Chapter 3 – Road Trip:

/AN/ This is a long chapter, but I wanted to talk about pack dynamics and my take on the Omega role that seems to crop up. It's probably not to eveyones likeing, but I hated the idea of a sub class in the Packs. It would be like a second class citizen. So the original term of an Omega is one without a Pack. It was later reconned from Wolf studies and used in a derogtory fashion for the more submissive Wolves in packs that the Alpha played the betas off of each other. The Hales wernt that sort of Pack. In this world not all of them would be, unfortunatley you will get arse holes in every society. As you will see. /AN/

The Camero and the Veyron pulled up a couple of streets away from the Argents house. After a minute both of the older Wolves got out and walked to the back of the Camero. Both were casually looking around. "I don't see any one but we need to be careful in case they left a spotter." Derek said after he was sure there wasn't any strange activity that he could detect with his heightened senses.

Damion nodded "Jackson and I can circle around to the other side of the estate and come in from that side, you could take Allison and Scott over the back and Stiles can keep a watch for activity from here."

Derek nodded and signalled the others to join them. He briefly explained the plan to which Stiles complained "Why am I getting left in the car?"

Derek scowled and said "Because you can't scale garden walls, and jump over roofs. Plus if there is any need to bring in the counter agent, we need someone here to do that. Also if anything happens having someone on the outside that can cause a diversion would be a benefit."

Stiles made and oh face then smiled "Cool, I'm the plan B."

Jackson muttered "Oh god help us." And Damion nudged him as Scott sent him a dirty look, thankfully Stiles hadn't seen it or there would have been more delays.

They split up and Stiles got back into the Camero taking out his phone, "least I get Angry Birds while I car-sit." He said as he booted up the game.

..oo00OO00oo..

Jackson and Damion made their way to the street past the Argents and walked up it keeping their senses open for any unusual activity. Apart from several middle age curtain twitchers, there were no signs of anything and certainly no distinctive odours that flagged their attention.

Jackson frowned "Do you think they haven't left anyone to keep watch?"

Damion shrugged "It's possible between the assault and the isolating of the Argents; they may have thought it was enough."

They reached the end of the street and crossed over to the street the Argents lived on. Again they carried out the same checks and looked for anything, but once more nothing.

They got to the end of the Street and Damion scratched under his ear "its possible White was that arrogant to dismiss them as irrelevant once he had what he wanted."

Jackson thought about that then asked "Should we head back to the Cars or see if we're needed at the house?"

Damion looked back up the road "We'll let Stiles know and head back up, better safe than sorry."

Jackson nodded and pulled out his phone and dialled Stiles. "Come on, pick up… Stiles"

Damion could hear Stiles over the phone "Dude you called at the worst time, I was about to get the King Piggy!"

Jackson shook his head "You're meant to be on watch not playing Angry Birds."

Stiles retorted "Well there is nothing happening here. Seriously I've seen more action watching paint dry, no cars, no vans, and no people."

"Well, we've finished our sweep, and the same we can't see anything either. We're going back to the house. Keep an eye open and let us know if you see anything." Jackson said.

"Roger that. Have fun." Stiles said and ended the call.

Damion and Jackson headed back towards the Argents, again nothing out of the ordinary in the suburbs.

..oo00OO00oo..

Derek, Scott and Allison headed down the side of an empty house, they moved quickly to ensure no one saw but the bulk of the house covered them from the street. They had gone up the street that back onto the Argents and again had spotted no one watching the house. They went to the property line and in a graceful succession they all vaulted the fence and into neighbouring property. This was the Argents neighbours and thankfully both of the occupants worked so the house was empty. They reached the fence and Derek went first then signalled the others to follow.

Allison sighed as she landed "This wasn't the home coming I had planned."

Scott shot her a supportive look "Better to be safe that put anyone in danger."

Derek held up his hand and Scott and Allison both stopped. He gave one final check and nodded, the wolves moved towards the back door. They stopped at the backdoor and listened; inside they could make out two heartbeats in the house. Derek looked at Allison and she opened the back door and the three headed inside into the utility room.

They made their way into the Kitchen and Allison called out "Mum, Dad?" There was movement from the living room and the older Argents rushed into Kitchen.

Chris ran to Allison and swept her into an embrace "Thank god you're all right. I, we were so worried about you."

Victoria held back for a moment then joined them in the embrace "Oh Allison…"

Scott and Derek held back and both Wolves scented the air sniffing to see if they could detect any signs of the disease or illness. Victoria looked at them over Allison's shoulder and her eyes narrowed. "Did you have to bring them as well?" she asked.

Allison broke the embrace and shot a reproachful look at her mother. "I wouldn't be here without them, and neither would you."

Chris gave her a questioning look "What do you mean?"

Allison looked to Derek and he nodded for her to tell them "White was some sort of creature, he infected the hunters that came here and launched and assault on us. If it weren't for my Pack mates White would have released a global pandemic."

