royal_musings | [Open Post] Where the Streets Have No Name

He knew the other wolf was there, but he acts normal, looking up as he came in even though a moment before he was watching the woman in front of him. Smiling though at that comment, sliding the key across the counter just as he had done the card. Making an effort not to touch her, not to get that close and risk either of them thinking he was making a dangerous move.

He knew what she would find on the seat. Paperwork about his travels. Information about Mystic Falls. Leaving openings so they would know why he was there, and things they could check on.

"Ricky, the pleasure is mine. I'm glad I found a place that might be able to help. Just as I hope I can help as well," he says, very carefully wording it. "And thank you for letting me interrupt. I promise, I'm not here to cause any trouble."

She picked up the keys and left them to it, walking into the garage and opening one of the bay doors. When she was a teenager, she'd have rolled her eyes at Ricky's reaction. Les knew that he'd have sent Don a text before even coming into the lobby so she would be curious if the older wolf came back down to the shop or if he let Ricky handle it. She slipped into the driver's seat of Tyler's car and took a look at the paperwork covering the passenger's seat.

Obviously he'd left it out for them to see and so she took a moment to review it before turning the car on and driving into one of the empty stalls then parking. Well, this was sure going to be interesting. She memorized the name Mystic Falls so they could do some research later. She turned the car off, popped the hood then started to give it a check over. Regardless if it was knocking or not, after driving across country, it could probably have a look over.

Ricky watched her go out of the corner of his eye, not wanting to take his eyes off the other wolf standing there. "What can we help you with, Tyler," he asked, knowing the car was only a front for likely a more serious issue. It was the first time in a long time that another wolf from another pack had found them or came to them.

Tyler knows the chances he's taking. Every time he goes into a new territory, every time he risks going face to face with another pack, he knows there a chance they will turn on him. He's likely to win, if only because he's a hybrid, but in the end it's a chance he has to take

For the sake of every pack he comes face to face with. They need the warning. So far it's been helpful to those packs and there's a chance he'll be able to help this one as well. He hopes.

"I swear, I'm not here to hurt anyone. I'm actually here to help. If you talk to Winston with the Appalachian group." Group not pack. He's being so careful. "He'll tell you I'm not here to hurt anyone." He doesn't question if Ricky is the one he's supposed to talk to or not. He's doing the best he can. "Have you ever heard of the Mikaelsons?"

While they tried their best to keep to themselves, it was no lie that Don and he kept in contact with pack leaders around the country. It was irresponsible not to. Without those connections, you were practically like sitting ducks and that did not go for either of them. Ricky nodded and made a note to give a call to Winston later to get some more information.

"We've heard of them," another male voice answered, stepping into the shop and pulling off his sun glasses. Don Perez knew he didn't have to be here and knew Ricky could handle it on his own but something in his gut told him this was important. "How about the three of us take this into one of the offices. I'm Don Perez," he said by way of introduction before motioning down the hallway that Ricky had just come out from a few minutes before. He glanced out into the garage spotting Les then glanced at Ricky.

Ricky nodded and walked to the door. "Hey, we're going into one of the offices. Shout if you need us." Not that it was exactly needed - the shouting that was.

"You got it," she said, looking over at him. "Once I'm done here, I have some research to do. I think we can close a bit early, don't you?"

"Yeah, I think so. We shouldn't be too long." With that he turned back around and walked around the counter and toward the hallway. "Don, this is Tyler Lockwood. He's acquaintances with Winston out east," he said. It was all very carefully worded although there was no doubt in his mind that all of them knew exactly what was going on here.

Edited 2020-10-08 00:52 (UTC)

In truth he's not at all surprised about the alpha of their pack showing up. He came in, made it obvious he was there by just walking into the place, and while he's sure the two there could have taken care of him on his own, it's smart that the alpha showed. More than that, except for the danger that he is now facing, he's glad for it. It means he'll only have to talk about this once.

Heading into the office, he glances back at Les, knowing she's going to hear it all, and so he puts his focus on the other two as they head into the office.

"Thank you for seeing me and not for throwing me out. I've done this about a half dozen times with a half dozen packs. I'm here to try and help you, but what I'm going to tell you is likely going to cause issues and maybe worry you about my motives. I'm here alone and I promise the only thing I want to do is try and help you to protect yourself."

