Chapter 8

Teddy Lupin's life had never been easy. His very birth had been an unplanned. His own parents, prioritising others over him. Dead in days. It was as though they were running away from him. The mistake of his birth. It was easier to be dead.

He was the one that they left behind. The outcast in a world that hoped to banish the evil that they considered his very existence.

No one wanted him. Held down by the ideas and prejudice of those around him. He was more trouble than he was worth; a burden. A werewolf in a world that would rather pretend that such horrors did not exist. He had never felt a part of anywhere. He was an outcast of a nation trapped by their ideas.

"Alpha" Teddy couldn't do it anymore. Couldn't face a life like that. Not now that he had the peel around him. He belonged.

"Alpha" It was desperate. He couldn't go back to a life like that. He couldn't go back to the freak, the danger, the abandoned babe. He couldn't.

"Alpha." Hot tears, a roar throat, scraped knees. He needed him. He needed this. He didn't know how he had gone on for so long. Didn't know how he had lived that life. They had ruined him. Caged his wolf and torn away his very soul. He needed his Alpha.

"Teddy"

Hands were on his shoulders, a nose in his neck, teeth scraping the skin.

"Alpha" it was nearly a whimper. This was what he needed.

The teeth put pressure on the bobbing Adam's apple, demanding and controlling. Belonging. Teddy whined. There was no other action that he could take. This man owned him. Fully and completely.

"Alpha" a sigh of satisfaction.

The teeth clenched harder. Teddy could feel them digging into his skin. He melted into the feeling. His body sagging, his head lolling in the pleasure of it. He was owned. He belonged; fully and completely.

"Alpha" Verging on pleasurable.

The teeth released. Teddy's eyes snapped. A whine forced itself from his lips.

Blue eyes were blown wide.

"Teddy" the voice was gruff, the words coming out as gravel.

Teddy blinked up at the eyes. His hair was hot read. His face a pink flush.

"Alpha, I can't" The whine was begging.

"I know." The voice of his Alpha. The soothing rumbles of the chess that was so close.

"Stay here. Sam's asleep."

Teddy could only nod. He was intoxicating. Every inch of him drew Teddy in. He wanted nothing more than to bury himself in the scent. Surrounding himself with ginger hair and ice eyes. He inhaled deeply, a hand in his, dragging him.

"Sleep Teddy. It's late."

Teddy could do nothing more than as he was commanded. A warm body was at his back, the contact hot and soothing. He wanted nothing more.

A small snuffle, a young wolf, a pup. Teddy huffed back.

He sank into the feeling. So satisfying. So complete. He had never let so safe. He was home.

Percy eye's opened slowly, for once, reluctant to wake. Although he supposed that it was not so surprising. It had become a bit of a habit for the past week, every morning was becoming more and more difficult to escape from the warmth of comfort.

It was evident that the two new additions to his room, were the reason for this sleeping pattern. Wolves, naturally, were pack animals. Sleeping in groups, skin to skin contact, shared space. It was a big part of pack life. However Percy had not had such connections in quite a few years.

His pups had grown up, new pack members had been few and far between and almost all of the new members had been mature or immature enough, that they found someone other than Percy to help them in their acclimatisation. Except for on full moons, Percy only had only some friendly contact with his pack members. Some members sought it out on occasions, while others merely approached him to test out themselves, seeking the reassurance of his leadership.

Yet, Percy could not remember the last time he had ever had anyone stay with him, sleeping close by, for as long as the two people next to him had. It had been a day, two at most when members had wished for his company. The longest had been four. Yet here he was, Teddy and Sam, still snuggled tight, after seven days with no apparent indication of change. It both soothed him and put him on edge. Percy wasn't sure how to feel about it.

It was too early for these sorts of thoughts. He needed to get up. He had a lot of work to be getting on with toady. A pack didn't run itself.

Careful not to disturb the sleeping boys that still lay curled under the forest of covers, he removed himself from the pleasant heat with an unsatisfied sigh. It was cold. Even with the blood a wolf, that didn't mean that Percy didn't hop up from the floor with a hiss at the freezing flagstones. He was not a morning person and he hated cold even more than he hated early starts.

Percy, ensuring he wasn't too loud, showered, warming his feet up a little, before he stepped out, dressed in nothing but a towel. Stepping toward the bed, careful to not wake Sam, Percy set a hand on Teddy's shoulder. He shook gently.

The boy only made a small whine, trying to get deeper under the covers.

"Teddy" Percy whispered, as he shook harder.

Amber eyes fluttered open, squinting tiredly. A groan came from the mouth.

"Time to get up Teddy. Lots to do today." The young man merely gave a nod in response, pushing the covers from himself, careful not to wake Sam. Eyes still cloudy with sleep, he headed for the bathroom, his own feet having disagreements with the cold stone as he went.

Percy watched after Teddy for a second, before the door closed. Percy then dressed in a set of his most formal robes. He needed to look the part. His scars may make him look violent and aggressive. Yet the robes made it look as though it were from battle for a better life, rather than petty disputes.

