#alpha!liam

It wasn't too hot but you could already feel the heat starting to build up. Liam groaned. "Thank god we're having a pool when the heatwave hits." "Hm." Maya made some confirming sounds. They walked in silence for a while. It was still early morning and both were not so awake to have an intriguing conversation. "You excited about the party tonight?" Maya asked after a while. "Yeah. My pack finally meets all of the other packs, which is cool. Kinda feels as if everything comes together." Liam could not wait for the party. "I think now it's the perfect time for meeting new packs. It's time this pack puts itself out there", Maya declared boldly. Liam frowned. "What's that suppose to mean?" She explained: "We spent almost a whole year coming together and figuring things out for ourselves. So much happened already but, in my opinion, we are now at a point where we are solidified in our positions in the pack, we know where we stand. We have to get out there and socialize with other supernatural beings in a good way. The way I see it, no pack - just like no person - is an island. We have to get together with other people, have to make connections, be part of society. To do that properly you need a good base. We established that base all year long. And now, we can make go out and link with other supernaturals." "Just because we make new acquaintances does not mean we abandon the pack." "Yeah." Maya paused. "Have I ever told you my parents came from two companioned packs? That's how they met. So I know how important this is. Not for alliances, that too, still not what I'm talking about right now. But just like we make friends outside of the pack with humans, we also have to make friends outside of the pack with other supernatural beings. Feel free to correct me, you maybe see this different?" "Not really." Liam shook his head. "It's tough to express how I feel about it. In Beacon Hills, it was only us. In the beginning. Then came others, like Brett's and Lori's pack. Still, it wasn't the mass as it is here. Seattle's the bigger town, guess that's the reason. I like meeting new supernaturals, it helps me get a better understanding of this world. Beacon Hills was one horrible being after the other, barely anything nice. Right now, it feels as if I'm experiencing the bright side of this world, and yeah, I like it." "We are happy you're branching out from the pack", Maya let Liam in on a well-kept secret of the pack. Liam would love to say he understood that but not really. "Huh?" "Almost every one of us has some hobby or side activity not involving the pack. Sadie has the university newspaper, Mason has debating society, I have my protests, for example. You don't have something without any involvement of the pack and we noticed. Your Beacon Hills gang said you went to the museum back then and such. You don't do this anymore. It's a pity and we feel it might be because you're just focused on us and our wellbeing." "I don't pay much attention to that", Liam was honest. "It's not like I feel as if I'm missing out. I have a boyfriend, I can do things I like. I have lacrosse." "Where two other pack members play in the team." "I work at Ellie's." "I'm talking about free time here, Liam, and as much as you might like your job, it's still work." "Okay." Liam laughed softly. "But I didn't have many hobbies, to begin with. Lacrosse was my thing. Since that doesn't count..." he teased his female Beta. "It's great you're having so much fun with lacrosse, don't get me wrong. But when we talked about hobbies, we discovered that you don't have many without the pack. You're not the only one, by the way, Caden and Corey also." "Maybe we're just frugal", Liam suggested. Maya snorted. "Right." "Well, we are not unhappy. I know I'm not. Don't think Cade or Cor are." "We know that. It's just something that came up. Wasn't an attack or something." "Didn't think it was. And I guess you're kinda right. I focused on the pack for the last year. Not solely but a lot." Liam had to admit that to himself and anybody else. "I accepted the Alpha spark and from that point on it felt like a snowball running. Met you, Sadie, Ever, Theo got sick, Nolan came back, the wendigo, the first Alpha, and so on. Sometimes I lost track of time and when I realize I'm an Alpha for almost a year, I sometimes can't believe it. Where did the year go?" He shook his head in wonder. "And once again, I have to say right now feels like a new beginning. Like our season two, so to speak.  New challenges but also new friends and opportunities. We have to finish the semester and then spring break. Those are the next key events for me."

They arrived at the bakery. It stood in line with a butchery and a grocery store. The square in front of the stores was cleanly swept, some trees placed around strategically with some benches underneath. Liam guessed it had something to do with the neighborhood. Everything was spotless here. Neat. The houses around were expensive and he suspected this was why it looked like that. "Feels like this is a little town on its own, not part of Seattle", Maya voiced what Liam had thought. He grinned. "When I bought it, I was told the neighborhood was lovely and boomed during holidays. Around Christmas, the streets will be full of lights and decorations. I'm excited about it." Liam entered the bakery after Maya. The store was just as neat and the outside and the woman behind the counter greeted them friendly. The range of baked goods was mouthwatering and they even had a little coffee corner. "Look at that!" Maya was as amazed as Liam was. They spent the next few minutes choosing various muffins and bagels before they each got a coffee, paid, and left the store with pale blue boxes holding their loot. "Do you think summer break will be difficult?" Maya asked. Liam sipped his coffee and shrugged. He considered his answer and swallowed. "Different, not difficult. It will be strange for sure, for weeks we will only have contact over the phone not in person. But I also think it will be beneficial for all of us. Just like a child going on vacation without their parents for the first time. And once we're all back together, we have stories to tell." "I'm excited to return home. My aunt and I won't be traveling much but just coming home, to the house I left as a completely different Maya, feels good. Now I have control. I can manage. My aunt is proud of me. I never thought this day would come." "I'm pretty sure your aunt was always proud of you. But the control thing I get. And coming home, after you changed so much, I also get the feeling. I'm not sure how I would feel if I returned to Beacon Hills." Liam would spend the summer break in Hawaii. Theo came with him, of course, they would meet his parents there, but a trip to his hometown was not on the list. For the moment, he didn't need to. "Wouldn't you like it to return and meet people after you changed so much?" Maya questioned him. Liam shrugged. "Not sure. I didn't have to return home since becoming an Alpha, I don't know what to expect. I'll make my mind up about it once the occasion arises." He continued to sip from his coffee. "Maybe you have become too large for Beacon Hills", Maya mused.

They continued their walk and once they reached the house, they found Brett and Nolan on the front porch. Not that those two noticed Maya and Liam approaching, since both were wrapped around each other and more concerned with sucking tongue than watching out for anyone else nearby. "Why is it always me who stumbles over kissing pack members?" Liam joked. Maya cackled. "You two are incredibly impolite!" Brett complained after he tore himself away from Nolan. "Hey, you two were the ones blocking the front door with your making out", Liam replied without a care in the world. "Yeah, think about that!" Nolan tried to one-up him and then considered how lame that was. "Damn!" "Does that mean you two are a real couple or is this still the figuring things out stage?" Maya was not curious, not at all. "Couple." Nolan laced his fingers with Brett and raised their hands. "Not letting that one go." "You beat me to that reply." Brett smiled at his boyfriend and kissed Nolan's knuckles. "Even though I still would have loved the announcement via billboard." "You're a dork", Nolan replied fondly and kissed Brett again. Liam took that as his cue to push both out of the way and open the door.

"There you are", Theo said when he spotted him. Liam raised the boxes in his hand. "We got breakfast. Your favorite muffins are inside here as well." "Aw, I love you." Maya peaked behind Liam. "Does that also count for me?" "I love you in a completely different way than Liam. You're more of my annoying little sister", Theo replied jokingly and she gave him a playful shove with her shoulder when she brushed past him. Theo reached out to take the boxes from Liam. Liam whereas kept them and stared at his boyfriend. "Quick question, Maya said you talked about me not having any hobby without the pack's involvement. What's up with that?" To his credit, Theo looked the tiniest bit guilty. He cleared his throat. "I mean, it's true, right?" "Yeah. I'm just surprised you didn't tell me about that. Usually, you're pretty straightforward with those things." "It's not a problem. Why should I bring it up? If I feared you were unhappy, I would have said something." Theo grabbed one box from Liam when his Alpha didn't move them out of reach. "Besides, you have begun finding your own things recently." Liam squinted. "Were you worried about me?" "Sometimes", Theo confessed, "I love you and have always worried about you. We talked about you being capable. Doesn't stop me from worrying though and yes, sometimes I fear you focus too much on making other people happy and forget yourself a little bit." The worry was sweet and Liam wasn't angry. A little bit confused that his friends all seemingly shared this thought but they all looked out for each other. He as the Alpha was no exception. His Betas had his back and protected him as much as Liam protected them. A good feeling. "You're cute." He knew Theo hated this word relating to himself. "Now, why don't you run and grab Brett and Nolan. They're making out on the front porch." "They're doing what now?"

****** "According to the directions you have to take a right turn here and then follow the road. There is only one street, so I'm not sure why you want me to check with the map. What's your plan? Breach and slam your truck against a tree? Your choice. Left or right? Which tree should it be, given we're currently on a freaking road seamed by forest left and right?" Liam nagged his boyfriend. As much as he loved the older man, the ex-chimera managed to get on his nerves sometimes. If his truck was involved it was especially bad. Take right now. They were on their way to Luka's house and Theo had insisted Liam used the map from the glove department. Not that he was not using the navigation system in his truck, no he used that too but wanted Liam to double-check. "Maybe there is a junction!" "This is a forest!" Liam, Brett, Nolan, and Lori called out. True. After they left the main road (and just like Luka had described it to Liam and why would Liam doubt him? Luka knew where he lived and how to get to his own home, thank you very much, Theodore!) the paved road had narrowed and wound between trees in all shades of green. No chance at swinging off if you didn't want to crash your car. "I was just checking!" Theo defended himself and Liam snorted. His boyfriend shot him a glare but Liam ignored it as much as possible. It was one of their usual spats, without any real anger, just the two of them riling each other up. They were good at those and the better they knew each other, the more those evolved.

Suddenly a big house appeared several feet in front of them. Liam jumped in his seat, not due to the building, but due to Brett's head suddenly appearing between the driver and the passenger seat. "Sick! Are you sure you didn't miss a turn and drove us straight to Italy??" He all but yelled and Liam held his left ear. "Thanks for making me go deaf, Brett!" But yeah, Brett also had a point, The house looked straight from a travel brochure about the sunny vineyards in Tuscany. Same building style as those villas there with bright walls and red shingles on the roof. "How unbelievable pretty." Lori was quieter than her brother but also mesmerized by the appearance. "That is a house. No, screw that, that's a mansion", Theo declared. Liam nodded slowly. He had never paid much attention to his friend's monetary status but that house was bigger than theirs and now he felt kind of silly for never thinking about it before. His jaw had dropped and the closer they came, the more it dropped.

