"Hm…" the man looked Sam up and down, clearly assessing him. Alaric had left Sam to browse the internet while Pete watched over him but Sam hadn't noticed, engrossed as he was. Alaric had introduced the newcomer as Luke, and as the alpha of their pack. "And you don't remember anything?"

"Not a thing," Sam answered honestly, "The only thing I remember is waking up in the woods and trying to find my way out."

"No memory at all of you being attacked by a wolf?" Luke prompted further, turning Sam's head to one side and then the other.

"Look, if I remembered I would tell you," Sam said, pulling away from Luke's hands and frowning. "I have to get out of here and find my brother."

"Sorry, I can't allow that," Luke said, clearly satisfied with his examination and stepping back several steps to cross his arms. "Alaric caught me up on who you are. I followed your case with quite a bit of interest. It's always in our best interest to make sure that rogue wolves are dealt with. From what I've read and seen, you shouldn't be alive. But here you are, safe and sound. What am I supposed to do with that?"

"I don't care what you do with it," Sam said hotly, rising from his seat and grabbing for the jacket that Alaric had given him. "I'm leaving to find my brother."

"No, you aren't," Luke said, stepping between him and the exit. "Sam, I understand that you are confused, scared even, but I can't let you leave here. A lone wolf is a rare thing and only happens when an alpha accepts that the wolf won't bring attention to themselves. You, on the other hand, are a brand new werewolf with no ability to control his turn nor his temper."

"I don't have a temper," Sam snapped, proving his words were incorrect. "And I can take care of myself."

"Look, you are going to search for your brother, right?" Luke said, clearly trying to placate Sam. "You don't know this side of the world, the one that hides in shadows, but we do. If you survived the wolf's attack, there is every chance that your brother did as well."

This logic gave Sam the slightest of pauses and Luke seized the momentary weakness. "Let me reach out to other packs. You traveled a massive distance, your brother could be anywhere. Other packs will give you the same problems and holdups I am and that's if they don't kill you on principle for being basically a rogue wolf."

"So what am I supposed to do in the meantime?" Sam asked skeptically. "Sit here and do nothing?"

"Not quite," Luke said, "If you are going to stay here you are going to stay as a part of my pack. That means that you are going to go to school, just like a normal kid."

"School?" Sam repeated disbelievingly. This was the last thing that he had expected. "Seriously?"

"Seriously," Luke said, clearly fighting a smile. "Like I said, I followed your case very thoroughly. You were only halfway through your junior year when you were attacked. You lost a few weeks with your disappearance, but you seem smart enough. You can catch up. I will have some papers forged so that you can enroll within the week."

Sam, whose memories of his original world had begun to rapidly fade away, tried to cling to them desperately but it was like grabbing water. "Look, I appreciate your help and I think I am going to need it but seriously, school?

"Very seriously." Luke said, no longer smiling. "Just because we were given a different hand than most doesn't mean we have to live like animals. Most of the pack leads very normal lives, save for the full moon. You'll enjoy the local high school. My best friend's daughter and her best friend attend it. I will be happy to introduce you to them."

"Sure," Sam said after a few moments. "Are they werewolves too?"

Luke's face grew very stern then. "No, they aren't." He said curtly. "And that is another issue. This is my first order to you as your new alpha: you are forbidden to speak to Clary or her friend Simon about anything Downworlder related."

"Well, what if they find out on their own?" Sam asked.

"I really, well and truly, hope that such a thing never comes to pass," Luke said. "But, if it does, consider that order null and void. Help them as much as you can."

A bell rang out from the front of the store and Luke held up a hand, listening intently. He smiled after a moment and gestured for Sam to follow him. Curious, he followed the alpha out of the back of the book store and into the front. Standing there, leaning on the counter and chatting animatedly, was one red-haired girl about Sam's current age and one nerdy looking boy beside her. She smiled when she saw Luke and gave him a tight hug. "You missed dinner last night!" she said accusingly, punching Luke on the arm.

"Sorry, got held up with work," he laughed, rubbing his arm.

"You are your own boss," she reminded him, rolling her eyes. "And you run your own store. You don't have an excuse."

Luke looked to Simon for help, but the nerdy boy raised his hands and shook his head. "I'm not equipped for that battle, you are on your own."

Rolling his eyes, the alpha sighed. "Alright, how about I come over for dinner tomorrow night?"

Clary seemed to consider this and then shook her head. "No, you can come over tonight."

"Tonight?" Luke asked incredulously. "That's a bit short notice, don't you think?"

"You are the one who didn't come over last night," Clary shrugged, seemingly not caring about the time frame she had set. "Make time."

Simon was the first one who noticed Sam standing in the doorway that led to the back and he raised an eyebrow. "Uh, hi?" he said warily. "Can I help you with something?"

Luke caught Simon's gaze and he beckoned for Sam to join them. "Clary, Simon, I would like you to meet Sam. He's my sister's son."

"Nice to meet you, Sam," Clary smiled at him and offered a hand which Sam shook. Simon did the same, though he didn't linger as long as she did. "Luke, you didn't tell me you had a sister! Or a nephew!"

"They live quite far away," Luke laughed. "But he came to visit for a while. He wanted to see the city, so we thought he should spend a few years with me. He will be going to your high school this fall."

"Oh, cool!" Clary said. "So, Sam, what do you think of the city so far?

"It's… nice?" Sam said, smiling cautiously. So much had happened to him in such a short time that he had forgotten how to interact with people his own age. That thought caused the smile to falter slightly. Something felt off about it, like it wasn't quite right, but he wasn't sure what it was. His memory was fuzzy at best and nonexistent at worst. He remembered that he had a brother, Dean, that he needed to find but beyond that… Nothing. He didn't remember anything beyond being found running through the forest. "I don't think I have seen a city quite like this before."

"Well, let us show you around," Clary said, taking his hand and tugging him forward. "Come on, Simon! Let's show him around!"

"Hold on a bit," Luke laughed. "Sam will meet you outside, I just need to give him a few last minute instructions before he runs off with you two."

Clary and Simon shrugged simultaneously and walked out of the store. Only when they had gone did Luke turn to Sam. "Remember, not a word to the two of them about Downworlders or any of it. Here's some cash to get you by for a while," Luke handed Sam a small wad of money which he immediately pocketed. "When you get settled in a bit more you can start working here or at the bar so that you can earn some of your own. Keep an eye on those two for me, they are very important in my life. You are welcome to stay here tonight, I will have a bed set up for you in the back. The red brick on the wall by the store is loose, I will store a key behind it."

"Thanks for all of this," Sam said. "I'll do what I can to not be too much of a burden."

"A burden?" Luke laughed, shaking his head. "Sam, you are handling all of this better than anyone could ask of you. I didn't when I got turned and I was older than you. You have some steel in you, kid. You'll do just fine here I think."