Victoria gave her an almost dismissive look "Really, flights of fantasy won't help."

Chris held up his hand to stop her and asked "What do you mean creature and was Sam involved?"

Allison shook her head "No, Sam wasn't there. White was some sort of re-animated monster. He didn't care for his own men and just used them as carriers. We all nearly died, and I don't just mean from the assault or just us." She indicated the other Wolves meaning her pack.

Chris frowned "No direct assault should have been sanctioned. I understand their changing leadership after everything that went on, but no assault would have been called for unless you were doing something." He said the last towards Derek, questioning his actions.

Derek growled his eyes flashing red "We haven't been doing anything except trying to get on with our lives. It was your hunters that encroached onto our territory and made attacks on us. We defended ourselves."

Allison shot her father a look and shook her head "Derek's right they attacked us time and time again, even in this very house White attacked me. This isn't what you told me the hunters were about."

Chris sighed "No it's not. We are only meant to stop a threat to normal people. That's why we came here in the first place to ensure that the Werewolves weren't posing a threat to the area. Kate stayed here in what was meant to be routine be surveillance."

Derek's anger flared again but Scott answered his own anger spiking in "Routine surveillance, routine surveillance he says. She kicked off events that led to the whole damn mess at the start of the year and it's like she's doing it again!"

Victoria's head snapped round to look at Scott "What do you mean she's doing it again. She's dead at his Uncles hand!" She said pointing at Derek.

At that moment the front door bell rang and all head turned. Derek, Scott and Allison detected the heartbeats of Damion and Jackson and visibly relaxed. Chris and Victoria stayed on edge. Allison went to the front door and opened it. Jackson and Damion Stood there and Damion quirked and eyebrow to Allison shooting her a reassuring smile "Avon calling." He said. Allison stood back and let them both in where they then joined the others in the Kitchen.

Victoria bristled at more Wolves in her house "So the Packs all here then. Now what were you going on about Kate for." She spat with a fair amount of venom.

Damion snorted and said "Pleasure to meet you as well. I take it we have gotten to the nub of the matter?" He asked of the room.

Derek answered "No we were getting to the accusations and blame."

Damion clapped "Oh goodie, I didn't miss it."

Victoria glared at Damion and Derek; Scott covered a chuckled with a cough."What did you mean when you said she was at it again?" She asked again with more force.

Damion took out his phone and threw it to Derek. Derek unlocked it and played the MP3 that was queued up. Kate's hate filled voice filled the air as the recording of the conversation with Derek played out. Chris and Victoria stood there, the shock clearly etched on their faces.

When it finished Victoria shook her head and said "No that was recorded before she died. She can't be alive unless you monsters did something to her. That's not her." She said with finality.

Chris looked less certain that his wife "How can that be her?" he asked.

Derek looked to Damion for him to explain "We think something re-animated her, and White. We think they are trying to do something that involves some larger game plan, but one of those moves is to destroy us, and remove you from hunters."

Chris thought about what was being said "We were excommunicated from the hunters by the Guard. That seemed to have been decided before White even showed up. He seemed more interested in getting Sam to do what he was told and provoking Allison."

Jackson had a curious expression "What's the Guard?"

Victoria shot him a scathing look "They are our elders. They oversee the operations and insure that we act within the code."

Derek answered her as Jackson bristled at her tone "Well it seems that either they weren't in on this plan, or who ever White worked for has their fingers in that pie as well. You may want to get your own house in order if it's been compromised."

Chris nodded "What about Sam, do you know where he is, was he infected as well?"

Allison shook her head "No, he wasn't in the attack and there was no one at the safe house when we cleaned it up."

Chris raised an eyebrow "Those explosions were you? I thought it was a group of the hunters."

Derek snorted "Yeah like they would have been able to clean up a plague."

Victoria spat out "And mongrels like you can?"

This time it was all the Wolves that were bristling at her tone, Derek's eyes flash crimson and Damion's sank into blackness and black and red lightning crackled round his right arm. When Damion spoke his tone was icy cold "Yes, mongrels like us stopped a plague that was designed to decimate the world, released by a psychopath that was using your precious hunters like walking incubators. Don't disrespect us again or I will show you the full extent of my displeasure."

Victoria and Chris backed away and Chris stepped in front of his wife to protect her. Allison turned and placed a hand on Damion's shoulder with a pleading look in her eyes. He nodded and the lighting faded and his eyes returned to normal as did Derek's. "Be grateful that your daughter is far more generous and forgiving than you are."

Derek stepped forward "We came to make sure that you hadn't been killed for Allison's sake, we also thought to warn you that Kate is back and no friend to anyone, even family. If you do make contact with your Guard tell them to stay out of Beacon hills. We will ensure the safety of the Hale Pack territory." He signalled the others and they made to leave.

Chris caught Allison's arm. "Allison you don't need to go with them."

