Newt's POV

Picking up Dougal had taken quite a bit of time. There was little doubt in his mind MACUSA was happy to see the back of him. They didnt question him on the boy who was now at his side. Deciding they very much didnt want to know.

He and Tina said tearful goodbyes and he promised to keep in touch. It was the least he could do after all. Maybe he would visit and bring her a copy of his book next time.

The goodbye with Queenie was with fewer tears. Secretly she mentioned meeting that she would continue to see Jacob. Honestly, he was happy for her. They were both a pair of misfits looking for their place in the world. What MACUSA didnt know wouldn't hurt them. Not in this case at least.

When he and Credence were finally on the train to Arizona it was almost noon the next day. For his part, Newt was exhausted. The moment they were in their seats he was leaning back trying to catch up on sleep.

Thankfully his sleep was dreamless otherwise he might have changed again. The wolf within him was restless despite everything that had happened. It wanted to be free and for him to run. This made Newt scared to change again. What if he started to run and couldn't stop?

For the first time, he understood Matthew's dilemma. The reason his uncle didnt change any more. He was afraid of not being there for his child. Now that Newt had someone human to look after he felt the same fear.

After his nap, Newt paid for both of them to have a hot meal. It was something they had both been lacking.

Quietly he asked, "What do you want to do Credence? You can travel with me for as long as you wish. Once back in England I'll take you to Ollivander's shop in Diagon Alley so we can get you a wand."

"I can really get a wand, Mr. Scamander?" Came the soft question. The young man in front of him flinching as if expecting to be hit.

Newt replied equally as soft as if trying to coax a frightened creature, "Please call me Newt. And of course, you can. Despite you being added to this little band I was planning on returning to England for a time. You see I am what's known as a skinwalker. We can move between human and animal skin. The Wizarding World was inspired to do the same many centuries ago. Those that succeeded became the first animagi. However, it did not take them long to turn on the skinwalkers. So we went into hiding. My father was a pureblood skinwalker and my mother was human. While my brother should have inherited the gene he did not. I did. We didnt know this until my fifth year in school. Skinwalkers you see only change for the first time between 13-18. I got lucky and was able to continue my schooling despite being little more than a beast in their eyes."

"Are we going to see your brother?"

Newt laughed tiredly, "Honestly I'm not sure. Theseus and I don't exactly have the best of relationships. If he wants to though maybe we can go see him. Otherwise, it will be straight to Wolf Lake. I know my uncle and Tyler will love you."

Tyler... he did the miss the older wolf. It had been too long since they had seen each other. He had to wonder if Tyler already chose his mate. It was what was keeping him from being named head of the clan after all.

Newt was too free-spirited to be held down by the clan. He wasnt raised with their ideologies. As much as he liked Tyler and Sherman he could not guarantee that he would stay with them for any length of time.

Credence asked carefully, "Who is Tyler? How do you know he will like me? I'm just a burden."

Dark eyes glanced down at his hands and Newt felt his heartbreak for the younger man. Slowly so to give Credence plenty of time to move away if he wanted he reached out to pull him into a hug. For a moment they just sat there awkwardly before his shirt began to feel wet.

Silently Credence cried into Newt's shirt. Arms slowly reached so that they were loosely around his abdomen. How long had it been since Credence was hugged? Had he ever been given a real hug by someone who cared about him?

Eventually, Credence fell asleep in Newt's arms. Newt leaned back in his seat and allowed himself to relax. He would protect this child with everything he had.

Tyler's POV

An ice-cold feeling rushed through his veins. Blackstone had just returned from searching for Willard Cates. The news had not been good. What they feared finally came to pass.

Willard Cates was dead and the clan was without a leader. Tyler was one of three contenders for the position. Without his mate, however many would see him as weak.

Glancing at Donner he knew some just didnt like him. To be fair he could be an asshole. He knew this. The whole pack knew this. His reasoning for it was sound. All he wanted was what was best for the clan. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Well... maybe for one thing more. Tyler turned to the west his eyes searching for the mate that he could not see. Newt was his primary mate and he hoped that one day he would stay. The clan expected him to choose a mate and settle down.

No one within the clan could settle the pain in his heart. If he had to wait a lifetime for Newt to come back and choose him he would. Trying to keep the younger man from following his dreams was impossible. It would be like clipping the wings of a bird. Cruel and unusual. Though he did worry about his mate.

Even as separated from most of the world they heard about a rising Dark Lord. One who was promising equality to the creatures. It was a tempting promise. Willard had made arrangements to meet with the Dark Lord. Now they had to hurry against the clock to choose a new clan head. Otherwise, they would never get what they wanted in terms of equality. Only an unbreakable vow and treaty would suffice.

Of course in the old guard's eyes, they shouldn't make a treaty. They believed that the clan should go back to the dark ages. Tyler believed they should move forward and past their difference. Otherwise, they would be completely wiped out this time. Not just scattered. He or Donner had to be the one to take up the mantel. Otherwise, the skinwalkers would finally die out.