Chapter 2: Strangers

"No, you're right Seb. This latest attacked didn't cause that much damage. These scars are older. I'd say at least four or five years older," Wes confirmed, moving away from the still unconscious boy. As they had discussed the night before they had reconvened in the Common Room, early the next morning, closing and locking the door to ensure no humans wandered in by mistake.

Sebastian, who had spent the night studying the wolf left in his care, had noted several scars littering the other boy's chest, faded and dull , and almost impossible to date due to their unnatural ability to heal. From his study, he had concluded that these scars were created before this current attack and anger had coursed through him that someone would attack a defenceless beta wolf, leaving behind that kind of damage. The emotion surprised him, especially since this strange beta was not part of his Pack and owed no allegiance to him.

He had noted with some surprise the Pack-marks on the boy's hip bone as well. He had assumed the strange runt was a Stray, especially due to his ability to stand before the Alpha-Leader and not flinch. The least faded of the mark's was familiar, however, Sebastian couldn't place where he had seen it before. With the Primary Alpha being his father, he had spent time traveling among the other Packs with him, negotiating treaties and ensuring the peace remained. His father had indicated some discontent emanating among the Packs in the west, but had no concern for their own currently.

Pulled from his thoughts by the boy on the couch groaning and opening his eyes, struggling to raise himself into a seated position, Sebastian indicated for his Pack to move back and give the strange wolf room. He did not want a repeat of the previous night and had to ensure he got the answers he needed before he allowed the other wolf to leave.

"Good morning," Sebastian stated, settling on the coffee table in front of Blaine, pose relaxed and as unthreatening as possible. "Welcome back."

Wearily, Blaine studied him for a moment, seeming to struggle to place him. "Do I know you?" he asked, quietly, seeming to shrink into himself instinctively at being confronted by the Alpha-Leader.

Frowning, Sebastian studied the other boy, noting that this Blaine acted like expected for a Beta wolf confronted by an Alpha. His position was demure, almost seeming to shrink into himself, and avoided the gaze of the Alpha in respect. Not understanding this complete change in personality from the previous evening, Sebastian replied bluntly, "No."

Blaine flinched and seemed to droop more into himself. "Sebastian," Jeff chastised before settling himself down beside Blaine on the couch and wrapping a comforting arm around the other Beta. Blaine leaned into the hug, eyes closing and nose burying itself in Jeff's collar to take in his scent. Blaine hummed low in his throat which only Sebastian and Jeff could hear him. The sounds told Sebastian that the other wolf wasn't use to being comforted in such a manner, which given his Pack-Mark, was odd.

The enigma that the other wolf presented continued to intrigue Sebastian. "What do you remember?" he asked, studying the boy wrapped in Jeff's arms.

Eyes popping open at the question, Blaine studied the Alpha-Leader. He hesitated then replied, "Running and being cold."

"Those are sensations," Sebastian snapped, irritably. He didn't seem to be getting anywhere. The Beta shrank back into Jeff's embrace, quaking at the anger from the Alpha-Leader.

"S-sorry," he stuttered. "Sorry, sorry, sorry." He buried his face back into Jeff's chest, trying to make himself as small as possible.

Jeff, even in his most submissive, was never this fearful, and pain for the Beta clenched Sebastian's gut. Usually Betas who had been abused would act in this manner, fearful of the Alphas, quick to apologize if they thought they had even slighted the other wolf. He pursed his lips. "I'm not angry, Blaine," he soothed quietly, causing the Beta to detach himself from Jeff and look at him, finally making eye-contact. "I just want to help you get back to your Pack."

Now a frown marred Blaine's face. "I was running," he offered, seeming to struggle to piece together the events from the night before. "It's the only time I feel free. I don't know what happened, I just remember pain and cold. H-he bit me." Blaine's hand ghosted to his arm. "It was a wolf, I think. Everything was dark and I couldn't make out much. Did you take me to the hospital? I could have rabies." The boy's eyes widened at the thought, and Sebastian tried not to scoff at the thought that werewolves could get rabies. Their immune systems would never allow it which was why they never got sick and aged at an extremely slow rate.