They drove through opened iron gates with some intriguing design on them (Nolan exclaimed he would like to ask what it represented) and past a small fountain sparkishly purling water. The fountain served as some sort of center for the round driveway. Theo now stopped his truck in front of the red entrance door. Liam still gaped. To the left was a garage with closed gates but from what he could see, it could hold more than three cars. A small red car was parked in front of the garage. Then came the main building with two floors and on the right side you could walk around the house. Liam would take a shot in the dark and say this led to the garden. "Impressive!" Mike commented after he got out of Liam's car. The rest of the pack filtered in from the truck, Liam's car, and Ever's car. A door in the garage gate opened and out came a tall, broad-shouldered man with dirty blonde hair. He nodded at them in a welcoming gesture. "Hello. I'm Holden. Welcome to our home." Liam's pack greeted politely and Holden nodded at Theo's truck. "Yours?" "Yes." Theo nodded. "It's in impeccable condition. This model has some problems and you rarely see them be in good repair." "I try my best. It's my truck after all and I want it to last", Theo acted as if this was nothing but Liam knew how proud his boyfriend was and how much work he had put in the car.

"They're here for five minutes and you're already talking about cars? Seriously?" The front door had opened and a brunette woman stepped out. Her wavy hair fell loosely over her shoulders and her lips curved into a bright smile. "Hi, I'm Delaney!" She introduced herself to Liam and his pack. It wouldn't have really been necessary, she had the same impish features around the eyes her brother had and the same dimples. Holden scoffed. "Cut your hair again. You are so much nicer when your hair is shorter." His tone was fond, like an older brother talking to his sister. Luka had described Holden as his brother cause they grew up together. So he also grew up with Delaney and their banter made sense. "Nonsense!" Delaney waved her arm around. "I'm a delight, all the time. Every time." "Says who?" Holden questioned sarcastically. She left him behind in favor of tending to the Morning Dew Pack. "Come inside, have something cool to drink. My brother will be with us shortly. And you, Holden, wash your hands. Why do you always have to hide in the garage when we're having guests over?" Holden mumbled something but didn't follow when she ushered the group inside.

"Your house is incredible. I really thought we were in Italy!" Mason complimented Delaney and she smiled proudly. "Italy is big in our family so my dad had it built years ago. We all love it. Some little Mediterranean flair in North America." She led them past a large staircase leading to the upper floors, and towards the right side of the building, right into the kitchen. The kitchen itself held almost the same appliances Liam had, with one kitchen island in the middle. Two other women were currently working there but quit their chatting to greet the visitors. "This is Bryn and that over there is Lynn." "Hi! So glad you're here!" Lynn waved at them and beamed. Her blonde curls bounced around her petite face and her blue eyes shone with such excitement, you immediately liked her. All in all, she looked like a doll and Liam remembered Luka saying people underestimated her. Sadie had the same problem but he knew she could kick ass. Lynn probably too. Bryn, compared to Lynn, seemed more reserved, even though her smile was warm and welcoming. She seemed shyer. Her hair was dark brown but with blonde highlights and currently put up in a braided bun, with only some curls framing her face. "It's so nice to meet you." Her voice was softer too, not as enthusiastic as Lynn's but that wasn't a bad thing. "Would you like some lemonade? I made it this morning." "Homemade lemonade is always a great thing. Know how to make homemade lemonade and you have a place in my heart," Corey gushed. She beamed at him and then proceeded to fill enough glasses with everyone. "Bryn knows how to make a ton of homemade things. She's a great baker and cook, uses a lot of vegetables and fruits she grows in the garden!" Lynn praised and Bryn blushed softly. "Stop it." "This is so cool. I thought about cultivating things in our garden but I haven't made my mind up about it yet", Liam told Bryn. She pointed outside a window. "If you want, I can give you some tips later? Even share some seeds and I can bring you a box of what I harvested. It's too much for us anyway." "If that wouldn't be much trouble, yes, please! Oh, I'm Liam. We haven't really introduced ourselves. Sorry." "Nah, don't worry. She cyber-stalked you." Delaney pointed her thumb at Lynn. "We know all of your names, Instagram is fruitful." "They both stalked you. I tried to allure them from it but what can you do?" Bryn corrected and her friends gaped at her. She giggled. "Ah, our stalking unit are these two." Mike pointed at Mason and Sadie and both protested at first but then agreed. "Not all of your pack members are on Insta, right?" Sadie inquired. "They are, but some private and some under different names", Lynn explained. Bryn distributed the glasses with lemonade to everyone. An older man approached a door from the outside and opened it. His dark blonde hair was grey in some spots, he was clean-shaven, and looked fit. "Hello, everybody. I am Simon. Welcome to our lovely home." He stepped closer and extended his hand for Liam. "You're Liam Dunbar." "Nice to meet you, sir. Yes, I am." Liam shook his hand. It was a firm handshake, Simon knew how to grab things, and Liam was almost certain that extended over other areas of his life. Luka had told him, Simon had been the advisor of the pack, after all. "And you are Theo Raeken? The second Alpha?" Simon now dropped Liam's hand and greeted Theo. Theo also shook his hand. "Indeed, sir, nice to meet you." "So you're for Liam what Sandro is for Luka. Wonderful." He also dropped Theo's hand. "If you want you can already join us outside. Unless Will manages to make the grill explode, it should be safe", Simon joked and they all laughed. "Will and Sandro are the pack's answer to the Weasley Twins from Harry Potter. You know, cheeky jokes, pranks, that type of thing", Delaney filled Liam's pack in while they followed Simon outside.

In the garden stood already a table with plates, cutlery, and glasses. Garlands and fairy lights hung above the table and between some wooden poles, a big grill was already fired up, two men stood in front of it.  They turned around when the group came closer. Both with dark hair, one just curly, the other not. They shared almost identical smiles. "Hey, our guests have arrived!" The curly-haired one said. "Astute observation, dearest cousin", the other teased him. He left the grill and waved. "Hey, I'm Will." "And I'm Sandro!" "And you're watching Disney Channel!" Delaney, Bryn, and Lynn said at the same time. Simon looked amused at their antics but then hurried over to the grill and tend to the meat already on it. He probably feared Sandro and Will would burn it. "Okay, now we're here, who is missing is my brother. Where is my brother?" Delaney looked around. "He's in the office, a contractor is causing problems. He will be with us shortly." Holden had joined the group again. "Just wanted to make sure he didn't go on a run." "He went on a run this morning, I accompanied him. Afterward, we transformed again, had a shower, and waited patiently for the party to start", Sandro defended Luka. "You showered together?" Lynn piped in. Sandro made a retching sound. "Gross. I'm gay but he's like my brother. I mean, yes, we are two attractive friends but not so much attraction I would sleep with him." "Jesus", Simon muttered. Mason and Liam looked at each other and began laughing. Mason had said the same thing about Liam at one point. "But wait, if you say transformed...Does that mean Luka can shift?" Tim had picked that up almost immediately. "We all can", Sandro said casually. Liam and his friends stared at him. What? "You all, the whole pack, can shift into actual wolves?" Lori could not believe this. "It's not clear what enables the ability to transform. But this pack managed to gather individuals with this special talent", Simon added. "So cool", Caden mumbled devoutly.

"What is cool?" Luka walked out of the house and joined them. "Our powerful Alpha! And here we thought you would never show your face", Delaney joked. "Hey, business is business. Didn't know you would miss me so much, sis. And hello, guys." He greeted Liam's pack. No time for further niceties since the doorbell rang. Luka turned around and disappeared into the house again.

And he appeared again moments later with Maddie in tow. "Maddie!" Liam greeted her happily and she hugged him. "Hey, Liam and the others." "No Asher?" Corey was a tad disappointed. Since the first meeting, Asher, Mason, and Corey had stayed in contact and even met up two more times. They had considered him being here a no-brainer. "I wanted to bring him but his father called and ugh!" She rolled her eyes and stuck her tongue out in distaste. But then her face lit up again. "Yet I didn't come alone." Only now they all noticed the blonde woman who had followed Maddie and Luka into the garden. She now raised a hand. "Hi, everybody, I'm Jade." "Vampire, right?" Mason, straight to the point. "One of the ones following Meadow, yep." Jade nodded. "Fantastic. Is that everybody?" Simon had turned the meat on the grill and was only now ushered away by Will. "Sava texted me they won't make it this early but they will join us later", Luka declared. The nickname came easy, Savannah herself had texted them all days ago they could use Sava or Savi if they didn't want to say or write her whole name. "So, let's start. Please, have a seat. Who wants a drink?"