Scott turned and growled at Chris his eyes golden. Allison shook her head "No I have to go with them. They are my Pack and Scott is my Mate. They need me and I need to be with them. We have to stop this."

Victoria came forward "Don't be foolish, you need to stay here, regardless of what nonsense they have told you and about you're... condition." Her voice was iron hard.

Allison turned her head away and when she turned back both of her parents could see the tears in her eyes. "Why do you keep making the same stupid mistakes and treat me like I don't know anything. They have treated me more like a person in my own right that you ever have or will. They trust my skills with their lives as I trust them with mine. They respect my decisions and my opinion, and have never given me reason to doubt them. As for Scott, don't you get it I'm in love with Scott he is my Mate and we are bonded." She pulled at the neck of her T-shirt and showed the mate tattoo.

Chris sighed and Victoria's hand flew to her mouth, she forced it down and the anger returned "How could you deface yourself for him, and you say they never talk you into anything."

Scott growled and came to his mate's side "She never defaced herself for me and I would never ask her too, is that how little you think of me. That mark is a sign that we are Mates two people who are bonded together at the deepest level, to be together always." He pulled his T-shirt up and showed the matching mark.

Victoria seemed not to want to get the significance of the mark, but Chris seemed to understand, he placed a hand on Victoria's shoulder "I've seen that before. So you really do love him, and he loves you back. If you feel you have to go then you have to go."

Victoria looked like she wanted to argue, but after a look at Chris's face she turned away from them and left the room. Allison slumped against Scott and he nuzzled her offering her his support.

Jackson let out a low whistle "Intense."

Derek frowned at him "We had better get going."

The Wolves headed to the front door. Chris caught Allison's hand again but his face showed resigned understanding. "Allison give you mother time, she has, we have a lot of years of prejudice to work through. Your turning took her and me by surprise, it's been hard to deal with the fact you didn't think you could come to us, and our reaction to you when you did. Please give us time, and be safe." He looked at Scott and Derek with the silent request that they keep her safe and both nodded.

Allison hugged her father and whispered "I will dad, I still love you both."

Chris returned the embrace and whispered "I never stopped loving you Allison, neither of us did. You will always be our little girl. I guess we weren't ready for you becoming a young woman when we weren't looking." He kissed her on the cheek and they broke the embrace.

As they were about to leave Allison looked up and saw her mother standing at the top of the stairs. She looked torn between saying something and just watching Allison leave. Allison sprang up the stairs and hugged her mother, Victoria looked stunned then returned it "I still love you mom."

Victoria nodded "I love you too Allison."

They broke the embrace and Allison ran out of the house. The wolves made their exit as Derek was about to step out Victoria called down "Watch out for my little girl, or I'll nail your pelt to a wall." Derek looked at her, the concerned mother he could respect that, he nodded and left closing the door.

..oo00OO00oo..

The Wolves got back into the car and headed out onto the freeway. Using their phones they had set up and inter-car radio so they could speak to each other. Stiles was getting brought up to speed by Scott over what had happened and Jackson was adding in bits he thought Scott was leaving out.

Scott had his arm wrapped around Allison shoulder and she was leaning into him wresting her head on his shoulder. "So her mom was like, don't go with them, and Allison told them to back off and let her grow up."

Jackson added "Yeah but she handed them their asses when she did it. You mate is cool."

Stiles snorted "Jackson she's taken, you're back with Lydia. Also I miss out on the cool stuff."

Jackson replied offended at the implication "Hey, I was just saying she knows how to handle herself, besides she's kind'a like my sister, it would be really weird."

Stiles made a gagging noise "That's just as weird you know that."

Damion cut in "Pups before this conversation deteriorates any further, please." There was a chorus of 'Sorry' from both cars. He then went on to address Derek "You realise that were going to need to, you know..."

Derek gripped the steering wheel tighter, the leather creaking under the pressure before he responded. "Yeah I know, I wanted to avoid it but there are too many..."

Damion sighed "Yup, two maybe three would have been ok. So we need to do it..."

"I know, I know." It was Derek's turn to sigh.

Stiles broke in at that point "Ok, for those of us that don't speak half sentence Alpha communications what was that about?"

Damion answered "Do you remember when I arrived; I said there was a Pack council."

Allison straightened up at that not have been told and not having been at the original meeting, and Scott perked up "I think we all do." He said

Damion carried on "Well, as the name implies it's a council of Packs, as in more than one. The Hale Pack isn't the only one in California, it's one of the oldest on this side of the country, but it's also one of the smaller ones. LA has its own Pack."

Stiles made an 'Oh' noise as he started to get an idea of what was happening. Jackson frowned "So why is that a problem, won't they help us?"

Derek responded "No, most packs maintain an isolationist attitude. If you're Pack then your fine, anyone outside of the Pack is seen as a potential threat; also some Packs are really territorial and traditional."

Stiles asked "Traditional as in they celebrate Werewolf Holidays and give Werewolf Presents?"

