his pulse quicken as Zack's calloused fingers grazed his skin. The Alpha's touch was gentle yet purposeful, sending sparks of electricity dancing across Brandon's flesh. He fought the urge to lean into Zack's hands, to bask in the warmth and safety they offered.

Zack's gaze was focused on his task, but Brandon could see the flicker of heat in those blue depths. The Alpha's nostrils flared ever so slightly as he breathed in Brandon's scent, his Adam's apple bobbing with a suppressed swallow.

Brandon bit his lip, his omega instincts thrumming with awareness. He was hyper-attuned to every shift of Zack's body, every minute change in his expression. The world around them seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them in this intimate moment.

As Zack folded the second sleeve, his knuckles brushed the sensitive skin of Brandon's inner wrist. A shudder ran through Brandon's body, his breath catching in his throat. He could feel the steady thrum of Zack's pulse against his own racing heartbeat, the connection sending a jolt of desire straight to his core.

Zack's gaze flicked up, catching Brandon's rapt expression. His lips curved into a small, knowing smile that made Brandon's knees go weak. The Alpha leaned in closer, his scent enveloping Brandon in a heady cloud of musk and pine.

"Better?" Zack murmured, his voice a low rumble that vibrated through Brandon's very being.

Brandon could only nod, his throat too tight to form words. He was drowning in Zack's presence, every fiber of his being attuned to the Alpha's every move, every breath.

"Th-thanks," Brandon's voice barely a whisper. He knew he was blushing. He could feel the heat rising in his cheeks. No Alpha had ever made him feel this way.

Zack chuckled, the sound a low rumble in his chest that vibrated through Brandon’s very bones. "No problem," he murmured, his voice a husky caress. His fingers lingered just a moment too long on Brandon's wrist before pulling away.

Brandon took a steadying breath, letting the familiar mask of confidence slip back into place. His omega training kicked in - the carefully cultivated art of flirtation and control that had been drilled into him. He knew this dance, even if it felt different with Zack.

Brandon tilted his head, his gaze meeting Zack's. A playful smirk curved his lips. "You know," he said, his voice regaining its usual smooth cadence, "I've always been partial to plaid."

His heart raced at his own boldness, but he kept his expression controlled. This was safer ground - the careful game of attraction he'd learned to navigate. Even as part of him rebelled against falling back on old habits with Zack, the familiar patterns offered a shield against the raw vulnerability of moments before.

He ran his fingers along the soft fabric of the shirt's collar, watching Zack's eyes track the movement. The Alpha's pupils dilated slightly, his breath catching in a way that sent a thrill of satisfaction through Brandon. This was what he knew - how to draw an Alpha's attention, how to maintain the illusion of control.

But something felt off about it. Wrong. The practiced moves felt hollow when directed at Zack, like he was reading lines from a script that suddenly didn't fit. The genuine warmth of their earlier interaction lingered, making his careful performance feel artificial in comparison.

"Is that so?" he asked, his eyes twinkling with amusement. Zack played along, his smirk mirroring Brandon's own. He leaned closer, his scent enveloping Brandon in a heady wave of sensation. The Alpha's voice held a playful edge that made his skin tingle. But beneath the surface banter, Brandon sensed something deeper - a genuine warmth that scared him more than any practiced seduction.

This wasn't like the calculated dance he'd learned. This felt real. Raw. Dangerous in its authenticity. Brandon's fingers twisted in the borrowed flannel, seeking anchor as Zack's proximity made his head spin. The Alpha's eyes held none of the predatory hunger he was used to seeing - only genuine interest and that damned twinkle of amusement that made Brandon want to simultaneously run and draw closer.

Brandon forced a coy smile, falling back on his training. "Maybe I should raid your closet more often." The words felt like ashes in his mouth, hollow and rehearsed. His stomach churned as muscle memory took over - the slight tilt of his head, the calculated flutter of his lashes.

This wasn't like with clients, where every gesture was a performance. With Zack, the practiced moves felt wrong, discordant. Brandon's chest tightened as he caught himself automatically shifting his weight to appear more alluring, the way he'd been taught.

He hated how easily the old patterns emerged, tainting something that had felt pure moments before. The genuine connection he'd felt with Zack was being buried under layers of artificial charm, and Brandon couldn't stop himself from retreating behind the familiar mask.

"Your trouble, aren't you?" Zack's voice came out a low growl. The teasing words sent a shiver down his spine, but it was the underlying intensity that made his omega instincts stand at attention. There was something possessive in Zack's tone that both thrilled and terrified him.

Fighting to maintain his composure, he met the Alpha's gaze. "Maybe," he said, proud that his voice didn't betray the rapid beating of his heart. "But isn't that what makes life interesting?"

The words came out more flirtatious than he'd intended, but Zack's responding grin made his breath catch.

"I think you are making my life interesting..." Zack's laugh burst forth, rich and genuine. Brandon found himself mesmerized by how it transformed Zack's entire face - the way his eyes crinkled at the corners, how his features softened with pure joy. The sound wrapped around Brandon like a warm embrace, chasing away the cold memories that usually haunted him.

Seth

Seth watched Zack and Brandon from a distance, his hands shoved deep into his pockets. The strange, restless feeling in his gut wasn't just jealousy - it was something darker, something that made him want to grab Brandon and... and what? Make him submit? Make him look at Seth the way he looked at Zack?

He was new to being an Alpha and the rush of instincts and emotions still overwhelmed him at times. The need to assert himself, to prove his dominance, warred with the lingering insecurities of adolescence. And then there was this Omega, Brandon, who just shows up out of nowhere, making him feel things he doesn't understand, making him want things he shouldn't.

Brandon's scent drifted over on the breeze, and Seth's fingers twitched, imagining how easy it would be to make the Omega notice him. One command, one Alpha order... His newly presented instincts whispered how simple it would be to just take what he wanted. To make Brandon understand who was really in control.

The memory of using his Alpha voice on Reese last week flickered through his mind - how his little sister had frozen mid-sentence, her eyes going wide with fear. He'd been grounded for it, but the rush of power, the absolute control... it had been intoxicating. Even now, the thought made his pulse quicken. Sometimes at night, he'd replay that moment over and over, remembering how her whole body had locked up, how completely helpless she'd been. How perfectly she'd submitted.

His mother didn't understand. None of them did. These weren't just teenage hormones - this was about power. About dominance. About watching someone's will crumble under the weight of your command. About proving he wasn't just some kid playing at being Alpha anymore.

Seth turned away, confusion warring with desire, but the dark thoughts followed him like shadows. He could be patient. After all, he had plenty of time to show Brandon exactly what kind of Alpha he could be. And next time... next time he wouldn't get caught. Next time, he'd make sure his Omega knew exactly who was in control.