They all went and found a place for themselves on the large table. Will turned out to be a god at the grill (with Simon's help, of course) and soon they all could eat. "I hope you have the steak extra bloody", Maddie joked. Will grasped his chest. "That's the only way we werewolves eat it. I was never aware there could be other choices. Please, tell me more, lady." She laughed and was brave enough to actually try a steak. When she tasted it, she hummed. "This is good." "Will is a chef. Every type of food he touches is amazing. Thank god for werewolf metabolism", Lynn sighed and drank from her wine. Conversation flowed easily around the table after that, they all got to know each other better, just as it had been planned. Liam talked with Holden and Maya about college and expectations from life. After Liam had explained his problem with his major and what he wanted to do after college, Holden was on his side. "The same for me. I graduated with a Women's Rights major but before I even finished my college education, I knew this wasn't what I wanted. Sometimes we realize what we want to do as a job is more of a hobby and what we saw as a hobby is actually what we want to do. I get what you're saying, Liam, I made the same decision once." He was a very understanding character and Liam noticed how carefully Holden listened. He had his full attention on the other persons in the conversation, a very comfortable feeling. Maya was now highly zealous. "You majored in Women's Rights?" "Yeah. The topic is close to my heart and there is still so much that needs to be done in this world. We, as a society, have to do something and I wanted to be part of the solution." The young Alpha smiled as he watched them dissolve in a very animated discussion and turned to his other side. There sat Maddie, Mason, and Will and they talked about the general perception of vampires. "Oh please, this is the Hollywood image of us vampires. The brooding lovers, pained by the thought of their eternal love aging and dying while they stay young and beautiful. And the tantalizing choice of turning them or not turning them." She raised her hand to her forehead and acted as if she was about to faint. "Bullshit!" She sat up straight. "Over the ages vampires managed to find a solution for this problem. With the help of other supernaturals and potions, we can also age. And we can drink a certain potion to fall into a neverending sleep. Some vampires live surrounded by humans and have to fit in. Sure, some of our kind do live this Hollywood image lifestyle but most of us are actually reasonable." "This is strangely upsetting", Mason confessed. "Not that you can do that and that Hollywood lied but that there could be vampires around without any of us noticing." Maddie just gave him a cheeky grin and drank her wine. "May I ask how old you are? I have this on my list since day one but it never came up." "I'm 317...Or 318?...No, 317...316?..No, no, 317." Maddie had to actually do some math. The three guys laughed and she joined them. "Then tell me, what era did you like the most?" Will questioned and swirled the rest of his wine in his glass. "Hm, okay, let me preface by saying every age and era had their problems and never was everything absolutely fine. Modern times are fine, we don't have to boil our food anymore. But I really loved the Roaring 20's. Dancing the Charleston was so much fun and I loved the dresses there. The glamour, the parties." "The Charleston...It's been a while since I learned and danced it but might giving me a refresher?" Will put his glass on the table, stood up, and held his hand out for Maddie. She chuckled but still followed him. Bryn manned the music player and when Will told her what they were trying to do, she searched for a fitting song. Soon she found one and they started dancing while the rest of their friends hollered. "Is that the Charleston? I always wanted to learn the dance!" Sadie was amazed. Will extended his hand towards her. "Sure, the more, the merrier." She happily jumped to her feet and joined. Mason followed closeby and Maddie began explaining the steps. Lynn swarmed around them and snapped pictures after pictures. At one point during the party, she had talked about her job as a photographer and went to her room to grab her camera as well as a polaroid camera. The polaroid camera was making its way around, everybody snapped a picture at some point, some sillier than others, but always really funny.

"Hello, hello, hello. We're right in time for the part-ey!" Savannah and her Betas rounded the house, in the best party mood. Their welcoming was heartfelt and cheerful. Her black-haired Beta dashed past her. "Hello! My name is Carmen but I love this dance and have to join!" She yelled and settled next to Mason to dance with them. "Oi, Carmen, way to make an impression!" Paola laughed. "Let her be, Paola, enjoy the time. I'm Beatriz everyone. Hello." Beatriz was the oldest of the bunch but still dressed very colorful and lively. Savannah meanwhile happily hugged Luka and Liam. "Glad you could make it!" Luka greeted her and she kissed his cheek. "Grab yourself drinks and enjoy your stay at casa Barrett." "Oh, I will." She disappeared to greet everyone if they knew them or not. Luka leaned on the backrest of the chair next to Liam. "That was a good idea." Liam looked around. His friends were all laughing. He saw Caden sitting with Jade, Tim, and Delaney and they were laughing like crazy about something. Ever talked with Simon. Theo had sat next to Holden and they were involved in a conversation where sometimes Sandro joined from the other side when he wasn't talking with Mike. Brett had pulled Nolan on the makeshift dancefloor and the new couple was laughing. "Can't remember when I've last seen them so boisterous", he admitted. "Yeah, me neither." Luka had watched his pack as well. He smiled gently. "I think some new friendships started tonight. And a complete platonic crush from one of my best friends on your boyfriend's car." Liam chuckled. "Theo loves his truck and is very proud of it. I think he will entertain this crush." "Good, good." They looked at each other and laughed before Luka took the last swig from his beer bottle. "Want another one as well?" He asked Liam. "I'll come with you." Liam didn't plan on just sitting in his chair and watch the party without getting involved.

The two werewolves ventured into the kitchen where Luka pulled two beers from the fridge and handed Liam one. "I must admit, it feels good to make connections with other supernaturals again. Ones who actually live close by. Our nearest companioned pack lives in Canada", Luka let Liam know and opened his bottle. "We have the ones at the lake but that's our pack. And then maybe my old pack in Beacon Hills." Although Liam was not completely sure where he stood with Scott. They were friends and helped each other but both Alphas focused on their packs and didn't have much contact for the moment. Maybe this was also part of growing up. "I don't believe in dragging others into my fights. But it's good to know who will be by your side when push comes to shove." And could Liam not relate to that opinion. He had been through so much already and people he initially trusted turned on him, so he valued loyalty very high. He nodded.

"There you are." Maddie and Savannah walked into the kitchen. "Are you hiding from us?" "Yeah, that's the point of the whole party. To hide from you", Liam replied and Maddie gave him a playful shove. "Don't get funny with me, mister." Liam laughed and raised both hands. "Alright, alright." Savannah slapped Luka's arm hard. "How could you?" "Ow!" He stared at her with an incredulous laugh. "How could I what?" "Not tell me what a fine hunk Holden is!" He sighed. "Sava, should I ever talk about the guy I grew up with, the guy who's like my brother, as a fine hunk, please send me to the nearest asylum!" To the end of the sentence, Luka's voice had a fake pleading tone. Liam and Maddie laughed. Savannah was still on his case. "Is he single?" "Everybody in my pack is currently single. By all means, shoot your shot."

Despite his "puppy ways", Liam rarely met anybody he wholeheartedly liked and trusted after a short amount of time. It was probably his best-kept secret and he was willing to bet not even Theo knew. Liam was good at appearance, had learned it after his childhood and after his diagnosis. Living as a werewolf only solidified that. Only if you were willing to give him something significant in return, he warmed up to you faster. Byron had managed that, for example. With his open character and willingness to take Liam seriously. Mason back in the day too. Because he never shied away from Liam and didn't care what other kids said about him. And now the other three supernatural leaders as well. Maybe Maya was right when she said it was good Liam had found something not immediately pack related. No, she was definitively right.

"You okay?" Maddie gently nudged Liam's arm. "You're quiet." Her concern was touching and Liam smiled softly. "Just thinking. Maya said this morning she's happy I found something without other pack mates with you. Apparently, I focused too much on the pack and don't have hobbies without my Betas and my Betas were worried about me." Liam kept his tone light, he didn't want them to think he was complaining about Maya. Luckily his new friends didn't seem surprised. Savannah looked at Luka and Meadow. "I know I did the same, how about you?" Casual question. "Yeah", Luka confirmed. "It's what I call the Alpha hole." Maddie debated on the question a little bit more: "Liam, every leader, every good leader, of a supernatural group has done that. You have to establish things first. For yourself and the ones following you. So everybody knows which direction it's going. It's normal." "In this regard, the leader is like a parent. The kids come first", Luka chimed in, "Their happiness and wellbeing come first, then comes you." "Even if you take over from another Alpha and want to continue their type of leadership, you are your own person and you need to figure out things on your own. It's a strange sense of belonging and loneliness at the same time. You have to evaluate which way to go, which direction to take. It can feel overwhelming. The proverbial image of a hole fits very well", Savannah agreed. Liam had to chuckle at that. "I'm good at falling into holes." Yet he wondered: "So that doesn't mean I made a colossal mistake in my early Alpha life?" "No. It means you take being an Alpha seriously. A very good trait if you want to be a good Alpha", Maddie affirmed. Liam huffed. "Will this ever stop? Focusing on the pack so much?" "You will get better at balancing it more", Luka promised with a comforting smile. Liam believed him. All of them really. Savannah, ever one to use an opportunity, was already onto another thing. "But, just to ensure all of us don't get so caught up with our groups and forget ourselves, how about regular hanging outs? Just the four of us? Getting something to eat or going to the movies? Bi-weekly? At least once a month?" "I'm game. When I'm not traveling for work, I will come." Luka liked the idea. "It's a good idea. Count me in", Liam also decided. Maddie nodded as well. Savannah looked pleased.

"There's the Alpha Squad." Mike showed up in the doorway, polaroid camera in hand. "Alpha Squad? I'm not really an Alpha", Meadow corrected gently. He shrugged. "You're leading a supernatural group and you hang with three Alphas. To simplify it, we will call you Alpha as well. So Alpha Squad, say cheese!" He raised the camera and took a picture of the four persons in the kitchen. "Huh, can't really argue with that", Maddie admitted. "Well then, Alpha Squad it is." Liam thought it sounded fun.

________________________________

Author's note:

The members of the other groups in no particular order:

The werewolves:

Delaney Barrett

Bryn Yates

Holden Welling

Simon Welling

Lynn Erikson

Alessandro "Sandro" Townsend

William "Will" Murral

The were cheetahs:

Pilar Merediz

Beatriz Ramos

Carmen Diaz

Paola Catala

The vampire:

Jade

______________________________________

“You should just take my advice,” Will slurred. He rocked back on his barstool, tossing the last dribble of alcohol down his throat from the glass in his hand.

“And sell myself?” Killian squeaked, aghast. He watched the rum swirl around the bottom of his glass, shaking his head at his friend’s suggestion. “No thanks, mate.”

Will slammed his glass down on the bar, making Killian jump. “It’s not selling yourself,” Will insisted, waving Liam over to their position. “William Jones!” He sang, grinning from ear to ear, his eyes wide with excitement.

Liam sighed as he approached, rubbing the inside of a glass with a towel. “My name is not William.”

Will screwed up his face. “Of course not,” he scoffed with a wrinkled nose. “There can’t be two of us named Will.”

“Well, there could,” an equally as drunk Killian countered.

“You’re right, mate, there bloody well could be,” Will agreed, swaying sideways.

“Did you call me for any particular reason?” Liam interrupted, flicking the slightly damp towel over his shoulder and leaning forward on to the bar.

“Oh, Liam! Good, you’re here,” Killian observed drunkenly as if his brother hadn’t been there the whole time. He licked his slightly dry lips before taking a breath and pointing to Will. “Now, tell Will here that I have no need for any of his schemes.”