He pauses, taking a breath before going on. "The Mikaelsons' are the original vampires. Their parents made them what they are, but they didn't know one thing. Their middle son was cursed, like my family is, like your families are. He became a hybrid of a vampire and a wolf. The first of them, but not the only ones. He's learned how to make more."

Ricky wasn't in the least bit surprised when Don showed up. While if something had happened, he and Les could have taken care of it, he was glad it wouldn't come to that. He closed the door of Don's office after they stepped inside and stood near Don behind the desk, watching Tyler. He didn't get the feeling that he would be on the attack. He could have done so earlier if that was his motivation.

Don made a mental note to reach out to other packs that they knew around to see if they've been approached by Tyler. He seemed truthful so far but they weren't exactly the most trustful of packs. It hadn't been exactly planned at the beginning but now that they were here, he couldn't see their lives being any different.

He was surprised that the other man was alone and didn't seem to be a part of another pack from what he could tell. When he spoke about the Mikaelsons and being original vampires... then a fucking hybrid, Don exhaled a breath. "Great," he drawled out, watching Tyler with a narrowed look. "So what is he doing? Going around and forcing packs to join him?" He really wanted to ask how this was their problem but if Tyler was going around warning other packs... he didn't want to throw that back in his face when it was good to have the warning and the help.

If they were around the other family and it wasn't so serious, Ricky would have made a comment about this not being good for the old man's blood pressure. Truthfully, Don was only a few months older than himself which was the beauty of it, really. But they weren't and he could make the quip later (where others would enjoy it as much as he would). Right now, it was more worrisome that this original vampire... hybrid was making a mess of things for other packs. "How did you get involved?"

There was no pack for Tyler. He'd come across this time and again, explaining that there was only just him in Mystic Falls, and that's for the best, he knows. It means Klaus has to work to try and get his hybrid army, and Tyler can do his best to cut him off. He only had a few pack names when he started, getting new one as he went. This one was the last of them on Klaus' list.

"Pretty much it, yeah. He's seeking to basically make his own pack of hybrids who are sirebound to him. He's already as powerful as a vampire can get in ways that the average vampire can't do. For one he can compel them," he says, revealing more about Original vampires for their sake. "With a pack to back him, he'll be untouchable."

But then there's that million dollar question. He stops, going silently for a moment because this answer could cause a lot more issues than a rogue wolf showing up.

"I was his first successful experiment,' he says, glancing between them. "I'm proof he can do it."

The moment Tyler admitted that he had been this Klaus' successful experiment, a crack sounded throughout the office due to Don's hands tightening on his chair. He felt Ricky's hand on his shoulder, squeezing it. Don growled low, though not directly toward Tyler but at the situation. "You're not connected to him now," he stated, not questioning because he was sure, if Tyler was connected to Klaus on some level, they'd smell it or sense it somehow. "How?"

Ricky didn't release until he felt a little of the tension leave Don's shoulders then walked toward the door of the office and locked it. The last thing they needed was Les to come in, knowing she'd be concerned considering what she likely heard. They'd talk later. "Tell us everything," Ricky said, walking back over to the desk.

He pulled out the bottom drawer of Don's desk, took out a bottle and three glasses. He raised an eyebrow at Tyler to see if he'd like a little of the tequila that was more for sipping than it was for shots.

Depending on what Tyler suggested or said, Don would lend their pack's protection to Tyler. But he couldn't, in good faith, just do that now without knowing everything that was in store for them. He took one of the glasses Ricky poured and took a healthy swallow.

To Tyler's credit, he didn't flinch at that sound. Even if he knew what it was. He's had chairs thrown at him, been blindsided the moment he said it, and ordered out immediately. He has managed every time to handle it, but this is easier than most. He's thankful for that.

Even if the growl sets his hackles on end and he lowers his gaze slightly but not his chin. He is not an alpha and yet he doesn't answer to one either. He is respectful though and tries to offer that. It works most times. He's healed from the times it didn't.

Tyler nods at the offer of alcohol, knowing he's going to need it. He doesn't move to pick it up though, not yet.

"It takes specific blood. That of a certain doppleganger line." He explains how Klaus does it in generals. Then he got specific. "He forced me to drink his blood and then snapped my neck. When I came to I was trying to turn so he forced my friends to find the blood needed to finish the transformation or let me die from the mixture of vampire blood and werewolf venom. Let me tell you now it's horrific and painful and I still remember every moment I fought against all my body was doing. And it wasn't the worst."