Sebastian frowned in confusion, Blaine's explanation making it seem like the other boy wasn't even aware that they, himself included, were werewolves. "You don't have rabies, Blaine," he dismissed with a wave of his hand. "Now, can you tell me where you're from?"

Concentration marred Blaine's features, before they dissolved into worry. "No," he whispered. "I don't remember. I don't remember." He started to breath fast and heavy, not seeming to bring enough oxygen into his lungs.

"He's having a panic attack, Sebastian," Wes stated, moving forward to lend assistance as needed. Sebastian sighed, and made eye-contact with the Beta. "You are fine, Blaine," he said softly, letting his words ring through with the Alpha-Leader authority he possessed. Blaine's eyes fluttered. "Take calming breaths. I promise you have nothing to worry about."

Blaine drew strength from the words this boy was saying to him; taking deep, calming breaths and trying to regulate his breathing accordingly. After a few minutes, he had control of himself again, surprised that he had responded to this boy's words so well. He was still concerned that he was surrounded by strangers, but at least they seemed nice. He just wished he knew more and could remember.

Nodding his approval at Blaine regaining control, Sebastian glanced over his shoulder at the Asian boy who had moved slightly closer during Blaine's distress. "He lost his memory?" he demanded. "Why did he lose his memory?"

The Asian sighed. "It's probably because of the trauma, Seb," Wes replied. "He didn't appear to have any abrasions last night, so it's probably temporary. I've never heard of this before, but I'll need to consult with Dr. Duval to confirm what we can do about it or how to help Blaine." Sebastian nodded, taking in the information and quietly trying to decide what to do with the Runt now in their midst.

Curious about these boys, Blaine studied all the faces surrounding him, instinctively knowing that they wouldn't hurt him. Drawing a deep breath, he asked timidly, "Who are you? " When Sebastian turned to look at him again, he continued stuttering, "I– I don't mean to be r-rude but y-you s-seem familiar e-even t-though you said I d-don't know you. Sorry." He shrank into himself again, instinctively turning and burying himself back into Jeff's embrace, trying to draw comfort in the unfamiliar situation.

Sighing, Sebastian gave him a small, reassuring smile. "You need to stop apologizing, Blaine. My name is Sebastian Smythe, I'm the Alpha-Leader of the Chicago Pack." He indicated Nick. "Nick Duval is my second, he's the one that found you. Our Asian friend is Wes, Wesley Montgomery, and he acts as 'medic' for our pack. David Franklin is our scout," Sebastian pointed out the dark-skinned boy who was standing the furthest away, seeming to be keeping a close eye on the door. "And finally, the only Beta currently in our Pack, Jeffery Sterling."

"Chicago Pack?" Blaine questioned confused, sitting up straighter and actually making eye-contact with Sebastian. "Are you a gang?" he asked horrified that he had tumbled into something way above his head.

Nick snorted with laughter and Jeff started giggling uncontrollably, causing Blaine to frown further. "No, Blaine," Sebastian reassured quickly. "Not a gang. We're a Pack. It's like a large extended family who all act like siblings."

"Oh, so is this a cultural thing?" Blaine asked eagerly, wanting to understand the dynamic.

Sebastian frowned, and glanced over his shoulder to Wes, ensuring the other Alpha was noting that the Runt was acting like a Changed wolf which was cause for concern especially with the Pack sign. "Um yeah," Jeff supplied. "Something like that." He knew that the Pack would need to discuss this lack of knowledge prior to trying to discuss it with Blaine.

"Cool," Blaine sighed, settling back into Jeff's embrace without thought. "That's pretty awesome." He yawned, and drooped a little. "Thank you for helping me," he added softly.

Jeff smiled down at the other boy who was fighting off sleep still clutched in his embrace. Jeff's beta instincts were demanding that he care for the other boy. "It's no problem, Blaine," Nick reassured, taking in the other boy's fight with sleep. "Go back to sleep. We'll all be here when you wake up."