“Schemes?” Liam asked, looking to Will.

“I simply suggested that your brother here,” Will emphasized by slapping Killian on the shoulder. “Takes my advice and takes the job I’m offering him.”

“It’s not a job.” Killian shook his head.

“You’re right, it’s a bloody privilege,” Will countered.

“What job?” Liam’s interest was piqued.

“It’s bloody prostitution,” Killian slurred.

“What job, lads?” Liam insisted in a parental tone. “Tell me now, or the bar’s closed.”

Will and Killian looked between each other and then back to Liam as if he had just punched them both in the face. “Alright, mate, no need to get larey.” Will scrunched his nose and Killian made a childish noise through his grin.

“Larey?” Liam echoed, high voice jumping higher. “Quite the contrary. If you have an idea that would get my little brother back into work and off my sofa, I would like to hear it.” He looked between the two men as if they were naughty children being scolded.

“Younger,” Killian grumbled through a burp in the back of his throat. “Nothing about me is little, brother, I assure you.”

Will laughed, deep and throaty, nudging Killian with a cheeky smile. “Exactly why I’m offering you this opportunity.”

“What opportunity?!” Liam shouted, slapping his hand down on the bar, silencing the near empty pub. A few men stopped their drinking, turning to look over to the three of them, before realising there was nothing worth stopping for and resuming their consuming.

Will tutted, rolling his eyes back in his head and slumping his shoulders as if Liam should already know. ”Knot for hire!” he declared enthusiastically, ignoring the way Killian brushed off his words with an exasperated sigh.

“I beg your pardon?” Liam blinked.

“Knot for hire!” Will repeated, rapping his knuckles on the bar proudly, ignoring the way Liam slowly blinked again. “You know,” he encouraged, “when an Alpha-”

Liam stopped him quickly, halting him with a wave of his hand. “I know what it means.”

“It’s bloody mad,” Killian declared, the room spinning.

“It’s bloody brilliant,” Will countered, shuffling himself forward on his stool until his knees bumped into the underside of the bar. “Imagine, fucking for money-”

“Like a prostitute,” Killian interrupted hastily.

“Like a professional,” Will said quickly. “All you have to do is give ‘em a taste of what they will never have! And not only that, you get paid to do it.”

“I can’t just knot on command,” Killian said defensively, the tips of his ears turning a rosy pink.

“You don’t actually knot ‘em,” Will shrugged.

“Then I can’t just-,” Killian scoffed, but he was quickly interrupted by his friend.

“It’s not that hard,” Will chuckled. “You just imagine the most beautiful lass you’ve ever seen, or lay back and think of England.”

“God save the Queen,” Liam added, smirking when Killian’s eyes met his.

“You can’t seriously think this venture to be a good idea?” He scoffed.

“Why not?” Liam shrugged, looking his brother up and down. “You’re a handsome young fellow with nothing but love to give,” he snorted, trying to finish his words before the laugh caught up with him. Killian shot him a glare and Liam covered his mouth to stifle another laugh. “Oh come on, Killian. You think I haven’t heard you in my bathroom? My walls are not that thick, brother,” he smirked.

Killian’s cheeks turned the same colour as his ear tips, only just hidden by the overbar lighting that cast a dim orange glow over the three of them. Liam was right, in the most embarrassing of ways.

“Say I do agree to this,” Killian began, waving a finger at Will. “What’s in it for me?”

“You mean aside from the obvious?” Will winked cheekily but Killian just took a breath in frustration. “Alright then, let’s see.” He studied his friend, cocking his head from side to side as he sized him up, even going as far as to peel the sides of Killian’s jacket open to ‘inspect the goods’. “At your age-”

“Hey now, watch it mate,” Killian warned.

“I’d say about five to ten,” Will estimated, waving a hand from side to side in front of himself.

“Hundred?” Liam asked eagerly, the idea of getting his brother out of his flat too tempting.

“Thousand,” Will clarified, much to the shock of both Jones brothers. “More if someone really wants you.”

“That’s a lot of money,” Liam thought aloud.

“What do you mean by, ‘really wants you’? Killian asked his friend with a suspicious glare.

Will shrugged, his whole body moving. “They pick us out of a book, mate, I don’t know. All you have to do is be an Alpha with desirable traits.”

“Well, that’s me out then,” Killian sighed, deflated. He had never been as big and imposing as his brother, or as muscular as other Alphas. “Desirable traits I have not.”

“But have you looked in the mirror lately?” Will grabbed Killian’s shoulder and turned his friend until he was facing him. “Perfect blue eyes, just the right amount of hot to get ‘em going, and you know as well as I do, mate, that you can certainly turn on the charm when you need to.”

“I am hotter than you,” Killian grinned wickedly, nudging his friend with his elbow.

“Yes, you are,” Will agreed earnestly. “And if some rich Beta is willing to pay seven grand for me to fuck ‘em, just imagine what you could get.”

And Killian did. All night, in fact. He tossed around on the uneven cushions of Liam’s sofa two or three times before he decided enough was enough. Living with his brother had its perks, but it also had the inevitability that came from two Alphas living in such close quarters. So far, their ruts had never coincided, but it was only a matter of time before they synced and were at each other's throats.

Killian pushed himself over, fumbling around in the darkness for his cell phone nearby. He located it quickly, tugging the charging cable from the device and flopping back into position on the couch. The screen lit up the entire room when he unlocked it, the blue light dilating his pupils in the darkness. Killian located Will’s contact information, sending him the quick text message that would seal his fate, one way or another.

“I’m in.”

--

“This is a bad idea,” Killian whispered to himself as he drove up the very long driveway and the home of his first client came into view. It was massive, the outside as white as snow and every surface visibly as smooth as marble. Maybe it was marble, who knew? All Killian knew was that as he pulled up in his slightly worse for wear black Chevelle SS, the sound of the engine was drowned out by how awesome a sight the mansion was. Even the stones on the driveway were white, the chalking dust sticking to his tyres as the wheels crunched over them, the brakes only squeaking a little as he pulled to a stop directly outside the front door.

Killian let out a steadying breath, knuckles white with how hard he was gripping the steering wheel. Nervous didn’t cover how he felt. Will had assured him that when an agent of Mr. Humbert’s had approached him to go over some ‘important details regarding discretion’, that it was normal, par for the course, but now he was at the house, Killian couldn’t help but feel a little intimidated. Graham Humbert was a man well known, but not for what he was, but for what he wasn’t. Graham Humbert was a Beta, born into a long line of Alphas, and the man had an ego the size of a large country to compensate.

Intimidated just a little bit, Killian forced himself from the car and closed the door behind him. Somehow the house looked even bigger from the bottom of the twelve, huge, smooth, white stoned steps that stretched across the entire front of the house, but Killian decided that he had come this far. It was only a consultation of sorts, to see how ‘compatible’ he would be with the client, still a mystery in Killian’s eyes.

Was it Graham? Was there such a need for high discretion because the world’s most famous non-Alpha was actually gay? Killian himself was not opposed to male company, but as an Alpha, he was always in charge, something he didn’t think a man like Graham Humbert would submit to easily. Maybe Killian was wrong and he would, blaming the stresses and strains of his high profile lifestyle for his need to feel so wanton. With a shake of his head, and a quick mental reminder of just how much Graham Humbert had offered him for his services - $12,000, introductions pending - Killian reached out and pressed his finger to the doorbell button and waited.

After what seemed like forever, the heavy door swung open and a shorter than average man with a scruffy beard and bald head appeared, dressed in a neatly pressed suit that barely held in his rotund stomach. Killian almost arched his brow at the man before him, white gloves and all, looking like a butler out of a Batman comic book scene. The man looked him up and down, lips curling in almost a snarl, before waving him in with a swift motion of his arm.

“Killian Jones,” Killian said quickly, offering his hand to the man when he turned to him after closing the door.

“Hmm,” the man grunted, almost a look of disgust in his eyes. Killian withdrew his hand, swallowing hard. “Mr. Humbert is just seeing to some business,” the man began, not waiting for Killian to follow him before trundling off across the expansive lobby. Killian fell into step and almost collided with the shorter man when he stopped abruptly, turned to face him and let out a brackish tut. “Wait in here and he’ll be down in a few moments.”

Before Killian had time to agree, the man was sliding two huge doors apart before ushering him inside of what seemed to be a study, rolling the doors closed behind him. A silence followed, just the crackle of an open fire to break up the buzzing in Killian’s ears that was somehow still louder than his hammering heartbeat. He stepped further into the room which was quintessentially masculine.

In front of the open fire were two huge wingback chairs, the leather upholstery as soft to the touch as it looked when Killian ran his fingers over the dimples of the wide headed furniture tacks around the edges. Above the dark wood fire surround was a huge deer head, the twelve-point buck stuffed and attached to a mount, the lifeless eyed taxidermy clearly a trophy of some kind. Killian couldn’t stop the sound in the back of his throat as he looked around the room, the grunt that of disbelief at how far a Beta would go to appear Alpha.

Sprawled out across the floor was a huge bear skin, the dark hairs clearly indicating what was once a huge Grizzly. Killian had no doubt Graham had shot the animal himself, the misfired buckshot visible right over the animal’s shoulder as tiny bald patches in the pelt. Behind one of the chairs was a huge desk, some expensive hardwood that had been polished to within an inch of its life, the whole surface almost bare apart from two things, both of them photographs.

One was of his family, more specifically the men, standing abreast in front of the house. They were all wearing the same suit, tops hats and coattails, with Graham front and center. It must have been taken a while ago, the youth still evident in Humbert's face. The other was in the exact same position, only the men had been replaced by women, all smiling and laughing in the direction of the camera. That was, except for one of them. The woman in the center, more accurately, the girl, was not as happy as the gaggle of identically dressed bridesmaids and flower bearers around her. She was smiling, but not in the same way as the others. It was forced, and her downcast stare that many others might see as shyness was clearly sorrow.