Derek shook his head "No, as in they hold a ridged hierarchy class system based on dominance and rank."

Scott frowned as he asked "We have a hierarchy, you're the Alpha, and then it's Damion. Then I head up the Betas, right?"

"No as in the Alpha is the dominant force in pack and enforces its will onto the others. The betas are subservient to the Alpha, and the lowest rung, what in a Wolf pack is the Omega is basically the whipping wolf or human if the Pack has any." Derek responded

Scott frowned. "Like what Peter did to me when he forced me to hunt the others?"

Derek agreed. "Yeah that would be an example, as an Alpha you can force your will onto your pack. It's invasive and a breach of most Packs privacy. But in a battle or a life and death situation it can make a difference to have all the members act with one will. That's what it's really meant for, not to force you to act against your will."

Stiles pondered the pack structure and asked. "Didn't Damion say he was an Omega?"

Damion made an agreeing sound "In my terms I was, Omegas are technically a pack-less wolf in old Werewolf parlance, but as the terms were applied to Wolf hierarchy and the term was brought back into Werewolf usage to describe the lowest members. It's derogatory because really the only real level difference in a Werewolf pack is between the Alpha and Beta state. The strength of the beta's can vary and you also have dominant and submissive wolfs as well. In some packs this created a sub class that wasn't really termed anything until they started using omega. It became an excuse in some Packs to have as Derek put it a whipping wolf."

"Not that I'm complaining that we don't do that, but why don't you do that?" Stiles pondered out loud to Derek.

Derek tensed before he answered and had to visibly try and relax himself "The Hales have always been a Family Pack. The order was always naturally there so we didn't need to enforce anything. The only time might be if a new wolf lost it on the full moon, or a bitten wolf joined us."

"A lot of old packs work like that, the ones that are Family members at the core of the Pack. The ones that are formed on power or control they tend to want the hierarchy because it makes it clear who's in charge." Damion added.

"So who is in charge of LA?" Allison asked.

This time both Damion and Derek sighed but it was Derek who answered "An Alpha named Jared, he's bat shit crazy and rigidly enforces the Pack structure. I remember he visited my family about ten or eleven years ago. He came with an entourage of Beta's and several what would be called Omegas. They all had to keep their gaze downwards in his presence and the couple that I talked to were well whipped. When he saw that I had talked to them he back handed me across the room."

Allison hissed in sympathy at the thought "Why would anyone do that to what, a thirteen year old?"

Derek remained silent on that but Damion answered with a weary tone "Traditionally when a born Wolf has its first shift around puberty he moves from being a tended pup, but they still don't have any official ranking in the pack till they reach their majority, which is around eighteen to twenty one year's depending on the pack. Normally it means that they are being trained to handle themselves and their wolf. The traditional view is to rank them like Omega's."

Jackson frowned "That's brutal to treat them like servants."

Damion scratched his neck thoughtfully before he answered "Originally the group that would be called Omegas weren't servants, or treated like that by most packs. They were the ones that weren't the best fighters, or more submissive rather than dominant than other wolves in the pack, not something to be ashamed off. They would fight for the pack but more as a last line rather than be at the forefront like a dominant Beta. People like Jared came to stamp them with that second class stamp and with it came the derogatory treatment. As an Alpha he deems what the pack does and they follow it."

Scott spoke up, the sound of distaste in his voice "But to hit a kid for talking to someone from another pack, you just don't hit kids." There was something in the way he said it made it sound like he had been on the receiving end of that sort of treatment once. His fingers brushed the scar under his eye.

Derek answered "My father protested it, but couldn't make so much of thing because the LA pack is much larger than the Hale pack was. We are an old pack but not the biggest one. He could only remonstrate that he should be the one to punish his own pack for infractions. When they were gone he apologised to me and I could see it ate at him to have had to let it happen. I felt shitty because I had stepped out of Pack protocol and my father had had to witness the results but be bound not to do anything without starting an inter Pack war."

The cars were silent for a while then Stiles asked a question "So who's dominant and submissive in our Pack then?"

Derek frowned and was reserved when answered. "It's not really important."

Jackson spoke up, feeling a tingling of dread in his stomach that he might know the answer as he did. "It's not that big of a deal to ask that questions is it?"

Scott added his agreement "Yeah, I mean it won't make any difference, but do we show signs? We might need to know, especially if were meeting another pack."

Allison smiled at Scott's thinking and said "Yeah it may come up, Derek is Dominant, and I would say Damion is as well."

Derek's tone was reserved when he finally answered admitting Scott had a valid concern. "Yeah, Scott has a point... I'm dominant, Damion is dominant. Scott and Allison are both dominant as well. Lydia is dominant even though she's not a wolf, Danny, Jackson and Stiles are submissive."

Stiles squawked indignantly and his tone went up "I'm not submissive; I'm dominant, and manly. Really ask anyone I am a manly man with man type parts!"

Jackson was really quiet when he said "oh."