Because he knew that was another part of it as well. "It leaves you sirebonded to him. A deadly and dangerous army that will do whatever he wants. I spent weeks shifting back and forth off the full moon to break the bond until he couldn't control me. But he knows now it works, and he's looking to find a pack to turn them."

Ricky poured Don another drink then one for himself and Tyler before setting the bottle down onto the desk. He listened closely as the hybrid spoke and once he was done, downed his drink in one. "Fuck."

Don watched Tyler closely and tried his hardest to keep his anger from getting the best of him. He agreed with Ricky's assessment at the end and exhaled. "So," he finally said after a moment of silence. "I assume, like all crazy and off the rails bastards like him, it's either join or death. How can I protect my pack." Because he would be damned if they joined this bastard. "By the way you spoke, you're here to help so there must be a way."

From the way Tyler spoke, Don felt for the young man. He'd gone through so much and that pain was unimaginable.

Tyler picked up the drink, working to try and sip at it and not just down it. He's nervous though. Coming to others and talking to them about this, it's not easy and it's stressful. For himself and for others. For those standing before him.

"He's still hoping to kill me, I'm sure," he says in way of agreement. "Especially when he figures out it's me warning the packs."

He's risking his life and he knows it and he's not hiding that either. If it means they trust him and protect themselves, then that's all that matters.

"The biggest thing is that you have to be prepared. He came up on me without me knowing what he was going to do, and next thing I know he's forcing his blood down my throat. He's gone to two of the packs and both of them have called him out the moment he arrived. They live much more withdrawn than your pack seems to though," he says, gesturing around them.

"But I do believe he's coming here next. I'm hoping that I can help you keep him away, protect your people, and prove to him he can't have your pack. Others back home are working to try and cut off his source so that it's not possible but until then, we'll do what we can for your pack. If you'll let me help you."

Neither of the man standing there particularly enjoyed the fact that although they tried to keep a low profile that they weren't exactly the most withdrawn of all packs. Don finally nodded in understanding and finished off his second drink before setting the glass down onto the desk. "Ricky, call Winston and tell Les to pack it up," he said, looking at the other man.

Ricky nodded, finishing off what was left of his drink before leaving the office to make the phone call and give the information to Les.

Don turned back to Tyler. It took a lot for him to invite him back with him but he also realized it took a lot for Tyler to put himself in this position time and time again. "Come back to our place. The others will be there and you can help us be ready to call him out when he arrives. He will not have our pack. You'll have the protection of our pack while you're here." So long as you don't betray us was left unsaid. "Do you have a place to stay already?"

Tyler waits, silent. He's not pushing them, he's not forcing his help on him. He's done what he feels has to. The rest is up to them. He is just to be there to help them as much as he can.

He listens as they set things in motion, and he watches them as he downs the rest of his drink. Not that he's feeling it but he kind of wishes that he still could. Instead he worries about what is going to happen when Klaus ends up here.

He nods at that, glancing between them as he laughs softly. "I've been living out of my car for weeks. It's no big deal. I might ask to borrow a shower though."

"You don't have to ask. You can use the shower and anything else you may need. Can you eat? Do you like burgers and/or steak?" There's a lot to say about Don and their family but if someone, a complete stranger, is willing to help them? That meant a lot to Don and he wasn't going to disrespect that. He wasn't sure, considering Tyler was a vampire as well, if he ate at all but he'd at least offer it.

There was a knock at the door before the door opened and Les stepped through. "Think quick," she said, tossing Tyler his keys. "Your car is fine over all." Though she had known it was a front so they could gather information that he had conveniently left out. "I would recommend getting your tires and brakes changed before you head back to the east coast. It'll help your gas mileage."

Don watched and allowed himself a tiny smile at her assessment. He knew any other alpha may be a bit irked or pissed at the interruption but their family operated a little differently. Besides, they were done with their conversation. He dug into his back pocket and pulled out his keys before tossing them to her. "You can take my car back, Les. I'll ride with Tyler, if that's fine with you," he asked, looking at the other man.

He doesn't realize how much his shoulders ease then, how much he slumps slightly at that. It's the first moment he felt this wasn't going to turn on him. Not in the least. He nods. "I do. Love both. As for other needs, your packmate out there with my car could open the cooler in the back under the tire. I bring my own with me. I don't risk endangering others while I'm on their lands."

And he wants them to know he's doing the best he can for them.

Smirking as he turns to catch his keys. "Or she's probably already found it," he says with a nod to her as he catches them. "And I'll do that. Likely will be heading west after here if he finds another pack to try so could definitely help."