Killian reached out, fingertips lightly brushing down the side of the woman’s cheek in a silent apology, when the sound of the doors rolling open roused him from his thoughts. His gaze lingered on her a little longer, almost feeling her warmth through the pane of glass in the frame as he imagined how soft her skin was. She was beautiful, even in her sadness, and Killian had never felt the tug in his heart for a Beta before, even during his rut.

“Mr. Jones,” Graham called out, making sure the doors were closed behind him.

Killian turned, nervously balling his hands and stuffing them into the pockets of his suit pants. Will had told him to make an impression on the wife, so he had opted for a dark blue suit and a white collared shirt unbuttoned to expose just the right amount of chest hair. He had trimmed his beard length to just the right amount, soft curled red hairs mingled with dark brown tempting and grabbable. His shoes were shined, his hair swept aside and seamlessly styled as if by a higher being, and if the way Graham Humbert was looking at him was anything to go by, he’d done alright.

“Mr. Humbert.” Killian greeted the man before him, stepping forward and pulling a hand from his pocket. He offered it to Graham, who took it and gave it a hard squeeze as he shook it.

“Thank you for coming,” Graham said, motioning for him to follow him. The room was an odd shape and just around a hidden corner was a small dining table with a couch on each side. Graham walked over to them, offering Killian to sit with a flat palm directed at the couch, which Killian accepted with a nod and sat. “I’ve something of a proposal.”

Graham’s statement took him back and Killian arched a brow, fidgeting nervously on the slightly too low couch cushion. “Forgive me, sir, but you are aware of the services offered by my employer?”

Graham smirked as he took his place opposite Killian, running his finger over his bottom lip. “I am,” he said simply, finally looking up to the Alpha who was everything he was not. “Look, let me just cut to the chase here. You see, I have a wife.”

Killian’s lips twitched into a smirk. Will had told him that it was not unusual for rich Beta husbands to need an Alpha to satisfy their wives, and Graham was not disappointing, but the next words out of the wretched man’s mouth shocked him.

“And a mistress,” Graham added nonchalantly. Killian looked up and tried his hardest not to be judgemental. If Graham’s wife was indeed the solemn woman from the photograph, then he was a fool. “And whilst my wife is a woman of needs, I prefer my mistress if you get what I am saying.”

“Aye,” Killian agreed through gritted teeth. “I guess that’s where I come in?”

“I hope so,” Graham sniggered. “My wife is-.” Graham paused, looking up with thought. He rolled his bottom lip under his teeth, a sly grin spreading across his features at the thought of how defiant a woman Emma really was. “One of a kind,” Graham said finally, his words laced with sarcasm.

“She’s demanding?” Killian enquired, trying to keep the conversation as business like as possible. Graham gave him a nod. “Mr. Humbert, can I be honest with you?” Killian lowered his head and heaved a huge breath.

“Of course, Killian,” Graham replied, sitting back and puffing out his chest in mock dominance. Killian narrowed his eyes suspiciously at his name on Graham’s lips. “What? You didn’t think I would hire someone to fuck my wife without knowing everything about him, did you?” Graham pushed himself to his feet and began walking around the room, revelling in the many items that littered his den. “Killian Jones, thirty-two, single Alpha with no current employer, besides the agency of course, who lives with his Alpha brother following some trouble with the police. Did I leave anything out?”

“It seems not,” Killian answered, his voice low as he watched the Beta move.

“No, it would not. You see, my wife means a lot to me, despite our differences,” Graham began, moving around the room once again. He ignored Killian’s gaze as he walked past, setting a course straight for his huge oak desk and falling back into the luxurious tanned leather chair. “And I don’t want to see her get hurt.”

Killian nearly bit his tongue in half, choking on a cough as he tried to abstain from laughing. Graham looked up at the sound but Killian quickly covered it as a cough. “Of course,” he offered reassuringly.

Graham kept his eyes fixed on Killian for a moment longer, sizing him up from across his desk. Killian kept his gaze, blinking slowly, trying to read the man in front of him but Graham was not giving up anything with his emotions. Killian was finding him hard to read and was about to excuse himself, when Graham reached into a drawer beside him and pulled out a wad of cream coloured paper that was clipped together in the top corner.

“This is a list,” he told Killian, thumbing the small stack of paper whilst motioning for Killian to join him at the desk. Killian rose to his feet, crossing the distance to Graham’s desk and setting himself down in the chair opposite. “Of do’s and don'ts with my wife.”

“It looks extensive,” Killian observed.

“It is,” Graham agreed without a smile. Graham Humbert was a rich man with a mistress, so Killian doubted that he cared much for his wife as anything more than property, and the next words out of the vile man’s mouth confirmed it for him. “A contract, if you will.”

“Alright,” Killian agreed, taking the ‘contract’ and flicking through a few pages.

It was crass, degrading and that was just the references Graham was making to his wife. ‘Spouse’ was the only thing that Killian could actually read without feeling disgusted by the man. Who was he to refer to his wife like she was something he owned? Even if she was a Beta and Killian had only seen her in a photo, he couldn’t stop his protective nature from rearing its head, the hand on his knee curling into a fist.

“Take a moment.” Graham stood, walking around the desk whilst Killian stared blankly at the words in front of him. He stopped near the mantlepiece surrounding the now low burning fire. The embers burned hot, glowing in the pit just enough to illuminate Graham in a glow of red, and the photographs over the fire were all of Graham, not a single one of his wife. “I’m a busy man,” Graham told him, inspecting his fingernails. “Let’s get this deal arranged so we can be on our way.”

Killian paused for a second, the rage inside of him for the man who had summoned him bubbling just under the surface. Graham was not an Alpha but he was going out of his way to make himself seem like one, and the worst kind at that. Most Alpha’s were kind, gentle and with the exception of their ruts, willing to tolerate most things in life. Graham Humbert was not, an Alpha or tolerable it seemed, and his poor wife was to pay the price, cast aside like a term in a negotiation. Killian was going to tell him that he had never done this before, that he probably wasn’t worth the money Graham as offering, but then he talked himself out of it.

“Aye, let’s,” Killian ground out, pushing himself to his feet and moving to stand near Graham. The Beta inhaled hard, making himself look unnecessarily larger, but Killian just ignored him. Fucking his wife would be glory enough.

“First of all, some ground rules," Graham said way louder than he needed to. "Under no circumstances are you to accept any oral favours from my wife." Graham's voice had dropped lower, as if he was trying to intimidate. "But I'm sure she likes it, so give her all she wants."

Killian's brow pulled together for an instant at Graham's words. Shouldn't a man know what his wife likes?

"I'd ideally like you to service her here, in the house, but she feels it would sully our marital bed." Graham rolled his eyes, sighing heavily as if he had been forced into the next decision. "She has an apartment in the city that will do just fine for your needs."

"Alright-," Killian began but was cut off quickly.

"But there are to be no rendering of services until I have signed off on it, do you understand?"

"I do," Killian ground out, flicking his eyes back down to the document in his hand, sure his blackened eyes would give away his anger.

"My wife likes lingerie, but if she wants you to buy anything new for this little venture, then you will not be reimbursed for expenses, understood?"

"That seems fair." Killian nodded slowly.

"God knows you will have enough payment to buy it yourself," Graham muttered. Clearing his throat after his words. "Oh, and Killian?" Graham paused, waiting for the Alpha to look up at him.

"Yes?" Killian faked the sweet tone to his voice.

"Don't come in my wife," Graham ordered, fixing his stare on Killian.

Killian felt the tips of his ears burn and hoped his cheeks hadn't accompanied them in his blush. Will had told him that some husbands could be oddly specific but Graham was a new level of forthcoming. Killian swallowed hard, the mere thought of knotting the blonde beauty in the photograph making his stomach flutter.

"Good," Graham concluded, taking Killian's silence as his agreement. "I've heard the appeal of sleeping with an Alpha is the knot, but I am paying you a lot of money to just fuck her until she feels good. There would be no need to ruin a good thing now, would there?"

"Don't knot your wife, got it." Killian ground his teeth again, the muscles in his jaw ticking and making his ears wiggle.

"You are not to see her without my prior knowledge, is that clear?" Graham pointed a finger at him, pacing back around his desk and not waiting for an answer. “Do you have a set schedule?” Graham asked. “Do you have other clients?”

“No,” Killian assured him. “Your wife is the only one right now.”

“Good,” Graham said a little louder than necessary. “Then you will be exclusive to my wife, when and where she wants, am I understood?”

Killian didn’t like his tone and everything inside of him screamed to make Graham see who was the real Alpha in this room, but sadly he needed the money more. What Graham was offering was the highest amount ever offered to an Alpha before, especially one who had never even had a client, and Killian couldn’t help but wonder why. All of Graham’s body language was telling him that he was intimidated, so why such a huge financial offer?

“Aye, I do,” Killian agreed, licking his lips.

“With my approval, of course,” Graham nodding, seeking Killian’s agreement. “And this whole venture is strictly confidential, do you understand? There is a non-disclosure agreement on the back page which you will have to sign in order to get paid.”

“Will you tell me why you chose me out of all the other Alphas?” Killian asked suddenly, breaking Graham from his thoughts.

Graham smiled a sickly sweet grin and Killian saw him tighten his jaw. “She picked you.” A boyish smirk played across Killian’s lips, despite Graham’s misogynistic degradation of his wife. Graham fished around in his pocket, pulling out his cell phone. “Come in,” he said idly, pressing the device to his ear. “He’s here.”

Killian has no time to ask who Graham was calling before it became clear, a side door at the far end of the den creaking as it opened, and a woman stepping into view. It was the woman from the photograph, brought to life in front of him, and Killian jumped to his feet as she approached. Graham was at her side in a few steps, almost stopping her from reaching him, and throwing a protective arm around her waist. She smiled, but Killian could see it was forced, her body leaning away from her husband in disgust.

“Mr. Jones, this is my wife, Emma,” Graham announced, looking her up and down beside him. “Emma, this is-”

“Jones,” Killian stepped forward to close the gap Graham had created between them and reached out his hand. “Killian Jones.” Emma reached out her hand to shake his, but with a twist of his wrist, Killian had her fingers curled around his and was kissing the back of her hand in greeting. He felt her skin on his lips, warm and moisturized, and he couldn’t stop himself from imagining the rest of her body just as supple. She didn’t pull her hand away, her fingers tightening over his instead, and when Killian looked up to her once more, there was a new smile on her face.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Emma,” Killian said a little too huskily.