Casting his glance over to the still sleeping boy, Percy gave a small smile. It was still early, not even seven in the morning yet. He should let him sleep. The little boy needed it. Percy let out a small huff of reassurance, before placing a gentle kiss on the little boy's forehead. Emile would be there when the baby wolf woke. Percy had a busy day ahead of him.

Percy quickly made his way from his house, the one that he had built with his own two hands, the first one to stand on the ground that they had all fought so hard to make their own. He made his way toward the manor grounds. Teddy would join him in his own time.

On the way, several of his pack members caught up with their Alpha. A growl of greeting and a thrown smile.

"Morning Boss"

The main doors were opened and Percy quickly stepped though. No matter the day, a breakfast was a key part to start it.

"Dante" Percy nodded at the chef, who had probably been there for hours, if the spread of food was anything to go by. He drew the man's attention from barking at the other's in the kitchen

"Looks delicious." Percy smiled with sincerity.

"I should hope so, Alpha." The gruff man nodded, before turning back to his preparations. There were hundreds of werewolves to feed and little time before more began to arrive. In fact there were already about ten of them in the kitchen and it was very early.

Percy gathered himself some of the food that was already set out, most of it cold as it was still too early for anything that might go off, to be served. That would happen it about an hour and only the quickest members would manage to nab some. It was the story of the early bird catching the worm. However, in this case, Percy was too early and it was still nighttime. So the early bird may be eaten by a fox.

Percy filled his tray with cereal and fruit, sticking some toast in the toaster to eat when he'd finished his first round. Placing his tray on one of the tables he veered toward where the hot drinks were. He needed a cup of tea. How else was he supposed to start his morning?

He was only a few sips into the steaming mug of liquid gold, with a dash of milk, when he was joined by several other members of his pack, Teddy included. The young man sat next to his Alpha, hair a tired, floppy green. He was close enough that Percy could feel his body heat. It was soothing in a way Percy was not quite sure of. He ignored it.

Percy kept his eyes on the tea. There was no business talk at the table. However, Percy preferred no talk at all. Especially when he had a rather strenuous day ahead of him.

The other pack members understood that. They spoke amongst themselves, if at all and merely giving courteous nods to their Alpha as they sat. Percy was thankful of their presence, even if he was not involved with their conversations. A pack was family, even if one did not wish to talk to them.

Just as Percy was finishing his second slice of toast, he was approached by Aaron, Ross fidgeting at the man's side. He was eager to be off.

"Alpha" Broke through the quite that had surrounded him. Percy gave a nod in response. It was time for them to go. They had important work to do.

It was less than ten minutes, a rather hectic sprint as they realised that one of the congregation was missing and a quick floo trip, followed by some rather extensive cleaning spells. Then they were finally there. They were once again standing in the lobby of the ministry of magic. Yet, this time they were not being carried there in chains.

Minister Granger, Percy still found himself uncomfortable with the sound of that, had invited them. Was it really an invite? A little more verging on a demand, maybe even a threat? Although he was sure that she didn't see it that way. Werewolf laws were being passed today. Each member of the Wizengamot was voting. Voting on some rather extreme and intrusive laws, or so Percy saw it. They had been invited. To plead their case of course.

Percy did not take threats lightly.

"Minister" Percy nodded as he stepped into the main auditorium. There had been guards to lead the group of creatures, as the ministry dubbed them, to the voting room. Percy looked at the woman with disdain. He would rather not be here. Rather not have to deal with the ignorance of the society around him. He scowled.

"Percy" the voice was a little strained and brown eyes were looking in confusion and annoyance.

Percy followed her gaze. He supposed that having twelve werewolves in tow, to a meeting that required three at most, was rather surprising. Percy merely hid his smirk behind his hair and ignored the woman.

"If you would take your seats." Percy nodded to the members of his pack.

The minister was evidently confused. There was bench seating at the edge of the room, that would, at most, seat five. The only other seats were those of the Wizengamot. Yet magic was the only way that one could be accepted into that seat. The magic of a bloodline. The bloodline with the authority to vote. There were no other seats.

Oh Percy was going to love this.

"Yes Alpha" chorused from the group and off they went. His pack. His family. They were glorious.

The mouth of every Wizengamot member was wide, almost to the floor.

There were around twenty Wizengamot members still remaining in the wizarding world. Well, that wasn't quite true. There had been only fifteen left after the massacre that was the second wizarding world. There had been five more members added, the rest being only empty seats. These twenty members and the voted minister had been governing the laws of the wizarding world, for the past twenty years.

However, as Percy watched, a twinkle in his eye, it seemed that that would be changing. Nine of the pack, ones that had been thought lost to the wizarding world, took their seats. Nine sets of magic flared across nine seats and soon nine grins greeted the gazes of twenty baffled council members and one minister of magic. Percy couldn't help his grin.

Percy turned toward the minister and in that moment he could clearly see the girl she had once been; frustrated and angry with something that she simply could not grasp.

"Minister" Percy said with a smile. "Shall we start?"