Damion cast a quick glance to Jackson as Stiles carried on trying to convince everyone that he was dominant. Jackson was down cast and features had darkened. Taking one hand of the wheel he placed his hand on Jackson arm. Derek was busy telling Stiles to shut up.

"Jacks don't worry about, honestly." Damion said with concern audible in his voice.

Jackson looked at him from a moment the turned away to look out the window his confusion and doubt rolled of him like a wave. The others had also quietened down as they had caught the tail end of what Damion was saying.

Damion bit his lip as he thought how best to try and nip it in the butt. "I was submissive for a long time." He finally said, Jackson turned to look at him again and sort of snorted his disbelief. "No really. After my father was killed and I blamed myself it became a spiral of self doubt and a lot of personal loathing. I was reaching out to try and please everyone, and to not have anyone mad at me. The biggest one was not to make my mother mad and dessert me, I panicked about being abandoned and left alone. Those fed into my wolf and it became submissive. Scott has a really strong desire to protect everyone, that's what makes him dominant, but from what I have heard about him before he was submissive. Allison also has that same drive and desire to protect as Scott and being mate to the lead Beta also makes her dominant as well. Lydia is dominant because she is Lydia. Danny is submissive, hell you know him he's laid back and easy going and wants to make people happy. Stiles is submissive because he will do anything for friends or family, even if it's downright stupid mad or dangerous, also because he shoulders blame that is not his. Derek is dominant not just because he killed Peter and became the Alpha, he's dominant because he would do anything to protect his Pack and never let the mistakes of the past happen again, even if it means being hard on his Pack. I'm dominant and have been for a long time once I started to work through my issues, now I would move heaven and hell for my Pack and my mate, even if it means kicking my mate's ass. That's why the whole omega as the lowest ranking in a pack is stupid when the Pack is run responsibly, and a lot of Packs are."

Damion paused he knew the other car was listening in and he knew he needed to finish the summation to try and help Jackson. It would in a way help the Pack to know a bit more about why they were like they were. Jackson looked at Damion knowing what was about to be said and dreading it as well as wanting to know the answer to his unsaid question.

Damion took a breath and carried on; you could hear a pin drop in both cars as he started to talk. "Jackson yours is submissive right now because you have a lot of issues that you needed to work through. You're being adopted and the imperative that has left in you means that you want to please people, even ones that you don't know, and the people that you see in a position of authority most of all, that and not wanting to be abandoned again. It's also why when challenged by a dominant force you submit. Will you always be submissive probably not, will you be submissive with people outside the pack, again probably not. It's what Derek was trying to say, there is not absolutes. That's why it's also a really, really stupid thing to base a caste system on."

Stiles made an 'Oh' sound.

Derek spoke up "Yeah, it's why it was never really used in my family's Pack, sure you knew what you were, but it didn't make you any less than anyone else or damaged or wrong. We talk about the Wolf like it's separate from us, but it's not. It's everything that we are with all the human crap wiped off. It takes the core of what we are and that's what our wolf becomes. As Damion said things can change over time."

Damion pulled Jackson into a one armed hug, and he could see the Pup starting to loosen up as he realised that it wasn't a mark against him. He would still need to process it and what it meant to him and what he had to deal with but a first step had been made. He shot Damion a half smile, and Damion returned it with a reassuring look.

Derek added "If anyone tries to establish dominance over you then you deal with it as an attack, and you watch out for the others as well. Pack law's state that it's only within your own Pack that you have to display any submissiveness to anyone of your level. If it's Alpha then you show them respect."

Jackson chewed his lip for a second "Does that mean that we need to follow this pack stuff as well when were there?"

Damion winced but answered "Yeah, were going to need to appear like a more traditional pack to get through this." He looked at how Jackson was dressed. "We're also going to need to go shopping."

Jackson looked at himself self-consciously and with a certain level of trepidation as "What's wrong with what I'm wearing?"

Damion answered with "Not just you Jacks, all of us. Someone find a late opening Goth store."

Scott asked worriedly "Why a Goth Store?"

Again Derek answered but the tone was weary as he dealt with the idiocy of traditional Packs "We need a more traditional raw hide look. That means we need to leather up."

Scott could be heard making an 'oh' noise. "But we have Leather Jackets isn't that enough?"

Stiles added "Yeah we don't want to look like the village people." There was a smacking noise and Stiles going 'Ow' "Dude that was uncalled for and you say you're a more lenient Alpha."

Derek growled "No, just more tolerant at times. We need to look the part, we don't want then interfering but we need to announce ourselves. That means we need to at least look like a Pack that can handle itself and this is the easiest way, even if most of it are still Pups."

Damion agreed "Actually it's also an idea of why were there in LA, apart from tracking the Hunters to their home base, were showing the Pups other packs."

"Hmm not a bad idea, we certainly don't want any attention on the fact that the end of the world is coming... Guy's nuts enough to decide to side with them just because." Derek said.