Blaine shook his head, and tried to force open his eyes again. "Go to sleep, Blaine," Sebastian instructed, noting that the Beta was trying to fight Nick's reassuring words and needing a moment with his Pack. "We won't let anything happen to you. You are safe here, I promise." Those words seemed to penetrate the stubbornness of the Beta and Blaine settled down, finally letting his eyes droop and close. Moments later he was shifted to lie on the sofa, deep asleep, the reassurances from the Alpha-Leader enough.

"He's going to be lethargic for a few days," Wes told the group quietly, watching as Jeff laid a throw-blanket over the other Beta. "His body is still healing from the attack and needs the extra rest to make sure his strength remains."

Sebastian was quietly trying to come up with a solution to their current predicament. He had a Beta who couldn't remember where he belonged. Blaine didn't have a mating mark, so at least they didn't have to worry about an irate Alpha looking for his mate. The boy had two Pack-marks, which was interesting because usually only Betas who had mated would move from Pack to Pack. It bothered him that he couldn't quite place the more prominent of the two marks; he knew the memory would eventually surface but for now he needed to consider whether to add a third Pack-mark and have the runt join their Pack until he could be returned to his own.

"He's like a pup," Jeff said softly, hands once again carding through black curls. The Beta was drawn to the runt and seemed connected to him on some level. Sebastian noted the softening of Nick's eyes as he took in the action of the blond beta, noting once again that Nick was being too stubborn about the mating process. It was only a matter of time before the Alpha finally laid claim to Jeff, Sebastian was just waiting to give them the right push. Everyone with eyes could see how Nick was smitten with the beta of their Pack and Sebastian was determined that they would mate eventually.

"You haven't said anything Sebastian," Wes observed, arms crossed over his chest.

Sighing, Sebastian moved from the table and threw himself on one of the couches opposite where Blaine was sleeping. "I'm trying to decide the best course of action," the Alpha-Leader admitted to his Pack. "We could induct the Runt into our Pack until he could safely be returned." He paused, taking in the various expressions on his Packs' faces. "Or we send him on his way, although I'm loath to do that to a Beta, especially one who doesn't seem to remember he's one of us to begin with."

Before the others could offer suggestions, David unlocked the door and darted over to them. "The rest of the Warblers are here," he murmured quietly, and the Pack automatically adjusted as humans began to filter into the room, their discussion about Blaine's future momentarily on pause.

The boys greeted the humans entering the room, and dispersed to various locations around, integrating and mingling. Sebastian slid onto the couch Blaine occupied, lifting the Beta's feet into his lap, knowing his presence would keep the Runt from waking and freaking out by being surrounded by the humans. Thad approached him, eyes taking in the sleeping figure of Blaine.

"Whose this?" Thad asked, eyes drifting and studying the sleeping boy with interest.

Sebastian swallowed the warning growl he was thinking of issuing to the boy, instincts to protect Blaine from the human overriding his consciousness to his surprise. The wolf in him didn't like the boy approaching a vulnerable member of his Pack. "This is Blaine," Sebastian replied with an unfriendly current in his voice, hoping to persuade the human to move on. The Warblers knew how hot-tempered and unapproachable Sebastian could be; some of them had been on the receiving end of the Alpha's temper more than once.

"Is he new to Dalton?" Thad refused to take the hint and back down. The boy sleeping with his feet in Sebastian's lap was cute, his hair curly and unruly, eye lashes long where they met his cheeks and face serene in sleep.

Sebastian's face twisted into a scrowl as he fought to keep the wolf in him at bay. "Yes," Sebastian replied in a clipped tone. He moved from the couch and lifted Blaine bridal style with ease, the boy's head cradled on his shoulder. "I'm taking him back to his room," he added, before striding from the Common Room, the Beta in his arms not even stirring at the movement, content to nuzzle into Sebastian's neck instead. Sebastian refused to acknowledge that he clutched the Beta tighter in response.