His throat had become dry, the dress she was wearing leaving nothing to his imagination, her cleavage so amply nestled behind the fabric, it was hard to look away. When he did finally look back up to her eyes, they were the most beautiful shade of amber-green he had ever seen, so soulful and happy and yet laced with sadness he could only imagine to comprehend. It bothered him, his natural Alpha instinct to care itching just under his skin, and it didn’t help when the beaming smile on her face faded to a slight smirk.

“Well?” Graham prompted, nudging her with his elbow. “Don’t tell me you are shy now.”

Emma didn’t seem to hear him at first, her eyes flickering over the Alpha in front of her like he was her saviour. Her face filled with more colour, a pink hue rising over her cheeks as she bit down on her lower lip and locked eyes with the blue of Killian’s again.

“The pleasure is all mine,” she said finally, her face erupting into a grin.

"Neither. You're from a town where none of those things exist. Don't blame yourself for that", Carlie said. Carlie was one of Ellie's three best friends, the other two being Libby and Simone. All three were at Ellie's age and the friends had a weekly meeting at the shop where they sat together, talked about their lives, drank tea or coffee, and ate cookies. Carlie herself was a petite woman with short spiky hair and big square glasses. From what they had told Liam upon first meeting, they all were elves but Liam secretly suspected Carlie of being a pixie. She was cheeky, witty, always said what was on her mind, and her eyes sparkled with mischief. Needless to say, Liam liked her. "Yeah, but I also feel like I should know more." "You know enough. About Onis and Berserkers and Kitsunes and hell and other terrible things. You're twenty. Most guys your age know how to party and wear their base caps the wrong way." She bit into a cookie. Liam laughed. "My boyfriend likes to wear his caps the wrong way. He looks hot with it. But he also knows other things." "You have so much time to learn still. Don't worry. Even we old ladies don't know about any supernatural being out there", Simone comforted him and filled her cup with some more tea. She was the opposite of Carlie; tall, thin, and the quietest of the bunch. "I also agree with Carlie, you know about terrible things, traumatic things, things one should not know about. Especially not this early in life. But unfortunately, trauma is also experience. " Liam made a face. He sat down on the armrest of one of the chairs Ellie had placed around. "I just could have lived without some of those experiences. I mean, I could have gone without the experience of being homeless but hey. Maybe that's just me." Ellie put her arm over the backrest of her chair and turned to look at Liam. "When have you been homeless?" They talked about a lot of stuff but Liam's life story, she only knew parts of it. Good parts. He didn't want to deliver sob story after sob story. Liam had a good life, he knew some people had it worse. He cherished that. Now he exhaled loudly through his nose and then he told the four women how the hyenas came into town and caused havoc, how they finally destroyed the house and left the pack picking up the pieces. He ended with the move to the new house.

After he finished, his listeners were shocked. "You experienced all this and you still find it in yourself to be such a happy and polite young man?" Libby asked in awe. She was usually full of life and laughed loudly, her afro curls always bouncing around her round face, but now she was stunned. Liam shrugged. "What's the option? Turning bitter? It worked out in the end. Doesn't mean I will ever forgive them for what they did but no one died, at least." "You are a terrific young man, Liam", Ellie praised. He smiled softly. "Thank you."

The store door opened and Angela, Ellie's oldest daughter, stepped into the shop. She was a lawyer and used her breaks to visit sometimes. She greeted everyone happily and hugged her mother. Liam ran to get her a fresh cup and dragged another seat to their circle so he should sit and interact with the group. She squeezed his arm in a silent thank you as she sat down and accepted the cup. "What were you guys talking about? Is everything okay?" She asked good-heartedly. "Liam just told us about those horrible, horrible hyenas who destroyed his house" Libby filled her in. Angela raised both eyebrows. "I hope none of you were harmed." "Everybodys fine. We managed to get out in time before the house exploded. I'm just grateful I got my brother out of town before it happened." "Oh, you have a brother? I didn't know that." Angela loved kids and had specialized in family rights. She claimed she liked to help kids get justice. "Hm." Liam nodded. He walked to the cash register where he left his phone and while he walked back searched through his pictures. "Landon. He's almost ten." She showed her and the rest of the women the picture and they all cooed how much alike the brothers looked. "You said you brought his out of town? So I take he's usually living with you? Your parents must appreciate such a tight brother's bond." Angela was surprised but happy. Liam hesitated. "Landon's not my mother's son. We're half brothers. Same dad. Well, father. Sperm donor. My biological father is...he's a piece of shit. Alcoholic. Abuser. You get it. I didn't even know Landon existed until we met months ago by a pure coincidence. The circumstances don't matter but in the end, Theo and I took him home with us. Not a chance I would have let him stay with that man. So he lived with us in the house. Until I brought him to the lake to keep him safe. He lives there now." Liam missed Landon terribly but they were all still so young, they could not care for a child properly. Byron and Lana were perfect for that task and Landon also liked them. He blinked. "But enough of sad stories. Let's talk about something different, okay?"

****** He was cleaning up after Ellie's friends had left. After he had basically pleaded for a change of topic, the talk had revolved around lighter topics and ended on a very funny note. Now Ellie was in the back, doing some accounting, and Liam manned the front of the store. Angela was the only one still there. Now she stepped to the cash register where Liam was currently filling some jars with bagged candy. "I'm going to tell you something, not as a friend but as a lawyer, okay? And I need you to listen." She looked serious and Liam tensed. What happened? "Did I do something wrong? Is your mother mad at me?" "No. But listen." She tapped both index fingers on the counter. "You need your biological father to sign his rights over to you as fast as possible. What you said about him, having him in Landon's and your life is dangerous and not good for either of you. So you need to act fast. Have him make you Landon's legal guardian." Liam frowned. "I planned on doing so once I turned twenty-one. I wasn't aware I can do it now. Thought I had to be twenty-one." Angela shook her head strictly. "No. You need to do it now. In most states, anyone who is eighteen years old can become a guardian. Look, who tells you your father agrees to it in a year? He still holds guardianship and can make decisions for your brother. If he does not sign over his rights, he has so much time to cause harm. You said Landon's almost ten. That means another eight years of having the right to decide about medical procedures, school enrollment, the living situation. Even if Landon stays with you, all it takes is somebody checking who is the legal guardian for Landon. Could be school, could be a doctor's office, or if he gets in trouble it could be the police. If he's in the hospital. For eight years, you have to always fear for this to happen. If your father does not sign his rights over." "If he does not do it on his own, I will take him to court." Angela shook her head even more firm this time. "Honestly? They will ask you where Landon lived for the past year. Legally, what you and Theo did was kidnapping. If you manage to get a strict judge, that alone will cause you to lose the case. Landon will get sent back to his father and you're probably not even allowed to see him. I told you, I'm not telling you this as a friend. As your friend, I understand why you did it, as a lawyer I have to inform you about this likely possibility. The only chance you have is to have your father make you his guardian." It was a hard pill to swallow and Liam gulped. He had been naive, he realized now, and considered it all easier than it was. And maybe Landon had to pay the price for his neglect. "Thank you, Angela", he mumbled sadly.

****** Liam sat in his car and watched the house across the street. The sun was beating down and these barren landscapes made the air even drier. The dusty roads stirred up sand whenever a car raced by. Bleak. He cast a look at the passenger seat. All documents he needed were laying there, including a pen. Now all that Liam was left to do, was get out of the car, walk up to the door, and get a signature. Angela's stern talk from days ago had left Liam rallied. Once he was home, he had told Theo about everything and the couple had to admit them taking Landon out of the house had been a stupid move from the legal point of view. They had emotions get the better of them and now this potentially harmful situation had arisen. Theo had supported Liam in whatever was needed to ensure he would become Landon's guardian but the Beta was also not a lawyer and as much at loss as Liam.

Thank god for Angela. She had helped Liam set up the documents Emmet had to sign and those documents Liam grabbed now when he exited the car. Theo was not with him, his boyfriend didn't even know Liam was here. Nobody knew. This, Liam felt, was something he had to don his own. Maybe to find a deserving ending. Maybe to test his control. Or maybe this was stupid but then again, Liam could proudly admit he was doing stupid crap now and then. Stiles, according to his own claim, could show Liam a list.

He let out a shaky breath when he walked through the unkempt front lawn. Some new beer bottles and cans had gathered around the chair. Emmet was not there but Liam heard his heartbeat through the ajar window. You're not going to kill him, Liam. He does not deserve you getting your hands dirty. Liam knocked at the door. Inside the house, he heard some bottles falling and Emmet's slurred voice mumbling.  Then scuffling steps and the door opened. And the young Alpha had to gasp and take a step back. "God, you stink!" The stench of booze, beer, and sweat made him almost gag. Disgusting, his man. "You. What do you want?" Emmet slurred angrily and grabbed the door for support. Liam turned his head away and took a few breaths. He willed his nausea down and turned to face his father. "How long have you been drinking, alkie?" "What do you care? Why are you even here? I don't want you." "Trust me, I don't want you either. But I need something from you and that means I have to come here. I would rather be somewhere else, believe that." "What? Want money for the little gremlin? I'm not giving you a dime." Emmet swayed on his feet. "I don't need your money. Go inside, before you fall flat on your face. I'm not catching you." Liam pointed inside the house. His father made a step towards him. "I should beat the crap out of you for talking to me like that and not stop til you're whimpering. Do you know who I am?" "A sorry excuse for a worm." Liam pushed his biological father by the shoulder and he stumbled back. As drunk as he was, he didn't stand a chance against an Alpha.