"You have a point there. Hmm there's no way we can leave Stiles out of the meet either. It would raise far too many questions." Damion said after pulling at his bottom lip.

Stile was indignant at that "Oh come on, it's not like I would embarrass you guys on purpose."

"It's not that Stiles, your scent is all over us and the Cars. If we show up and you're not there questions will get raised and Jared may take it as an affront that our whole party didn't show up. But having you there means that you will get treated by them as an Omega. One slip and they could try and discipline you for it."

Scott was worried "That doesn't sound good, and we couldn't stop them?"

Jackson answered with the same worried tone as Scott "Shit, dude from what they said it would start a pack war if we did."

"You're both right." Derek said mirroring the Betas concern for their friend.

"Ok well I'll just have to be a good boy. It's too important for us to not get there and see if we can trace Kate, so tell me what I need to do and I'll do it. You may just owe me big afterwards." Stiles tone was resolute in his desire to do what was needed.

"If you're sure Stiles, Stick close to me and we'll say you're my assistant. It's a good thing that you won't need to wear a collar." Damion added.

"That's just so wrong, you realise that, even for a joke." Stiles answered.

Derek shook his head and snorted "He's not joking a few of the worst packs insist associated humans are collared. It's like a perverse joke to have human pets."

"The darker side of Werewolves no one tells you about." Stiles said taking his turn to sigh.

Scott leaned forward "In case it never comes up again, can I just say I'm glad you're our Alpha!"

Jackson and Allison both called out together "Seconded!"

Stiles had been searching for a shop and found one in a shopping arcade that was on their route."Ok found one that seems to specialise in leather and Goth wear. It's about an hour from here but not too far off route."

Derek nodded "Ok, well grab dinner while were there and then head to Damion's place. It will be too late to do an introduction so we can go over the rules we'll all need to follow." He said. They were all apprehensive about what would be ahead of them. "This may not have been one of our better Ideas." He added. Damion merely made an 'Hmm' noise as they gunned the engines and both cars shot down the free way.

..oo00OO00oo..

Both cars drove through down town LA heading towards Fourth Street and Olive. They pulled up at the apartment building and Damion used a remote to open the underground parking. Both cars drove down and parked near the access to the reception area. Stiles was the first out the Camero and was stretching like he had been asleep for most of the day. Scott helped Allison get out the car after him and Derek was opening the trunk.

Jackson and Damion both got out the Veyron and Damion carried on the conversation that they had been having. "Seriously that is the last time I am going shopping in a place like that with any off you."

Jackson frowned "It wasn't that bad?"

Derek bit his lip trying not to laugh, as Damion carried on "No, believe me it was. The look I was getting from the assistants when four teenagers and two adults came in to buy leather gear was not the most conducive to shopping. Then we had Mr Motorboat over there that wouldn't stop growling all the time." He said pointing at Derek, then pointed at Stiles "And let's not forget Stiles and his repeated question of 'Is this tight enough, and will Danny like it if it has studs.'. Followed by Scott's investigation of the adult section, because he wouldn't look ahead of him only at the floor, by the way butt-less chaps are never what you want to wear to see and Alpha, Scott."

Scott's face turned bright red and Allison couldn't help laughing at him. "Dude come on it was a mistake, I thought they were trousers. I mean, how was I meant to know until the woman came over and I asked if she had them in my size and she told me what they were..." he said trying to explain but digging himself in deeper, he ended with sort of a whine. Allison stroked his back reassuringly.

The others were grinning and helping to get the bags, the new clothes and the food shopping they had gotten out of both cars. They headed up to the main lobby and Damion stopped at the desk to sign in Derek's car as a visitors. The man behind the desk frowned and then recognised him. "Good to see you again Mr Magus, it's been a while, you been on one of your digs again? Your apartment has been getting its regular clean, in fact it was only done yesterday so it should be all set for you. The Mail is in the usual place as well. If you need anything else, let me know."

Damion smiled at the man "Thanks George, it's good to know the service around here is as impeccable as always. Yeah I was in central Asia on an extended dig. Not been back in the country that long. Here's something for you and the staff to treat your self's to a night out." He reached into his wallet and handed a folded bundle of notes. George made to refuse it but Damion forced it back. "George, you know I appreciate the work you guys do. Please let this be an early Christmas night out, ok?"

George looked at the money again and smiled "Thank you Mr Magus, you always keep the Christmas party fund well stocked." He nodded his thanks as well and the group headed to the lifts.

"Ok we'll need to take two up, the apartment on eleven. It's eleven sixty two." He pressed the call button and they split into two groups as one got in and the other called for the lift again, the second one coming to collect them.

Derek was standing with Damion waiting for the lift, he leaned over. "That was generous off you. You do that a lot the generous tipping, or the scholar ships and the what have you." Jackson looked interested in the answer as well.

Damion just shrugged "Why not. I have it, so why not let other people enjoy it as well."

Derek just smiled and kissed him, Jackson became interested in what floor the lift was on.

