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

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."

"I get that," she said after a moment, nodding her head in understanding. "Sometimes, it's all you can do. Move forward and do what you have to in order to survive or make it to the next day."

That went doubly so with the supernatural world, she thought.

Her mouth quirked up at the look he gave her. "Regardless, you're allowed privacy. I don't want to be too nosy." She listened to what he had to say about what life was like in Mystic Falls and frowned at the thought of the place being overrun by vampires.

"That sounds exhausting," she finally admitted. "And to not have met other wolves after becoming one would make being one hard. Especially not having anyone to run with or just having that support." It wasn't the first, nor will it be anywhere close to the last time that Les found herself thankful that she had her brother and the others.

Les grinned. "The trees are the best part about living around here," she confessed. "You'll have to take a run sometime in them while you're here."

She tilted her head and considered that. "Probably not but they can't deny our track record." Though, it had been a while. She debated with herself for a moment, unsure how it might work for him but deciding to ask. "Are the wolf and vampire sides merged or... can you feel the wolf separately? Take, for example, I can feel my wolf. I've always been intuned with her. Is it the same for you? And you don't have to answer, of course."

Surviving is all Tyler has done. Even with others he cared about, others he even loved, but in the end his life was about survival and there really wasn't anything more left to it despite how much he clings to the few tidbits he has.

So for Les to be so open and friendly and them to accept him in for the time he's there, it means everything. It's something that truly helps with that survival.

"I've had a few people supporting me. Just not wolves. Caroline and Elena and Matt. We're all going through a lot with what Mystic Falls became but we work hard to be there for one another so we can all get through it."

But the concept she's talking about, it makes him ache in ways he often tries to ignore. How beautiful and amazing having that kind of support could be.

"I've love that. I would definitely be up for a run. It's beautiful here," he says, glancing out the window and then back to her. He considers that track record, but knows he can't let himself get his hopes up.

"I told you. I'll answer anything for you, but yeah. I can feel it separate. Just a little more feral, I think but that may just be in my mind."

If there was anyone or any group who understood on some level what he went through about being accepted, it was likely this group. They had found each other, some of them coming from truly shit home lives and they were there for each other. They helped and assisted other neighborhoods out when they needed it and at the end of the day, their found family was the one thing that mattered most.

She nodded in understanding. "That makes sense. I'm glad that even if they weren't wolves that you had that support network." Les's mouth quirked up wryly as she rolled her eyes, mostly to herself. "God, I sound like one of my old school counselors."

"Great, then, we'll make it happen," she said with a grin, more or less inviting herself along. Which, would then invite the rest of the pack but it wouldn't hurt. Les listened to what he said about how the two were separate.

She tilted her head and nodded. "I can see that though. If my wolf was sharing head space with my vampire side, she may be a bit more feral as well."

The very idea of anyone wanting to take him in isn't something that would occur to Tyler. He's spent so long on his own, knowing he is the only of his kind and needs to be the only of his kind no matter what, that he's never thought about the possibility of anyone wanting to take him in. He's a threat and a danger, and he accepts that. Even if it sucks.

He laughs at that. "You really do, but it's true. I lost my family and I'm definitely not standing with the Mikaelsons. I spent days on end forcing my shift back and forth to break the sire bond. I'd rather die than side with them. Even to have a pack of any sort."

He definitely never wants that to be something in his life.

The thought of running with others though is an amazing thought. It's not something he's ever had, or that any of the other packs offered him, though he can't blame them.

"The oddest part is coping with the sunlight. I have the means to be in sunlight, from a friend, which you should also know that others have that means as well. Beyond the Mikaelsons. But my body craves the sun and hates it at the same time, and hates the moon and craves the night."

"Fuck, that must have been really painful," Les said just imagining him forcing the shift back and forth to break the sire bond. She nodded in understanding. "Yeah, I can't say I blame you. They don't sound like the best sort to be sided with." Although, she could imagine being sided with a family like that would attract certain people - the type who enjoyed the power and chaos.

Les watched Tyler as he talked and thought about how at odds that would be to both crave and hate the sun and the moon. "It's like you can't get away from the day or the night. That would be exhausting," she said, shaking her head.

"Outside of cross country road trips to warn packs about sociopathic hybrids, what kind of things are you into or enjoy doing?" Considering their family, it was only natural that he come out to the races one night while he's here helping them out. It was a sudden change of subject, she knew, and despite the subject, they ended up on, she still found him interesting. She also couldn't deny that her wolf found him interesting as well.

With others he's hedged on it, lied about it. Caroline had seen it, but with the others he shrugged and dismissed it. Other wolves though they know the truth and they know what that means, what he's been through.

"Yeah, it sucked. It was... horrific, but the idea of being Klaus' fucking puppet was more terrifying."

And it still is, even if he's fairly sure it will never happen again.

He looks at her for a long moment because she got something he couldn't always explain and no one seemed to understand. "Exhausted all the time except my body heals it," he agrees in a soft voice.

"I used to play football. I enjoyed a lot of sports. I was a rich kid in a town where my family were the founders and leaders. I was the son of the mayor. I mostly partied and drove fast and... and squandered all of my life before I was triggered. Then everything was focused on vampires and assholes and trying to save those I care about." He snorts, rolling his eyes. "Speaking of exhausting things."

He's never gone back to calm, to relaxing, to having fun. His life is just this now.

"Yeah, the pain would outweigh the idea of becoming anyones puppet," Les agreed. She respected that. If there was anything she knew about herself, it was that she loathed anyone having that kind of power over her. Having a pack and an alpha (and potentially a mate one day) was different. She'd heard stories and had heard what Tyler had told Ricky and Don earlier that day about the vampires in question and it made her wolf growly.

She met his gaze with a little tilt of her head. "Lord," she said with a sigh as she shook her head. "That sounds beyond exhausting since it's a continuous cycle 24/7." Les hated that for him and hated that's what he dealt with on a daily basis.

Les listened and grinned. "Ah, driving fast, now that's something I'm definitely familiar with." Well, okay that and the sports part. "Considering everything you've been through, that makes sense. It sounds like it keeps you busy." Her life compared to his seemed much quieter. Illegal street races and making sure people weren't creating extra trouble in their neighborhoods, it was all pretty mundane compared to vampires and the like.

"Why do you think I jumped on the Cockblock Klaus Tour?" He grins as he says it like it's all a joke and nothing serious. No sense his life dragging down everyone else. "Sure it's still more of their shit but it's just me and outdoors and I only got hit a few times at first, before I had packs to vouch for me."

Once he'd done the first couple of packs, they had given him messages and to send on and more and more listened to him. Just as they had here. It means less fights, and just a lot of stress still.

He's never known a time of his wolf running free, of trusting he can shift and not have it used against him, to be somehow locked in the form and fearing for that, from the stories he's heard.

"Yeah busy. I was really hoping for college, a scholarship to going pro and then maybe a trophy wife in a few years or something," he says with a laugh. "Now I'm just hoping to not die before I'm thirty."

Most days he hopes. A lot of them he's not sure he's going to make it either. He'll keep trying though.

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