Emmet was taken by surprise but managed to catch himself at the table. He spewed a few curse words in Liam's direction before he shuffled around and fell on one of the chairs with the grace of a sack filled with potatoes. Liam closed the door and followed inside. His nose twitched and he wanted to retch at the smell and how dirty everything was but he kept himself from it last minute. This was not for him, this was for Landon. "How's your mother? Still wailing about how horrible I am? The slut should be lucky an honest man wanted her." "My mother is neither a slut nor are you an honest man. Don't mention her or I break your nose." Liam felt his anger building up. This was a test for his control and he might fail it. "Piss off! She's the reason you're such a weak bastard. Wonder what happened with the other one. He's just as weak. Cried whenever I hit him. Begged me to stop. Just like you. Oh, I remember you. Your mother screamed and cried when the ambulance came. I would have left you on the ground. Would have taught you a lesson." "I didn't need a lesson, I needed a father who loved me!" Liam slammed the papers on the table. "Here! Sign this!"

Emmet grabbed it after a few tries and dragged it over the table. He narrowed his eyes at the print. "What should I sign?" "Those are the papers for you to make me Landon's legal guardian. Sign and we're out of your hair forever." Liam balled his hands and felt his fingertips itch. His claws wanted to come out, his wolf furious at the man in front of him. Years of pent-up rage welled up and dared to spill over. He could kill Emmet and probably nobody would shed a tear. Laughter disrupted his thoughts. Emmet had left the papers on the table and laughed. It boomed in Liam's ears. His blood rushed through his veins. This man was mocking him. "If you really think I'm signing this crap, you're mistaken. Know why? Because you bastard want me to and you get nothing from me!" Emmet was still laughing but decided to underline his words by spitting in Liam's direction. It landed on the carpet between them. His claws almost broke through and he was ready to lunge but a voice in his head stopped him. No. Not like this. Not him. Maybe it was his wolf who was even stronger than Liam's human side burdened with IED but it was enough to make Liam pause. If you kill him, you'll never become Landon's guardian. Keep the little one safe.

Liam exhaled loudly through his nose and closed his eyes for a second. If even the animal inside him knew better, he would follow. Had to follow. All for his little brother. Landon didn't deserve a murderer for a hero. He opened his eyes and stared at Emmet. Suddenly Liam was seven again, cowering at the floor while his father screamed at him and walked closer and closer. He had put his arms up back then, in a feeble attempt to shield his body from the hits, and pleaded for the man to stop. Fear. Panic. Pain. But this time Liam didn't feel panicked. He was not afraid of this drunkard calling himself a father. Instead, Liam felt disgust and maybe even pity. This guy had nothing to live for. It gave the young Alpha a strange sense of calm. Out of the two of them, Liam was the better man. The better person. IED or not. The condition didn't rule him as much as it ruled his father, and Liam had quite a lot more on his plate.

He sat at the opposite of the table and took the pen in his hands. "And why wouldn't you? What's in it for you? Just to be petty? Just to put one over on me?" Emmet snickered. "It will bug you forever, that's good enough for me." He reached for a bottle of booze and uncorked it to take a swig. Liam glared at him. Then he put the pen down. His glance landed on his bracelet. The bracelet he shared with Theo. Suddenly, he got an idea. Maybe it was time to see if he could take a book out of Theo's playbook. He raised his head and crossed his arms on top of the table. "Okay, fine, don't sign. We will play your game. I will send Landon back to live here." Emmet eyed him. "You're bluffing." "Not at all. He will come and live with you again. But be aware. I will be around every damn day." "And then what? What will you do? Punch me? You're no match for me", Emmet sneered. "If you lay so much as one finger on him, and we both know you will, I will call the cops on you. They will come and they will arrest you for domestic violence. And yes, Landon may be sent to foster care but I will make sure you will be sent to prison. There is no booze, no beer, no schnapps in prison. But the people there love people who abused kids. I know people and I will make sure every inmate knows what you did to two little boys. That's what will be awaiting you. No freedom to get wasted like you're doing now every day. Think about it." His biological father still eyed him suspiciously. "No way you would ever let him live here again." "To get you locked up, I would do other things. Landon too, by the way. All to make sure you will rot in hell. He's tough, he will take whatever you might to do him. Maybe I will move in as well. One happy family. With me comes my boyfriend, obviously. By the way, how's your hand?" He looked at Emmet's fingers wrapped around the neck of the bottle. Father and son stared at each other, accessed each other until Emmet snorted. "Your mother raised you better than this. I call bluff. You don't have it in you, weak shit!" A cold, dangerous smile appeared on Liam's face and he leaned closer. "You call my mom a slut and other horrible names, yet you forget I also inherited DNA from you. We both have IED. Wanna find out how much more alike we are? If I'm as cruel as you are?" He gave his father a death glare. "You want to start a war? I'll raise you World War III. Your choice. Either don't sign and feel the whiplash or sign and you will never have to see us again." Liam placed the pen on the papers and waited. His heart was thundering inside his chest. That was not his usual way to carry on negotiations and he had no idea if it worked. Theo made it always seem so easy and pulled it off without a hitch. But Liam knew he was not that good. Emmet grabbed the pen and fiddled with it. He scribbled his signature at the marked fields, an unruly chicken scratch but his signature nonetheless. "Get the hell out of here. If I see you on my front lawn again, I will shoot you." Liam's hand shot towards and he pulled the documents towards himself after the last signature was done. "I have better people to be around than you. Give your liver a break once in a while." He got up just in time as Emmet's hand shot towards his throat. The alcoholic missed by far and his hand thumped on the table. "Fuck off, you piss baby!" The sound of the splintering bottle hitting the wall was the last thing Liam heard from his father when he now left the house without so much of a goodbye.

It only dawned on him what just had transpired when he was in his car and already on the road. Liam stopped at a red light and breathed a sigh of relief. "Holy shit!" He had faced Emmet Dunbar, that one man he hated with a burning passion, the one who had made his childhood horrible and hurt Liam, Ilona, and Landon so much. Against what he had wanted to do to him, Emmet had left the meeting completely without a cut, Liam was incredibly proud of himself. Even though now, that everything settled, his hands shook and his heart raced, adrenaline pumping through his body. That had the potential to go so, so wrong and yet Liam stood tall. He glanced at the papers safely sitting on the passenger seat. Not only had it worked out without Liam losing his temper, but it had also really worked and he was Landon's guardian. The threat of Emmet interfering with their lives and taking Landon away again was erased. Liam wanted to cry.

His phone chimed and Liam almost hit another car. "Jesus Christ!" He accepted the call over the speaker. "Hey, Theo." "Hey. Say, just out of curiosity, where the hell are you? Nobody knows where you left. It's not like you to disappear like that. What's going on." Liam bit his lip. "I was at Emmet's." "Emmet? Emmet Dunbar? Your father? What the fuck! Is he still alive?" "Shh, let me explain. I told you about what Angela said and I went to get his signature. Yes, he's still alive, I didn't touch him. Even though I wanted to." He heard Theo closing a door and birds singing in the background. "Why didn't you tell me? I would have accompanied you." Yeah, good question. Liam didn't know for sure. "I guess...I needed to burn this bridge alone? Prove to myself I can stay calm around him. I'm not like him in any capacity and while I know you and I absolutely adore you for always being there for me, this was something I had to do alone. You understand? Maybe for my own peace of mind, I dunno." Theo was silent for a few moments. "Yeah, I understand", he finally confessed. "Did it work, at least?" A smile broke out on Liam's face. "Yep. Have all the signatures I need. Thanks to you as well." "Thanks to me? What did I do?" "Well, let's say you're a good teacher, even if you don't want to be one. I'll tell you everything once I get home, okay?" Theo laughed. "Okay. Love you." "Love you too."

****** Landon's face appeared on the screen in front of Liam and as soon as he had a picture, the child waved animatedly. "Hello, Liam!" Videocalls were a good way to keep in contact even if they could not see each other in person. Liam happily waved back. "Hey, Landon, how are you?" "I'm good. Zack and I built a fort." Landon launched himself into a story of all the things his best friend and he had done. Lana and Byron appeared in the background of the call but they simply waved and let the boy talk. Liam put his chin in the palm of his hand and listened with a smile. Seeing Landon so carefree and hearing about him being a normal child was all he ever wanted. It came nine years too late and Liam knew his brother must have been affected one way or another by his upcoming but now that he was out of Emmet's claws, Landon was in for an amazing life. After he was done, Landon asked about Liam's life in Seattle. Now it was the older's turn to talk about college, his pack, the fairies (Landon loved this part and he asked thousands of questions). Theo had joined Liam for a while and laughed softly. "He's like you", he whispered into his mate's ear and kissed Liam's cheek before he disappeared out of the frame again after a wave in Landon's direction. Liam chuckled but then he finished his story. "One more thing, Landon. You know we took you away from Emmet, right?" Landon shivered at the mention of his father's name but nodded bravely. "Do I have to go back? Please, don't make me go back!" "No, no, hey, I would never. That's why I'm telling you. He signed all the papers. I am your guardian now." Lana and Byron appeared left and right from Landon. "He did? Oh, how wonderful, Liam." Lana was touched. Landon scrunched his nose. "What does guardian mean?" "It means Liam is responsible for you now and Emmet can never hurt you again. Say you want to go on a class trip, for example, the school has to ask Liam and not your father anymore", Byron patiently explained to him. Landon considered. "So, he can't get me?" "Never again. He's out of your life for good", Liam promised firmly. His brother beamed at the adults. "That's amazing!" "Yeah, it is." Lana stroked through his hair. "But, Sweetie, you have to get ready for bed now. Tomorrow's a school day." "But I want to keep talking to Liam. I'm not finished." Yes, Landon could be stubborn. "We can talk tomorrow, Laddie. After school, yeah? Now you have to get ready for bed. Sleep is important. I'm going to bed now too. Theo does too. See?" He rolled to the side and tilted his screen so Landon could see Theo brushing his teeth with the bathroom door open. Theo waved. It wasn't that he actually wanted to go to bed but he had tried some licorice Mike had brought home, not from Ellie though, and after eating it Theo claimed to have a bad taste in his mouth. Landon huffed. "But we talk tomorrow", he insisted. "Werewolf promise." Liam raised his hand solemnly to swear. "Good Night, Laddie." "Good Night, Liam. Good Night, Theo." Landon stood up. "Good Night, you two," Lana called out and then disappeared with Landon.