He's liking the way things feel between them, feeling a twinge he's been only ever getting during these trips. He has no pack and never will. There is no pack for him, not unless it's in Klaus' army. A part of him aches for it.

"Of course. I welcome your company," he says, as accommodating as she can be.

"Then we'll pick your car up tomorrow, Les," Don said before adding, "if you want to go ahead and pull it into the empty bays. We'll lock it up."

Les catches the set of keys from Don and grins. "Done and done. You know I enjoy driving your car," she quipped before looking at Tyler. "We have some time this week if you want to bring it by. It won't take long." She had heard everything he's said to Don and Ricky and was upset on his behalf but thankful that he was warning other packs about the danger of the Mikaelson.

Don nodded. "Great," he said then turned back to the office door where Ricky stood.

"Winston confirmed everything Tyler said," Ricky said, tucking the phone into his back pocket. It wasn't anything personal and he'd had a feeling that would be the answer but they had to do their due diligence. It'd be irresponsible not to. He glanced at the keys in Les' hand and raised an eyebrow at Don with a smirk. "Oh no, you're trusting her with your car?" It was an old joke but he couldn't help himself.

Don smirked and rolled his eyes. "Yeah well, I'd rather it be back home than staying here over night."

"Ah, I see how it is. You're cool with my car being here all night but not yours. I see," Les said with a laugh before looking at Tyler, a bit more serious. "Thank you for coming to warn us and your offer to help." The last thing she wanted was anything to harm her pack. If Don and Ricky were going to place their trust in the very cute werewolf...hybrid, she could too.

Tyler isn't the least bit offended that they checked his story. It's why he gave them a name, had talked with them about doing just that. He doesn't want them worrying he's a threat when he's doing the best he can to help.

He smiles though at the comment about trusting her with the pack leaders car.

"Oh now I wonder why leaving my car here is bad," he teases, though it's only soft tones and a softer smile. It's not entirely his place to play along with them, but he can't help himself either.

Looking to Les, he smiles a bit warmer than, nodding. "Thank you for hearing me out. I know it's not easy when someone invades your territory like I did."

Don chuckled and gave him a grin, not minding in the least that he was playing along with. In fact, it was good that he did. A sense of humor was always appreciated around their family. "It's a good thing we're not leaving your BMW here. Her car on the other hand..." Not that he was truly all that worried about leaving her car here or any car here for that matter. They had a great security system and they hadn't had any problems before hand. He just felt better having his car close by.

"Hey, I like my car, thank you very little," Les pipped up with a roll of her eyes and a laugh. She had half a mind to warn Tyler that their family liked to pick up strays but she was sure that'd come out sooner or later back home anyway.

"But it could use a bit of TLC," Ricky said as he shook his head.

Les groaned and turned away from the three guys. "I'm not going to stand here listening to you guys talk smack about my car," she said with a laugh. "I'm going to pull my car into an empty bay and lock up so we can go."

Don shook his head with an amused grin. "And that's Les," he said with a smile at Tyler.

"If anyone comes for my car, they're coming for me so likely the car would be okay." But it's another reason he wants to keep it with him, besides all of his stuff is in that car. He wants to be able to run and lead others off if he needs to."

Tyler leans over to Les, whispering loudly to her. "I take responsibility for pulling you away from working on it." As if that had been what she was doing or what had pulled her away from working on it.

Laughing as she goes, giving Don a look. "I can tell you guys have a good relationship here for your pack. I plan to do whatever I can to ensure you keep that."

He doesn't want to think about them losing it, that they could be hurt in the ways Klaus wants them to hurt.

Ricky watched the interaction between Tyler and Les and allowed himself a little smile. The guy seemed to have been through a lot, especially in becoming a reluctant hybrid. It was something, though not quite the same thing, that they all could relate to on some level. Not having it easy. He chuckled and shook his head. "Oh no, don't give her an excuse," he said, his tone teasing though as he watched her go, her flipping him off as she did.

Don shook his head with an amused grin and looked at Tyler with a nod. "We do and we appreciate those who warn other packs about things like this - common dangers. You're welcome with us for as long as you need," he said, seriously. "Come on, let's get out of here," he said, grabbing his jacket and allowing Ricky and Tyler to walk out ahead of him.