The rode up on the lift and got on the eleventh floor. The others were waiting by the door. Stiles was scratching his head, and asked Damion as they approached. "I thought you would live in the penthouse, not the floor under the top floor."

Damion unlocked the door and opened it. "It is a penthouse; the balcony is on the second floor." The door opened to a bright modern open plan living area. The latest entertainment system was fitted on one wall and a three large corner coaches around a glass coffee table made up the living room. The dining area was set up on a raised section that also lead to the kitchen space. A set of wooden steps went up to the second floor and a corridor lead to the second bedroom. "Second bedroom is over there and the master suite is upstairs." Damion added as they dropped the bags into the hallway and went in.

Stiles and Jackson made for the Entertainment system and Scott and Allison headed upstairs to check out the balcony view. Derek came up to the Kitchen with Damion and helped put the groceries away. "Mr Damion you have a lovely place here. We may need to use this again sometime with less Pups." Derek said to him.

Damion grinned at the thought. He called out "Anyone hungry?" Even though they had only eaten a couple of hours earlier all four Pups called out. Derek shook his head and went back into the fridge to get the Steak mince they had bought, as Damion got the Pasta out. "It was a redundant question in hind sight." Derek grinned again.

..oo00OO00oo..

As the meal got closer to being done Derek rounded up the Pup to set the table and get the Salad and Garlic bread ready. Stiles took charge of the Garlic bread and Scott made the salad. Allison and Jackson took the table. Once they were seated and tucking in the conversation turned to what to expect and what the protocol for tomorrow was.

"So what do we do to no get ourselves eaten?" Stiles asked as he hovered up the spaghetti of his plate.

Derek paused as he tore a hunk of Garlic bread and considered what needed to be covered. "First off before you do anything and I do mean anything you look to me for approval. This means that your actions are authorised by me. It also means that if something goes wrong then I can step in."

The pups looked at him taking note of what they were telling him and nodding as he made his points.

"Second don't make eye contact with Jared. If you do break it fast and look down. That means that you are submitting to him and it will not be seen as a challenge. The same goes for his mate and second, they may be the same person they may not. If another wolf speaks to you then you can meet there eye except for the leader of the Beta's same rules apply on that unless it's Scott as he would share the same rank. A problem we may have is that Jackson may be seen as an Omega by the other pack because he is more submissive than dominant, but if you don't break eye contact or show nervousness or fear around them then they shouldn't try and place you."

Jackson looked uncomfortable as he realised that he had displayed those signs towards dominant males, Derek included. Scott placed his hand on Jacksons shoulder to show his support and when Jackson looked at him he gave Jackson a reassuring smile. "Stick close to Allison and me and well make sure there aren't any issues." Jackson nodded and returned a thankful smile to the pair.

Derek nodded as the exchange happened "That's good, being there to support each other and to make sure that you are all safe. Jackson, Scott isn't wrong with what he's saying so stay close. Stiles you are going to need to be careful." Stiles shrugged in a resigned way knowing that this was going to happen; Derek frowned as he carried on, this being the most distasteful bit for him. "Basically you can't look any one in the eyes. Keep your eyes down cast at all times and don't speak unless you are asked a direct question or talk to anyone out of turn. Keep any answer you give short and to the point, and address anyone as Sir or Ma'am if there are any females. Stick close to Damion, and stand behind him and to one side."

Stiles let out an exasperated sigh "This is going to be so much fun. What about how Damion is going to act?" he asked suddenly curious, Derek looked at Damion for him to answer.

Damion shrugged as he took a Drink of wine, setting the cup down he answered "Well, I will be playing the Lupus Arcana card quiet heavily; as much as my race is more legend than fact they will know I am different from a normal Werewolf. As such I am outside of the Pack structure even though I am in a Pack. You remember what I was like when I arrived?"

Stiles nodded "You were bit of a Dick."

Damion snorted and Scott choked on his mouthful of Bolognese, Allison and Jackson helping him to clean up. "Yeah I was a bit of a dick I can admit to that. I will be playing that role again, to the hilt."

Allison frowned "Is that safe?"

Derek nodded "Yeah, as he's outside of normal Pack he will be acting as a diversion to keep them from getting to nosey about you guys and the state of our Pack. Speaking of which don't mention anything about the Pack, or what we're doing. If anyone asks you something or presses for an answer tell them they need to speak to your Alpha. Better to play it safe."

The Pups nodded. They finished the food and Damion got up and started to clear a space on the table "Oh before I forget, sleep with your new clothes tonight."

Scott cocked his head to the side and his mouth was open as he tried to process that. "Huh, why?" He asked.

Derek fielded that as he brought back the dessert from the fridge. "It will lessen the new smell and imprint your onto them, also help them fit better tomorrow. Getting new clothes for an introduction is one thing; getting new clothes the day before that still stink of manufacturing wouldn't set the mood." Scott nodded as he understood.