Byron sat on the desk chair. "I know he signed but did the meaning with your father go well?" "It did. As well as possible with this man. I was pretty surprised at my control. At a certain point, I was ready to snap but somehow my wolf made me pull back and I got more level-headed." "That's the Alpha in you. Even if our personality or our urges say otherwise, sometimes the Alpha part can balance it out to keep the peace. It is impressive how well you learned to work with your wolf." The praise was nice because Liam tried. Sometimes it felt like all he did was running in circles but then he proved to everyone (and mostly himself) he was a good person and improving. "Speaking of Alpha and peace, Liam I forwarded an email to you just now. Have a look at it, maybe Theo should do so as well."

Theo had dried his mouth and now walked over to lean on Liam's chair while Liam opened the mail Byron had forwarded. It included a word document and when Liam opened it, it turned out to be an invitation to a meeting held in a hotel in Seattle. "Liam, part of being an Alpha are pack politics." Liam whined. "I told you I'm not good at that! What is this? An Alpha congress? I can't go there." "Maybe let the man talk before you cut and run", Theo suggested and smoothly avoided the contact between Liam's elbow and his stomach by moving aside. "I know what you said, Liam, and this is no pressure but I wanted to inform you. The invitation is indeed for an Alpha meeting. No congress, just a few Alphas coming together and talking." "About what?" Liam saw himself on a stage, in front of hundreds of Alphas, a whole auditorium filled with them, and making a fool out of himself. People would laugh. It would be a degrading experience. "Life. This and that. No one is expecting a speech from you, Liam. See I've been to a few of those meetings. There are only packs living close by attending these meetings. They're mostly boring. You stand around, do some small talk, maybe eat a quick snack, and leave. But they can also help you get a better idea of which packs are around yours. In the area. It can be interesting, if only so for scouting. But, of course, that does not mean you have to attend. It's no declaration of war not to go there. Just like you cannot declare war by saying a wrong word if you go." "Those are all Alphas, experienced Alphas probably, and then I show up. Junior McJunington. What will they think?" "Screw what they think. So what if they're older or more experienced? You're you and that's awesome" Theo passionately declared. "Thank you, Dr. Seuss", Liam hissed. He frowned and scratched his cheek. "I have to think about this." "As it is your right. Don't do anything you're not comfortable with." "If I should attend, there will be no problem? I can just show up there?" "The invitation is addressed to the Alpha of the Morning Dew Pack. They seemingly didn't get the memo about the change in our pack but that doesn't matter. The invitation is for you, not for me. Actually, no Beta can attend the meeting. And no Alpha mate either unless they're specifically invited." "I have to go there alone??" Liam shrieked. In his mind, he had Theo by his side. Maybe Brett and Caden since both could be real charmers and have intellectual conversations. Corey would have also a good match despite him being as insecure as Liam in those settings. Byron rubbed his hands together. "Those are the rules. But I know, alone or not, you will be just fine. Should you go or not. This is not something I can do for you. The decision is all yours. Just one more thing, to be fair. you will be the youngest in this group. By a few decades, I suppose. That's why I don't think they will pay you much attention. They're just curious." "Great", Liam said sarcastically. "Given my track records with strange Alphas so far, this will be a marvelous experience."

****** "I don't think you should go. What if that's a trap?" Tim worried about Liam's safety. Liam had informed his pack about the invitation right the next day and after classes, they were sitting in the living room and discussing this. "I think he should go. Just to check the others out. Maybe he can make allies?" Brett opposed. "I also think Liam should go. Byron said he has been to a few of those meetings. I don't think it's a trap", Sadie tried to dissolve Tim's worry and he gave her a grateful look. "The two strange Alphas I met in the last year have both tried to kill me. You understand I'm not keen on walking in a room full of unfamiliar Alphas?" Liam questioned. "I think that should be the reason you go", Ever stated, "to show all of them you're not afraid. If they plan on messing with you, you will look them in the eye. Maybe then they won't underestimate you." "I just don't see the purpose of those meetings. From what Byron said it sounds pretentious." Corey looked peeved. "Oh, it is", Lori confirmed. "But they are not that rare. I don't think you have to be scared, Liam." She offered a genuine smile. Liem returned it cause he knew she was trying to make him feel better. "What do you mean by not rare?" "Well, they're not, if you have Alphas of the old school" Brett took over from his sister. "Modern Alphas just meet up, talk, like Scott with Satomi. They don't even call it an Alpha meeting and send out fancy invites. Those are practices of the old guard, mostly well-esteemed werewolves who love to use those meetings to gossip. Ever seen those movies with scenes in Gentlemen Clubs? Country Clubs? Those are the people to expect at those meetings. Byron's not that far off when he says they won't spare you a look. You're - and don't take this the wrong way - not their type of person, if you know what I mean." "The Alpha from my parents' pack also attends such meetings. They always gush about the delicious and expensive things they eat there. But this woman also has a rich husband and considers herself playing tennis and golf as labor. So, pretty much pompous, entitled snobs", Sadie said. Maya rolled her eyes. "I also know about those meetings but I'm so glad I never met an Alpha going there before. Eh, no offense, Liam." Liam groaned. "Okay, just the danger of becoming the new hot gossip for the elite wolves around. Yeah, I think I'll pass." "I would still go", Caden chimed in. "It's a good opportunity to get to know how many are around. Do you know that? They invited Byron so their radius must be quite large but how many packs live between Seattle and the lake? Wouldn't it be good to know in case we need help? What if the hyenas come back? Having some werewolf allies would not be that bad."

He had a point. They all did. Liam was still torn. For once because he was afraid of making a fool of himself, then for the reason not to offend another Alpha and start a war, and on top of it, he now came to the realization just how different those Alphas seemed to be. He looked at his boyfriend. "What do you say?" Theo had listened to everything and had made up his mind. "You should go. For all those reasons. Byron said there will not come anything bad from it. He would never let you go to any event if he feared something might happen to you. If he says you can go, I believe him. And yeah, it is a good way to get information. Maybe there are not that many packs around.  But you will only find out if you go." Since most of his Betas said he should go, he considered. Maybe it was a good idea indeed. Only one problem: "If it's that high class, what should I wear?"

Fifteen minutes later Liam regretted that question. He stood in his bedroom while Theo, Brett, Mason, and Sadie sat on his bed. Sadie throned between the other guys, one leg crossed over the other, and looked like she was having the time of her life. Liam was the poor victim and had to model several outfits for the self-proclaimed fashion experts of his pack (he knew Theo could dress good but at this point, Liam felt betrayed) who all had other ideas of the perfect outfit. "That dress shirt is perfect for you. Not too out there but also not too normal" Mason praised Liam's current outfit consisting of black pants and a dark grey dress shirt. Liam hated it. It was not even one of his shirts but one of Theo's Mason had just grabbed. His boyfriend had not protested (see, there was the betrayal) but now shook his head. "That's not the outfit to go." "Absolutely right. Liam, grab the one I hung there." Sadie pointed at the clothes and Liam grumbled but grabbed them and stalked into the bathroom. When he emerged again, he was wearing jeans, a blue slipover with a white button-down shirt underneath. Liam felt like he was a kindergartener dressed by mommy. "Now you look like back in Devenford. Then again, maybe this private school flair is exactly what you need", Brett snickered. Liam glared at him and Theo scoffed before he handed Liam the third outfit. Liam glared at him too for good measure and disappeared into the bathroom again.

The outfit Theo had picked for him, Liam didn't even know where he got it. He had never seen Theo wearing this particular combo. Cloth trousers, a polo shirt and a sports jacket over it. "How the hell do you get this? And why do you get this?" He asked once he emerged from the bathroom.   Interesting, Theo became a bit sheepishly. "I got it for some occasions? Maybe a job interview?" "This is so not you." Liam eyed himself in the mirror. "This is so not me either. What were you thinking, guys? None of your outfits were good." "You wanted us to help you", Mason defended himself. "I wanted to get suggestions, not become your dress-up doll", Liam replied sharply. Sadie sighed. "You're being difficult. Don't you want to make a good first impression?" "A good impression as himself, shouldn't that be the goal?" Caden had walked into the room and crossed the arms in front of his chest. He looked at Liam. "You look strange. Actually, you look like me whenever my aunt visited the family. Horrible." "How do you look when your aunt visits?" Brett had to know. Caden pulled out his cellphone and searched a bit before he handed the phone over. Brett snickered. "Okay, thanks for the laugh. So dapper, oh my. One would not think that since you're almost only ever wearing more casual clothing." Sadie giggled. "Does Ever know you can look like that?" "As a matter of fact, yeah. She doesn't like it. I can relate. But my aunt is quite old-fashioned and conservative. She came to town, we dressed like that, covered up our tattoos, the whole shebang. We just never liked it. Liam doesn't like dressing up either." "Tell me about it. That's a topic we have had since we're friends." Mason rolled his eyes. Liam wanted to glare at him but if he was honest, his best friend was right.   So he raised his shoulders. "I have dress shirts. I just happen to like t-shirts and jeans more." "Hence why I think you should wear that", Caden stated. "You are not like the type of Alpha who wears expensive clothing and the latest brands. You're Liam. We like Liam. Why do you want to be somebody you're not? Just to impress people you probably will never see again after that one time?" "That's true." Even Theo had to admit that. "I know when you're comfortable and you never are when you dressed up to a certain extend." "I still think if the occasion calls for it, you should make an effort", Sadie insisted. "It's not about what you want; it's about what our Alpha wants. Liam goes to the meeting and Liam has to represent himself and our pack. He should do it as his truest self possible", Brett retaliated. She pouted.

But then she got up from the bed and walked towards Liam's open closet. She dug around there for a while before she pulled out a pale blue t-shirt. It was a new one, Liam had only worn it twice and he loved how soft the fabric was, it felt good and comfy on his skin. Sadie handed it to him. "The color makes your eyes pop. That and that one light blue jeans you have. If you walk into a room full of strange werewolves, bright colors make you look friendlier." "That's Sadie. If you can't dress them up the way you want, at least get into chromatics", Brett praised.

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