It was sometime later, much later after they returned home, made the necessary introductions, they ate, and discussed an initial plan that Tyler and Les found themselves alone again. Les had noticed the very pointed look from Abby before she headed upstairs with Jason and rolled her eyes. She wasn't exactly subtle.

"I can't even begin to imagine all of the people and the packs that you've met since leaving the east coast," she said, shaking her head with a smile. "I say that because we like to think our pack is a little abnormal but I'm sure a lot of packs are made up of a found family." It was an easy subject right now instead of thinking of everything they'd discussed. Even now, Don and Ricky were calling up some people they knew in the area who could keep an eye and ear out for them.

Tyler laughs, smiling because this reminds him so much of the years before... well before the Salvatores came back to Mystic Falls. When it was him and Caroline and Matt and Elena and they just made their lives happen and gave one another shit and maybe he's romanticizing it all those years later, he can't help but think back to that now.

Then it's a whirlwind though and while it reminds him of the past, there's not much time to think about it. Now they're dealing with protecting others, and that is what matters in his book. Making sure they're all okay and they don't have to lose others from the Mikaelsons.

He laughs at that from Les, giving her a look. "It's... found family is the best term. Most have a lot blood family though, and it's built from there," he admits. "My father and brother both died before I really had a chance to learn anything from them, so I've been on my own for a while. I mean, I had friends but..."

But he's taken paths and made choices that more and more separates him from the others he cares about.

"Is that it for you all here? Mostly found family?"

There was no doubt about it that in the time she'd already spent in his presence, she and her wolf were interested in the new wolf/hybrid. Which as far as things go, wasn't exactly normal for her, she was always a bit more than a little cautious around new people.

Her mouth curled up at his laugh and the look he gave her. "That makes sense," she agreed then fell silent as he spoke about losing his father and brother. "I'm sorry to hear that." She wasn't sure what she would do if she ever lost Don. "But it's not the same."

"For the most part, yeah. Don is my brother and he and Ricky have known each other since they were in diapers. I met Abby and Jason in Kindergarten and the rest, the guys just met through middle school and high school. They were all obsessed with cars and/or tech... and most being wolves or having magic just added to the bond. We just became a family after that," she explained with a smile and a nod.

He's learned in his travel to be honest, tell them what he can. Just to let them know what he's been through, all that he's had and hasn't known. So he's honest with her, but it's a reminder that he doesn't have this and hasn't ever.

He's never had a pack, never had others he could turn to. Not that were wolves and could understand what he's been through or the things he's done without. Being with a pack, every time, makes him long for things he knows he'll never have.

"It's okay. I never knew what it was like to have them around as a pack and they weren't much better as family. My dad never even told us about the curse, just made us live with it when it happened." Which had chased off his brother, and had lost him that as well.

He shakes his head at that. "Sounds like this place draws in wolves. Or you and your family do," he points out. "Which isn't a bad thing. Family is a good thing."

Les frowned at his description of his family. "I'm so sorry to hear that," she said. "I know how flat that sounds but if there's anything all of us can relate to, it's shit childhoods on some end of the spectrum. Did you have a pack before you became a hybrid?" She paused then winced. "I'm sorry, that's probably... no, definitely none of my business." She was really trying hard not to be nosey with those that came into their lives. And truthfully, Les could only imagine how much harder it was now to find a pack as a werewolf-vampire hybrid.

Her mouth quirked up. "I'm sure it's a mixture of both. With the Redwoods so close by, I think that attracts a certain kind of person and wolf. And well our family... we collect strays, I guess you could say. So, careful, you may be part of that sooner or later," she couldn't help but tease him with a smile. That was even assuming he'd want to be part of a pack!

"Naw, it didn't sound flat. It is about the only answer. I don't talk about it much, and I just do what I need to." And right now that is protecting all of the packs that he can.

He looks at her, giving her a look. "Hey, right now I'm an open book. Okay? You guys are looking after me, I can definitely answer questions. I never had a pack. Vampires used me to get me to shift, and then I was in a town overrun by vampires, and the supernatural. It's what drew in the Mikaelsons, the originals. I had friends and other than my brother before they killed him, I didn't know any other wolves until I started warning others."

Then after he'll go back to Mystic Hills and try and not die because Klaus will know what he's done.

He nods, glancing out the window. "Can't say those forests aren't amazing. I love how they feels." He laughs at that, giving her a look. "I suspect your alpha and beta wouldn't love you throwing that out there when I'm why there's trouble for you. If I had died, he wouldn't know it could work."

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