They finished dessert and the Pups started to the dishes as Derek and Damion had cooked. Afterwards the settled down and watched Green lantern from the pay per view, Stiles lamenting there wasn't any pop corn.

..oo00OO00oo..

The next morning they gathered in the living room bedecked in their new look. Derek was wearing his customary leather jacket and black t-shirt but had combined that with black leather trousers and boots. Damion was wearing the leather jacket that Lydia had gotten him and similar trousers and boots to Derek, the difference being that he had several chains hanging from one side of a Maroon belt that matched the Jacket and a black leather waistcoat and outback hat. Scott, Jackson and Stiles were again wearing similar outfits to Derek, though the Jackets were similar to Scott's in that they had hoodies attached to them. Jackson's jacket was dark steel grey and Stiles was a dark green. Allison was wearing fitted leather trousers and heeled boots, her top was fitted as well and she was wearing her leather jacket she had brought with her.

Allison surveyed the men and couldn't help thinking it was a good look for them. It made them look older certainly, though not part of a biker gang. She was glad that she would get away with the top she was wearing and not resort to the leather top that Stiles had suggested. Damion certainly stood out, but that was part of the plan, though he did look like he had stopped off in the old west on his way here. She walked up to over to Scott and wrapped her arm around his and kissed him. "I like this look on you." She said.

Stiles snorted as he heard her "I feel like we're in the Sentai Rangers, though how I got to be the green ranger I will never know." Jackson chuckled as he got the reference and Scott rolled his eyes, Stiles glared at him and said "Well at least I don't look like Derek's little brother." He indicated the matching colour schemes that Derek and Scott had.

Derek looked at Stiles with a 'whatever' expression but Scott kind of preened himself at that and retorted to Stiles "Hey, being thought of as Derek's little brother wouldn't be a bad thing." He said with a touch of pride in the statement which caught Derek on the hop.

Damion smiled at Derek as he caught the reaction though none of the other Pups had seen it. He went over to him and whispered "Your new family has faith in you too." Derek met Damion's eyes and a smile played out on his lips.

They were both swamped when the Pups had caught onto what was being said and group hugged the pair. Stiles sighed "Yeah we have faith in you big guy." They could see Derek was caught complete off guard by this and was taken aback. They broke the embrace and Derek cleared his throat as he tried to regain his composure. Scott gave his lopsided smile at him and Derek ruffled his hair showing he appreciated what had been said and implied.

Damion clapped his hands "Ok mushy stuff over with."

Scott took the opportunity to ask a question that had been bugging him since they had come to breakfast that morning. "Dude, Uhh Damion I was meaning to ask... You smell different. I mean more than just the new clothes. It's like your scent has become intense and kinda ozone-y, also the Werewolf bit is kind of weird?"

Damion smiled "Yeah, to more fully engage in my role as distraction I've been letting of the dampening down of my scent."

Scott looked puzzled and Stiles asked "You dampen your scent, why?"

Damion shrugged "It's because I'm cousin to Werewolves rather than Werewolf. Lupus Arcana has a different more intense and ozone-y feel to it. "He smiled when he used Scott's description. "It can put some people off and other overwhelms other Wolfs. Normally I damp it down so it's not as noticeable. Today we are going to need all the help we can, so weird scent on full."

Derek had come over to join them and said "I kind of like it, it's like during a thunder storm."

Allison smirked "You would."

Derek just shrugged. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a set of gold rings. "These are mate rings. Damion and I wear a set and you and Scott need to wear a set as well. It will mark you as being mated. Don't discuss your mate bond, and don't show the mark if you can help it."

Scott's perplexed look came back. "I thought it was something to be celebrated?"

Damion nodded "Normally it is, but you're still very young and it can be a taken as an aberration for it to have happened."

Scott's looked hadn't gotten any better, Derek rolled his eyes "They may think its puppy love and shouldn't have been allowed to happen."

Allison took one of the rings and put it on. "I think I see what you're saying it would be like someone saying you can't get married because you don't know each other well enough, or know if it is true love, but a lot worse."

Derek and Damion nodded and Scott got the message and made an 'Oh'. He took the ring and put it on.

Jackson had moved over to the window and was looking down at the street below. Allison, Scott and Stiles exchanged glances and Scott went over and placed a hand of his shoulder "Dude it'll be cool don't freak okay, we'll all be there."

Jackson took a breath and nodded resolutely. Inside he could feel his wolf taking the confidence in him and reassurance from Scott's touch and words. He had be worrying for most of the night about how this would go down and was afraid that he would be the weak link and cause problems for his Pack. What had been said about his issues and how those made him submissive were true, he knew it deep down and right now he was trying to hold it together for the others.

Damion looked at the clock over the fireplace and then to Derek who nodded. "Ok everyone its show time." Derek said and indicated the door. The Pups all seemed to steel themselves for what was ahead and how it would play out given all they knew and were told to expect and headed towards the door. Then as a group they left the penthouse.